The Monster In Me

Depart

“All of our classmates are coming?” asked Adira with a frown. He looked at the students who were entering different buses. Their number that seems quite a lot almost makes Adira undo the intention and ask Adnan to immediately pick him up.

“Not all, but, right, who traveled today is not only our class, but also the whole class 10, from 10-1 to 10-10,” Firda replied casually. His short hair that was about to reach his shoulders seemed to be constantly swaying as he turned his head to and fro. The smile never disappeared from his face. He seems to be really happy today.

Firda even greeted Abian, the young man he usually always got angry at for behaving ignorantly. Adira could only shake her head at the unusual behavior of her best friend.

“By the way, where is Brother Adnan? Is he on tour this time?” ask Firda while walking towards the first bus.

Adira who was busy putting her suitcase into the trunk and then snorted. “Which way possible! My brother was a 12th grader, of course he would rather study than join" he said. Hiding the fact that he had wanted Ardan to go with him.

“Wah, you two are really brothers,” said Firda amazed while patting his hand slowly.

Without responding, Adira just went into the bus. Both of his eyes were busy scanning the atmosphere inside in order to choose the best seat for him and Firda. Not too front, but not too back. And it would be nice if they could sit near the students who didn't talk much or joke.

However, of course not all his wishes can be realized. Adira and Firda did get a seat in the middle row, only, Abian and friends who were often noisy sat near them. Since leaning on the soft seat of the bus, Abian has told how he will enjoy their vacation this time.

Adira closed her eyes for a moment. Breathing deeply to feel more relaxed, even though his feelings still felt bad like the first time Adnan asked him to leave.

‘There's no time to back off. I better start trying to have fun,’ he thought.

“Good. Children, now sit quietly, yes.” Danita, the young teacher who is today assigned to be the supervisor and companion of the students, stands at the front, with the bus driver who is sitting preparing in his place. “Before leaving, I check your presence first, yes.”

All the students who were inside the bus one answered in unison. Let Danita nod with satisfaction and start reading one by one the names listed in the list in her hand. It didn't take long for him to check the attendance list. Danita nodded in satisfaction after making sure that the students who had to take the number one bus had all attended.

“Wait, Mom!” Abian raised his hand high. “It looks like on this bus there is a stray person. He is not on the list.”

Just like Danita, Adira and Firda then frowned and looked in the direction that Abian pointed. On one of the seats lined up at the back of the bus, a beautiful girl with thin makeup on her face seemed to frown. He hugged the student beside him tightly while glaring at the people who were looking strangely at him.

“What?” ask Trisha ketus. “Can't I be here? This bus still has enough empty seats!”

“But you should have joined a class group of 10-2,” Karsa chirps.

Slowly, he tries to free his hand which Trisha is still holding. Niente. The girl had no intention of taking it off.

“You should have called me ‘Kakak’! I'm a few months older than you. How many times do I have to remind you?” Trisha's lips are getting pursed. “But it's okay. I'll make an exception just for you.”

Danita throbs hard on purpose. Attempting to make the attention of the entire student refocus on him. “It's okay, Trisha. You can be here. I'll tell the supervising teacher of class 10-2 that you are joining this group.”

Adira pulls out her phone in search of other activities that are able to distract her from the current ridiculous situation. He really did not feel that whatever was going on was enough to attract his attention. As a result, Adira chose to open a file of learning materials that he stored in the memory of his phone.

While Firda kept clucking beside him. “What the fuck? Girls shameless!” his nag. “Everyone knows that Karsa likes you, it is very brave for him to approach Karsa until it is like that.”

“Leave it. He has the right to do whatever he wants,” Adira replied nonchalantly. Indirectly asking Firda to shut up and let her read quietly.

Feeling that the material he has on his phone is not enough, Adira then grabbed the backpack he put behind his back. Open it to pull out one of the books at random. Firda snorted beside him, but Adira did not care about it at all.

“Who studies on the way to the tourist park?” sindir Firda while holding his chest.

“I,” replied Adira cuek. “One day these books will save my life, and you will be surprised by it.”

“So much.” Firda finally gave up and no longer tried to make Adira enjoy their trip more this time. Adira and books are very difficult to separate, especially in free time.

After all, on second thought, Firda finally understood that everyone's way of relaxing was different. Who knows? Maybe Adira really found peace from reading the textbook.

Although it sounded absurd, Firda tried to believe that thought.

“Alright, kids. If our journey continues smoothly like this, most likely we will arrive in less than three hours.” Danita's voice was heard all over the bus. Although his figure was still sitting on the front seat. He could not stand because the bus was traveling at a high enough speed. “Mother will give a little idea about the Cakrabuana Playground that became our destination this time. For those of you who have visited the playground, this place is also not much different from other playgrounds.”

Danita just announced the usual thing, but a cheerful cheer was heard from the students, making the teacher smile cheerfully. Danita looked back so she could catch a glimpse of the expressions of her students. “Cakrabuana Park has a large area, with a considerable number of rides. They provide buses between rides to take visitors anywhere. But stay careful. You must travel in groups. It is forbidden to go alone!”

“Ready, Mom!” encourage students with spirit. Even Adira who was still focused on reading also answered loudly.

Suddenly he felt the phone in his pocket vibrate. Adira took out the flat object and saw the incoming message.

“Be careful on the road, and have fun! Don't keep reading books!” The girl read the message on her phone in a slow voice.

He then rolled his own eyeballs lazily. “How can Brother Adnan know everything about me? Maybe actually he can also predict the future.”

Had Adira known, that Adnan would have really wished he could have done the divination. Maybe that way he won't send his brother away alone.

***