The Season of Reaching the Stars

Chapter 3

The next morning, Laura woke up with a new spirit. He knew today was the day he was waiting for2. He wore his school uniform with great enthusiasm. Today he wanted to look neat in Niko's eyes. Her dress shirt had a roll of paper tied in red tape. Niko's Images.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror, and smiled. Today will be different from the previous 2 days. Today he will gather his courage to talk to Niko.

During the break, Laura looked at Niko's back. The 2 classmates had already gone to rest. In class, there were only two of them. ''O Laura, only six steps towards her place, '' she said inwardly. Slowly, Laura got up from her chair and walked towards Niko.

His breathing is starting to get irregular. Three more steps. Two more steps. One more step. Now he arrives at Niko's desk. It seems that Niko is writing a report.

Gathering her courage, Laura took a deep breath and said, ''Niko...''

Niko stopped writing and looked at Laura curiously.

Laura put a picture of Niko on her desk. ''I found your picture here.''

Niko looked at the red banded paper roll in front of her, then opened it. His eyes recognized the picture, Niko looked at Laura again. ''Thank you.''

Laura breathed a sigh of relief. ''Finally I can talk to him.''

Seeing Niko's eyes still looking at her made Laura nervous. He doesn't know what to talk about.

''Ehm.'' Her hasty steps almost nudged Niko's desk.

''Wait, Laura,'' said the voice behind him.

Laura turned her body towards Niko. ''What's up?''

Niko hesitated to say her next sentence. ''Tell me... Can you not tell anyone about my picture?''

(''why'?') laura's mind immediately responds to Niko's question, but what comes out of her mouth is the opposite. ''Alright, '' he said slowly.

''Thank you again, Niko said with a gentle smile.

Niko's smile made Laura tremble. ''Sama-sama,'' reply slowly.

Five minutes later, in the girls' toilet, Laura smiled broadly. This time he didn't care if his heart was beating fast. He really likes this feeling. Finally, after a year and a half, he was able to talk to Niko, and Niko found out her name. The first time his name came out of the lips of the person he liked.

In the days that followed, when Laura passed Niko in the classroom hallway, in the cafeteria, or in the classroom, Niko smiled at her and Laura returned the smile.

***

Two days later, Laura stroked her wet clothes. Drizzle wet the bus stop that will take Laura to her school. Laura glanced at her watch. There's still plenty of time. Usually the bus comes every ten to fifteen minutes. And the trip to school from the bus stop is usually about ten minutes.

Laura took out a jacket from the bag and put it on. While waiting for the bus, Laura's palm stretched out to feel the rain drops. Ten minutes passed, but the bus he was about to take to school had not arrived yet. Suddenly a car stopped in front of him. The window glass is open

''Laura.'', greet a guy.

Laura gasped in surprise, that voice. He would recognize that voice anywhere. Niko's Voice.

''Niko. Hi.huh...''

''Are you waiting for the bus?'' niko looked at Laura.

''Yes,'' Laura nodded.

''Follow my car, ''' Niko advised.

Laura was a bit surprised, ''Huh?''

Niko smiled knot. ''Come on my car.'' Laura sees Niko pressing a button to unlock the door. ''Enter, ''' said Niko later.

Laura stands up and walks into Niko's car.

''It just so happened to meet you, '' said Niko starting the conversation.

Laura's dead flea. His heart was racing again. He had 2 difficulties to speak and could only nod.

''I don't usually go to school this early, ''' continued Niko again, ''but I have to arrange an event for next week's friendly.''

After a while, Laura's heart returned to beating normally. ''You must be busy, Laura said slowly.

''Well that's it,'' said Niko smiling faintly, ''the risk jd chairman of OSIS.'' Laura joined in smiling, ''So.. your house is far from school, huh?'' ask Niko.

Laura nodded. ''Yes, how did you know?''

Niko smiled again. ''I'm the class president, when I don't know my classmates? Your phone number I know.''

Laura gulped, ''Right as well.'' Laura tightly gripped her fingers. ''Ehm... Niko, '' he said again, ''thank you for the spirit paper after last week's physics review.''

Niko seemed to think for a moment, but then smiled. ''Oh, that paper, well, I see you've given up. So I want to give you some spirit. Your grades aren't bad, are they?''

Laura shook her head and recalled the number eight she received a few days ago for a retrial of her physics. ''No, my repeat value is pretty good.''

''Good then, '' said Niko, Laura seemed to be dreaming.

Moments later, Niko's car enters the school area. Laura hopes the bus stop trip to school isn't this short. Niko's car stopped at the parking lot.

''Thank you for the ride, Niko, '' said Laura sincerely.

''Ehm... Laura, '' said Niko hesitantly, ''thank you for never telling me about my picture, to anyone else.''

''I promised I wouldn't tell her, '' said Laura a little confused.

''No one knows about my hobby other than my parents. School gossip usually spreads quickly. But you really-2 didn't tell anyone. I really-2 appreciate it.''

Laura smile. ''Your picture is very beautiful, you should be proud.'' (''I know I was fascinated by it'') Laura continued inwardly.

For a moment Niko's eyes looked sad, then replaced by a smile. ''Thanks you. This is the first time someone has praised my image.'' Niko opens her car door and Laura does the same. Niko's words left Laura a little confused.

''Thank you again, said Laura slowly.

Suddenly - 2 a voice approached them. ''Niko'' said, ''apparently you've arrived.'' Laura turned her head towards the direction the voice came from, it turned out to be Erika. ''Hi Erika, '' said Laura politely.

''What are you doing in Niko's car?'' asked Erika suspiciously.

Erika looked at Laura with dislike. ''I don't like you with the other girls in your car, Niko, '' said Erika ketus.

''Sorry'', Laura said, ''Niko really-2 just gave me a ride.'' ''I'm not talking to you, '' said Erika coldly.

''Erika, come on, '' said Niko a little annoyed. ''You're being childish.''

''Anyway from tomorrow you have to pick me up every morning before you go to school. We go together, said Erika ketus.

''Don't you always use your own car to school?'' niko asked as if Erika's request made no sense.

''Well, from tomorrow I want to be picked up by you, said Erika a little hearty.

Niko who could not bear to see the look of Erika as it immediately agreed. ''Alright, tomorrow I will pick you up first.''

Erika hugged him. ''Well, that's my new boyfriend.''

Niko just shook her head while sighing. Laura listened to the conversation sadly. He knew Niko wouldn't like him more than a friend. Niko already has Erika. But still the feeling of sadness in his heart could not go away. It's sad to expect something that doesn't belong to him. But, seeing Niko smile with Erika makes Laura's feelings improve again. No matter who you are with, as long as Niko can smile happily, she is also happy.

 

***

 

But the next 2 days were tough for Laura, as it seemed Erika had already set her up to be the number one enemy in school. The next morning, in the girls' toilet, Erika's 2nd friend accidentally crashes her into a fall without apologizing. Laura could only stand up and be silent. He knew it was a warning from Erika not to approach Niko again. And he couldn't blame Erika. He certainly wants to protect his own, although maybe the way will not be the same as Erika did. Fortunately, a few days later, there was a friendly match with another school so Erika was busy helping Niko prepare, and she forgot about Laura for a while.

The basketball court was full of screaming students. Each of the 2 students give spirit to the school. Laura saw the crowd in the room. He knew Niko was fighting. His hands meticulously printed the wheat dough into a star, After one baking sheet was fully filled, he put it in the oven. He likes to wait for moments like this 2.

The screams on the ground are getting louder. Laura smile. He believes Niko's team will win. Shortly after, the match was over. Laura looked towards the field. Score 24-21 for Niko's team victory.

 

**

 

The sound of the timer resuscitated Laura to open the oven. The smell of the cake he made. His lips smiled with satisfaction. He took the star cakes from the dough one by one, then put them on a large plate. He will offer his cake to Niko's basketball team who have won the game.

Laura came out of the dining room while carrying a plate of her homemade cake. There are no more basketball games on the court. The students are surrounding Niko's Basketball team to congratulate them.

Laura waited until all of Niko's 2nd friends were done, then walked over to her. ''Niko survived ya.''

Niko, who was still wearing a basketball club uniform and sweating, smiled at Laura, ''thanks.

''Ehm... would you like to try my cake?'' laura asked while thrusting the plate in front of her.

Niko took one of the star cakes on the plate and called it.

''Your homemade cake is very tasty, '' said Niko praising.

Laura then offers the same to all of Niko's friends at the basketball club. ''Please try'', he said kindly.

Without a second thought, Niko's 2nd friend took the cake - 2 was on the plate, praising Laura after eating it. ''Your cake is delicious'', said one of Niko's friends. ''My sister likes to experiment with cookies, can I have a recipe for the cake?''

Laura nodded, Of course. I'll give you the recipe in class later''.

Niko's friend smiled. ''Thanks.”

Suddenly 2 someone hit Laura from behind so that the plate she was carrying dropped and her cake-2 splattered on the ground. ''Oh.I'm sorry, '' said Erika, who obviously accidentally bumped into Laura. ''I was not on purpose.”

''Erika'', Niko's nagging, ''why can you be this reckless?''

''I'm really-2 sorry, Laura''. Erika looked at Laura with a smile.

Laura does not know if Erika accidentally or not hit him, but she is sad to see the results of her work end up on the field. ''Tdk what-2'', he said later.

Erika smiled broadly, I was right-2 unintentionally, '' she said again, then her gaze turned to Niko. ''Niko, my marching band will be performing in the hall for a while. Come on, come on over there.'' Erika pulls Niko's hand to follow her.

But before leaving, Niko spoke to Laura, Forgive Erika, yes.''

Laura nodded. ''Tdk what-2''.

After looking at Niko's back that disappeared behind the hall, Laura collected the cake-2 scattered in the field and placed it back on the plate. He walked slowly, then threw away all the cookies. When all the cakes had moved to the trash, his heart languished in sadness.

On the way home that day, Laura was pensive for a long time. Maybe he should stop being friends with Niko. And this desire he expressed to mama.

''Should I stop being friends with her, ma?'' ask when they do the dishes in the kitchen.

Mama looked at her daughter gently ''Are you going to stop being friends with her?''

Laura shakes.

''Laura'', said the mother as she closed the water tap, ''why don't you come clean with this guy if you like him?'

''She doesn't like me Laura replied.

''Wouldn't it be better for you to say your heart to her. Then once you find out she doesn't like you, you can start to stop feeling good about her and start a new relationship.''

''I know, but it's hard to let go. Especially now that we are friends.'' ''You want her boyfriend?'' ask mama again.

Laura looked at my mother sadly. ''That's an impossible hope, Ma. He likes his girlfriend now. But, do my feelings like it wrong, ma?''

Mama shook her head. ''Love is not simple. You don't like it wrong. It's just that you like the wrong people at the wrong time''.

Laura scolded. ''Give me some time until I graduate high school. At that time, I will decide to let go. After all, we will certainly split up. He must have gone to college in a different place than me. I've been chasing him for one and a half years. School graduation is 7 months away. Let me have this time to like it.''

Mama hugged her daughter, ''OK. Just until graduation, yeah. After that you have to let go. Believe me, sooner or later, time will heal the wounds in your heart.''

''Thanks, Ma'', Laura replied as she hugged and inhaled the fragrance of my mother's body. Laura smiled, mom's embrace always made her feel better.