“It’s so nice to be able to skip class, right?” said Drake with a smile.
“ I’m not one to miss class, but I have to admit that extra practice this time is pretty fun. I don’t really like math either.” Said Natty.
“Why do you like to say things convoluted? Let’s just say you like it because you can skip math class.” Drake said while staring at Natty and Natty just nodded her head while smiling thinly.
During that extra practice they practiced in earnest. Arduous physical exercise drains their energy and sweat, but they stay eager to practice. Strong determination is seen from the radiance of their eyes. The basketball game that just counts that day is a big game for them. It will also be their chance to show the ability of coaches from different universities who are looking for new team members to recruit.
Both Drake and Natty consider this inter-high school league important because for them this is their last chance to play in the high school league because this is their senior year. After this match they will be preoccupied with studying for the preparation of the university entrance exam. And if they are recruited by university coaches, then they will go to university easily without having to think about the entrance exam, to achieve that easy path they train very hard to show their best performance.
***
The bell rang indicating the class was over. After the teacher who teaches leaves the classroom, your students simultaneously leave the classroom to meet their friends, gather in the cafeteria and talk about new rumors to discuss.
Meanwhile, Helena is still sitting in her chair while putting her book in a bag. After closing her bag Helena sighed, she looked so bored that she put her head on the table and sighed again. She was very bored and didn’t know what to do. She wants to go to the cafeteria but it’s not fun if she’s just on her own.
Helena remained in her chair feeling bored and didn’t know what to do or where to go. The sound of a strong thump of feet was heard vaguely in Helena’s ear. Helena raises her head and looks out the window to find out who made the noise. Helena was so silent at the sight of Alex looking so upset that he continued to vent his anger at the gravel on the ground.
Helena keeps an eye on Alex without Alex knowing. His teary-looking eyes even though he was upset made Helena feel sad. Helena knows right now that Alex is so upset and sad that Ruby turned him down. To be honest, Helena was eager to get to Alex, but she was afraid Alex wouldn’t like her presence. Helena, however, knows that Alex hates her very much.
Even though she already knew that, seeing Alex who was so upset and looked so made Helena unable to shut up. Although she had previously said she would forget Alex but in fact she still can't stop caring about Alex. The love that's been growing in her heart for a few years can't be easily forgotten because still, she can't stop caring about Alex.
Helena leaves her class and approached Alex, although she hesitates a little, but she tries to hide her doubts. She put on her arrogant face and hid her weakness. She sat right next to Alex. Alex looks at her but Helena pretends not to notice it even she doesn't see it one bit. Helena doesn't want to be intimidated by Alex.
“What are you doing here?” asked Alex in a cynical tone and an exasperated stare.
“Don't ignore me and keep doing what you've been doing. I'm just going to sit here and watch you kick that innocent pebble.” Helena said while looking at Alex.
“Are you kidding me?!” said a very upset Alex.
Helena knows she's been looking for a big deal by provoking Alex's wrath, but that's the only way she knows to get Alex back to thinking clearly. It was only after Alex let out his frustration that he would calm down and get back to being his true self. It's not easy, she also has to endure the resentment Alex's going to bestow on her. But her fondness for Alex made her willing to endure all that.
Meanwhile, Alex, who was at the height of his anger, suddenly fell silent to see Helena's thin smiling face. Her slightly quivering lips captured Alex's attention, and Alex could see the fear Helena was hiding from behind her smile. Whereas usually, Alex hates Helena so much he doesn't even want to see her but somehow Alex feels he can't hate Helena this time.
Alex sighs deeply and then he looks straight ahead. The vast field in front of him made Alex feel a little calm and made him feel like he was in a desert. The arid desert to a small wind can make the sand fly and block his view. And strangely enough, there was Helena standing next to him.
Alex remembers clearly how he liked to say sharp words and hurt Helena, that should have been enough to make Helena hate him but in fact Helena still cared about him even though Alex could still see love from Helena's eyes. Helena is a stupid girl in Alex's eyes, so stupid that he hates her so much.
But all of a sudden Ruby's words come to his mind, that he shouldn't let Helena go, so he won't regret it. Alex started thinking about something he never thought of before. Is Helena the right answer for him? And why does he hate Helena so much?
Alex has known for a long time that Helena likes him. Helena shows it obviously, even when he blatantly rejects Helena even hurting her with his cruel words, but that can't stop Helena from liking him.
Alex thinks about why he hates Helena so much, but he can’t find a definitive answer. Maybe he just didn’t like Helena, or maybe Helena didn’t give up after being hurt.
But then Alex shook his head. He feels guilty for thinking about it. Even if he falters and turns to love Helena, Alex knows it won’t make Ruby feel anything, but still, he feels guilty of a moment thinking about changing. Ruby won’t be bothered at all, it’s just that Alex feels bad for himself.