Diandra was still fast asleep while notifications for four calls lit up her phone screen.
Two minutes later, her phone began vibrating again, and Vita's name appeared on the screen. Diandra sluggishly opened one eye and slowly reached for the phone lying on the table.
"Who is it? Why are you bothering someone who's sleeping?" she grumbled, her voice slightly hoarse.
"Oh my gosh, Dian, it's already five past six! You're still sleeping? Did you forget you have to turn in your assignment at exactly seven?" Vita shouted from the other end.
Diandra's eyes flew wide open. She looked at the wall clock.
"I'm screwed! I overslept!" she cried, leaping out of bed.
"Ugh, Vit, why didn't you wake me up sooner? I'm going to be late!" Diandra panicked, tossing her phone onto the bed before running to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Vita grumbled to herself on the other end—but before she could say anything, the call had already ended.
Diandra had gone straight to sleep the night before and forgotten to set her alarm, exhausted after working on the assignment Senior Rafa had given her until late at night.
In the blink of an eye, Diandra changed out of the blue-and-white uniform she was still wearing. She didn't forget her name tag and other school accessories, either.
Diandra grabbed the shoes from the rack, remembering Rafa's warning that she wasn't allowed to wear her beat-up pair anymore. She hesitated for a moment, then went back to her room and grabbed the shoes Rafa had given her.
I'll just wear these. Better than getting yelled at later. Besides, my shoes really aren't fit to wear anymore.
Diandra had never cared much about what she owned. She was fully aware that she lived a modest life. She was never embarrassed even when one side of her shoes had a hole, as long as they were still wearable. And she was always grateful for what she had.
"Mom, I'm heading out," she called, hurrying away.
Her mother could only shake her head as she watched Diandra rush off. She had already made her some hot tea, but Diandra hadn't had time to drink it.
I'm screwed—it's already six-thirty. I hope I can still make it. God, please help Dian not be late today, and let Senior Rafa arrive after me. Amen.
After a twenty-minute ride, Diandra got off the Gojek and immediately ran inside. She kept checking the watch on her wrist.
I still have five minutes to get to the assembly field.
Breathing hard, Diandra reached the assembly field right at seven. Her hair was already a mess, half her shirt was untucked, and her powder had melted away beneath the sweat pouring down her face.
"Thank God, Dian. You made it right on time," Vita said, jogging over to her.
"Senior Rafa isn't here yet, right?" Diandra asked, trying to catch her breath.
"I don't think so! I haven't seen him around at all." Vita swept her gaze around to make sure.
"Thank goodness! Thanks to you, I didn't end up being late."
"Sure, no problem."
"Come on, I'll go with you to the bathroom. You can fix your hair and your uniform—they're both a mess." Vita spoke while wiping the sweat from Diandra's forehead with a tissue.
"It's okay. If I go to the bathroom and Senior Rafa comes, he won't see me, and then he'll think I'm late." Diandra hastily fixed her hair and straightened her uniform.
"Whatever you say!"
"Hey, Dian, are those new shoes?" Vita exclaimed when she noticed Diandra's footwear.
"Oh, these? Yeah. Senior Rafa gave them to me yesterday."
"Huh?! Really?" Vita looked slightly startled.
"Yeah, I was confused too. Yesterday, after you went home, Senior Rafa came over and drove me home. As soon as we arrived, he gave these shoes to me," Diandra explained.
"Don't tell me Senior Rafa has a crush on you again!"