Chapter 1: Cheesy Pickup Line Theater
At Angkasa High School, the second-floor hallway just before the morning bell always offered the same sight: noisy, crowded, and dominated by the leisurely strides of a 190-centimeter-tall guy walking as if the school corridor were a runway.
“Morning, Captain!” called one of the futsal team members.
Kevin Dirgantara ran his fingers through the front of his hair, sweeping it back as he flashed a wide smile that showed off his perfectly aligned teeth. “Morning! Don’t forget practice this afternoon.”
“Looking awfully dashing this early, Vin,” Dimas commented as he walked beside him, chewing on a chocolate bun. “Who are you trying to charm today?”
“I’m not trying to charm anyone, Dim. This is called spreading positive energy,” Kevin replied, patting his own chest and showing off an extreme level of confidence.
“Yeah, positive energy. Just say you’re going to flirt with Nayla again,” Dimas snickered.
Kevin’s pace suddenly slowed when he spotted a long-haired girl busily straightening the clipboard in front of the 11th-Grade Science 2 classroom. Nayla Putri, the all-around Class President.
Kevin straightened his uniform collar and glanced at Dimas. “Watch and learn, Dim. This is how an ideal guy greets the Class President.”
“I’m praying she rejects you again,” Dimas whispered casually.
Kevin brushed Dimas’s hand away, then strode toward the duty desk in front of the classroom. With his towering height, he easily rested one hand against the doorframe and bent slightly to look at Nayla, who was still recording attendance.
“Nayla,” Kevin called softly, adjusting his voice to sound as deep and cool as possible.
Nayla looked up and let out a quiet sigh when she saw Kevin’s face. “What is it, Kevin? Haven’t paid your class fund yet?”
“We can talk about the class fund later. But do you know the difference between you and the class schedule?” Kevin flashed his signature smile, staring at Nayla without blinking.
Nayla folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow at him. “What?”
“The class schedule is only for one day, but you’re for a lifetime.” Kevin gave her a stylish wink.
Behind him, Dimas pretended he wanted to throw up while holding back his laughter.
Instead of blushing or getting flustered, Nayla simply let out a soft laugh. It was a perfectly friendly laugh, but it was also clear she considered his line nothing more than morning entertainment.
“That pickup line is so stale, Vin,” Nayla replied with a light chuckle. “Besides, the class schedule changes every semester, not every day. Go study some more with Aris.”
“Aw, Nay, why’d you have to respond like that? This came straight from my heart,” Kevin protested, pretending to pout even though his attempt had failed spectacularly again.
“Come on, you’d better sit down. Mr. Gunawan will be here any minute,” Nayla said, gently patting Kevin’s shoulder as if he were a little kid. “And tell Dimas not to eat his bread in front of the door. He’s making a mess.”
“Yes, ma’am, Class President!” Dimas called from behind them.
Kevin sighed and ruffled his own hair with a faint grin. “Okay, okay. I’ll obey the orders of my beloved Class President.”
“Skip the ‘beloved,’ Vin. People might think you’re serious,” Nayla cut in breezily, turning her attention back to the sheets of paper in her hands.
Kevin finally walked into the classroom, followed by Dimas. He headed toward the back row of desks—his seat of power for the past year. Aris Wijaya was already sitting there calmly, reading his thick book.
“How’d it go, Captain? Successful rejection number eighty-seven?” Aris asked without looking up from his book.
“I didn’t get rejected, Ris,” Kevin quickly denied as he lowered his lanky body into the chair, making the wooden seat creak. “Nayla’s just shy. A smart girl like her needs time.”
“Shy, or totally turned off?” Dimas shot back as he sat at the desk beside them. “Nayla’s friendly to everyone, Vin. No matter what kind of cheesy pickup line you use, she just sees you as the class clown.”
“Everything takes time, Dim. I’m Kevin Dirgantara. Proportional build, basketball captain, above-average face. Who could say no?” Kevin declared, patting his chest proudly.
“Your face is above average, sure, but your behavior is below average,” Aris replied, brief and dead-on.
“Wow, Aris is always right when he talks,” Dimas laughed.
“Are you two my friends or my enemies?” Kevin grumbled, leaning back against his chair. His eyes turned toward the front door again, where he saw Nayla still busy greeting several classmates who had just arrived.
To Kevin, his school life was perfect. He was popular, had plenty of friends, got praised on the basketball court, and enjoyed daily entertainment in the form of little teases aimed at Nayla that always livened up the classroom. Nothing could threaten his position as the center of attention in 11th-Grade Science 2.
Not long afterward, the bell rang sharply. All the students hurried to their seats. The heavy footsteps of Mr. Gunawan could be heard approaching the classroom door. Their stocky homeroom teacher and coach entered carrying a laptop bag and several sheets of paperwork.
“Good morning, everyone,” Mr. Gunawan greeted them as he placed his bag on the teacher’s desk.
“Good morning, sir!” the students replied in unison.
“We have a new member joining us today,” Mr. Gunawan continued, making the classroom suddenly erupt into whispers.
Kevin furrowed his brow. “A new member? A transfer student?”
Dimas turned around. “Whoa, is it a girl or a guy?”
“Before we start the lesson, let’s welcome your new classmate first,” Mr. Gunawan said, waving toward the doorway. “Come on, go ahead and come in.”
Kevin leaned back casually and folded his arms across his chest with a dismissive smile. Whoever walked in, Kevin was certain no one could outshine the Basketball Captain’s charm in this class.
But the moment the figure outside the door stepped inside, silence suddenly enveloped the 11th-Grade Science 2 classroom.