The next morning, Alvian arrived earlier than usual.
Not because he wanted to look diligent.
And not because he had business with Mr. Arman.
He just wanted to enjoy the school atmosphere before the grounds filled with students.
His black Chopper came to a stop in the parking lot.
Alvian got off, removed his helmet, and looked around.
It was still quiet.
He headed toward the classroom.
But after only a few steps, someone’s voice came from behind him.
“Alvian.”
Alvian turned around.
Salsa.
The girl walked toward him carrying two drinks.
“You got here really early.”
“So did you.”
Salsa smiled and held out one of the drinks.
“Here.”
Alvian looked at it.
“For me?”
“Yeah.”
Alvian took it.
“Thanks.”
Salsa walked beside him toward the school building.
“You still like coffee?”
“Still do.”
“I figured you’d changed by now.”
Alvian gave a faint smile.
“Not everything changes.”
Salsa fell silent for a moment.
As if the sentence meant something else.
“Alvian.”
“Hmm?”
“Do you still remember how we used to be?”
Alvian stopped walking.
Salsa stopped too.
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
Salsa gave a small smile.
“Nothing. I was just curious.”
Alvian looked at her for a few seconds.
“I remember.”
His answer made Salsa smile.
But from a distance, someone was watching them.
Grace.
She had just arrived with Keisha.
Grace stopped when she saw Alvian talking to Salsa.
Keisha looked over too.
“Oh.”
Grace turned to her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Keisha gave Grace a small smile.
“Looks like an old friend.”
Grace nodded.
“Yeah.”
“Are you jealous?”
Grace immediately shook her head.
“No.”
Keisha laughed.
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
Grace adjusted her glasses.
“I only said I’m not.”
“Whatever.”
They walked past Alvian and Salsa.
Alvian caught sight of Grace.
Their eyes met.
Grace gave him a small smile.
“Morning.”
Alvian smiled right away.
“Morning.”
Grace walked inside with Keisha.
Salsa noticed the change in Alvian’s expression.
The smile Alvian gave when he saw Grace was different.
Much more genuine.
Salsa didn’t say anything.
But for the first time, she began to realize that maybe someone was starting to take the place that had once been hers.
Lunch Break
Their assignment group gathered again.
Grace opened her laptop.
Maya brought several sets of notes.
Dimas arrived last.
“Sorry, guys.”
Maya looked at him.
“What took you so long?”
“Food.”
“That’s your excuse?”
“A valid excuse.”
Dimas sat down.
Alvian laughed.
“Come on, let’s get started.”
Grace nodded.
“I found some material already.”
She slid the laptop to the center of the table.
“We can use this section.”
Alvian read through several pages.
“This is good.”
Grace looked at him.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
Grace gave a small smile.
“Thank goodness.”
Alvian watched that smile for a few seconds.
Raka, sitting at the next table, immediately nudged Dimas.
Dimas looked toward Alvian.
Then held back a laugh.
The two of them already knew.
Alvian was starting to lose control of his expression whenever he was near Grace.
After nearly an hour, their assignment was almost finished.
Maya closed her notebook.
“All we have left tomorrow is practicing the presentation.”
Dimas immediately let out a sigh.
“So tomorrow I have to speak in front of the class?”
“Yeah.”
“Why is my life like this?”
Grace chuckled.
Alvian laughed too.
Then Grace suddenly said,
“Alvian.”
“Hmm?”
“Can you come early tomorrow?”
Alvian nodded.
“Sure.”
“I want to practice the opening.”
“Okay.”
Grace smiled.
“Thank you.”
Alvian only nodded.
Yet for some reason, a strange feeling rose inside him.
Tomorrow.
He had a reason to come early.
And that reason was Grace.
That Afternoon
After school ended, Alvian didn’t go straight home.
He took his Chopper to a small repair shop on the outskirts of the city.
The place wasn’t very big.
But to Alvian, it was practically a second home.
A man who was cleaning his hands with a rag immediately turned around.
“Alvian.”
Alvian smiled.
“Rafael.”
Rafael Wijaya stood up from his chair.
“New kid. How’s school?”
“Good.”
“Making lots of friends?”
“Some.”
Rafael looked at Alvian’s motorcycle.
“Engine still running smooth?”
“Yeah.”
Rafael nodded in satisfaction.
Then he studied Alvian’s face.
“But it doesn’t look like the motorcycle is why you came here.”
Alvian raised an eyebrow.
“Then what is?”
“You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”
Alvian laughed.
“You’ve gotten too good at reading people’s faces.”
“I’ve known you a long time.”
Rafael sat back down.
“Girl trouble?”
Alvian immediately fell silent.
Rafael laughed.
“There it is.”
“No.”
“If it’s not a girl, why’d you go quiet so fast?”
Alvian sighed.
“Her name’s Grace.”
Rafael smiled.
“Grace?”
“Yeah.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“There isn’t one.”
“If there isn’t a problem, why are we talking about her?”
Alvian didn’t answer.
Rafael watched him for a few seconds.
“You like her?”
Alvian lowered his head.
“I think so.”
Rafael chuckled.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say something like that.”
Alvian leaned against the motorcycle.
“She’s different.”
“How so?”
“She doesn’t care who I am.”
Rafael fell silent.
Alvian continued.
“She’s never asked whether my motorcycle is expensive. Never asked whether I’m popular.”
He gave a small smile.
“She just talks to me.”
Rafael nodded.
“Then don’t rush it.”
Alvian looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because if you really like her, don’t make her feel like she has to become someone else just to fit in with you.”
Alvian fell silent.
The advice sank in.
Rafael then patted the Chopper’s gas tank.
“This motorcycle is the same way.”
Alvian furrowed his brow.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You don’t like this motorcycle because everyone says it’s cool.”
Rafael smiled.
“You like it because, to you, it has character.”
Alvian looked at his motorcycle.
Then smiled.
“Maybe.”
That night, Alvian lay in bed.
His phone vibrated.
A message came in.
Grace Chintia.
Alvian immediately sat up.
He opened the message.
“Grace: Don’t forget, we’re practicing the presentation tomorrow.”
Alvian smiled.
“Alvian: I remember.”
A few seconds later, a reply came in.
“Grace: Okay. Good night, Alvian.”
Alvian stared at the screen for a long time.
Then he typed,
“Alvian: Good night, Grace.”
He set his phone down.
But a few seconds later, he picked it up again.
He opened the conversation.
Read the message one more time.
Alvian smiled to himself.
“This is ridiculous.”
He shook his head.
“We’ve only texted.”
But without realizing it, a small promise had already taken shape.
Tomorrow morning, he would come early.
Not because of the assignment.
Not because of school.
But because there was someone he wanted to see.
And for the first time, Alvian began to realize that maybe what he felt for Grace was no longer mere curiosity.
Maybe...
he was really starting to like her.