# Chapter 2
Exes or Still in Love?
Keira was reading the thirty-seventh comment when Tasya finally snatched the phone from her hand.
"Enough."
"I'm not done."
"That's exactly the problem."
"Tas, give it back."
"No."
Keira held out her hand. Tasya immediately hid the phone behind her back.
"Tasya."
"How many comments are you planning to read? A hundred? Two hundred? Until you find one that makes you cry in the bathroom?"
"I'm not going to cry."
Celine, standing beside them, raised her index finger.
"As someone who's read almost all of them, I support Tasya's decision."
Farah looked at her. "Why did you read all of them?"
"Research."
"Research on what?"
"Teen social behavior after losing a job."
Farah sighed.
Keira leaned her back against her chair.
The post from @TheNextHallway was less than twenty minutes old, but the photo of her with Jovan had already spread everywhere.
Class group chats.
The junior class group chat.
Private messages.
Even a middle school friend of Keira's who went to a different school had sent her a screenshot with the question:
IS THIS YOU???
Keira hadn't replied.
She had no intention of replying, either.
"Who took the picture, anyway?" she muttered.
"Exactly." Celine pulled over a chair and sat facing Keira. "That's the more important question."
Tasya finally gave Keira's phone back after locking the screen.
"Don't open it again."
Keira took it.
"Okay."
"Promise?"
"Okay."
Tasya eyed her suspiciously. "Why don't I believe you?"
"That's your trust issue."
"That's my experience being friends with you."
Keira almost smiled.
Almost.
Then her phone vibrated again.
Four heads immediately bent down.
Bima Danendra had sent her a message.
Keira furrowed her brow.
Celine immediately leaned closer.
"Bima?"
Keira pulled her phone away.
"What?"
"He texted you?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"How would I know? I haven't opened it."
"Open it."
Tasya shot Celine a sharp look. "Weren't you the one who said not to open the phone?"
"Not for gossip. Bima's different."
"How?"
"Bima's a primary source."
Farah covered her face with her book.
Keira opened the message.
Bima: Kei, sorry to bother you.
Another message came in.
Bima: Don't get mad yet.
Keira snorted.
Why was everyone telling her not to get mad today?
Keira: Why?
The reply came quickly.
Bima: You and Jovan were just talking earlier, right?
Keira stared at the screen for several seconds.
Keira: If we were, so what?
The typing indicator appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Bima: The others have started asking him about it.
Keira: And?
This time, the reply took a little longer.
Bima: He got into it with a kid from Class 11-3.
Keira immediately sat up straight.
Tasya noticed the change in her expression.
"What happened?"
Keira didn't answer yet.
A new message came in.
Bima: Not a fight.
Bima: Not yet.
Keira typed quickly.
Keira: Why?
Bima didn't reply right away.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Then:
Bima: Someone said something about you.
Keira's finger stopped above the screen.
Tasya was already standing beside her.
"What?"
Keira showed her the conversation.
Tasya's expression changed.
"Who is the kid from 11-3?"
"I don't know."
Celine immediately stood up.
"I do."
Everyone looked at her.
"Who?"
"His name is Kevin. I think."
"You think?" Farah asked.
"What, you expect me to memorize every human being at school?"
Tasya grabbed her small bag from the desk.
Keira furrowed her brow.
"Where are you going?"
"Class 11-3."
"Tas."
"What?"
"Sit down."
"Kei, if someone was talking about you—"
"Everyone's talking about me right now."
"This is different."
"It's not different."
"It is if it was enough to make Jovan start something."
That name made Keira fall silent for a moment.
Celine watched her.
Keira quickly looked away.
"It's none of my business."
The three people in front of her fell silent in unison.
Keira knew why.
The sentence sounded familiar.
Exactly like something Jovan might say.
It's none of my business.
Keira pulled a book from her bag.
"The teacher's coming in soon."
Tasya was still standing.
"Tas."
Finally, Tasya sat back down.
But before opening her book, she said quietly, "You two are so annoying."
Keira pretended not to hear her.
"Say that again."
Bima stood between Jovan and a boy from Class 11-3.
The back hallway had suddenly become much more crowded than it had been five minutes earlier.
Several students pretended to be passing by.
Some didn't even bother pretending.
They stood and watched.
Kevin raised both hands.
"I was just kidding."
Jovan stared at him flatly.
"I said repeat it."
"Van."
Bima held Jovan back with one hand against his chest.
Jovan didn't move forward.
Not yet.
Galen stood a few steps behind them with Dito.
Dito, who usually loved watching a commotion, looked serious instead.
Kevin gave a small laugh.
"What's your deal? So sensitive."
Jovan clenched his jaw.
Five minutes earlier, everything had started over something incredibly stupid.
Jovan, Bima, Galen, and Dito had been walking back from the cafeteria when they passed a group of students from Class 11-3.
One of them was looking at the photo post of Jovan and Keira.
No problem.
Until Kevin said, loudly enough for them to hear:
"No wonder she dumped you. The girl looks like she gets friendly with other guys pretty easily."
Dito had stopped first.
But Jovan was the one who turned around.
Now they stood facing each other.
"You can say whatever you want about me," Jovan said.
His voice was low.
"Don't bring Keira's name into it."
Kevin raised an eyebrow.
"What? Isn't she your ex already?"
Several students behind them glanced at one another.
Bima closed his eyes for a moment.
Wrong.
A very wrong answer.
Jovan took one step forward.
Bima immediately held him back.
"Van."
Kevin still hadn't realized when to stop.
"If she's your ex, why are you so worked up?"
Jovan gave a short laugh.
There wasn't the slightest trace of amusement in his voice.
"Because breaking up with me doesn't give you the right to say whatever you want about her."
The hallway suddenly grew quieter.
Kevin's smile disappeared.
Jovan pointed at the phone in his hand.
"That picture is just a picture of two people talking."
"I was just kidding, too."
"What's funny about it?"
Kevin didn't answer.
"Van, enough," Galen finally said.
Bima looked at Jovan.
"The teacher on duty could come by at any time."
Jovan continued staring at Kevin for several seconds.
Then he stepped back.
"Watch your mouth."
He turned around.
The crowd automatically made way.
Bima followed him.
Dito and Galen came after them.
They had only walked about thirty feet when Dito let out a low whistle.
"Damn."
Jovan didn't look back.
"What?"
"Exes or still in love?"
Jovan stopped.
Dito immediately hid behind Galen.
"It's a question on behalf of the public."
"I'll kick your ass."
"I'm just representing the concerns of the people of Cakrawala Nusa."
Bima smacked the back of Dito's head.
"Ow!"
"Shut up."
Dito rubbed his head.
Jovan started walking again.
But Bima quickened his pace until he was walking beside him.
"I already texted Keira."
Jovan immediately turned to him.
"Why?"
"To let her know."
"Why tell her?"
"So she'd know."
"Don't."
Bima frowned. "Why not?"
Jovan stopped again.
"Because then she'll think I picked a fight on purpose."
"You did pick a fight."
"I didn't pick it. The problem grew legs and came to me."
Dito laughed behind them.
Jovan ignored him.
Bima slipped his phone into his pocket.
"Too late."
Jovan let out a rough breath.
"What did she say?"
Bima smiled.
Jovan pointed at his face.
"Don't smile."
"I'm not smiling."
"What are your lips doing, then?"
"This is their natural shape."
"Bima."
"She asked why."
Jovan fell silent.
"And then?"
"I told her someone was talking about her."
"And?"
"She hasn't replied."
Jovan nodded slowly.
Bima watched him for several seconds.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"You're really obvious."
Jovan frowned.
"Obvious about what?"
"You haven't moved on."
Jovan laughed.
"Who says?"
"Me."
"Your opinion doesn't matter."
"Galen?"
Galen, walking behind them, lifted his head.
"It's obvious."
"Dito?"
"Badly."
Jovan stared at his three friends in disbelief.
"Traitors."
Bima laughed.
"Seriously, Van. If you still care, why did you let her break up with you yesterday?"
Jovan's smile slowly disappeared.
He started walking again.
"Because that's what she wanted."
"And you?"
Jovan put his hands in his pockets.
"I'm not going to force someone to stay with me."
Bima didn't reply.
A few steps later, Jovan added, much more quietly,
"Especially when she doesn't trust me anymore."
The last class ended at ten past three.
Keira waited five minutes before leaving the classroom.
On purpose.
She didn't want to get caught in the crowd in the hallway.
More precisely, she didn't want to run into Jovan.
Throughout class, her thoughts kept returning to Bima's message.
Someone said something about you.
Keira didn't reply again.
She didn't ask what the person had said, either.
It wasn't important.
At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
"Are you going straight home?" Tasya asked.
"No. I have a journalism meeting."
"Oh, right."
Celine, who was putting her laptop into her bag, groaned.
"Why is my life full of meetings?"
"Because you're the one who joined the organization," Farah replied.
"Don't use facts to attack me."
Keira smiled faintly.
They left the classroom together.
Tasya and Farah headed for the main stairs, while Keira and Celine walked toward the East Building.
The Media Room was at the end of the second-floor hallway.
When they arrived, several journalism club members were already there.
Ms. Melinda stood in front of the whiteboard.
"Come in. We'll start in a minute."
Keira chose a seat near the window.
Celine sat beside her.
That afternoon's meeting covered preparations for Student Voice Week.
Keira was supposed to focus.
She really tried.
Until Ms. Melinda handed out the committee structure sheets.
"Publications will be working closely with the field division," Ms. Melinda explained. "Especially for the game schedule, media placement, and documentation."
Keira read the sheet in her hands.
Publications Coordinator: Keira Anindya
She already knew about that.
Then her eyes moved lower.
Field Coordinator: Jovan Dirgantara
Keira stopped.
No.
That couldn't be.
Celine, reading over her shoulder, immediately covered her mouth.
"Oh, you're screwed."
Keira turned sharply.
"Celine."
"Sorry."
Ms. Melinda continued explaining, unaware of the small tragedy that had just occurred in the corner of the room.
"There will be the first joint meeting tomorrow. All coordinators are required to attend."
Keira raised her hand.
"Ms. Melinda."
"Yes, Keira?"
"Can't the coordinators be changed?"
The room suddenly grew a little quieter.
Ms. Melinda frowned.
"Do you want to quit?"
"No."
"Then?"
Keira searched for an excuse.
Anything.
"I just don't think... I'd work well with the field coordinator."
Celine lowered her head, her shoulders shaking as she held back laughter.
Ms. Melinda looked at the committee sheet.
"Jovan?"
"Yes."
"Have you two had a problem?"
The question made several students glance at one another.
Keira wanted to disappear.
Celine bit her lip.
"A little," Keira answered.
"A work-related problem?"
"...No."
"Then it shouldn't interfere with your work."
Keira had no answer.
Ms. Melinda gave her a faint smile.
"Try it first. If there's really a professional problem, then come tell me."
Keira lowered her hand.
"Yes, Ms. Melinda."
Celine leaned closer as soon as Ms. Melinda resumed her explanation.
"The universe hates you."
Keira whispered, "Be quiet."
"A meeting with your ex tomorrow."
"Celine."
"The publications coordinator and the field coordinator."
"Cel."
"For six weeks."
Keira covered her face with both hands.
Celine finally laughed without making a sound.
At four in the afternoon, the school began to empty out.
Keira left the Media Room carrying a stack of papers.
Celine still had to finish a design with the other members, so Keira walked alone.
She chose the main stairs.
She didn't want to risk running into Jovan again on the side staircase.
It was a good plan.
The execution was not.
As soon as she reached the first floor, she saw someone sitting on a long bench near the field.
Jovan.
He was still wearing his uniform.
His gym bag sat beside him.
He was cleaning a small cut on his knuckle with a tissue.
Keira stopped.
A cut.
Bima's message immediately surfaced in her mind.
He got into it with a kid from Class 11-3.
Not a fight.
Not yet.
Keira should have kept walking.
And she did.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
"Kei."
Keira stopped.
Again.
Why did that boy always call her just when she was about to successfully leave?
Keira turned around.
Jovan was already standing.
His gaze fell on the stack of papers in Keira's hands.
"Just finished?"
Keira nodded.
"Meeting."
"Oh."
Silence.
Keira glanced at Jovan's hand.
There was a red scrape across his knuckle.
Jovan noticed and immediately put his hand in his pocket.
Too late.
"Did you get into a fight?"
"No."
"Bima said—"
"Bima talks too much."
"So you did?"
"No."
"Then what happened to your hand?"
Jovan looked at his own hand.
"It got hit by a door."
Keira stared at him blankly.
"A door?"
"Yeah."
"The door hit back?"
Jovan almost smiled.
Almost.
"It was an aggressive door."
Keira didn't laugh.
"Don't lie."
Jovan fell silent.
Something changed in his expression.
"Why do you care?"
The question hit the wrong place.
Keira immediately regretted stopping.
"I was just asking."
"Why?"
"Because Bima said you got into it because of me."
"I didn't get into it because of you."
"Then?"
Jovan shifted his gaze to the field.
"The guy was just being a pain."
"What did he say?"
"It wasn't important."
"If it wasn't important, you wouldn't have gotten mad."
Jovan looked at her again.
"Are you sure?"
Keira fell silent.
"I know you."
The words came out before she could stop them.
Jovan didn't move.
Keira realized what she'd said only after it was too late.
Jovan's gaze changed.
It softened.
And somehow, that was far more dangerous than when he was angry.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
Keira gripped the papers more tightly.
Jovan continued,
"Used to."
That one word felt like a small slap.
Keira looked away.
"Whatever."
She was about to leave.
"He said you get friendly with other guys pretty easily."
Keira stopped.
Jovan let out a breath.
"That's why I got pissed."
Keira slowly turned toward him.
"Then why did you have to defend me?"
Jovan looked like he wanted to answer quickly.
But this time, he held himself back.
"Because he was wrong."
"That's all?"
"Yeah."
Keira looked at him.
Jovan met her gaze.
"That's all," he repeated.
For some reason, that answer only disappointed Keira.
What kind of answer had she actually been hoping for?
Keira nodded.
"Thanks."
She started walking again.
"We have a meeting together tomorrow."
Keira stopped for the third time.
She closed her eyes.
Of course Jovan already knew.
"At three," he continued.
"I know."
"I'm just reminding you."
"You don't need to."
"Okay."
Keira started walking again.
Five steps later, Jovan's voice sounded again.
"Kei."
Keira turned around, annoyed.
"What now?"
Jovan pointed at the stack of papers in her hands.
"The bottom one is about to fall."
Keira looked down.
He was right.
One folder was nearly slipping free.
She hurriedly fixed the stack.
When she looked up, Jovan was holding back a smile.
Keira narrowed her eyes.
"Don't laugh."
"I'm not laughing."
"You're smiling."
"Am I not allowed to?"
"No."
"Okay."
But his smile only became more obvious.
Keira turned away before he could see the corner of her own mouth beginning to lift.
Annoying.
So annoying.
That night, Keira was finishing her homework when her phone chimed.
A message came in.
The sender's name made Keira stare at the screen longer than she should have.
Jovan Dirgantara.
There had been no conversation between them for six days.
Their last messages were still saved.
Six days ago.
Keira: I think we should stop here.
Jovan: If that's what you want.
Keira had never opened that conversation again.
Until tonight.
There was a new message beneath it.
Jovan: Bring your laptop tomorrow. I have the run-of-show file. I'll send it later.
Very ordinary.
About work.
Keira typed.
Keira: Okay.
She sent it.
Done.
It should have been done.
Then three dots appeared.
Jovan was typing.
They disappeared.
Appeared again.
Disappeared again.
Keira waited.
One minute.
No message.
Two minutes.
Still nothing.
Keira set her phone down in annoyance.
Why was she waiting?
She went back to her homework.
Her phone chimed.
Keira grabbed it immediately.
Jovan: One more thing.
Keira waited.
The next message appeared.
Jovan: If anyone says anything weird about that picture, don't think about it.
Keira read it twice.
Then she replied.
Keira: I'm not thinking about it.
The reply came in less than ten seconds.
Jovan: Liar.
Keira frowned.
Keira: Don't act like you know everything.
Jovan: I know you.
Keira's fingers froze.
Their conversation that afternoon flashed through her mind again.
I know you.
Yeah. Used to.
Keira typed two words.
Deleted them.
Typed again.
Deleted them again.
In the end, she only sent:
Keira: Used to.
This time, Jovan took a long time to reply.
One minute.
Two.
Five.
Keira was beginning to think the conversation had ended when the screen lit up again.
Jovan: Six days isn't enough to make me forget everything about you, Kei.
Keira didn't move.
Her heart was beating far too fast for a message that wasn't even two lines long.
She read it once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then Jovan sent another message.
Jovan: Go to sleep. Don't be late to the meeting tomorrow.
Keira stared at the screen in disbelief.
After saying something like that, he was telling her to go to sleep?
Keira typed quickly.
Keira: You're the one who's always late.
Jovan replied:
Jovan: I won't be late tomorrow.
Keira: I'm screenshotting this.
Jovan: Go ahead.
Then one last message appeared.
Jovan: Good night, Kei.**
Keira stared at it for a long time.
A very long time.
She didn't reply.
But that night, before going to sleep, Keira did something she hadn't dared to do in six days.
She opened her desk drawer.
Under several books and old papers lay a black bracelet.
A bracelet from Jovan.
Keira picked it up.
She wound it around her fingers for a moment.
Then she hurriedly put it back when she realized what she was doing.
The drawer closed.
The bedroom light went out.
Keira lay down and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
Tomorrow she had to work with Jovan.
Tomorrow they would sit in the same room.
Talk about the same event.
Maybe argue.
Maybe ignore each other.
It shouldn't be a problem.
They had broken up.
They were finished.
At least, that's what Keira told herself.
Unfortunately, a few miles from Keira's house, Jovan was lying in his room, staring at that same conversation.
His good-night message still hadn't been answered.
But Jovan smiled faintly.
Because for the first time in six days, their conversation hadn't ended with the words "we're breaking up."
They would see each other again tomorrow.
And this time, they couldn't pretend to be two strangers.