Chapter 11: Dara and Tomi’s Reaction

Before the main event began, my hand was forcibly pulled by Dara and Tomi toward the small garden behind the orphanage. The way they dragged me made me feel like a defendant about to be put on trial.

“What’s your problem with him?” they asked almost simultaneously.

I blinked in surprise. “Can you slow down a bit?”

“No,” Tomi answered quickly. “Why did you have to get involved with him?”

“And why didn’t you tell me that he was punished too, Frel?” Dara cut in.

I let out a long breath. Just as I was about to answer, the two of them were already talking over each other while pacing back and forth in front of me like an iron that could not stay still.

“Why did you have to put on some soap opera drama with him at an orphanage?” Tomi grumbled as he walked to the right. “A place like this, Frel. There are lots of little kids. Do you even know how that looks?”

“Oh my God, out of all people, why did you have to get into a fight with him?” Dara walked to the left with an annoyed expression, moving in the opposite direction from Tomi.

“Why did you go looking for trouble with him? Do you even know him?” Tomi asked again without looking at me, his hand raking through his hair in frustration before turning back to the left.

“You cheated, Frel,” Dara suddenly said as she walked back to the right. “You stole my head start.”

I turned sharply. “What head start are you talking about?”

“Him,” Dara answered without hesitation. “Kenn.”

Tomi stopped pacing and looked straight at me. “From now on, you have to stay away from him.”

“Why do I have to—”

“Because I said so,” Tomi cut in firmly.

Dara suddenly stood beside Tomi, her face glowing excessively. “He’s my dream guy, Frel. Kenn. Listen carefully. His name is Kenn Alvaro Pratama. The coolest guy of all time. The entire universe. The whole world. The enti—”

“STOP!” I finally cut her off. I rubbed my temples. “Can you two be quiet? You’re as noisy as wasps. My ears are burning.”

It was so nice of them to drag me here just to make me listen to meaningless rambling. Honestly, especially Dara. Since forever, her over-the-top nature had never decreased.

Tomi looked at me seriously. “We’re worried, Frel.”

“Worried about what?” I snapped back. “All you do is get angry.” Then I turned to Dara and pointed at her. “And you, Dara, I already know that guy’s name is Kenn. No need to repeat it. Besides, you don’t understand what it feels like to be me.” I let out an irritated breath. “The way he talks is so sharp, just like chili peppers. I have no idea how many chilies he eats every day.”

“What did he say to you?” Tomi asked, his voice lower this time.

Dara stepped closer. “Frel, don’t tell me he went too far.”

It was understandable that they did not know. They had only witnessed our argument after those two labels slipped out of Kenn’s mouth.

I bit my lip. “Um … that.…”

“Why are you hesitating?” Tomi pressed. “Just say it.”

Should I really tell them?

The problem was, these two were just as crazy as Alvin and Ari. In fact, Tomi could be even more extreme when it came to me.

Kenn’s words flashed through my mind again. My head felt like it was about to explode. My anger surged once more. It felt like it would not be enough unless my hands had already strangled his neck and thrown him into the sea.

“I’ll say it,” I finally said. “He’s the most annoying guy I’ve ever met.”

“And then?” Dara urged.

I swallowed. “He called me a perverted girl,” I said quietly. “And … small-bodied.”

My voice trembled as I said those two words. It was too embarrassing.

Silence.

I waited for their reaction. Maybe anger, or curses directed at him. But what happened was the exact opposite.

Dara stared blankly.

Tomi blinked.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

“HAHAHAHAHA!”

I froze. My face must have looked incredibly stupid right then.

The two of them burst into loud, shameless laughter.

“Seriously?” Tomi laughed out loud. “That’s it?”

“That’s it?” Dara echoed while slapping her knee. “Oh my God, Frel. I thought he said something way worse.”

My face burned.

“You’re not normal,” I snapped.

“Sorry, sorry,” Tomi said, still laughing. “But your expression just now was way too serious.”

“Shut up, both of you!”

BUGH!

“Ow!”

BUGH!

“Ouch!”

My pair of shoes flew through the air and landed perfectly on their heads.

“Frel, you’re crazy!” Dara shouted as she ducked.

“Frel, calm down,” Tomi called out.

I grabbed a wooden stick leaning against the trunk of a mango tree. “Do you want to laugh again?”

Dara and Tomi looked at each other.

“Run!” Tomi shouted.

The next second, Dara and Tomi took off, running who knew where, scrambling away like people being chased by a demon.

I stood alone in the garden, my breath still coming fast.

Damn.

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