Chapter 132: Binding Attention

The low, rumbling noise echoed, breaking the silence. Thunderous applause erupted from all directions, filling the large field in the middle of SMA Bakti Airlangga. On the stage, Alvin, as the event host, kept giving speeches to encourage the competition participants.

“Come on, show your energy! Don’t let this spirit fade just like that!” Alvin shouted with his steady baritone voice through the loudspeaker.

He called out a message for all students to continue upholding sportsmanship.

This activity had become a tradition. After the semester exams ended, the school held a sports week or class meeting to reduce students’ boredom and exhaustion after struggling with piles of exam questions.

Various inter-class competitions were held. Without holding back, there were more than thirteen types of contests, ranging from futsal, table tennis, basketball, badminton, volleyball, to poetry reading. There were also tug of war, singing, chess, short story writing, stand-up comedy, quiz competitions, as well as the best supporter category that successfully attracted massive enthusiasm.

Various efforts were made by class supporters to enliven the atmosphere. Some arranged chants, blew trumpets, and even shook used cans filled with marbles.

“Come on, hit it harder! We have to be the noisiest ones on this field!” Udin shouted in between beating on a bucket.

Some carried banners containing messages of support. Even Udin and Andika looked enthusiastic while beating the buckets they had borrowed from the canteen lady.

“Don’t worry, Udin, this bucket will be a witness to our victory today!” Andika chimed in confidently.

All of that was done to motivate each class’s representatives to remain optimistic in competing. We certainly hoped that these efforts would bear fruit, at least as winners of the best supporter category. Fortunately, every student was required to wear their class sports uniform, so we could move freely while being the cheering team.

Dara and I were clapping using two empty plastic bottles while shouting like football supporters. In fact, what we were watching right now was only a sack race with Adam as the participant.

“Come on, Adam! Jump higher, don’t let yourself fall!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“Frel, try looking up,” Dara shouted right beside my ear to beat the noise. I spontaneously looked up.

“Not the sky I mean, but toward the stage.”

“What is it?” I asked while squinting to block out the glare of the sun.

“Kevan has been paying attention to you the whole time,” Dara answered while holding both of my cheeks and directing my gaze straight toward Kevan, who was smiling. “Look, that smile is only for you, Frel,” Dara teased with a wink.

Instantly, I smiled brightly as well and waved to greet Kevan. At that moment, he was joining Alvin and Ari on the judges’ stage so that it would be easier to monitor the course of the competition.

Actually, I had realized for a while that Kevan never stopped looking at me. I was only deliberately pretending not to notice.

I understood the reason behind his attitude. He was just too afraid of losing me. I understood that very well. But did he have to watch over me all the time? Did every time I went home always have to be reported? When break time came, I always had to be near him. Even when I was already at home, he often called to ask about my whereabouts, my activities, and who I was with at that time. Over time, I could feel pressured.

I truly didn’t want to hate Kevan. I had no intention at all of distancing myself from him. Instead, I felt grateful to be close to a man as kind and handsome as him. It was just that there was a part of me that felt uncomfortable being constantly monitored. I felt like a prisoner, even though that sounded extreme. Maybe more accurately, I just needed a little space to restore my feelings.

Kevan started walking toward me. I quickly turned to Dara and stared at her sharply. “Dara, what are you doing? Don’t leave me alone here!” I whispered in panic.

Dara only smiled widely while mouthing the word sorry without sound. Without warning, she immediately ran up to the stage to take the empty seat that Kevan had left. I widened my eyes in shock. No wonder she was so enthusiastic, it turned out that Ari was sitting next to that seat.

“Sorry, Frel, I have urgent business on the stage!” Dara shouted while waving her hand from a distance.

“Hi,” Kevan greeted when he was already standing right in front of me.

I gasped and suddenly felt awkward. “Hi,” I replied while unconsciously banging the two plastic bottles in my hands together. “Why did you come here? I mean, people will think you’re playing favorites.”

“What makes me considered as playing favorites?” His gentle voice flowed along with a thin smile. “I just want to make sure my girl is fine in the middle of this crowd,” he added in a lower tone.

“This. You should stay on the stage. Later, others will accuse you of siding with my class.”

“Whichever class I side with won’t change anything. Victory is purely the result of your own hard work.” Kevan smiled again. He bent slightly to align his face with mine, then took my hand and kissed it. “Just like how I will try as hard as possible so that you stay by my side. Forever.”

“You understand what I mean, right?” he asked with a very deep gaze.

I froze, not knowing how to respond. The only thing I could do was nod enthusiastically and give a wide smile.

“Yes, I understand,” I answered briefly

Suddenly, hysterical screams and boisterous laughter rang out, deafening our ears. We immediately looked for the source of the commotion. I turned my body to see who was behind the excitement.

My eyes widened when I saw Udin’s actions in the middle of the field. The sack race had actually ended and the winner had reached the finish line. The problem was, Adam, who had lagged behind in last place, was being teased. His sack was forcibly pulled backward by Udin, causing both of Adam’s legs to be dragged around the field.

Adam fell face down while pounding both of his hands on the ground and shouted, “Mom, help! Your child lost a bet!”

“Udin! Stop it! I’ll be done for if I keep getting dragged like this!” Adam shouted again amid the audience’s laughter.

Everyone burst into laughter seeing that funny scene. I knew exactly about their agreement this morning. Whoever lost the race had to be ready to be dragged around the field.

“That’s the risk of a bet, Adam! Enjoy your final lap!” Udin replied while continuing to pull the sack.

Amid the thunderous laughter and the crowd of students, a red sports car stopped not far from the commotion.

I hadn’t seen who the owner was yet, but a strange thrill crept through my entire body. It was as if my heart was sending a signal about someone I had been waiting for for a long time.

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