CHAPTER 1 — The New Student
Today, something felt different in Class 1A of Harapan Muda High School.
The morning air was still fresh, carrying the faint scent of rain from the night before. Sunlight slipped through the wide classroom windows, illuminating rows of desks that were slowly filling with noise and movement. Some students laughed loudly, others rushed to finish homework, and a few rested their heads on their arms, already exhausted before the day truly began.Then, the classroom door opened.Ms. Maya stepped inside—followed by a girl no one had seen before.“Everyone,” Ms. Maya said, clapping her hands lightly to gather attention, “today we have a new student joining our class. Please welcome Ivon Azaria Saputra.”Every head turned toward the front.Ivon stood beside the teacher, her fingers tightly gripping the straps of her backpack. She was small and delicate, with a clean, gentle face and straight hair cut simply to frame her cheeks. Her uniform looked slightly too new, as if it hadn’t yet learned the shape of her body. She lowered her head, nodding softly, too shy to meet everyone’s eyes for more than a second.Her heart beat fast.So many people, she thought.What if they don’t like me?“Ivon,” Ms. Maya continued kindly, “there’s an empty seat next to Dani. You can sit there.”She pointed toward the middle row.A few desks away, Dani and Yogi—who had been whispering since morning—paused their conversation.“Dan,” Yogi muttered, leaning closer, “new student.”Dani glanced up.“She’s pretty,” Yogi added, his eyes scanning Ivon like she was some rare museum piece.“You interested?” Dani asked casually, though his gaze lingered on the girl walking slowly toward them.“No,” Yogi replied too quickly. “I’m just… appreciating fine things.”Despite his confident tone, the tips of his ears had already turned red.As Ivon approached the empty seat, Dani stood up slightly and offered his hand first.“Dani,” he said quietly, making sure his voice sounded friendly—not overwhelming.Ivon hesitated for half a second before placing her hand in his.“Ivon,” she replied softly.“Yogi,” Yogi added from behind, trying—and failing—to sound gentle. His voice was still loud and unmistakably Yogi.The students around them joined in, introducing themselves one by one. Some smiled confidently, some waved awkwardly, and others cracked jokes that weren’t very funny. Ivon answered politely, repeating her name, her voice so soft it almost disappeared into the noise.Still, no one laughed at her.And somehow, that made her breathe a little easier.By the end of the lesson, the atmosphere in the classroom had subtly shifted.Like a breeze had slipped in unnoticed, changing the air without asking permission.---First BreakWhen the lunch bell rang, chairs scraped against the floor and the classroom buzzed back to life.The five of them—Dani, Yogi, Ira, Dewi, and now Ivon—walked together toward the cafeteria.Ivon stayed slightly behind, unsure of where she belonged in a group that clearly knew each other well. Dewi noticed immediately and slowed her steps, gently tapping Ivon’s shoulder.“Come on, Von. Eat with us,” Dewi said with an easy smile.Ivon nodded, grateful.Ira pointed at the menu board hanging above the food counter. “You can subscribe to the school catering—three days or five days. Saves time.”Ivon listened carefully, memorizing everything. New places always felt easier when she understood the rules.Suddenly, Yogi interrupted with his mouth already full.“Eat first! Or everything’s gonna be gone!”Dewi tried not to laugh. “Yog, talk slower.”“Hunger,” Yogi said solemnly, “is suffering.”Dani noticed Ivon standing still, staring at the food options like they were a test she hadn’t studied for. Without saying much, he picked up one siomay from his plate and placed it gently onto hers.“The siomay and fried tofu here are good,” he said softly. “You can try one.”Ivon looked down at the food. For a moment, she didn’t move.Then she smiled—small, sincere.“Thank you”.Something about that smile made Dani look away.Across the table, Yogi grinned mischievously.“Wow… Dan. You’re being real nice today.”Dani ignored him, pretending to be very interested in his drink.Suddenly, the cafeteria grew quieter.The chatter softened. Laughter faded. A few girls straightened their posture without realizing it.Five senior students walked in together, their movements relaxed, their presence unmistakable.One of them glanced in Ivon’s direction.He was tall and athletic, with fair skin and a face that didn’t belong in an ordinary high school. Sharp brows framed calm eyes, and his neatly styled hair made him look like someone straight out of a drama series.Ivon’s breath caught for a second.So that’s him…Dewi inhaled sharply.“Oh my god…”Ira stared openly.“He’s even more handsome today.”Yogi scoffed while chewing.“Girls always lose their minds over Kenneth.”“Jealous?” Dewi teased, nudging him.“No,” Yogi replied instantly. “Just saying—leave some admiration for the handsome men of Class 1A.”Dani nearly choked on his drink.Ivon glanced briefly at Kenneth, then quickly looked away when she felt his gaze might be shifting toward her.Her heart beat a little faster, and she didn’t understand why.“See?” Yogi pointed at Ivon with his chopsticks. “She’s shy too.”Ira rolled her eyes.“That’s shy, not embarrassing.”---After the BreakThe classroom settled again after lunch. The teacher hadn’t arrived yet, and the noise level dropped into quiet chatter.Dani was closing his notebook when Yogi suddenly leaned closer to Ivon, wearing an unusually serious expression.“So listen,” Yogi whispered. “I sit next to Ira. That means Ira and I are husband and wife.”BAM!Ira slammed a book onto Yogi’s head.“Ow! Don’t do that, honey,” Yogi joked, shielding himself.Dani laughed quietly.Then Yogi pointed at Ivon, then at Dani.“And you, Von… you’re Dani’s wife.”Ivon froze.Her eyes widened in pure confusion, cheeks flushing red instantly.Dani smiled to himself.Cute.“Nonsense,” he said, laughing.The bell rang shortly after, ending the conversation—but not the warmth.And as Ivon sat there, listening to their laughter, she realized something.Maybe… starting over here wouldn’t be so scary after all.
