MAKE OVER

"Hello, my name is Keira Azavana, but you can call me Keira. I hope we can all be good friends," a plain-looking girl said as she introduced herself to the class.

The other students glared at her with disdain. Her appearance was disheveled; her hair was tied in two braids, making her look like a simple village girl."Alright, Keira. You may take the seat next to Samudra," Mrs. Sherly instructed, pointing toward a desk occupied by one of the students.

Keira, with her glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, walked slowly toward the seat. As she sat down and put her bag away, her eyes briefly met Samudra's. However, Samudra quickly broke eye contact, looking away with indifference.

Samudra Arel Putra, or Sam, as everyone called him, was the school's heartthrob. Handsome, aloof, and somewhat private, he was also one of the top academic achievers in the school.

"Alright, class, let’s begin our lesson!"

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RING!!!

The break bell rang, signaling the end of the session. Students began to scatter—some headed to the cafeteria, the library, the park, or the rooftop.

Keira decided to head to the cafeteria. As she walked down the corridor, she couldn't escape the judgmental stares and whispers from the students around her.

"Hey, nerd!" a loud voice called out. It was Sisil, who stepped in front of Keira, blocking her path.

Sisil Graziella was a name everyone knew. As the leader of the school's most notorious clique and the daughter of Wijaya Adibrama—the owner of the school foundation—she ruled the hallways."Yes?" Keira asked calmly, looking at the three girls confronting her."How can a pathetic girl like you afford to go to an elite high school like this? I honestly can't believe it!" Sisil snapped."Yeah, loser! You don't belong here," added Sara, Sisil’s best friend. "Everyone here is wealthy. And you? Look at yourself.""And what’s with you sitting so close to Sam? Don't even think about trying to get close to him!" Zefina chimed in."Trying to get close?" Keira replied steadily. "I'm sorry, but Sam and I... we’re dating. Samudra is my boyfriend.""What? Hahaha!" The three girls burst into hysterical laughter."Oh my god, my stomach hurts!" Sara laughed, clutching her sides."Listen, nerd! You might look innocent, but you're clearly the queen of delusions. How dare you claim that Samudra is your boyfriend?" Sisil sneered."Why don't we just report this to Samudra?" Zefina suggested. "Let’s tell him there's a freak claiming to be his girlfriend. That'll put her in her place!"

"Great idea!" Sisil agreed, turning back to Keira. "You’re scared now, aren't you?"

"Go ahead. I'm not afraid. Because it's the truth—I am Samudra’s girlfriend," Keira answered nonchalantly.

"Fine! I'm going to get Samudra right now!" Zefina said before marching off to find him.

"There he is!" Zefina spotted a group of boys hanging out on the rooftop. She rushed over. "Samudra!"

Samudra looked up, his expression neutral. "Sam, can you come with me for a second?" Zefina asked, her voice slightly hesitant. She rarely spoke to him unless it was about schoolwork.

"Hey, where are you taking him?" Rey, Sam’s best friend, interrupted.

"I wasn't talking to you, Rey. I'm talking to Sam!" Zefina snapped back.

"I’m his best friend, I need to know!" Rey countered.

"Sam... this is important. You need to come with me because there’s a new girl claiming she's your boyfriend," Zefina explained.

"A new girl? The nerd?" Sam knitted his brows in confusion.

"Whoa, Sam! You actually have a girlfriend? Since when?" Willy, another friend, teased.

"I don't. I don't have a girlfriend," Sam replied firmly.

"Then come with me and see for yourself!"

"Here he is. Now, say it to his face!" Zefina pointed at Keira.

Keira offered a faint, hopeful smile. "Hi, Sam."

"Wait, Sam... is she actually your girlfriend?" Willy asked, looking back and forth between them.

"Sam, is it true? Are you really dating this girl?" Sisil asked, stepping closer to him.

"No. She’s not my girlfriend," Sam answered, his face cold and expressionless.

Keira felt a sharp sting in her chest. Did he forget? Or was he simply too ashamed to admit it?

"Sam! What are you saying? I am your girlfriend!" Keira’s voice rose with a hint of desperation. A crowd began to form in the corridor, sensing the unfolding drama.

"Who even are you? I don't know you!" Sam said, his voice laced with annoyance.

"Sam! How can you be so cruel? Have you forgotten me? Or are you just embarrassed because I look like this?" Keira cried out, her frustration boiling over.

"SHUT UP!" Sam barked, startling everyone.

Keira flinched. She couldn't believe this was the same Samudra she knew. The gentle boy she once knew had turned into someone unrecognizable.

"Stop making things up! Since when would I ever date someone like you? Just so you know, you are definitely not my type!" Sam spat.

His words cut through her like a knife. Keira’s eyes welled up with tears. She stared at him, searching for a trace of the person she loved, but found only a wall of ice.

"See? You heard him!" Sisil smirked. "He said you’re nothing to him. Get it through your thick head!"

A tear threatened to fall, but Keira bit her lip and held it back. She had been humiliated in front of the entire school. Without another word, she turned and ran, fleeing the scene as fast as her legs could carry her.

"BOOOO!"

The crowd erupted in jeers and mocking laughter, the sound echoing behind her as she disappeared down the hall.

To be continued...

Next or stop guys?