Florianas
Chapter 22: Someone Among Us

Flo flexibly scooped up her long hair, tying it to one behind her head. Leave the pony that has extended to reach the jaw line. The uniform and shoes are on his body. Together with a tie that encircles the neck, perfecting the look of schoolgirls.

From the direction of the neighboring house, there was an enthusiastic bird chirping on a sunny morning in late July. Accompanying the swift steps Flo who blocked his backpack out of the house, ready to go to school.

This morning Flo woke up feeling carefree, for some reason. Maybe because he sleeps enough, or maybe he dreams of something good—if he does not remember what it is. Clearly he was happy. It was like the start of a perfect day. He just hopes this good mood continues to last until the end of twilight.

Warm sunlight instantly doused Flo as she set her foot on the rounded rocks that created a path splitting the courtyard.

"At first," a voice greeted. Surprising Flo who was solemnly closing the gate.

When she turned her head, Flo found Farrell with a smile on her cheek, holding out a bottle of vitamin C. A similar drink that was yesterday morning—back from the class Farrell—ia found on his desk. Different, only this time the drink was apple-flavored after yesterday lemon.

It's been a long time since he last saw Farrell here. In front of his house. And with Farrell here, he recalls the hopeful good times that have passed.

But given their conversation yesterday, over Farrell's reluctance to reason, Flo is convinced that the past will never be repeated. As if whatever it was that happened.

"I just want to give this." Farrell shook his hand slowly, trying to draw Flo's attention to the drink he was carrying. "I'm not going to make your mood messy again early in the morning with my apology, really."

Flo cleared his throat and mind.

"Not to."

"Please..."

Flo's not budging. Still wondering what decision is better. Accept or reject Farrell's permberian.

Before Flo could decide, Farrell had already taken the chance. In Flo's silence, he steps closer, goes behind Flo and slips the drink he gives in one of Flo's backpack pockets.

Just as Flo was about to protest, Farrell first said, "You mind me going to school with you?"

Instantly Flo immediately standby. Looking around, not finding Farrell's blue scooter within eye range. That made him worry. Don't tell me he has to walk side by side with Farrell all the way to school even if he refuses.

What the fuck?!

Is this the new way Farrell tries to repair his relationship with Flo without having to bother explaining anything? No longer asking Flo to forgive but continue to undermine him with a sweet attitude that causes feelings? Stick to Flo without pressing her, until finally she forgets the problem that keeps them both away?

But Flo won't be fooled or forgotten. He's not that stupid.

So, without answering Farrell's question, Flo breezed away, leaving Farrell behind.

***

"Flo, you take out the trash, huh?" pinta is one of Flo's picket friends.

"Yes," Flo responded.

With a shunt step he carried the garbage basket out of the classroom, across the corridors, down the stairs for later finally emptied into a large trash can in the backyard. The spirit of the beginning of the day had already decayed as the morning passed. Flo left a shabby Flo with two hours of running, two hours of physics, two hours of religious lectures, two hours of microscopy on biological practice, and ended with a picket class. Really tiring.

Once out of the school building, Flo ran around, found the grass yard that was shaded by large mahogany trees was quiet, peacefully pierced by the breeze. Tranquilize.

For some reason, every time he was among the trees, he felt a significant mood improvement. Maybe this has something to do with being born in the countryside and spending half of his life there. Might as well.

From a distance Flo can already see the trash can in green paint to blend with the panorama of the backyard. He continued to approach, until the distance was short. Until then realized there was someone on the side of the trash. The one who made his move came to a halt full of anticipation. Every time the nether met the man, he felt he had to take the time to organize and control himself completely.

Once ready, Flo stepped back, slower this time. His eyes he bowed, preventing eye contact even though he knew Farrell was on his back.

Krekks!

On the fifth step, Flo accidentally stepped on an old twig until it fractured in half, making a sound that shocked herself and Farrell on the other side of the garbage can.

"Geez!" farrell exclaimed, making Flo raise her eyes, inevitably feel like a suspect.

Farrell is no longer on his back. Making Flo instantly get a clear picture of his terror-filled face. However, Flo's focus did not last long there, immediately shifting to a burning point between the fingers of the man.

Farrell smoking.

Aware of the shock, Farrell reflexively dropped the cigarette in his hand and stepped on it until it went out. Meanwhile, Flo continued the rest of the few long steps and emptied the wastebasket she was carrying.

"I don't smoke very often, really, Flo," Farrell said, sounding upset. "It's only once in a while that it's stressful."

"That's your right, there's no need to explain, let alone me. And I won't go to the teacher. Calm down" said Flo, no longer letting his eyes touch Farrell's shape.

After making sure no trash was left in her trash basket, Flo turned around, waltzing away. There was a sense of disappointment in his stomach. Feelings that are inappropriate to be present.

"Fuck!" get Farrell.

Flo kept walking. Not wanting to prolong business.

"You want us to keep going?" the voice sounded tired, desperate.

Flo step subsides. His ego was troubled to hear the question that was thrown for him. What right did Farrell ask that? He began to distance himself and silence his greetings among them.

"We've been fine all along" Flo said dryly.

"Are you all right?" farrell asked, his voice sounding hurt.

Notwithstanding. "Mm" muttered Flo, opposite to his heart.

"I'm not, Flo," said Farrell. "It's hard for me to stay away from you for the past few months. It's hard not to look at you, not to see you, not to see your smile, not to hear you call my name. I really like the way you call my name, since you first mentioned my name in front of the school. I don't even know how I can be this much like someone."

Flo almost told Farrell's appeal if he did not remember his pride—or ego, he did not care which one. Because obviously, it feels wrong if he does not get a proper explanation.

"You as you like, why are you avoiding?" flo asked, even though he knew the answer would be no different from yesterday.

"I have—"

"Promise," cut Flo, furious. "Then explain" he asked.

"I can't." Farrell's face was even more miserable, making Flo strengthen herself even harder. "It's—"

"Secret?" Again, Flo interrupted.

Farrell nodded, like a child being interrogated after being caught stealing candy.

"Done," Flo said quietly, but was heard clearly in the silence of the backyard.

"It's my first mistake with you, Flo. Can't you tolerate it without having to know why?"

Flo shakes. "How can I be sure next time there won't be the same mistake?" tanyakanya. Honestly, he does not like to argue and often silence and relented, but this time he once again stressed—ia felt it was not right to just forgive Farrell without explanation.

"You don't know how unpleasant it is to be suddenly avoided and shunned for no apparent reason, Rell. I wonder what went wrong, what I did wrong, what I did wrong, what I should apologize for. All those thoughts really made me feel insecure. Though in fact you are the—"

"Fuck," sidelines Farrell. He nodded, as if he now fully understood Flo's reluctance to forgive without reason.

Flo had absolutely no intention of using the word Farrell used. He had intended to say that the man was guilty. However, he did not mind Farrell's choice, there was no intention of correcting it.

"I'm really sorry, Flo."

Farrell approached, brushing off the distance separating himself and Flo. The two of them faced each other, understanding how complicated it was about feeling.

"But I don't think you'll be comfortable with the reason I have" said Farrell, stopping a step ahead of Flo.

"Clearly first, only later will I be comfortable or not comfortable myself."

"But it's a secret."

Flo was about to turn around so badly, but Farrell held back his wrist. Make it stay in place.

"You have to promise not to tell anyone, including the person concerned."

Flo nodded.

"You have to promise you won't get as far as him."

Flo almost rolled his eyes and said that he was not Farrell. Yet he could still resist that urge and only nodded in return.

"Genta."

Flo cringing. What does that mean with 'Genta'?

"Genta likes you too, Flo."

Floss Flo's heart. How is that possible? There's no way Genta likes it. Genta likes the other girls at this school. He told me once, when the first day of the new semester began.

He recalled their conversation under the banyan tree of class X. 5. Obviously at that time Genta liked a girl, even though he said he had given up... Don't tell me it's him!

No. no way. He did not want to accept as someone who presented the wounded gaze he had seen flashed in Genta's eyes. Not on someone as good as Genta.

Who is he anyway? What good is a Floriana Adinda to hurt a Genta Ghiffari and like Farrell Fadillah? He must be dreaming. Or, he must be hallucinating.

"I used to love the same girl Genta. And we fought, before Genta finally caved and we made a deal where if the incident like that happened again, it was my turn to give up. That's why I kept you up, Flo. Because I have an appointment."

"Why don't you keep your promise again?" flo asked, still a bit absentminded.

"Because Genta nyerah. He said he felt like you liked me and there was no sign you would be interested in him more than a friend. So he's canceled our ridiculous agreement."

Flo's stunned. How can Genta be that wise? But if Genta really liked him, it would be easier if Genta kept their agreement and forbade Farrell to return close to him. At least, it will minimize the pain.

"So, now you can excuse me right, Flo? We can go back to kayak first, right? Ordinary kayak?"

Flo releases her hand from Farrell's.

"I'm sorry about you, Rell."

Farrell smiled.

"But the question of back kayaking is not now," said Flo, followed by the fading of Farrell's smile.

Flo thinks he needs time to think and digest the new knowledge he receives more perfectly. He needs to think about Genta's feelings if there is a chance that the man still likes him. He can't just ignore Genta. Because Genta is his friend, Farrell's closest friend. The one who will always be by his side and Farrell.

"But Flo—"

"I need some time, Rell," Flo said. "And distance. Please..."

***

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