Florianas
Chapter 7: Singles Two Windu

"Why?" tanya Flo from behind the fence, turned her back to the Kenanga tree which was in full bloom. The windy afternoon made her long hair that was left unraveled fly to and fro, making her repeatedly tuck it behind the ears.

"Mh... I went to Arina's place, but she didn't exist" Farrell replied, off the bike.

"What time?" Flo responded, in doubt. Not long ago she heard Arina's voice from the house next door. "Would I try calling you again?"

Farrell said, "No need, no need." He shook his hand. "He's not there, really," he added, impressed convincingly.

"Oh. yeah." Flo was confused to say what else. Two-way communication is not his specialty. He thought it best to end this short conversation. "You want to go home, right? That's why I went in first."

Flo turned to Farrell, ready to go home, as the man said, "Flo, want to see me?"

Stunned Flo hears Farrell's invitation. Half of him wanted to fulfill the invitation, some others refused— considering that Farrell most likely asked him in exchange for Arina. Being a second choice or a backup plan will never be fun.

Flo turned her body, seeing that Farrell had gotten off the bike. Doubt he's calling, "Rell?"

Farrell smiled when Flo said his name. "Please... Deket muters here really, find a meal."

"Rell, let me call Arina again, yes. It was me—"

"Flo" Farrell interrupted Flo's speech. His face looks frustrated. "Flo—gue is a lie."

"Eh?" Flo's distraught.

"I don't want to see Arina. I know he's home" I'm Farrell. "Gue to see you."

"Make what?" great-grandson Flo.

Why would Farrell want to see him? They have no business.

"Just see you." Farrell scratched his nape. "Gue was confused about what reason to meet you, so I lied to say I want to see Arina."

Flo just kept quiet. He has never been in this situation. And he wasn't sure if Farrell's choice to be honest was right, because he didn't even feel like it.

"Ridiculous cave, huh?"

Flo shakes.

"Gue is always confused and feeling not confident near you, even though I always cover."

"I make you uncomfortable and scared because I'm too quiet?" Flo helps Farrell explain the feelings that people around him often experience.

"Bukan—not that. I don't feel right around you being smart and an exemplary student."

"But you're famous."

"Because they're often punished for running around school." Farrell smiled weakly. "So.. would you like to accompany me?"

Whether he got the courage from where, Flo said, "I'm not a pleasant roadmate. I can't make an interesting conversation."

"Gue just wants you to be friends. No need to be a fun person or burdened to make an interesting chat. I just want to ask you to doang Floriana."

***

This is where Flo is now, sitting on the bonnet of Farrell's blue scooter for the second time. His mind was raging, all sorts of sweet expectations invaded his mind. Farrell's honesty had broken the bridle that he cast to remain grounded on earth. Farrell was really something, excitingly hopeful, making him erratic.

Not far from the compound, Farrell pulled out his bike in front of a crowded meatball and chicken noodle stall. The savory smell of meat was oozing, making Flo hungry.

"Eating here isn't pa-pa, is it, Flo?"

Flo got off the bike, took off his helmet before answering. "Not pa-pa." He then glanced at his flip-flops and Farrell's shorts, then a dull banner hung in front of the stall. Fits great.

Flo smiled with a nod. It's true Farrell banned him from changing clothes.

"You want chicken noodles or meatballs, Ma'am, Mas?" asked a man as soon as Flo and Farrell stood by the side of the storefront. The logat of Java man was very thick.

The sound of hissing fire, the clanking of chopsticks and spoons on the mangosteen, as well as the buzzing of chatter made Flo a little more relaxed than just the two on the bike with Farrell earlier.

"I'm a meatball, not a vermicelli package" Farrell said. He turned to Flo and asked, "Flo?"

"Chicken noodles" Flo replied. "They're a little soft."

"Drink?"

"Cola," both compactly answered.

"Okay" replied the man who was busy pouring meatballs in crowded chicken bowls. "Wait a minute, Ma'am, Mom."

Flo looked at the ranks of the benches and tables, looking around for where it was still empty. He was so surprised when someone sighed his hand, guiding him through the gaps between the tables.

Flo's eyes could barely see the link of his hand and Farrell's, until the grip was unraveled beside the empty table in the back row. Flo knew Farrell meant nothing more, only that his sudden hunting heartbeat could not be controlled.

Seeing Farrell who did not sit down immediately Flo understood if he was welcome to sit first.

"Gue often comes here with Genta," explained Farrell, after occupying a plastic bench that looks stacked two—maybe because the condition of the chair is not too prime.

"Arena?" ask Flo. I don't know why he wanted to be sure, although honestly he was sure what the answer was. Arina's sensitive to smells, she can't stand the smell of meat here.

"No. I'm not that close to Arina."

"Oh...." Flo did not expect Farrell to answer that. He thinks they're close.

"Gue Arina is just like an ordinary classmate, only recently quite close," continued Farrell.

"Since Arina... broke up?" ask Flo carefully.

Farrell chuckles. Just chuckles. Not accepting or refuting. The reaction made Flo's heart melt, along with hope and expectations that had soared earlier.

Yes, Flo thought, naturally, Arina was beautiful and popular while Farrell was handsome and famous. They will be couple goals. Perhaps Farrell approached her because of Arina, to approach Arina, because she was Arina's best friend.

Order coming. Chicken noodles that still emit steam and emit a pleasant aroma immediately no longer make him interested. Suddenly he was nauseated by the fact that drowned his hope. This is the reality of people who easily baper.

Flo glanced at a pair of red chopsticks that had been on Farrell's lap using a tissue perched on top of his chicken noodle bowl. The more he refused to eat.

When Flo reached for the soda bottle, Farrell grabbed it first, then opened it and poured the contents into a glass filled with ice cubes. Even Farrell paired the straw he had carefully chosen.

Flo felt Farrell's attention was unnecessary. He can do all that himself. But he prefers silence, if protesting might offend Farrell.

"Flo?"

"mm?" Flo stirring lazy mienya.

"I'm here to stir." Farrell snatches Flo's bowl. Flo wanted to forbid, but already because he had already let it go.

"Says Arina..Lo's never been in a relationship, Flo?"

***

Flo singles 16 know, I'm 21 know, how long are you guys?