HAPPIER
CHAPTER 2

#FlashbackOn

About Rio..

"RIO DEWANGGA.." a firm hand stretched out to me who was looking down fixed the tie of my shoelaces that had been in disrepair since when. At a glance my eyes squinted at him, I ignored his hand and continued my steps towards the classroom XII IPA1.

"I'm a new student here" he said following me. "Call me Rio, what's your name?" His pursuit ignored my indifference to him.

"Beriiii.." the crumbly voice from behind calling my name managed to stop my steps immediately, spontaneously the boy named Rio who had been following me had also stopped. "Wait a minute, we'll be in his class." Nindi said with a little breath hunting because she had half run over to me.

The triumphant grin looks real on Rio's handsome face. "Give, hmmm. Okay, give it a second, see you." Without waiting for any further reaction from me, Rio immediately moved away from us.

"Who, Ber? How did I just see his face at school?" Tanya Nindi was curious.

I just put my shoulders together and turned around and continued my steps towards the classroom. "Says the new boy." I replied later, I know Nindi is still very curious.

After the meeting, Rio was unceasingly coming closer to me. Rio is very popular in school even though he is a new kid as it turns out that he is the youngest son of our Regent. I myself only found out after hearing the grapevine conversations from his fans at school.

Various ways Rio did to just get my attention. I who initially did not care so much and chose to ignore it finally collapsed as well. The little cares that I can't get at home can get from a Rio. I fell over, either because of his charm or because of his attention. I thirst for family affection as if I found a well that can stop my thirst.

I was dragged into Rio's life. A life that is free and almost limitless. From him I know the tobacco grape, from him also I have tasted the taste of illegal drinks from various brands of imports to made by local farmers. I know Rio's a narco*a user but for one thing, I'm still trying to hold back. It would be a big deal if both my parents knew. But what cares about them? Sometimes in a month I never see their faces when we still live in the same building.

Over time Rio has transformed into the center of my world. Relying on Rio in every way began to feel more reasonable, even though it was far below my realm of consciousness, there were often uncomfortable feelings, such as fear that made my heart unsettled. But his attention and sweet treatment always won me over. Need it.

Our closeness just flowed, I knew she liked me as the opposite sex but often told her that I would rather be close to her without the frills of dating status. After all my world was centered on him, what else did he need to worry about? That's for me, but for Rio, I'm his girlfriend and everyone knows him like that.

Ah yes, I don't know how many times Rio invited me to have sex, but really I can't grant his request. I'm too young to do adult things. And every time I turned him down, he always seemed frustrated, lucky he never forced me. I actually do not understand, why Rio can still hold back, whereas on various occasions when we were drunk, he could have forced me to do it.

From the beginning, some of my classmates have often reminded me to be careful with Rio especially after the news that the reason for Rio's move from his previous school in the Capital was because of the narco*a case, especially Nindi. Nindi always insisted on keeping me away with Rio, but of course it won't work. Nindi the nerd and the houseboy, of course our time together was only in class. I am adventurous more spend my time in sports, even sometimes I leave lessons in class hours by playing basketball with other friends. And that opportunity Rio used very well to approach me.

Until finally the habit of ditching class gathered us with three other people. Bagas, Aldi and Ucup, they are all in the same class as Rio. Every now and then the five of us are lectured by Vivian, Rio's classmate. It seems Vivian put more feelings on Rio, but ignored by Rio, I also chose not to take a dizzy with his presence. Instead I felt safer because at least I had female friends when I gathered together with them.

Not really, graduation day has arrived. I don't care about the end result of the school exam. Even if I didn't graduate, my parents would have been able to finish it off with the money. No worries about it all.

"Living at home I yuk, Ber!" Nindi pulled my arms free from Rio's embrace after the farewell night event held in the school hall.

"Sorry, Nin..!" I said with regret. "Me and Rio still have an event after this. You want to come with us?" Stale base bit for the sake of keeping Nindi feeling is okay, anyway I'm sure she won't come along.

"Follow it, Nin." It turns out Rio doesn't mind me taking Nindi.

Nindi just shook her head weakly and revealed a disappointed look with eyes that could not be expected to look at me deeply.

"Thanks Yo, Ber. I got a curfew from home, I can't come with you." Nindi looked at me meaningfully again. "I am first well Ber, be careful well, do not be too late home, if you need anything, do not hesitate to contact me. Assalamu'alaikum." Nindi hugged me and I gave her back.

"Don't worry Nin, your friend is safe with me." Said Rio by rolling one eye to Nindi.

The costs of Aldi turned out to have been conjured like a discotheque that emits flickering bright colored lights. Music filled the entire room.

"The cost-owner is returning home, think of it as his own home." Aldi approached us directly giving us a bottle of drink.

Bagas, Ucup and Vivian have already come first, 3 other men who I know as Aldi boarding friends come to party with us.

All kinds of snacks have been spread on the table, dozens of bottles of drinks from various brands and types have filled other tables. The room was already smoky because of our pulls and suction from the thing that was wedged at two fingertips. Rio and the others started concocting other illicit items. All three of Aldi's roommates seem to have floated.

Actually I do not like the sound of noise and the thump of music that vibrates the chest, but this time I want to put down for a moment some of the principles of life taught by both my parents so far. Especially after this we will separate and pursue our dreams.

Rio had warned long ago that today and tonight he did not want us to part because the day after tomorrow would be his last day in Indonesia. He will follow his brother in the Aussie to continue his studies. I don't know how long we'll meet again. Rio did not want to miss these last moments of togetherness.

My head began to feel heavy, my view also left only a shadow that seemed to swirl, Rio's condition was not much different from mine. I don't care about anything anymore. I felt Rio's hand pull me towards Aldi's room, with shaky steps and my legs dragging I followed Rio. My body was thrown rough on the bed and after that I did not remember anything else.

My consciousness flinched in order to catch the noise and the blows pounding the doors and windows so violently continued to resound. The instant the door opened forcibly after being broken down left an inevitable panic.

I was shocked to find my innocent body without a single thread, even more so when I realized Rio's condition was the same as mine. Shame and fear instantly hit my consciousness. Not yet perfectly digesting all these events, my ears caught the voices I knew so well. Who else, it was the voice of mother and father. Shit man!!!

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