I'm Just a Figurant
Ch 12 - Cannot Take Exams

We still look at each other. Alex's eyes seemed soft. Whether it's just my feelings or it's real, Alex's face is moving closer and closer. Leave a distance of only a few inches. The warm breath I could feel on my cheek. My body seemed to be riveted and unable to move. Seven inches, five inches, three inches... I started to close my eyes... One more cent...

"Sir, Adek is home!!"

That voice broke my mind. Immediately I pushed Alex's body and We moved away from each other. I looked at the bully. It turns out that my brother named Fian has come home.

Fian came up to me and kissed my hand. Then he looked at Alex suspiciously.

"Who is that?" ask her in a dislike tone.

"He's a friend of Mommy's. Salim was there..."

"No way!"

"Fian's a smart kid, Salim was there Deck."

"So Mas what's so close? What do you want, Ma'am?" Fian asked suspiciously. Fian is still a grade 2 SD. I and Fian are seven years apart. A considerable distance of age makes Fian think of me as a replacement for Alm. Mother.

"Oh, oh... Ma'am helped clean the dust in the eyes of Mas Alex. Fian salim first. Get to know ya." After being persuaded by the seduction, Fian finally obeyed my words. He walked over to Alex. But the look in his eyes was still full of suspicion and hostility. Fian took Alex's hand and kissed her.

"Your name is Fian. I'm Alex. What class is fian?" alex asked as he stroked Fian's head which was immediately pushed aside by his small hand.

"Not to ask. Don't get too familiar." Fian went straight into his room. I followed him from behind.

I helped Fian change clothes. After that, go back to the front room. Usually after school Fian will immediately play with his friends. But seeing her brother's guests seemed to make her even more alert. Fian chose to accompany me in conversation with Alex.

Fian's unfriendly gaze seemed to make Alex feel uneasy. Several times Alex tried to have a conversation with Fian, but the little man chose not to answer.

"It's noon today. Then I'll go home first..." Alex's face felt really bad.

"Yes, thank you very much. Thank you for helping me this morning. Thanks for everything..."

"Friends should help each other. I go home first, Khans, hopefully I'll get well soon. I'm home, you little whiz." Alex again rubbed Fian's head which was again pushed aside by his small hand.

"Go back there. Don't come here again!" Fian said with a voice.

I shut Fian's mouth quickly. Alex heard it already. Alex smiled a little. Looks like Fian's words he didn't put to heart.

Alex walked towards the bike. Before it passed he waved his hand and smiled sweetly. My feet feel made of gelatin. Directly weak and melted. I am a weak woman!

***

I don't have time to interpret Alex's actions. We almost kissed. Just one inch away then our lips will meet! And it makes my body cold hot.

My brain wanted to examine and guess what Alex's action meant. But I can't do it because I have a problem right now. A big problem for a 15-year-old student.

"You have been 6 months in a row not paying SPP (education coaching donations). According to the school rules, you can't take the exam." Said the TU officer (business order).

Cold sweat started to pop up on my forehead. How could I not be allowed to take the exam? While this is the final test of the class?

"But Ma'am, if I don't take the exam I won't be taking the class..."

"That's your business and your parents. Therefore pay diligent SPP, so that you can take the exam." Said the TU officer named Nurul with ketus.

"But my father doesn't have the money yet Ma'am. If there's money, I'll definitely pay Mom..."

"This is what I don't like. I know I can't afford to be in school here. It's the city's favorite school. Expensive SPP is reasonable, because it conforms to school standards. If you can't find a school in the suburbs. Even though this is a public school, it does not mean that we accept students for free! I'm sorry I couldn't give you an exam card before you paid off your SPP." Bu Nurul closed my payment data and switched to doing other things. Totally ignored me.

With slow steps and trembling legs I returned to class. My brain is spinning around to find a way. How can I pay SPP and take the exam? Asking father is impossible. Father's daily income is just enough to eat that day. There's no money left.

SPP money in my High School is quite expensive. Two hundred thousand a month. Though the time in SMP my SPP money is only twenty thousand. That is the difference between a suburban school and a favorite school in the city center. In addition to status differences, the amount of this payment - it was issued was also different.

I really have no way out. The exam is three days away. Where can I get a million two hundred thousand rupiah? Shouldn't I just go to school? But focus on helping my dad work?

Huh, I don't know. I just resigned. If indeed my fate is not to go to class and stop school, I will accept it with a chest of air. I really shouldn't be in this school.

***

The day of the exam arrived. I am confused whether I should go to school or not. When I go to school, it's free too. I won't take the exam either. If I didn't go to school, my father would be suspicious and wonder why I did it. What do I do best?

After some deliberation I finally decided to put on the uniform and pretend to go to school. I did this to trick my father into not being suspicious.

I'm not going to school. I decided to go to the local library not far from my school. I spent some time there and went back to learning lessons I couldn't take the exam.

Every day there are two maples tested. Each maple takes about an hour and a half. If the exam is conducted from seven in the morning, it should be half eleven in the afternoon the exam has been completed (plus the rest).

I was planning on going home when school was over, so my dad wouldn't suspect that I wasn't going to school.

I waited and waited until the time that I was waiting for finally came. I saw in the streets that many students in white-gray uniforms were already scattered. It's a good time to go home.

I cleaned up all the books that were scattered. Put it in the bag and get ready to go home.

Then I walked towards the parking lot to pick up my paddle bike. I led the bike to a big road and tried to blend in with the group of kids who had just come out.

I'm going to get on my bike when someone pulls my hand and makes me turn around. I looked at the handsome creature who was looking back at me with anger.

"Khansa, where have you been?! Why not take the exam?!" Alex looked angry and furious. I could not answer, my lips became silent.

***

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