I'm Just a Figurant
Ch 3 - Small Assistance

That morning as usual I woke up at 4 a.m. I shop for vegetables at a stall near the house. My activity every morning before leaving school is cooking, washing clothes, washing dishes, cleaning the house and bathing my sister who is new in 2nd grade Elementary School.

Actually waking up at that hour is not enough to do all the things I have to do. No doubt, I often leave for school late.

After driving my sister to school, I pedaled a bicycle

to my own school. Of the hundreds of students who attended school there, there were only 3-4 students who carried paddle bikes like me. The rest they bring motorcycles, pick up private cars, some even bring their own cars.

Sometimes I'm sad to see my bike lined up with hundreds of bikes there. Often they move my bike when I don't get parking. When the time comes home from school, I often still go around looking for my bike.

This morning, thankfully, I was not late. The first lesson hour is maple chemistry. Because two days ago had discussed the theory, then the meeting this time was the time of practicum.

The teacher told us to form a group. One group contained five people. Each child immediately forms his own group. I tried to approach those groups.

"Bo-can I join here?" my door.

"Sorry, it's full." I heard a ketus answer.

I switched to another group. Again the same answer I received. I'm flustered. I picked the back desk and sat alone. Look at my friends who already have their own groups.

"Khansa, why are you alone? Where's your group?" suddenly Alex came to me. Feelings of joy and nervousness become one.

"Everything is right. I'm alone..."

"You're just in my group. We're at the table there." Alex pointed at the front desk. I stared at the confusion. I counted Alex's members, they were 5.

"But... But your group is 5 people..."

"Yes, it's okay. Teacher won't mind either."

"Can?"

"certainly could. I'm the one who took you."

With doubt I followed Alex's steps. As I thought, I'm not welcome there. Wry faces looked at me with dislike. But I'm trying not to care.

The chemistry lesson continued. Since I was considered a fool, they did not allow me to participate. All kinds of practicum they do five without inviting me. Alex seems to realize that.

"Khansa, you help me take notes. We practice, okay?"

"Good." I enthusiastically took my notes and recorded every reaction I had.

Practical tasks were also collected. Because Alex is smart, our group got an A. I who just as a complement to this also get a grade of A. I'm so grateful. I was amazed to see Alex.

I was thinking, it's not wrong I like that guy. Alex is really my 99% man!!

***

All subjects are completed at 1pm. Continue with extracurricular activities until 3 pm. After that I was ready to go home. I walk to the parking lot. As usual, I didn't find my bike. I started looking. Like I thought, my bike was in the back shed. I picked up my bike and started guiding it. I feel a little heavy. I started to check my bike. Turns out the rear tire is flat.

Hah, looks like I have to lead my bike home. The distance between my home and school is 4 km. Pretty good for exercising.

I casually guided my bike. I don't care about spies looking on with pity, or just scorn. Just guiding a bike, it won't be heavy for me.

While being engrossed in guiding the bicycle, suddenly I heard a familiar voice greet me.

"Khan's... Khansa, why your bike?" Alex came and stopped right next to me. He's on a motor.

One of the things I like about Alex, even though he comes from a rich family, he's still simple. It is not excessive to bring a car to school like other children, even though SIM only they do not have.

"Why's bicycle? Leaking?"

"Y-yes..."

Alex watched my bike. He seemed to think.

"Can you ride the bike?"

"Can't do it..." My answer. Yeah, I can't ride a bike because I don't have a bike. So there was no chance for me to learn how to ride it.

"Hem... Repot too. Gini aja, you bonceng man. I'm driving the bike, you take your bike with your left hand. How's it?"

"Huh? Can it be?"

"Of course you can. We haven't tried it."

"But I don't want to be a hassle..."

We tried Alex's method. Pretty hard actually. Especially if I wear a long skirt. I rolled up my skirt, and started sitting on the bike. While Alex arranged for my hand to hold my bike firmly.

"not heavy? If it's heavy, we can try another method."

"Not heavy." I'm quibbling. Yes, it is not so heavy, because my hand is only in charge of holding it. While the bicycle tires still slide on the road.

"Okay, I'm walking ya." Alex sat on the bike, started the engine.

I held my breath. Our distance is very close. Even my body and body were almost stuck. The smell of Alex's perfume began to smell in my sense of smell. Even the smell of shampoo in his hair can also be snuffed out because it is so close to our body.

"Ready Khan?"

"Y-yeah, I'm ready..."

"Okay, I'm walking slowly." As he said, Alex drove the bike only with a speed of 20km/h. I feel like I have the upper hand. I'm imagining the two of us are dating, the two of us are a couple. What a stupid thought!

"You know where the bike's tire pump is?" tanyakanya.

"I-I don't know. But I have a pump at home..."

"OK, sip. Then we'll go to your house." Relaxed words.

My heart's getting dag-dig-dug unbecoming. For the first time Alex is going to my house. How shameful. My house is very simple. Will Alex still want to be friends with me after seeing my house?

"Where's your house?"

"Ehm... That's straight, there'll be an alley in front of turn right..." I said spontaneously. I just resigned. I really don't have any. Why should it be hidden? If Alex were sincerely friends with me, he would definitely not see my house as ugly.

Alex drove the vehicle according to my instructions. Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the front of the house.

"This is your house?"

"Y-yeah..."

"You alone? How lonely?"

"My dad hasn't come home from work yet. While sister, I'm sitting next door..."

"Mother?"

"They're dead..."

"Sorry... I didn't mean to..."

"Yes, it's okay..."

"Where's your pump? I pumped your bicycle tires." Alex switched the conversation. He seems to feel guilty to me.

"I can pump it myself..."

"It's okay. All of you, let me stay here. Hurry up and take it."

I'm not obeying Alex's orders. I took the manual pump and gave it to Alex. He pumped my bike. It is not until 10 minutes that the activity is completed.

"It's done. You go to school tomorrow, right?"

"Y-yeah..."

"Goodoo. Then I'll say yes first. Greetings to your father and brother."

"Eh yes... Th-thank you very much huh... Thanks..." I bowed my body, as an expression of my gratitude to him.

"It's nothing. Suppose someone else had experienced it, I would have done the same. Don't think. I'll go home first." Without waiting for my words, Alex spurred the bike away from me.

I was still pensive in front of the house. I still don't think. An Alex is piggybacking on me and helping me pump the bike tires. My heart's blossoming. There are small ripples of happy feelings. I hope this feeling won't just grow. Because I know who Alex belongs to.

***

Hi-hai readers all...

Sorry for the update this novel is very slow, because I focus on the other novel. Keep making it a favorite yes, because this novel will definitely I update and I finish. Thank you 🥰

~ErKa~