I'm Just a Figurant
Ch 4 - Small Gifts

That night I couldn't concentrate on studying. Alex's shadow danced in my mind. The smell of the body and the shampoo seemed to fill my five senses. In my heart and mind I asked, why is Alex so kind to me? I am a wasted person.

Let alone a child as cool as Alex, a child who is equally as stupid as I also dumped me. Don't talk, just look no. Why is Alex doing so well?

I'm so happy Alex is that good, but I'm scared too. I was afraid that my expectations would be too high that the feeling would blow me so deep.

I see myself in the glass. Yeah, I need to be self-aware. Here I am, the ash picker. There's no way a handsome prince like Alex would look at me. Can I still like Alex? Would Alex be angry and ostracize me if she knew how I felt?

Yeah, Alex would be disgusted. A young man as handsome as he is liked by a child like me, must be a disgrace to him. I'd better keep this feeling to myself. That would be better for both of us.

***

Today is an Indonesian lesson. The teacher gave the task to make a short film with a maximum duration of 30 minutes. Each class must collect one film that will result from this film will be contested with another class.

As usual, Alex was appointed chairman. He began to decide on the theme of the film and its role model. He appointed event sections, treasurers, secretaries, equipment, performers, script-makers, and others.

At first Alex appointed me to the script team, but many protested because they felt I was not worthy of being on that team. The mutual agreement decided I was on the equipment team.

Alex chose his players. Since Alex's face was the most handsome among the others, she was appointed as the male lead, while Briana as the female lead. Briana is one of the beautiful teenagers in my class. From the look in her eyes, I know Briana likes Alex. But Alex never rubbed it because she already had Diana.

"Remote all your HP numbers. To make it easier for the event team to contact you one by one." Said Alex.

They gathered and handed him his phone number. I just sat in my chair. Look at them all in confusion.

"Khansa, why are you still here? The event team is listing HP numbers. Get there." Alex reigns. I looked at Alex in confusion.

"I-I don't have an HP number..."

"Seriously you don't have HP?" Alex asked in disbelief. I nodded my head.

Hah, how to buy HP, if just eating is still difficult? My family is not that loyal. We are more concerned with filling Our stomachs are often hungry than having to buy an HP.

Alex looked at me with an illegible look. Then a small twinkle appeared in his eyes, as if he was coming up with an idea.

"Okay, it's okay if there's no HP. We'll figure out the solution later." He smiled and turned around to leave me.

I can only breathe heavily. Only I don't have HP in that class. I'm the only one who can't feel the comfort of communicating it. But it's okay, at least my stomach is still full.

***

The next day, I went to school as usual. The class has not started yet. I went straight to my chair. Put the bag in my drawer. When I put the bag down, I felt like there was something in my drawer. I fumbled it and pulled out a brown package.

I glanced to the right and to the left, feeling that someone might have misplaced something in my desk drawer. When no one cared about my behavior, I nervously opened the package.

How surprised I saw a dusbook HP Nokia 2300. My mind quickly thought, Something must be wrong.

"Friends, something went wrong in my desk drawer. Whose is this?" I held up that thing. But as usual, no one paid attention to me. I am like a transparent person to them.

I took the paper and read it.

"Wear this first. It's old, not new. I'm not wearing it anymore, okay. Alex"

I stared at the note in disbelief. Alex loaned me a cell phone? Wh-wh-what for? Is this because yesterday I told him I don't have HP?

Ah, I cannot accept this gift. I need to get it back to Alex.

I waited for Alex to come. And sure enough, it wasn't long before he came. I waited until the break came.

"Al... Alex.." - Alex..." I squeaked, trying to call his name.

Alex looked up and smiled at me. Again, that smile blinded me. Why does he have to be that handsome?!

"Yes Sa? Oh, I know, you want to talk about HP, right? I don't accept returns. That's used HP, which I'm not wearing. You can wear it now. If you're uncomfortable, let's just say I lent it to you. That's so that the class easier to communicate, there is no other reason. Okay?"

I haven't even spoken, Alex has spoken at length. Makes me unable to argue and just nods my head stupidly. Yeah, I'm that weak when I'm dealing with Alex.

"good. Later the event team will send a schedule of meetings and filming Kita via mobile phone. I've registered your number. So you don't have to register it anymore."

"Ba-good..." Hah, why can't I argue with Alex? Is that my heart?

Alex left me alone in class. As with previous schedules, it seemed like she was visiting Diana's class, The Genuine Deity.

I looked back at the HP dusbook in my hand. Slowly I opened it. Looks like a mini-sized phone that is suitable for women. The phone is white with a pink and purple keypad.

Is this phone really Alex's ex? Why so girly? The thought of Alex using the phone made me giggle.

I started learning to use that phone. I saw the contact list. It turned out that almost all of the classmates' contacts were there. I typed in Alex's name, and it came up. My heart suddenly warmed.

Just looking at his name in HP contact has made me this happy. I feel closer to him. I felt his name, as if I was holding it. My face suddenly turned red. I curse my own dirty thoughts.

Huh, that's stupid. I'm even 15 years old. Why do I think so much about Alex? This is so not good!

While daydreaming, suddenly the phone vibrates. Signs that a message has come in.

"Later in the evening, at 18:30 WIB gathered at the Food Court of Ahmad Yani area. The first filming will begin there. Please be on time, as there is still a briefing. Thank you." Thank you."

Oh, Ahmad Yani's area? It's about 11 miles from my house. Paddling a bike is tired too. If the angkot ride must replace the angkot twice, it is a waste. There's no way I'm gonna burden my dad by asking for the freight.

Hemm, looks like I still have to pedal a bike. If you want to get there on time, I have to leave an hour before the event starts. All right, I can do it. Stay the Khansa spirit!! 😊

***