I'm Just a Figurant
Ch 8 - Worst Score

Monday has arrived. We all go back to our usual routine. My sister and I went to school while my dad worked.

Today I came early. I saw no one in my class. I walked to my desk and sat there.

I stared at the table in front of me. Where Alex is sitting. I convinced myself to throw away my feelings. But I'm back wavering. Let alone looking at the person directly, looking at the chair he was sitting on had made my feelings waver. I'm totally useless.

Shortly after, the class started to get crowded. One by one the students started coming. No exception Alex. I knew Alex was coming, but I pretended I didn't see him. I am busy with something else.

"Hi..." Alex greets me. I straightened my face. And I looked back at that handsome face.

"Eh... H-hi..."

"Have you received the bike?"

"Y-yes. Thank you." Thank you."

"Yes, equally. Where were you yesterday?"

"Huh?"

"Me and Diana were at your house yesterday. But your house has no one. I called you, but your number's off."

"Eh? To myhouse? What's for?"

"We want to take you on the road. Where're you?"

"Oh... I-i'm out..." Alex was not satisfied with my answer. He wanted to ask further, but soon the teacher came.

"Well everyone, are you ready for the test today?" Said Susil's mother who is a Physics teacher.

"Not ready, Mom." The entire student answered simultaneously. Susil smiled calmly.

"Everybody not ready should still have exams. Head of class, please lead the prayer first." The class leader gave a prayer message, after finishing praying the test was carried out.

I really hate Physics. Last night I studied desperately, but still I couldn't understand it. This time it seems I can only give up.

Then I remember what happened at the semester exam yesterday. Alex is kindly helping me. Gave me a cheat so I could pass the semester exam. This time I don't want to count on him, because I promised to take away my feelings for him.

The weekly exam consisted of twenty questions, all about essai. Like I thought, my head was going around in circles reading every question. I'm doing what I can.

Alex pretends to borrow the x-type. Through the eye code he asked, can I do those things or not? I lied to her. I nodded my head confidently. Alex smiled happily. There was a flash of pride in his eyes. The glint in the eyes of a proud father to his daughter?

Two hours later the exam was over. I let out a long sigh as the class president took my answer sheet.

"Can you really?" Alex turned around and looked at me.

"Y-yes. I can."

"Goodoo. I'm glad to hear it." He smiled sincerely.

The break time came. Again Diana came to our class to pick up Alex. Diana takes Alex to the cafeteria. Alex forced me to go with him, but I refused. I don't want to be a bully to them.

To this day, I'm still very surprised by Alex. Why is he so good to me? I'm the one who's nothin' this? What purpose? A young man as famous as him should be ignoring a little girl like me but Alex was really nice to me.

***

The Physics exam came out. I looked at my test results with a blank look. My eyes started to glaze over. A whole new lifetime this time I got the worst score, a score of 35!!

Maybe someone is wondering why I got into this High School? The answer is luck.

At the time of Junior High I was a smart student. My national test score is the second highest in My Junior High. At first I was proud, my father was also very proud.

But we forgot, my Junior High School is just a fringe Junior High. National exam scores like mine mean nothing when compared to grades in city Junior High. And it was proven.

The teachers advised me to take the test at my favorite High School (my current SMA). At first I was still confident. But as soon as I saw the national exam scores of the other students, my spirit was immediately down. My grades mean nothing to them. But because I already signed up, I finally continue.

I took the entrance selection exam and worked on matters within the limits of my ability. I'm a pessimist who can get away with remembering the hard and the many things I can't do.

Surprise is happening again. Of the more than two thousand students enrolled, only 300 were admitted. And strangely my name is on the order of 298. I was actually accepted into Favorite High School!!

At first it was very proud, but my pride quickly disappeared. There's a system of boxing in there. There are groups of smart, rich, beautiful, popular, cupid, wasted or transparent. I belong to the transparent or wasted group. My existence is not considered at all. I can only accept it.

Trouble came back. The teaching system in this school emphasizes that students must learn independently. Every teacher came to give a test, no explanation at all. I am overwhelmed by this new teaching system.

In Junior High, I used to listen to the teacher explain. Take diligent notes and re-learn the day's lessons at home. But the teaching system here is completely different. I really can't follow him.

I'm so stressed. I tried so hard to study at home, but still couldn't. I wonder, why are my friends so quick to understand and understand? The teacher explained nothing. It turns out that the secret is in the bimbel (study guidance).

Almost 98% in my class followed the bimbel. Only I did not follow him. Do not follow the bimbel, just make eating difficult. So I can only learn as much as I can. Trying to understand what is written in the textbook.

Last night I was studying until midnight, hoping to take the Physics exam this time. But my expectations are too high. I got a score of 35!! Worst score I've ever received.

Without feeling my tears flow. I really became a useless person. The learning I did felt futile. I'm really stupid.

I covered my face and cried sobbing in the back of the school building, the place I used to be alone. I was so ashamed of myself. I promised my father to change our lives with diligent school, good education and good grades.

If the score I get is only this high, how can I change the family economy?

"Huu... Huu... Hicks..." I was crying sobbing. I don't care if my crying sounds loud anymore. No one could have heard it.

KRESEEEK (Sound of dried leaves that are trampled)

I was surprised to hear that voice. I turned my face to see who was coming.

"Why crying?"

Alex stood in front of me. The reflection of the sunlight that was behind him made his body like a silhouette. His face looks illegible.

I quickly wiped away the tears that had soaked my cheeks and stood up.

"I-I'm not crying..." I said nervously and embarrassed.

***

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