Sometimes Friends are the Enemy
Part 45's

With his head bowed and the road bent he passed through the door and sat down in a quiet place.

"Well....." He took a deep breath out of his mouth. He closed his eyes as if begging to win.

The three friends who were studying in the classroom, never saw Tuti enter. They looked up from the window that the whole group had come out of the hall. But where is Tuti? Ask each one of them.

So after the bell rang, they went to find Tuti in the hall. But when he got there, the hall was locked.

They looked for him in the cafeteria, the toilet, all the way to the back yard of the school, but still he wasn't there.

"Where's the kid? The wonder can disappear suddenly. It's been searched everywhere but the trunk of his nose isn't visible." Betty grumbled in annoyance at looking for him to crap and walked hastily to and fro.

"Yes, don't look for it anymore. He is big, though. So it won't disappear here either? Tar he's in class too." Connect Linda.

"All right, we're going to class." Siti.

But as they were about to arrive at the classroom, they saw Tuti go in first and limp in, like a man who had not eaten for 3 days.

"Hey, it's Tuti, right? Where did the child come from?" Ask Betty.

"Yes. Hide where is he? Has the race failed? Do you see the way limp as a lame duck?" Connect Siti.

"What's? Snambing duck? Have you ever seen a duck latch? How's style? And cranky because of what?" Ask Linda.

"Ah...already! Already! Mending us samperin aja yuk!" Answer Siti.

*******

Betty then sat nearby and tried to embrace her shoulder, "Hei Tut! How was the lomba? Ga success? Is there a chance of winning?"

But Tuti was heavy in his behavior, also being lazy to speak. For him, the most important thing is now able to quickly go home so that he can freely think while contemplating.

Seeing her limp and moody, Siti gives the code so Betty doesn't question her anymore.

Then they went back to their seats and started reading books.

But when it started to focus, suddenly the school bell rang and it rang quite long. The students thought it might be a sign bell home, because it was very rare.

They came home sooner than usual. The teachers did so that the students who participated in the race could study more seriously and more calmly at home. In addition, teachers or supervisors can prepare the room for the race the next day.

*********

While walking home, it was hard for them to talk to Tuti. Various kinds of temptations and super ugly smile was displayed before him but all that was still in vain.

"Sist! Yesterday aja. Maybe he's coming by the moon again. Don't be bothered anymore. Ntar you were pounced on? Huh uh?" Linda said as she pulled Betty's hand back which had been teasing her ever since.

Finally they walked each other quietly, until at the intersection of the four of them separated according to the direction of their respective homes.

In his heart he thought, "Let him calm down first. Maybe he's stressed because he can't answer all the questions. Well, I'm sure. From his support."

As he was busy muttering, Tuti suddenly stopped in front of him, so he subconsciously hit him.

"Duh. Sorry Tut. My eyes flashed as my lips were busy muttering. The two aren't in sync so I don't see the road and hit you." Say Linda. To mimic her face at once implies fear if Tuti will snap at her again or humiliate her again.

Unexpectedly, that worry is wrong. In a low voice, Tuti apologized to her for her harsh words this morning.

"Lin, I'm sorry. Because I was tense I snapped at you this morning. You must be really embarrassed, and the other kids must be doing you. Sorry yeah. I don't mean that."

Although deep in her heart she still held a grouch, but thinking of the fate of her friendship, she raised her heart and smiled at him.

"Nobody is Tut. I understand it. You must be tense because the race is soon. And if I were in your position, maybe I would too. Aye. Who knows?"

"So you're not angry anymore, are you Lin?"

"Yes. For our friendship." His words were wide and warm.

They smiled at each other after getting rid of the heartache.

"Lin, I don't think I'm gonna win." Tuti said suddenly.

Instantly Linda was stunned because since then that's what they wanted to hear after various futile ways they had devoted to drawing his heart.

"But why do you say that?" Linda asked doubtfully.

"There are some things I've never seen before. And I've tried many different ways while working on it, but I still can't."

"What's the matter like yesterday?"

"It does exist. But I can answer. It's all thanks to Lia."

"What's? Lia? How can? How's it going?" Linda asked suddenly confused. 'How can people who are competing, discussing and helping each other?' Her thought.

"I called him and asked for help, and he wanted to teach. Turns out he's good, yeah." Answer Tuti.

"Oh that. How many questions can you not answer? Ask Linda.

"Three about Lin. And I'm sure I lost. But what if Joko wins? I was so dizzy thinking about it.

"Please calm down. Don't think about anything else, just think about your health. You look so tired. Arriving home straight to rest. Don't think about losing and winning. In that race for sure. And for me, you're already a champion. So no need to mess around. Ok!"

Linda smiled broadly to comfort Tuti and reassure him, that although he was not a champion, but in their eyes he was the champion.