The Love I Don't Miss
Part 114 (Old Novel )

Not yet put a bag on his desk, Arsen has approached a beautiful girl who is busy reading a thick book that Arsen believes is a novel.

But the title in the novel left Arsen confused. Because it makes no sense, Clarice read a novel that may not be purchased in the new condition. A novel title that for Arsen was very old made him frown.

Habiburrahman El Shirazy's old novel, first published in 2007, tells the story of an Indonesian student who worked hard and studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo long time for Arsen. Even in our own ears, right?

There are so many great novels that have just come out. Why did Clarice choose an old novel amid the onslaught of new writers with new masterpieces?

But it is not denied if the storyline of the novel is very good and interesting. Even draining tears with the story of his day, when the main character named Khairul Azzam can return to Indonesia and re-assemble with his mother and younger brothers.

Arsen's mind was still spinning. But muttering all of that is only in the heart.

' What is she who is a modern girl reading a novel that is no longer in print? '

' Is it as good as the story? '

Arsen murmured in his heart, who had never read the novel. You can only estimate when the novel came out, and a flash that was told on the back cover..

That question made him reflect on reading the title of the novel in person.

"When Love Begins!" he muttered reading the title of the novel in Clarice's hands.

Until the girl who focused on reading with her head down glanced up, and saw Arsen who was sitting facing back, facing himself in full.

Fixing the position, Clarice put her novel on the table. He read without greeting Arsen. I or and have been lazy to serve a playboy, his mind.

It's not that he's not interested in the handsome Arsen. But he just does not like to compete, especially just because of the affairs of men who are not too important for teenagers his age.

His admiration for the class leader has not been answered and does not know how, has come again a handsome man who attracted the hearts of many teenage girls. Including his own eyes.

Just eyes, not to the heart! that's what Clarice has been saying since yesterday.

"Why read an old novel like this?" ask Arsen. "Maybe it's not even in reprint.." he continued.

"For me it doesn't have to read a new novel, which is important the storyline is good and has good value!" clarice looked at Arsen. "And this novel is no longer in print, instead I borrowed from the school library." he continued down to read the next part.

But it seems he will no longer be able to focus on reading the story. Because Arsen kept asking her to talk about this and that.

"What did he tell you about? in love?" ask Arsen who never read the novel.

"Read it yourself!" answer Clarice cuek.

Arsen flicked his lips to hear Clarice's very short answer and seemed indifferent.

"Look!" clarice glanced at the right side. From there, many students began to arrive. "They're all staring and looking strangely at you sitting here" Clarice said. Only Arsen can hear it.

"Why indeed?" ask Arsen. "We're friends, right? just like with them."

"Yes, but since you're a new kid so they see you strangely sitting facing me like this!"

"Oh yeah?" ask Arsen. "Is it because I'm handsome so many people think I'd rather sit in my own chair? without having to meet a pretty girl like you?"

Clarice pulled back a bit of her face from Arsen, her eyes squinting sharply. He really does not know the direction of Arsen's speech.

"What do you mean?" ask Clarice.

"I mean u, should I sit in my own chair? so that you girls don't fight to get close to me!" obviously Arsen made Clarice tick.

Bukkk!

The thick book poked Arsen's arm leaning against the back of the bench.

"Feel in on you!" henta Clarice. "Go back to your desk! lia will be here soon!"

"I'll leave when you tell me, what's your name?"

"You asked yesterday! why ask again!" henta Clarice.

"But I told you I forgot!"

"And I told you to look for my name in absenteeism!" answer Clarice.

"There's a picture of you in attendance?" ask Arsen. "There are 22 female students in this class, how do I know that's your name!" obviously Arsen was a little pushy for Clarice to say her name immediately.

"That's none of my business, Crocodile Land!" clarice replied considering how familiar Arsen was with the girl who even knew the young man yesterday.

"But that's a problem for me!"

"What matters yesterday I answered. If you forget, it's your business with your brain, why forget!" clarice replied with a joke and sold expensively.

But that's what a Brighta Clarice Agasta looks like. He does not want to establish a relationship that leads to dating status. From the way Arsen was eager to get to know him, when many girls in class, he was afraid that Arsen was trying to win his heart when many girls were chasing him.

It's not self-assured, but being alert is important. Especially if they just got acquainted.

Arsen squinted his eyes in silence, in his head he was thinking hard. Why is Clarice so indifferent to herself, at a time when many girls offer to hang out on Sunday night tomorrow.

"That! Lia's coming! Go there. Lia would not have the heart to drive away a new child who did not know the way to get to his desk" Clarice said, making Arsen laugh without a sound, and immediately turned to the door, and looking for a figure whose name is Lia.

"Where's Lia?" asked Arsen without looking at Clarice. He kept staring at the door, where there was Hanna and Lia who entered the classroom simultaneously.

"Wear the red bag!" answer Clarice.

"Oh.." said Arsen without intending to get out of his chair.

"Go there quickly!" lirih Clarice as she glanced at Hanna and Lia who were looking at her with a thin smile full of meaning.

It was as if the two were asking.How could the new kid approach Clarice? when knew? it's impossible to get acquainted this morning, isn't it?

Hanna and Lia are getting closer, and...

"Hi, Cla!" greet Hanna who immediately sat in her chair, while continuing to look at Clarice and Arsen alternately with a careless smile.

"Hi, Han!" cla smiled back.

While Lia, whose seat was being sat by Arsen, chose to sit on the bench next to him that was empty. While looking at Arsen, and hope the man immediately moved out of his chair. Because sooner or later, the owner of the chair he occupied would definitely come.

"Go away... Lia wants to sit down!" clarice has kicked Arsen out for the umpteenth time.

Arsen turned to the girl in the lyrics by Clarice, who was none other than Lia.

"I already know her name is Cla.." said Arsen staring at Lia. "What's his full name?" arsen asked Lia who was suddenly frowning confusedly.

"What do you mean?" ask the confused Lia.

"If you want me to move out of this chair, tell me what your friend's name is!" arsen pointed at Clarice who squinted her eyes irritated at Arsen.

"I've heard him call her Cla." Arsen pointed to Hanna. "But I forgot what his nickname was."

"Ask him alone." replied Lia staring at the man she admitted was very handsome. Not to deny if he was approached by Arsen, he would not refuse. Or just proud.

"I've asked her, Lia. but she won't answer!" answer Arsen who actually memorized the name of Lia compared to the name Clarice. "Said last night, why answer again!" obviously Arsen made Lia and Hanna glare then compactly stared at Clarice.

"You guys met last night?" ask Hanna.

"Yes, we accidentally met at the mall!" reply Arsen.

"Ooh..." Lia and Hanna alike - similarly nodded in understanding.

"Now answer me! what's his full nickname?" tanya Arsen repeated the question a second time. "If you won't answer, from today on I will sit here." Arsen threatened without hesitation to Lia.

"Why indeed?" ask Arsen without guilt. "You want a new child or an old child, our status here is the same. Same - same student!" replied Arsen smiling triumphantly. "Same student! and same - same pay school!"

And the three girls were finally only able to look at each other in turn. Not only them, but also the children who had just come, and saw Arsen surrounded by three girls at once.

And they were astonished when Arsen's voice was a little high when he explained that they were the same - a disciple. And the question is, why does Arsen look like he's approaching Clarice?

"Wait on! just wait! wait!" arsen said raising both hands, as if asking them all to be quiet and not say anything.

"Cla.." muttered Arsen softly, with a pair of eyes staring deeply at Cla. To make Clarice hold her breath. He was sure that Arsen would say...

"Clarice.." siss Arsen who last night only remembered Ris' name.

Clarice let out a long sigh as her conjecture was correct. It was not because Arsen had managed to remember his name. But he was still astonished, why was the young man so difficult to remember his name. Until I have to get the clue from Hanna first.

"really, right? Clarice.." guessed Arsen after seeing the face of Clarice who could only sigh, without being able to refute. It can be guessed if the answer is definitely right and not wrong this time.

"My answer... Isn't it?" asked Arsen a little forcefully until he leaned his head towards the bench Cla. And Clarice reflex leaned against the chair, then flicked her lazy lips. "But I only found Risa's name last night wearing Ris's!" muttered Arsen remembering last night's search.

"Where are you looking?" sahut Hanna's.

"In group chat!" reply Arsen. "In the line of numbers that I don't know, the name of Ris is only Risa. But I do remember that she didn't mention Risa's name!" arsen.

"Clearly!" sahut Lia's. "He didn't put his nickname there!"

"Then?"

"Just look in absenteeism! Once you know my full name, you'll know what name I used there!" clarice said a little too.

"So my answer is correct, right? your name is Clarice!" exclaimed Arsen began to believe the answer will not miss this time.

"Yes! you're right! now go back to your place! five more minutes teacher's coming!" drive Lia who was forced to stand from her seat, because the owner of the bench he sat on had come.

Drowning triumphantly, Arsen stood up from his seat, "Alright! I'll just find your phone number!" arsen.

Clarice squinted her eyes at Arsen who had moved from her seat and started to step towards her bench which was on the number two row and bench number 3.

Highlight eyes met again, when Arsen was already sitting on his stool and looking at Clarice who turned to him and looked intently at him, who was not at all afraid of the girl's gaze.

Precisely Arsen means if the gaze Clarice is challenging herself to melt the strength of the heart that is being built the girl.

' Okay! I'll do! '

Arsenic murmured in the heart. The young man continued to smile seductively at the girl, but the girl still pursed her lips.

After staring at Arsen with a deadly gaze, Clarice's eyes were directed at the man on the bench next to her. Where the class leader was sitting. I don't know when the guy came. What is clear, he stinks to see the ethics of the young man taking off his hat, and put it in a drawer under the table.

' Wanna wear a hat, or not. You are still handsome! '

Clarice murmured in her world of reverie. In his heart he giggled every time he saw the young man.

"Cla?" a voice he was very familiar with called from the number 3 series, and bench number 3 from the front.

"Hem? huh uh?" clarice looked at her friend.

"What do you see?" naufal asked curiously since Cla had looked back. That was because Naufal did not have time to see if Arsen had just sat in front of Clarice to make Cal squint at Arsen. Naufal came when Arsen was on his bench.

"Nothing!" clarice replied smiling comically at Naufal.

Yes, Naufal is the only man who can make Clarice laugh. Because he got a sincere sense of friendship from Naufal, since at Junior High School.

And if Clarice was asked, who was the first young man to draw her eyes and heart first?

The answer is Naufal Mahardhika. Classmates at Junior High School, and at that time they first met in the 7th grade. Who would have thought long - the two are familiar, in the middle of Clarice who always harbors feelings that at that time did not know what it meant.

He loved and always wanted to see the young man. Even though in fact the taste just continues to be buried in the chest because it was never revealed.

Until it ends with a friendship, because Cal knows if Naufal has a lover in another school. Although Cla is convinced it is just monkey love.

After all, the feeling of love that he had as time went on turned into a sense of caring. And it ends in caring for each other and loving in the sense of friends.

If a friend who had not known them since Junior High School, would definitely think they were a pair of lovers. Or two human children who have a special relationship, which is not yet clear direction and designation. And if Naufal's lover saw him, it would definitely be jealous.

That's because the two are not hesitant to walk together, work together at home, eat both in the cafeteria, even a motorbike together if Clarice wants to go home to the Papa.

Because Naufal lives in an elite housing complex adjacent to the Papa Zio housing complex.

And Naufal often went to school with his own motorbike, although not infrequently also in between by the driver. He was one of the students who passed the SIM exam of the Alexander International School.

Back facing forward, coinciding with the gym teacher entering the classroom. And the head of the class immediately asked all students to stand up and welcome the arrival of the first teacher who taught in the morning.

Starting the lesson by doing so then the sports teacher who is a man aged about 29 years old asked for all changed clothes. From school uniforms to sports uniforms, which should not be worn from home. Unless in duplicate.

The undisputed rule!

After changing clothes, all students in class X-3 are asked to come to one of the available fields. It's a basketball court. That morning they were going to play BAB Basket.

Walking with Hanna, Clarice who had been wearing a sports shirt in the form of shorts and short shirts walked casually approaching the field. Even though he is doubtful about the sports activities they will do.

He was a Cheerleader captain, not a basketball captain. Could he play basketball?

Since Elementary School, he always failed to put the ball into the basketball hoop. Then what would happen if today he would play basketball in front of the class president who he likes. Not to mention the new kid who started pestering him.

Not not uninterested in Arsen, because what exists today he is very worried. The two young men were the same - equally attractive in terms of physique. As for the heart, Clarice knew neither.

If the class leader, they are already in the same class the first day of school. Never speak for more than 2 minutes.

If it's Arsen, they were only in class yesterday morning, and just last night getting to know each other and talking. And for now what Clarice has in mind is Arsen a playboy. But all are just preliminary guesses from this morning's results.

Back to the restless heart, when the basketball session is about to start. As a girl of Clarice's age, of course still likes to be embarrassed - embarrassed by the opposite sex. Especially if it is clearly visible if he can not play basketball.

Before on the core activities, all lined up neatly to do a warm-up. Either coincidentally or intentionally, when Clarice marched in the number two line, it turned out that right next to her was the line of boys.

And that is very beyond reason Clarice is...why should Arsen who is standing right next to her?

Although happy because he always looks if the middle approached the young man. But his dislike of Arsen was very happy to be approached by children from other classes, making Cla lazy to connect with Arsen.

When Mr. Faiz or his sports teacher asked his students to stretch both hands to take distance, so what happens is that the tip of Clarice's clothespin is pulled - a small pull by Arsen who does not feel at all guilty about what he did.

Without hesitation, Clarice hit the back of Arsen's hand. The young man smiled, not looking at the girl at all. Of course it made Clarice feel upset.

' Look out for you, yeah! you unsettling brat! '

Threaten Clarice in the heart. His pair of eyes glanced to the right, where Arsen was still seen stalling his smile.

During an incessant warm-up session, Arsen steals a look at Clarice. And that made Cla reflex throw his face the other way.

After the warm-up session ended, all the students lined up neatly to take turns trying dribbling then putting the ball into the ring.

With a deep breath, Cla stood at number three, from the women's team. While the men's team still sat back to relax.

"The casino! keep ring!" mr's orders. Faiz to the class leader.

Clarice's nervous face grew increasingly tense, as the name owner began to approach the ring.

...🪴 Connect ... 🪴...