The System Of Beauty
Chapters 1. The Birthday Surprise

Cringe cring

The school bell rings. School breaks are starting, a favorite time of school children of course.

They all scatter out to the school cafeteria, or to the school park to enjoy the provisions they bring from home. But, some still survive in the classroom because they are lazy to cram in the cafeteria or eat in the park, so they prefer to enjoy the supplies they bring in the classroom only.

Zee also intends to drop out of her class during the break. He wanted to go to the library, a comfortable place to rest for her. But before she gets out of her class, Ella calls him to come along with her.

"Zeez! Follow me!"

Zee was confused when Ella called him. Ella is her classmate who dislikes her the most. So, it's only natural that Zee is confused when Ella calls to go with him. His feelings became anxious with uncertainty and concern about the possibility that would happen to him.

As Zee does not respond immediately to her invitation, Ella looks furious and walks over to Zee's seat, then pulls Zee's crisscrossing hair.

"Budeg you yes! Follow me!"

The girl friend pulled Zee into the back of the school without giving any explanation. Zee feels unable to resist or reject Ella's invitation, so she just follows them without really knowing what the intention behind her friend's actions is.

Ella actually felt disgusted when pulling the hair of the fat guy, Zee, who seemed not shampooing for a month. The appearance of her hair is kriwil, looks unkempt with a neat combed.

Zee, confused, just walked out of the class following Ella's wide and hasty steps. He felt uncomfortable, even worried about not knowing what would happen next. Zee thinks about the reason why Ella pulled him behind the school and hopes there will be further explanation.

"Where are you going, Ella?" ask Zee scared.

"Hei Zee, come with me! I have something for you. It's a surprise because I know you're having a birthday, right? Moreover, this is your 17th birthday so it will definitely be very special!"

Zee was surprised to hear the answer given by Ella. He never thought that his friend who was the most jutek actually very attentive with him. He himself never remembered if today was his 17th birthday. But Ella, the girl remembered it. Moreover, at this moment Ella no longer pulled her hair forcefully, but simply asked her to walk by the side together with him.

"here! I don't want to be mistaken for you."

Zee looked embarrassed. In his heart he also confirmed Ella's words. But how else, circumstances force him not to dream of getting anything at the time of birthday, just like in previous years. So, this was a surprise that he had never expected before.

"But what's up? W-why did you take me to the back of school?" ask Zee again, with concern.

It seemed, Zee sensed that something amiss was about to happen.

"Hehehe, it's a secret! Lo, I'll know soon enough. The name is also a surprise, I have to answer your question first!"

There were 2 friends of Ella, Berta and Lina, who were already waiting for the arrival of the two of them in the hallway leading to the back of the school. Both of her friends Ella smiled as she gave their two thumbs up. This made Zee even more frightened, but he remained silent and stepped up.

Behind the school has prepared a surprise for Zee, as today is her 17th birthday. A birthday with the number 17 is a moment that is generally considered special, and Zee hopes the surprise will provide joy and happiness.

"Hey, are you ready for our special gift for Zee?" ella asked her two friends.

"Yes, I prepared everything. We're gonna make her cry like a baby, because she's moved. Hehe..." Berta laughed crisply, showing off his row of white teeth.

But Zee just felt more worried.

Zee, pulled Ella to get closer to the desk in the middle of the back garden of the school. On the table, her birthday gifts are available with a beautiful looking birthday cake with number 17 candles.

"Hey, Zee! Happy birthday to you! We have a special gift for you."

Berta said cheerfully, smiling happily and clapping his hands.

"Thank you, you don't have to bother giving gifts." Zee is feeling sad.

"Oh, believe me, this is a gift that will not be forgotten!" Ella answered quickly.

The candles are lit by Ella, the three of them sing a happy birthday to Zee. They also ask Zee to blow out the candles. Afterwards, they force Zee to open the prepared gift.

Plok plok plok

"Open Zee!"

"Come, open up Zee!"

Zee opens the gift packaging and sees what is inside, after being forced by his three friends But, unfortunately, the surprise does not match Zee's expectations.

"A-pa this?! K-alian... Why are you doing this to me?" zee asked stammered and frightened.

It seemed, Zee could already imagine something that would happen to him in a moment. This is something really bad.

But now that he was devastated and angry, he felt disappointed by the surprise. Zee feels that her birthday is not well appreciated, and her friends are very nasty people with the surprise. They do not pay attention to his wishes. Anger and disappointment arise because of unfulfilled expectations by being ignored.

"We only give gifts that match your personality. You mean nothing to us." Ella smiled cynically, then dabbled at Zee with her present.

Byuurrrs

"Geekk!"

"Geez-uhuk! Yes..disgust!

"Pantes, right? Haha..."

Zee ran away crying. She never thought that Ella along with her two best friends would do this to her.

'Why would they do all this to me? Why?!' zee shouted in his mind.

Zee's heart aches with the treatment of Ella and her friends. It was very desirable for Zee to reciprocate their treatment, but the Message from Mother Panti, the person who had taken care of her, to always do good, made Zee unable to do so.

Zee has been getting this kind of humiliation since her first day of high school. Because of his appearance and also his status as a student who entered through the scholarship path, making other students, who incidentally are the elite, disgusted to see Zee.

With a feeling of anxiety, Zee continued to walk to the bathroom to clean up. He was crying with all this.

However, without Zee knowing, it turns out the nearest bathroom has been modified deliberately by his friends earlier. This causes Zee to slip and fall hard until fainting.

Brukkk...

"Aughh.."

Shortly thereafter.

"Haha! Look how weak he is. He deserves all this."

"Yes, I hope he learns not to be the center of attention anymore. He doesn't deserve a true friend."

Ella and Berta were satisfied with the results they had done to Zee.

***

After a moment of fainting, Zee wakes up. She was relieved but also confused to learn that there were no signs of mistreatment or intimidation from her friends like that.

However, suddenly Zee heard an unfamiliar voice.

Without warning, a holographic screen appeared before Zee's eyes. The screen displays a virtual figure that introduces itself as the "System of Question."

[Tip]

[Hi, Miss Zee. I am the System of Question.]

"Huh?"