JUST MISS
Chapters. 5

I slowly opened my eyes, as sunlight tried to penetrate my retina.

I squirm, looking for a comfortable position before fully waking up from my dream.

Mama, it turns out he did.

Let the light enter through the window where the curtain has been revealed.

"Wake up and shower. Alden's been waiting for you downstairs,"

I grabbed the phone I put on the nightstand,

wait

Alden's?

I turned my eyes towards my mother, she herself was surprised by my expression.

"It's a habit, I made a promise but still forgot." continued mama while looking at me anxiously.

I shook my head quickly. Didn't allow Mom's words just now.

"I didn't tell him to pick me up. Wrong house time," I said brushed off.

Mama walked up to my dirty pile of clothes that were near the bathroom door,

"He said he wanted to pick you up" he said, carrying a tub filled with a pile of dirty clothes.

"Still want to ngeles? Take a shower there." he continued, walking out of the room.

I saw my mother's back walking out of the room, and the door closed.

I patted my cheek repeatedly, it hurt.

Am I dreaming or not?

Yeah, I remember.

I immediately descended from the top of my bed, towards the balcony of the room that connects my room with the view outside the house.

I'm appalled.

Sure enough, it was parked Alden's CBR motorbike there.

"Still can't believe I picked you up today?"

Double kill's.

Shit, I got caught by Alden.

Turns out he just got out of my house to pick up an item left on his bike.

He looked up, where I was.

I immediately entered the room as Alden looked at me.

"Ash, it's crazy, it's a guy." I grumbled.

I went into the bathroom and got ready for school.

°°°°°

"There's a shuttle, now,"

I could see Alvaro teasing me while in the dining room.

"What the hell," I replied annoyed.

Our age is not much different, only 2 years adrift. That's why we're like tom and jerry together.

"Udah eat first, there's Alden too. Not ashamed of what?" my mother cut our debate.

In the dining room, my family was gathered. Including Alden, though,

yes, he had breakfast with us.

"If the part that grins the heart is not there?" alvaro.

Just as I sat down, Alvaro reopened his voice.

I threw an iron spoon at him, not caring about his body parts.

Alvaro laughed satisfied to see me annoyed. "Happy lo?!" kapaku.

°°°°

After finishing breakfast, Alden and I decided to leave for school.

On the way, we were just silencing each other. Not talking to each other. That's why I'm so uncomfortable.

The morning breeze was still cool, not too many vehicles were crossing the highway this morning.

Maybe it's too early.

The clock shows at 06:00 am, where I should still be in the room to prepare for school.

But now, I was on my way to school.

Today's journey doesn't take long. Because there is no traffic jam and other vehicles are disturbing.

15 Minutes later we arrived at school. Sure enough, it's still quiet. Only a few children are in school.

I got off Alden's bike while taking off my helmet.

"Thanks for the ride" I said before leaving Alden in the parking lot.

I felt a hand pull me.

Yeah, it's Alden's hand.

He pulled my hand, preventing me from going to class.

"Lo dare in class alone? Is this clock still quiet?" he said by looking at both my beads.

It's true what he said. Class is still empty.

I was silent, not answering. Alden pulled my hand back somewhere. I just followed every step of the way from behind

Alden took me up to the school rooftop.

It's so big and empty here. This is my first time riding a rooftop.

I looked around, it was so beautiful here. I can see everything from up here.

I walked over to Alden who was already sitting in the middle of the rooftop.

I joined and sat down beside him. The awkward atmosphere happened again.

"Your family's cool, huh?"

Alden made a sound, breaking the silence. I don't know if he asked or not.

I nodded, smiling at him.

I could see, Alden was staring straight at me with a blank look. His face turned soft.

Is he sad?

"Gue lives in a cold family. Without warmth." he continued.

I was stunned to hear the statement said by Alden.

Did he just open his nature in front of me?

"Papa's busy with office business, and mama's busy with business." Alden spoke again while changing his sitting position that flanked both knees using both hands.

I feel his pity. I continued to look at it from the side, while continuing to listen to the story.

"The only child. Home alone, eat alone."

Goody!

He was cold because of the atmosphere in his daily life. I tried to calm Alden down. I patted him warmly on the shoulder so he would feel comfortable.

I laughed trying to melt the atmosphere.

"Gue once thought that being an only child was the funniest thing" I said as I gave Alden a warm smile.

Alden turned his eyes to look at me. His originally empty view, was now filled with me.

"We don't have to share, no one's jailing every day, rioting, or whatever. Life became peaceful." I continued with Alden's gaze back.

"Now I realize. I'm so grateful that Alvaro is my brother, who would do anything for his brother."

"But that doesn't mean being an only child is bad luck. Because, we're enough to open up and get used to other people so as not to feel lonely." I smiled as I patted Alden's shoulder gently.

Alden returned my smile. She smiled sweetly at me.

This is the second time I've seen her smile so sweet.

I don't know what path God gave me and for him.

But, I can only hope that God can give the best way for me and him.

°°°°

The 3rd and 4th hours I finished using to collect extra photography. Now when the break comes.

Ella and I decided to head straight to the cafeteria before returning to class. We bought snacks and drinks to eat in the classroom.

After we finished buying, we decided to go straight back to class, because the school cafeteria was very crowded.

"Today's serious about leaving with Alden?" ask Ella who still doesn't believe.

Yep. I told Ella that Alden picked me up today.

I nodded, confirming Ella's question.

We kept walking while we talked.

"It's dong that I said at that time, if Alden likes you" Ella said with the conclusion.

I shook my head, disagreeing with Ella's statement.

"It's impossible to know it for a week" I said, rejecting Ella's statement.

"Yeah, like someone it doesn't take a long time Nad. You look into his eyes for 30 seconds, you can instantly fall in love with him" Ella said with her argument.

"It turns out you're here."

I was shocked when I suddenly heard Alden's voice up close.

Sure enough, Alden was already standing in front of my class when I was just getting to class.

He brought two loaves of bread and two drinks in his hand. Who for?

I looked at Ella, asking for help.

"You want to go to the rooftop?" tanyanya looked at me.

When I looked at Ella for a moment, I knew that Ella nodded to allow me.

But, I can't if it continues like this.

"Sorry, I have an unfinished task" I refused subtly.

Alden nodded, I know he had a disappointed look on his face at the moment.

"Jaudah is excited" he said, giving me two loaves of bread and two drinks.

Alden went somewhere, maybe to the roftoop.

"The face of Alden was disappointed when you refused his invitation" said Ella who followed my gaze which saw Alden's back getting away.

I'm nodding. "Gue knows, but he's a freak. I myself never understood the same nature or behavior." I said give an excuse.

Ella patted me on the shoulder slowly. "Lo suck him up now. Sure enough, slowly he must be open" Ella said with a smile.

For a moment I thought, why did I catch up with him?

But on the other hand I feel guilty for refusing his invitation. Maybe he wants to eat and enjoy the rooftop atmosphere with me like this morning.

I immediately went and looked for Alden's whereabouts.