The school bell rang, signaling the start of the first lesson of the day. The classroom gradually quieted down, though a few students were still scrambling to find their seats.
Mr. Surya entered with firm steps, carrying a stack of test papers.
"Alright, class, I'll be handing back your math test results today," he announced, his gaze sweeping across the room.
The atmosphere grew tense. Ridho glanced nervously at Arya, who sat beside him. He was sure his score would be one of the worst in class.
"Ridho," Mr. Surya called out suddenly.
Ridho flinched.
"Y-yes, sir?"
"You did pretty well this time. But be careful with the last calculation problem don't rush your answers," Mr. Surya said firmly.
Ridho nodded quickly, trying to hide his relief. Beside him, Arya smiled, as if silently congratulating his friend.
Mr. Surya continued distributing the test papers, commenting on each student's results as he went. When he reached Jaka, he stopped and frowned.
"Jaka, your score is really bad it's the lowest in the class. You need to start taking your studies seriously," he said sternly.
Jaka lowered his head.
"Yes, sir. I understand."
Once all the test results had been handed out, Mr. Surya moved on to reviewing last week's exam questions. He began writing notes on the board as he explained, and the classroom atmosphere became a little more relaxed. A few students started whispering quietly.
Sitting behind Arya, Jaka nudged his shoulder.
"Bro, help me out a little. I don't get this part."
Arya glanced at him briefly before quickly scribbling an answer on his notebook. Jaka took the notes with a satisfied grin.
"Thanks, bro! You're a lifesaver!" he whispered.
Ridho shot them an envious look.
"Man, that's so unfair, Jaka."
The three of them chuckled softly while still pretending to listen to Mr. Surya's lecture.
Meanwhile, Nadia rested her chin on her hand, staring blankly at the board. Arya glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, catching the way her long black hair cascaded gently over her shoulder.
"Arya, what are you staring at?" Ridho suddenly whispered, snapping Arya back to reality.
"N-nothing," Arya replied hastily, quickly turning his focus back to his notes.
When Mr. Surya's lesson finally ended, he wrapped up the review session and left the classroom. The moment he was gone, the room burst into chatter. Some students stood up to talk to their friends, while others busied themselves with extra assignments.
Nadia approached Ridho, Sinta, and Arya, holding a small notebook in her hand.
"Hey, we had physics homework from Mr. Budi, right? Have you guys done it yet?" Nadia asked.
Sinta let out a sigh.
"Only part of it. I fell asleep last night."
"I haven't done mine either," Ridho chimed in.
Without thinking, Nadia offered, "Want me to help? I finished all of it already."
Sinta flashed a small smile.
"Really? Thanks a lot, Nad!"
Nadia reached for her notebook and started helping Sinta and Ridho with their homework. Arya just smiled slightly. Then, Nadia turned to him.
"Arya, have you finished yours?"
Arya nodded.
"Yeah, I got it done last night."
The atmosphere in the classroom became warmer, filled with laughter and conversation. Amid the casual chatter, Arya felt something special about this simple moment, a kind of togetherness that might never happen again once they graduated.
The recess bell rang, echoing throughout the school. Students began filing out of the classroom, some rushing toward the cafeteria to secure a seat. Arya, Ridho, Nadia, and Sinta walked together, chatting lightly.
"This time, I'm not waiting in line forever like yesterday," Ridho grumbled. "I wanted meatballs, but all I got was iced tea."
"That's because you always show up late, Do!" Sinta teased with a laugh.
"There's no such thing as late, Sinta. It's fate!" Ridho declared, raising a finger like a wise philosopher.
They arrived at the cafeteria, which was already bustling. Long rows of tables were occupied, and some students stood waiting for their turn to order. The air was thick with the aroma of meatballs, fried snacks, and fried rice.
"I'm going ahead to order my meatballs!" Ridho announced before hurrying off.
Arya chuckled as he watched Ridho squeeze into the line. Sinta and Nadia found an empty bench and sat down. Just as Arya was about to follow Ridho, he glanced at Nadia. Her face looked bright, but a moment later, she covered her mouth and let out a small sigh.
"You okay, Nad?" Arya asked instinctively.
Nadia looked up and smiled faintly.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little sleepy."
Arya nodded slightly, but something in Nadia's expression felt off. It wasn't just sleepiness it looked more like hidden exhaustion. Before he could ask further, Ridho's voice calling from the line distracted him.
As Arya waited for his turn, he glanced around and locked eyes with Fajar, a student from the neighboring class, who was ordering a drink.
"Hey, Arya!" Fajar greeted him with a friendly smile.
"Hey, bro," Arya replied with a grin.
"You still playing futsal?" Fajar asked.
Arya nodded.
"Yeah, still practicing, though not as often as before."
After placing their orders, Arya and Ridho carried their steaming bowls of meatball soup along with a few fried snacks back to their table. Sinta and Nadia had already ordered iced tea and spring rolls. As they shared their food, the atmosphere grew warmer with Ridho's never-ending jokes.
"Hey, Nad, I still remember when you slipped in front of the classroom door. That was hilarious!" Ridho teased, grinning as he took a bite of his meatballs.
Nadia scoffed and playfully smacked Ridho's arm.
"Don't bring that up! It's embarrassing!"
Arya chuckled but quickly added, "But you gotta admit, Nad, you made it look stylish like a slow-motion scene from a movie."
Sinta joined in, laughing. "Yeah, and instead of crying, you just started laughing at yourself."
Their laughter echoed around the table, catching the attention of students at the next table. Amidst the cheerful conversation, Nadia suddenly set her spoon down and let out a quiet sigh. She pressed her fingers against her temple for a moment before flashing her usual smile.
"You sure you're okay?" Arya asked again, this time more seriously.
Nadia let out a small chuckle. "Really, Arya. I just didn't get enough sleep."
Even though she smiled, something about it didn't sit right with Arya. But before he could dwell on it, Sinta suddenly perked up.
"Hey, we're off this weekend. Let's go watch a movie together!"
Ridho immediately chimed in. "Yes! Let's watch a horror movie!"
Nadia pouted. "No way! I won't be able to sleep after that."
Arya chuckled, feeling nostalgic. She always said the same thing.
"How about something light? A comedy-drama?" he suggested.
Sinta nodded. "Yeah! Something fun but not nightmare-inducing."
They finally agreed to go to a small theater downtown on Saturday. As they ate, two friends from the other class, Rini and Evi, approached their table.
"Hey, fancy meeting you guys here! Mind if we join?" Rini greeted them cheerfully.
"Sure, we've got space," Sinta replied, shifting over to make room.
The conversation grew even livelier. Rini, who was known for her chatterbox tendencies, started spilling the latest gossip from her class about secret couples pretending not to know each other at school.
"Did you guys hear? Anton and Nia are dating, but they act like strangers in class," Rini whispered conspiratorially.
Ridho put on a mock-surprised face. "Whoa, Anton? The top student? And Nia, your class president?"
Rini nodded, and Evi added, "Yeah, outside of school, they're always together. But here? Total strangers."
The conversation went on, filled with laughter and playful banter. Arya occasionally glanced at Nadia, who was laughing freely, her face glowing with joy. But in the midst of it, an image flickered in his mind the shadow of a man in the alley.
For some reason, the image became clearer each day. Arya frowned, trying to push the thought away. But the unease remained, lingering like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
When the bell rang, the cafeteria burst into a frenzy. Students rushed to finish their meals. Rini and Evi left first, while Arya and the others hurriedly finished their food.
"Ugh, next is Mr. Budi's class. Time to turn into zombies," Ridho groaned dramatically.
Sinta smirked. "If you doze off, just tell him you're contemplating life."
Arya laughed, while Ridho pouted, pretending to be offended. As they walked back to class, Arya glanced to the side. Nadia was walking normally, but there was a brief moment when she pressed her temple again.
Something gnawed at Arya's mind. But for now, he kept quiet.
After thinking for a while, Arya settled on a simple shirt, a denim jacket, and dark blue jeans. Before leaving, he checked his phone to make sure there were no last-minute changes in their group chat.
The most recent message from Ridho "Don't be late, woy!"made him smile.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the house and headed to the bus stop where they had planned to meet.
Arya arrived first. He sat on a long bench, scrolling through his phone, but every so often, his gaze drifted toward the road, waiting for the others.
Not long after, Ridho and Sinta appeared, laughing as they walked. Ridho wore a bright red T-shirt with the logo of his favorite metal band, while Sinta looked effortlessly casual in an oversized hoodie and ripped jeans.
"Whoa, you're looking sharp today, bro. Who are you trying to impress?" Ridho teased, nudging Arya's shoulder.
Arya just grinned, hiding his nervousness. "Just felt like switching it up. I wear plain tees every day."
Sinta chuckled. "This is a rare sight, Arya. But I like it. You look good."
As they chatted, Nadia arrived. Arya immediately turned his head. She wore a plain white T-shirt tucked into a knee-length denim skirt, paired with white sneakers. Her hair was left loose, with a small clip holding back one side.
But Arya noticed something her face looked a little pale.
"Sorry I'm late. It took me forever to find parking," Nadia said with a small smile.
Ridho immediately joked, "Wow, that's new, Nad. You used to take public transport—now you're bringing your own motorcycle?"
Nadia chuckled. "Yeah, I'm learning. Just hoping I don't get a ticket."
Arya smiled but kept watching her closely. A flicker of concern rose inside him, but he brushed it off.
By the time they reached the mall, the place was already packed with visitors. Arya instinctively walked near Nadia but kept just enough distance to avoid seeming awkward.
In front of the movie theater, they huddled together, debating their movie choice.
"Horror, obviously! Let's make it fun!" Ridho said enthusiastically.
Sinta immediately shook her head. "No way! Too scary."
Arya chuckled at her dramatic reaction.
"How about romance? That way, Sinta can cry while watching."
Sinta shot him a glare. "You're so mean!"
Nadia smiled. "Why not something with drama and a bit of thriller? That way, we all get what we want."
Everyone agreed. They settled on a drama-thriller with some horror elements.
Arya bought the tickets while Nadia took the initiative to get snacks. As she stood in line, Arya noticed her subtly rubbing her temples, as if trying to soothe a headache.
"You okay, Nad? You feeling sick?" he asked softly.
Nadia turned to him with a small smile. "I'm fine. Just a little tired. Didn't sleep much last night."
Arya nodded, though the worry lingered.
Inside the theater, the dim lighting cast a soft glow along the aisles. They found their seats,Ridho and Sinta on the left, Arya and Nadia on the right.
Sitting so close to Nadia made Arya feel strangely nervous. Every now and then, he stole a glance at her as she busied herself unwrapping the popcorn.
The movie began. The opening scene was calm at first, but the tension slowly built. Arya tried to focus, but every now and then, he stole glances at Nadia.
"This is really scary," Nadia whispered softly.
"Yeah, but it's pretty cool too," Arya replied.
When a sudden jump scare hit, Nadia instinctively gripped Arya's arm tightly. His heart pounded, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"Sorry, Arya! I... reflex," Nadia said nervously.
Arya chuckled. "It's fine. If you're scared, just hold on. I won't run away."
Nadia laughed softly, her cheeks tinged with pink. But Arya noticed something her palm felt unusually cold.
As the credits rolled and the lights came back on, Ridho immediately started mimicking scenes from the movie. Sinta, looking both annoyed and spooked, only fueled his antics. Nadia covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter at their silliness. Arya smiled too, but in the back of his mind, he kept wondering if Nadia was really okay.
They decided to grab a meal at the food court before heading home. Arya and Nadia ended up sitting next to each other again, while Ridho and Sinta sat across from them. In the middle of their casual chatter, Arya took a chance.
"Nad, do you want to watch a movie together sometime?"
Nadia turned to him, her eyes widening slightly. "You mean… with all of you?"
Arya hesitated for a second, then shook his head. "Hmm... just the two of us, if you don't mind."
Nadia chuckled, then nodded. "Sure, why not."
Ridho and Sinta, who had been quietly listening, exchanged knowing smiles.
Nadia's answer sent a warmth spreading through Arya's chest. His nervousness faded, replaced by a quiet happiness he couldn't quite put into words.
On their way home, Arya and Nadia walked side by side again. He noticed her touching her forehead occasionally, as if trying to ease a headache.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Arya asked again.
Nadia turned to him with a reassuring smile. "Yes, Arya. I'm fine."
He didn't want to push her to talk, but deep down, he promised himself to keep an eye on her.
At the bus stop, just before they parted ways, Nadia smiled. "Thanks. Today was really fun."
Arya, Ridho, and Sinta smiled back.
"Yeah, let's do this again soon," Sinta said.
"Take care on your way home," Arya added.
Nadia waved before walking away. Arya stood there, watching her figure disappear into the distance. But for the first time, an uneasy feeling settled in his chest an odd premonition he couldn't quite explain.
***
Sunday arrived with a different kind of atmosphere. That morning, the sun shone brightly, and a cool breeze drifted in, making everything feel calm and relaxed. Arya was still lounging in his room, letting the sunlight sneak through the slightly open window.
On the study table in the corner of the room, a pile of schoolbooks and unread novels lay in a messy heap. Arya's phone suddenly vibrated, displaying a message on the screen. It was from Nadia.
Nadia: "Morning, Arya! Do you have any plans today? If not, how about I come over? Ridho and Sinta can join too if they want."
A small smile formed on Arya's lips as he read the message. He quickly typed a reply.
Arya: "Sounds good. Just come over, and let the others know too."
It didn't take long for Ridho, Sinta, and Nadia to arrive, bringing a bag of snacks. They were warmly welcomed by Arya's mother, who had just finished cooking.
"I made some small cakes. You can take some from the dining table," she said with a kind smile.
"Wow, thank you so much, Tante!" Ridho replied enthusiastically, making Arya chuckle.
The four of them settled in the living room, turning on the TV while chatting casually. Ridho immediately claimed the most comfortable spot on the sofa, while Sinta sat cross-legged on the carpet, a snack in hand. Nadia took a seat at the far end of the couch, close to Arya.
Their conversation flowed easily, covering school, strict teachers, unfinished homework, and their favorite TV shows. Ridho, with his usual playful antics, kept the mood light.
"By the way, there's a school festival next week, right?" Sinta brought up a new topic.
Nadia nodded. "Yeah, and there'll be competitions too. Mr. Surya is the main organizer."
Ridho burst out laughing. "Oh man, if Mr. Surya's in charge, I bet the troublemakers are gonna end up doing tons of push-ups!"
Everyone laughed. Arya glanced at Nadia just as she let out a soft chuckle. only to see her cough slightly mid-laugh. For a split second, her expression changed, but she quickly took a sip of her drink and smiled again as if nothing had happened. Arya noticed but chose to stay silent.
"Arya, what competition are you joining?" Nadia asked, her voice slightly quieter than before.
Arya shrugged. "Not sure yet. I might just be a spectator."
Nadia smiled faintly. "Then let's watch the festival together, okay?"
At her words, Ridho and Sinta exchanged knowing looks, grinning mischievously. Arya felt his face heat up slightly but just gave a small nod.
"Yeah, sure."
As the afternoon went on, they decided to play a card game. Ridho, who had initially seemed confident, ended up losing repeatedly, sending the group into fits of laughter. Sinta didn't let up, constantly teasing Ridho for making excuses after every defeat.
Eventually, Sinta and Ridho had to leave for other plans, leaving Arya and Nadia alone in the living room. The atmosphere shifted quieter, more subdued than before.
"Today was fun," Nadia said, leaning back against the couch.
Arya nodded. "Yeah. My house isn't usually this lively."
A brief silence followed, broken only by the faint sound of the TV. Arya occasionally glanced at Nadia, who seemed deep in thought, staring ahead.
"Arya," she called softly.
"Yeah?" Arya turned to her, slightly caught off guard.
"When we graduate… do you think we'll still be able to hang out like this?" she asked, her tone unusually serious.
Arya hesitated for a moment. The future had always felt so distant, but now, with Nadia's words, it suddenly seemed much closer.
"Yeah… I hope so, Nad. Even if we don't see each other as often, we'll still find a way to meet," he said.
Nadia held his gaze, something unreadable in her eyes.
"I hope so too," she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.
A few moments later, Arya's mom came over with a cold drink, breaking the silence. The mood lightened again as they joked around, but Arya's thoughts lingered on Nadia's question.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Nadia finally stood to leave. Arya walked her to the front of the house, watching as she made her way toward the street.
"Be careful, Nad," he said.
She turned back, flashing a warm smile.
"I will. See you tomorrow!"
Arya stood there for a moment, watching her retreating figure. His mind replayed the quiet cough he had noticed earlier. Something about it nagged at him, but he pushed the thought aside. For now.
***
Monday morning arrived, bringing the usual chaos of students spilling through the school gates in their crisp uniforms. Some looked refreshed, others still half-asleep, unwilling to let go of the weekend.
Arya strolled toward his classroom, his thoughts drifting back to the time he had spent with his friends the day before. As he stepped inside, he spotted Ridho slumped over his desk, his head buried in his arms. His hair was a mess clearly, he hadn't gotten enough sleep.
Sinta was busy arranging her books, while Nadia had just taken her seat beside her.
"Morning, bud," Ridho mumbled in a hoarse voice.
Arya chuckled, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "You look half-dead. What were you up to?"
"Stayed up all night gaming. Gotta train if I wanna go pro," Ridho muttered, barely keeping his eyes open.
Sinta shot him a sharp look. "Pro gamer or pro unemployed?" she quipped.
Nadia let out a soft laugh, and Arya smiled. The warmth of their usual banter filled the room. But just before the bell rang, Arya caught something—Nadia's expression shifted for a split second. Her gaze drifted toward the window, distant, almost lost in thought.
Then, as if sensing his eyes on her, she quickly masked it with a smile.
Before Arya could dwell on it, Mr. Budi entered the classroom, a thick notebook in hand. The chatter died down instantly.
"Good morning, class," he greeted in his usual firm voice.
"Good morning, sir!" they chorused.
Physics class began with a new lesson on optics. Ridho, who had barely managed to keep his eyes open, now looked utterly lost. He glanced between Arya and Nadia before leaning closer to her.
"Uh, Nad," he whispered, desperation in his voice.
"Do you get it?"
Nadia turned her head, explaining patiently. But as she spoke, Arya noticed something—she seemed a little distracted. Her eyes occasionally lost focus before snapping back, as if her mind was elsewhere.
When Mr. Budi wrote a problem on the board, he suddenly turned around.
"Ridho, you seem to be having a great time chatting. Why don't you try answering this?" he said, his tone firm.
Ridho froze. The class barely held back their laughter. With a resigned sigh, he stood up, staring helplessly at the question.
"Uh… um… it's, uh… light bias, sir?" he answered hesitantly.
Mr. Budi gave him a blank stare before letting out a small smile.
"Partially correct. But if you're only half right, you'll only get half the grade," he joked.
The class burst into laughter.
When the lunch bell rang, Arya, Nadia, Ridho, and Sinta headed to the cafeteria. It was packed with students from different classes, laughing and buying snacks. They found an empty table in the corner and sat down.
In the middle of their conversation, a group of students from the next class approached. Leading them was Dika—a tall guy with an easygoing smile, well-known at school for competing in futsal tournaments.
"Hey, Arya, Ridho, are you guys joining futsal next Friday? We're playing against another school," Dika asked, his voice full of excitement.
Ridho didn't hesitate. "I'm in! When else will we get to play against another school?"
Arya chuckled. "Sounds good. If the timing works, I'll join."
Dika grinned. "Nice! Get ready—we're gonna crush them!"
After Dika left, Sinta smirked. "Futsal's gonna be packed again."
Nadia turned to Arya. "You're playing too? I'll come watch."
Arya blinked, caught off guard. But he felt a small rush of excitement.
"Yeah, I'll be there. Don't forget to cheer for me."
Nadia smiled, but this time, there was something different in her expression. Something deeper, more serious—like she wanted to say something but chose not to.
The conversation drifted back to futsal, to weekend plans, to random jokes. But between the laughter, Arya couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Nadia's distant stares, the way her smile flickered—like something was weighing on her.
***
That night, Arya's house was quiet. After a long day at school and hanging out with his friends, he stayed in his room.
The dim light from his desk lamp cast soft shadows on the walls. Books were scattered across his desk, but his mind wasn't on any of them.
He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. The screen was still on, but he wasn't really looking at it. His fingers tapped idly against the wooden surface of his desk—a habit of his when he was lost in thought.
Something felt off.
He just couldn't put his finger on it.
Then, without realizing it, flashes of that moment replayed in his mind.
Arya shut his eyes. His chest tightened. There was something about the blue necklace, about him and Nadia, and that small alley—something he had yet to fully remember or piece together. But every time he tried to dig deeper, his head grew heavy, as if an invisible wall was blocking him.
He ran a hand over his face, exhaling slowly, trying to steady himself.
"Why am I the only one who feels like something is missing? Does Nadia really not remember any of this?"
His thoughts drifted back to the alley. The man. Who was he? The sound of little Nadia's scream. What exactly had happened?
Damn it. He still couldn't remember everything.
Suddenly, his mother's gentle voice called from outside the door.
"Arya, it's late. Don't forget to sleep, you have school tomorrow."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Arya responded, "Yeah, Mom. Soon."
The night deepened. Arya lay in bed, but his eyes remained wide open, staring at the ceiling. His mind wouldn't stop. Memories kept circling, refusing to settle.
And before sleep finally claimed him, one question echoed in his head—
Who was that man? And why had he targeted Nadia and me back then?