Chapter 2 Susan Part 2

Just like yesterday, even today I feel uncomfortable studying at this school, none of my classmates talk to me as if I'm invisible in their eyes. I want to scream as loud as I can and let out this annoyance so they notice my presence. However, of course, I discouraged that intention because it was impossible for me to do it amid silence. After all, now learning activities were taking place. There is a teacher who is giving the lesson material.

Two hours of lessons seemed so long to me. When I studied at the old school, every day I had great fun. In the old school, I was so close to my classmates, that it felt like I was at school. Very different from my new school. After only two hours of being here, I already felt uncomfortable and wanted to go home quickly.

The teacher left the class after the bell for recess rang. I sighed, feeling relieved.

"Hey, you. Why are you sighing like that?"

I was surprised not to play when I saw three of my classmates already standing in front of me at this time. They were all girls and they were standing right in front of me who was sitting on the chair. They glared at me with their arms folded across their chests. Impressed arrogant and intimidating.

Don't you like being in this class?" one of them asked. I frowned, not understanding the direction of this conversation.

"N-no."

"Don't lie. Since your arrival yesterday, we noticed you don't seem to like us." Another girl joined in the provocation. I froze in place, not knowing what to do.

"That's not true. I...."

"Listen, transfer student. Don't act here. Don't put on annoying expressions like that, we all don't like you at all. We'll make sure you don't feel comfortable in this class!"

After saying that, they returned to their seats. I blinked a few times, still trying to process what had just happened. I don't understand why they treat me like this. What have I done to make them dislike me and want to kick me out of this class?

***

Their threat is not just a threat. Since those three people threatened me yesterday, they always play pranks on me. Once they put traces of chewing gum on a chair, so it stuck to my skirt. It took a lot of effort to get that gum stain off.

Apart from that, they also put a bucket of the dirty water over the door. So, when I opened the door, the bucket fell and soaked me. Everyone in the class laughed at me out loud. Seem to enjoy watching my suffering. The water was so smelly, I couldn't smell it so I decided to go home.

I didn't want to be seen as weak by them, and that's why I still went to school despite the immense anger in my heart.

I don't want to experience something similar to what I experienced in the previous days so now I'm always on guard. Before opening the classroom door, I always check first, nothing is stored above the door. And when I wanted to sit on the chair, I checked the chair carefully, making sure there wasn't anything stuck to it.

Today, I feel at peace because there are no disturbances from my classmates. I can concentrate on listening to the lesson.

"Mr. Zein!"

One of my friends named Tina, for some reason suddenly called Mr. Zein who was giving a lesson. That made all pairs of eyes turn towards Tina.

"What's wrong, Tina?"

"Sir, my wallet is missing."

Whispers suddenly sounded. I was no exception, all of the occupants of this class were certainly shocked to hear the news.

"Really? Try to find it first. Maybe it was tucked in your bag or you forgot to bring it to school?" said, Mr. Zein.

"No, sir. I'm sure I took it to school because this morning I still had my wallet. I looked in my bag too, but nothing."

"Since you arrived at school, where have you been going?" Mr. Zein asked again.

"Earlier I went to the toilet but didn't take my wallet with me. I kept it in the bag I left in class."

Mr. Zein was silent as if he was contemplating what steps to take next.

"Then... begging for your cooperation, we will search your bags one by one."

In the end, that decision was taken by Mr. Zein.

"OKAY, SIR!"

In unison, I and all my classmates replied to Mr. Zein's words.

Mr. Zein checked our bags one by one. So far Tina's wallet has not been found in any bag. Then, it was time for Mr. Zein to check my bag. I didn't feel panicked or nervous knowing the wallet wouldn't be found in my bag. The reason I can be this certain is of course because I wasn't the one who took her wallet.

"Tina, what color is your purse?" suddenly Mr. Zein asked so.

"It's pink sir," Tina replied.

"Is this your wallet?"

I was instantly wide-eyed. Mr. Zein took a wallet from my bag. The wallet is pink as Tina said.

"That's right. That's my wallet, sir."

Mr. Zein looked at me sharply and walked towards me.

"Why is Tina's wallet in your bag, Leslie?"

"I-I also don't know sir why that wallet could be in my bag," I replied panicked and confused. Why is that wallet in my bag?

"Don't dodge anymore, you've been caught red-handed, admit what you did." Firmly, Mr. Zein said that as if he accused me of being a thief.

"That's right, thieves!"

"Sir, just punish her!"

"If necessary, expel her from school, sir. We don't want to be in the same class as thieves!"

The voices were heard by the whole class. I'm hurt to hear that. I'm sure they did this on purpose, they put Tina's wallet in my bag on purpose. They did this for one purpose... to bully me and kick me out of this school.

Mr. Zein took me to the teacher's room and interrogated me. I keep saying the same thing every time Mr. Zein asks, my answer is still 'I don't know why that wallet got in my bag'. Mr. Zein looked annoyed to hear my answer. I feel like I never took the wallet, so no matter how many times Mr. Zein asks, my answer is still the same. I thought Mr. Zein would expel me from this school. However, in reality, he only scolded and warned me if I did this again, the school would report it to my parents.

After being in the teacher's room for a long time, Mr. Zein finally ordered me to return to class. All of my classmates were whispering about me as soon as they saw me coming.

"You shameless thief. Even though she's only been here for a few days, she already dares to steal."

"Yeah, shameless. I don't want to be in the same class as her."

"Yes me too."

"Me too."

My patience has run out. I could no longer hold back my anger so without realizing it, I screamed.

"It's enough!"

Everyone fell silent when they heard my scream.

"I know all of this was done on purpose to get me kicked out of this school, right? You just admit it!"

"Don't just accuse me, you cheap thief!!!" they shouted back at me with harsh curses. I already opened my mouth to reply, but...

Teng... Tong... Teng... Tong...

The bell that signaled the end of school rang. Everyone cleaned up their stationery and one by one they left the classroom. I saw Tina still cleaning up her stationery, I was so angry with her that I walked up to her.

"Tina, why are you doing this? You're the one who put your wallet in my bag on purpose, right?"

"Hm, if true, so what?"

Tina said that while glaring at me.

"Why are you doing this to me? What did I do wrong?"

"I don't like you, I want you to leave this school," she said curtly while pointing at my face with her index finger, really impolite.

Tina has finished putting the stationery into the bag. She got up from her seat and pushed me so hard that I fell.

"Don't get in my way! You cheap thief!"

After saying that in an extremely cynical voice, Tina left the classroom. One by one the students left until I was the only one left in the class. I walked unsteadily towards the chair. Now I can no longer hold back the sadness until slowly the tears start to fall.

"Don't cry! "

I flinched when I suddenly heard a voice from behind. I quickly turned around and stared at the source of the sound. I saw a girl with long hair standing in front of me at this time. Her skin is very white a her face that looks pale. Nevertheless, she is very beautiful. I've never seen her before, but how come she's in my class when I'm sure there's no one here but me?

"Wh-who are you?"

"My name is Celia Muran. I'm one of the students in this class."

"Haah? Really? I've never seen you before even though I've been here for almost a week?"

"I rarely come to school, my health is bad."

"Oooh I see, no wonder you look pale," I said while nodding repeatedly.

"Can I sit beside you?"

"Of course."

Celia pulled up a chair and placed it next to me, then she sat there.

"You're a transfer student, right? What's your name?" she asked.

"Ooh yeah, sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Leslie Felicia." I smiled as friendly as possible for her, and she smiled back no less friendly.

"It seems you are also a victim of bullying in this class."

"Are you also a victim of bullying in this class like me?"

Celia shook her head in response to my question.

"I don't understand why they don't like me. Even though I try to be as friendly as possible to them."

"Never mind... you don't need to care about them." Celia's facial expression relaxed while listening to my complaints.

"But, I'm not comfortable being treated like that. No one wants to be my friend."

"I want to be your friend."

I flinched at her sudden reply. Although there is no denying how happy I am to hear it.

"Is that true?" I have to make sure once again for fear that my sense of hearing misunderstood her words.

Celia nodded, indicating that I did not hear wrongly. She wants to be friends with me.

I spontaneously hugged Celia as tightly as I could, wanting to show how glad I was that she wanted to be my friend. It was then, I smelled the fragrance on her body. Overpowering scent.

"Celia, your perfume smells so good."

"Did you like it?" she asked with a smile.

"Hm ... smells so good," I muttered while rubbing my nose with the back of my hand.

Celia still maintained her smile. She is indeed friendly. After I noticed, she seems to be quite a quiet person.

"It's getting late, time to go home."

I, who was watching the curves of her thin face, suddenly blinked as soon as she spoke again. I glanced at the left arm where my favorite watch was coiled there. That's right, without realizing it, it was already late afternoon.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's go home!"

I put my arm around her and pulled her up from the chair. Then walk hand in hand leaving the classroom.

"Tomorrow you will come to school, Celia?"

"Of course."

"In that case, thank God." A sigh of relief slipped smoothly from my lips.

We walked along the aisle for a long time, until suddenly she stopped, and I subconsciously stopped too.

"See you tomorrow, Leslie. I'm going that way."

Her index finger pointed in the opposite direction from mine. Directions to the back gate of the school.

"Oooh, you didn't pass to the front gate?"

Celia shook her head slowly.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow, Celia."

"Yes. See you tomorrow, Leslie."

We continue our steps toward our respective goals. I just remembered that I forgot something, forgot to say thank you because she wanted to be my first friend at this school.

I immediately turned around. However, I frowned in confusion when I couldn't find Celia's figure anywhere. How could she walk so fast to disappear in an instant? Amazed at first, I decided not to sweat the matter. I turned around and continued to walk away from the school.