FRIEND WITH BENEFIT

11. Set a Trap

Teenage love is something almost everyone remembers. It’s the first time you feel what love is and how it hits you. People try to figure out what they’re supposed to do. Logic gets covered by that pink-colored feeling from the heart. Just like Suuzan and Damar. As a new couple at school, they were together almost every day. During breaks, free periods, even after school.

Normally, Suuzan would go home at one in the afternoon, but lately it had become five in the evening. If her mom asked, Suuzan would say there was extracurricular practice or a group project. But actually, she was out with Damar. Whether it was going to the beach, hanging out at the mall, or just sitting together on a school bench talking until late afternoon.

Everything was fine. Suuzan was happy, Damar was happy. Suuzan’s friendship with Leo was still okay even though they hardly saw each other anymore. They only met in class now. Leo didn’t accompany Suuzan anymore. Everything was about Damar now. Damar was Suuzan’s whole world.

Unfortunately, like in most stories, not everyone liked their relationship. Even though Damar proudly showed everyone that Suuzan was his girlfriend, his fans definitely didn’t take it well.

Suuzan and her classmates were having PE class. Coincidentally, it was at the same time the seniors were doing their running test. Suuzan took the chance to sneak glances at Damar while he ran the 2.4 km test. After he finished, Suuzan, being the caring girlfriend that she was, handed him a bottle of water. It looked super romantic.

“Why did Damar even pick Suuzan? It’s not like there aren’t other girls. Out of hundreds of girls in this school, why her? What’s so special about Suuzan?” Retno, one of Suuzan’s classmates, felt extremely jealous watching them.

“Hey, don’t be like that, No. It’s called love,” Vivi tried to sound wise even though she gave a sly smile.

“It’s just unfair, Vi. Suuzan’s a tomboy, she’s not even that pretty. She’s only tall and kinda cute. Meanwhile, so many girls like Damar!”

Vivi glanced at Leo, who was busy dribbling a ball by himself. Usually, during PE like this, he’d always be with Suuzan.

“I actually feel bad for Leo. He got pushed aside because Suuzan is dating Damar now.”

The girls looked at Leo. Their annoyance toward Suuzan grew even more.

“What’s wrong with Leo anyway? He’s charm, rich, and he’s super cool. Why do all the cool guys in this school stick to Suuzan!”

“Well at least Leo’s still single. If she loses Damar, there’s still Leo.”

“No! I can’t accept Damar being with Suuzan!”

“Well, they’re already together!”

Retno looked at Vivi and smiled. Vivi knew that Retno was the type who got emotional easily. She got jealous quickly and hated seeing others happy. But Vivi liked hanging out with her because Retno was easy to use.

“Relax. I’ll make Damar and Suuzan break up. There’s no way Retno can’t flirt with Damar. Guys are the same everywhere—they like to wander.”

“Wait, you’re gonna flirt with Damar?”

“Why not?”

Vivi shook her head, though she actually enjoyed Retno’s reaction. Vivi didn’t have feelings for Damar, but she had liked Leo for a long time. Unfortunately, Leo never cared about her. He only hung out with one girl—Suuzan. If he hung out with other girls, it was just for fun. There was never any real news about Leo dating anyone.

Vivi walked over to Leo, who was playing with the ball alone.

“By yourself?” she greeted. “You’re usually with Suuzan.”

“Can’t you see she’s with Damar?”

Vivi looked at Suuzan and Damar. “So you’re lonely then?”

“Lonely?” Leo chuckled. “Do I look lonely?”

“Well, you’re always with Suuzan. Now she’s got Damar.”

“And what does that have to do with you? What are you even trying to do, Vi?”

Vivi moved closer, almost leaning on Leo. She acted a bit bold.

“If you don’t have anyone… maybe we can try going out?”

“Going out? Going where?”

“Oh come on, Yo. You know what I mean. I mean dating. I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. I want us to be together.”

Leo stared at her, confused, but Vivi mistook it for a deep gaze. She smiled shyly.

“Are you serious?” Leo asked.

Vivi nodded confidently. “You’re the only guy I like, Yo.”

Leo let the ball drop and roll away on the field. He took a deep breath, still staring at her.

“But sorry, I don’t like you. I don’t feel that way about you, Vivi. Sorry.”

Leo walked away just like that. No regret, no explanation. Vivi felt irritated.

“What’s wrong with me, Yo? What am I lacking?”

Leo looked back. “Everything. There’s nothing about you that interests me. Don’t waste your time. Go find another guy.”

Leo walked off. He glanced briefly at Suuzan waiting for Damar to finish the running test. No particular reaction. He left the field and headed to the restroom to change clothes.

***

PE class ended. Suuzan changed clothes in the girls’ bathroom as usual with the other students. Everything felt normal until suddenly the bathroom, which had been noisy a moment ago, became completely silent as if no one else was there. Suuzan wasn’t scared, just confused. Where did everyone go? After she changed into her student council uniform, she tried to open the door stall, but it wouldn’t open. She tried again, but it still wouldn’t move. Panic started to rise. Physics class was about to start. She couldn’t skip it. Even though Mr. Markus wasn’t as strict as Ms. Juju, anyone late or absent would get a red point, which affected their report card grades. Suuzan had already been warned not to make mistakes since her grades were borderline.

“Help! Help!”

Suuzan panicked. She yelled as loudly as she could, but no one came.

Meanwhile, outside the bathroom, Retno had put up a sign that said: WOMEN’S RESTROOM UNDER MAINTENANCE. So no girls would enter. And she had been the one who told all the girls to leave earlier while Suuzan was still in one of the stalls.

“That’s what she gets for acting all pretty. Suuzan’s done. After this, it’s time to deal with Damar,” Retno said as she headed back to class.

Vivi watched from afar and smiled in satisfaction.