FRIEND WITH BENEFIT

10. Dating

Today there's an inter-school basketball match. It's nothing serious, just a friendly game. Damar will definitely be playing since he's the team captain. The students' excitement to watch the game is super obvious.

Meanwhile, Suuzan is still in class, even though a bunch of girls have already headed to the basketball court to watch. Leo didn't come to school, and Suuzan feels bored without him. She wants to watch Damar's game, but it makes her feel insecure. Suuzan tries to call Leo, but can't get through.

"Seriously, why didn't you show up today, Yo?" Suuzan grumbles.

If she has to go to the basketball court alone, Suuzan's a bit worried. Damar's fans are mostly girls. Suuzan would just feel even more insecure.

"Suuzan!"

Suuzan jumps, surprised that Damar suddenly shows up in her classroom. He's already in his basketball uniform, complete with the arm band, showing he's the team captain.

"Whoa, Mas Damar, why are you here?"

"I was looking for you in the stands, but you weren't there. How am I supposed to play if you're not watching me?"

Suuzan is both amazed and touched. She was actually hesitant about Damar when he first confessed his feelings. Damar is like, the school idol, so how could he suddenly like Suuzan? It just didn't make sense. Suuzan thought it was a mistake, or maybe Damar had some other motive.

Even though Damar texts her and calls her every day, more often than Leo does. What's weird is that Leo barely contacts Suuzan anymore, like he's trying to distance himself.

Damar stands right in front of Suuzan, less than half a meter away, too close it makes it hard to breathe.

"I need your answer now, Zan."

"Huh!" Suuzan's shocked. "N-now?"

"I need you to support me. After the basketball game, the seniors will have a lot of exams before graduation. I want you to be with me so I can stay hyped for my exams."

Suuzan's heart feels like it's pumping super fast. She didn't prepare for this at all. She also wasn't planning on answering Damar now. It's just, she couldn't keep stalling forever.

"Yeah."

"Eh, what?"

Damar leans down. Suuzan speaks without looking at Damar.

"Yeah..."

"Yeah... And what? Be clear."

"I agree."

Damar smiles. But he's not satisfied with Suuzan's answer yet.

"Agree how, exactly?"

"Yeah, I agree to be your girlfriend, Mas Damar," Suuzan says. Her face is super red. She's embarrassed and doesn't want to look at Damar. How to explain it? She feels giddy but also has doubts.

Damar grabs Suuzan's hand with all the overflowing feelings he's experiencing. He was actually hesitant at first that Suuzan would accept him, but Leo's words about Suuzan's feelings for him made him confident to go for it and get Suuzan.

"So, we're dating now?" Damar is also a bit shy, but he becomes more aggressive.

Suuzan nods.

"Why won't you look at me?"

"I'm embarrassed, Mas."

"Embarrassed about what?"

"Just... embarrassed!"

Damar tries to pull Suuzan into a hug. He wants to hug her, but Suuzan immediately pulls off her slippery eel move. She dodges it.

"Why?"

"At school, I'm shy."

"It's fine. We're dating now, aren't we?"

"Yeah, just no. I'm scared..."

"Scared?" Damar looks even more confused. "Am I a monster or something?"

"Damar, look at the time. Aren't you playing?" Suuzan points to the wall clock in the classroom.

When Damar looks at the clock, he's instantly shocked.

"Oh my God. It's almost starting." He doesn't let go of Suuzan's hand. "Come on, hurry."

"With me?"

"Yeah, of course. You're my spirit. You have to be there so I can play well."

"Usually, you play without me."

"Whoa, well, before, we didn't know each other. And now you're my girlfriend. So, you have to be there for the important moments in my life."

Suuzan smiles. She's so happy. What she hoped for just happened. Who would've thought she'd actually be Damar's girlfriend? Out of hundreds of girls in this school, she's the only one Damar asked out. It's like winning the lottery, seriously hitting the jackpot.

The love-struck pair walk out of the classroom, but then they're shocked to see Leo already standing outside the door. His expression is flat.

"Leo, why are you just showing up now? Where were you earlier? Mr. Ustman was looking for you."

Suuzan feels relieved, but also worried about Leo.

"Are you guys dating?" That question just pops right out of Leo's mouth.

"Eh, were you eavesdropping?" Suuzan shoots back.

"I was just going to grab my book from my locker, and I accidentally saw you two alone in the classroom. Be careful, someone might get the wrong idea."

Damar feels like Leo's comment has a hidden meaning. He steps forward, making Suuzan, who was in front of Leo, now stand behind him.

"It's fine if people get the wrong idea. Suuzan and I are officially dating now."

Leo looks up. His expression shows his displeasure.

"Oh, really," Leo says. He glances at Suuzan behind Damar. "Congrats, Zan. You finally got what you wanted."

"Leo, thanks. You have to tell me where you were earlier. Why weren't you in class?"

Leo smiles, though it's forced. His argument with his dad had put him in a bad mood, but no one should know what's going on in his personal life.

"Nah, I was just in the library with Sintia. Just didn't feel like Mr. Ustman's class."

"Oh, you're hanging out with Sintia, Yo. Are you sure about that?" Damar looks really surprised.

"Why?"

"She's, like, known to go around. People say she often changes boyfriends."

"Oh. I'm not serious either, honestly. Same, I also change girlfriends often." Leo then gets super serious in front of Damar. "But you can't not be serious with Suuzan. She really likes you. So, don't ever hurt Suuzan."

"Leo, what are you talking about?" Suuzan gets super embarrassed by Leo's words, which are surprisingly possessive.

Damar immediately puts his arm around Suuzan in front of Leo. Leo watches it unfold right before his eyes. He swallows hard, no reaction at all, but Suuzan feels a little uncomfortable with this.

"Of course, Leo. I won't hurt Suuzan, but you also, if possible, shouldn't hang out with Suuzan too often. She's my girlfriend now, so you guys need to keep your distance."

"Whoa, Damar. What's with that? Leo and I have been friends for ages. How can I suddenly keep my distance from him?" Suuzan protests immediately.

Damar still glares at Leo. He feels he needs to protect the woman who is now his girlfriend.

"There's no such thing as just friends between a guy and a girl. Even if not now, it could happen tomorrow, or the day after, or when we're in the middle of being all lovey-dovey," Damar says.

Leo smirks. He doesn't want to be provoked by Damar's words. He knows what his relationship with Suuzan is like.

"No need to worry. I also have a girlfriend. I wouldn't like Suuzan. She's totally not my type. If you want me to keep my distance from Suuzan, fine. I will keep my distance from her."

"Whoa, why is it like this? What's wrong with you guys? I don't want this. Can't we all just get along?"

"No!" Leo and Damar say together. That shocks Suuzan. What's really going on? What's up with both of them?

Damar pulls Suuzan's hand and leads her out.

"I have a basketball game," Damar says.

Damar leaves the classroom with Suuzan. Leo is still there, silent. His hands are clenched into fists. His anger is boiling.