Chapter 5 – Penguin Kingdom

In this place, in their own kingdom. The seniority law does not apply to juniors, all students are equal to one and another. Therefore sometimes situations and circumstances can be like being in the jungle. The atmosphere during recess or empty classes can be very noisy and boisterous with screaming voices. They run around, play ball or like the behavior of the class 10-5 for exemple, Debbie's classmates who are holding an impromptu concert. Hanging out in front of the class during lunch break singing a song from a well-known band that was popular at the time, entitled 'The Foolish Man'.

Start from bridge:

All stories have an end that must be passed

Likewise, the end of this story must be beautiful

Trying to survive with all my heart

like a rock being hit by the waves

The song that flows from the cellphone stuns them with melancholy lyrics that touch the heart. Bringing their feelings carried away with the music, until they simultaneously raised hands and waved them left and right in rhythm. It was like being in a real music concert. Other kids who saw the scene must have thought they were insane, or the stress of studying made them look ridiculous.

 "Do you think he's handsome?" Sarah asked Debbie who sat beside her.

"Huh? Which one?" 

Debbie gradually began to change, stepping out of the world in her shell. In addition to Amy now she also began to interact with other friends. Especially with Sarah, they have become closer since Debbie borrowed Sarah's comic book the other day.

"That, next class." From the position they sat in front of the classroom. Debbie and Sarah could easily see the atmosphere in their neighboring room, class 10-6. "His name is Ricky, I was with him in the same school before. Then, it's a secret,” Sarah moved closer to whisper in Debbie's ear. "I had a crush on him for a while."

"Huh?" Debbie was surprised why Sarah suddenly confessed her feelings. Confused with what words to respond with only one question that comes to mind, "Why?"

"Yeah because he is handsome and tall." Sarah's smile broke. 

Debbie agreed, the person Sarah appointed did have a look above the standards of another boy. Then the height above average also meets the criteria for being girls favorite ideal guy.

"So you don't intend to confess?" Debbie asked.

"No... Do you know how many cases of love declarations between friends ended in their friendship ending too?" Sarah said with a serious face.

"No." Debbie answered innocently. 

Yes, how would she know about it if Sarah thought about it. Debbie has never experienced dating or having a crush on the opposite sex.

“Because we are old friends and also in the same school, I am afraid that our relationship will fall apart after confessing my feelings. And if I get rejected, the news can spread among my old friends." The reason is that most of Sarah's school alumni previously attended the same school now. And class 10-6 are like a nest of old school friends. Imagine what happened to Sarah's circle of friends later. 

"That's why it's a secret about my one-sided feelings from a long time ago."

Debbie didn't fully understand what Sarah meant by one-sided feelings. For now she just enjoys the strains of the song that is still playing from her old type phone. Meanwhile, her eyes are watching the figure of the guy who Sarah just introduced as her one-sided love.

***

It has been almost four months since new extracurricular members have joined as members. At this meeting, there will be a discussion on the school's big agenda regarding the Saturday-Sunday camp ceremony, for one night and two days. The three major extracurricular members of the Marching Troop, scouts and Red-Cross were the main participants. This event was indeed created to build cooperation, solidarity, with the main objective of inaugurating new members. 

"You're clear about it, right? This event must be with parental consent. Make sure you collect the parental consent form a week before the scheduled departure.” While the explanation was running, the form sheets were also distributed by the senior. "Then we will discuss other things that you need to bring and prepare at the next meeting." 

The leader tried his best to calm the class situation from the boisterous voice of junior's comments. With the help of another senior, the situation was kept under control.

“If you have further questions, feel free to come and ask seniors. That's it." The Marching leader ended his directions and explanations in front of the classroom.

Debbie took two forms, the other one she will give to Amy, who was not there at the moment. Looks like Amy has a problem at home that she can't take part in club activities this week.

Alfred stared at the parental consent sheet. "Will you come?"

“Obviously I’m...” Harry answered.

"I think the others will come too, hmm..." For some reason Alfred felt giddy.

"Why? What is it?" Harry asked, seeing Alfred confused.

Alfred's face was gloomy. "Nothing, just, can I go there with you guys.."

"What?" Inner Adele's response, who was not far from Alfred, tried to eavesdrop on their conversation. Yes, Adele is doing her job as a spy.

"Sure you can. Don't worry, I'll help you talk later." Harry patted Alfred's shoulder.

Alfred's face was serious, already put high hopes for his friend's words. "That's right, you must help me to get permission to join the camp, Harry."

"Yes, yes, I will help." But at the moment Harry's glance saw Debbie in the thick rows of other children sitting in the middle of the classroom. 

That face, the flat expression Debbie was showing, didn't know why seek his attention. The silence and impression of isolating herself from the crowds of the classroom, was very different from the look and impression that the girl had shown before. He recognizes that the same face is always there during recess, sitting in the garden watching in the direction to his class. But then her face looked more expressive than it is now.

"Why? Where are you looking?" Alfred asked to see Harry daydreaming, even though he was wrong.

"she..." Harry did not know the name of the girl who was in the spotlight.

Alfred looked into Harry's eyes staring far away. “Sarah's friend from the next class, 10-5. Why do you know her?"

"Oh no. I just see her often recently." 

Sometimes Harry is really weird, Alfred thinks, they all are in the same school and one extracurricular, of course they will see each other often, right?

"Excuse me?" asked Alfred, annoyed.

"Well, little ones don't need to know." joke Harry. "You said Sarah's friend, right?"

"Yeah. Oh, Sarah is in the red-cross extracurricular."

Harry nodded in response to Alfred's words. "Well, I haven't spoken to Sarah in a long time."

Alfred snorted. "Jeez, that's because you are busy spreading your charm everywhere. Be careful, don't create victims everywhere."

"Ssh! That's mouth, small kid can't say that. Who taught you, huh, say it!"

"It is you! You're the one." Alfred counter attacks with a provoking face.

Harry ambushes Alfred's head giving a lesson, making the two of them even more rowdy. 

Grace hit the heads of the two noisy boys with her notebook. "You! Can you calm down, the extracurricular meeting isn't over yet." 

The problem is a bad habit, her male friends are always noisy at every opportunity. Then later if they feel unclear about meeting today, they will definitely come to Grace asking to be explained again. Taking care of friends who are mostly male in a circle of friendship group often makes Grace very tired and achy. It's not that she doesn't have female friends, but in the current class only Grace is the one who is from an old friend bond. While other friends like Sarah are scattered in other classes. Grace's position is like a queen bee that keeps other bees under control. Just like the sound of bees that are always noisy when on the move.