Chapter 04

Lanton's friends led him away when the bell rang. I watched him go with my eyes and at no time did he look back, which was good, in a way. But I was a little worried, after all, was he really serious about going out and saying she was a Lestari? Was he really about to say that he was a Lestari?

Damn, his life was going to end right there. Okay, okay, I'm really pissed off with him, but I didn't know if he was really willing to end his life that way. He was probably bluffing and I fell for his exploits once again.

"Hey, Luk!"

I look at the door to the room and it is my newest friend, Haris, who is there to pick me up, just as he had promised earlier to me. He is smiling and waving and in a few minutes, we are already walking down the school hallway.

"In the east side are the laboratories, in the south side are the normal classrooms, like ours. The workshops are on the west side, it's pretty easy, you can't get lost. Usually the first year is on the first floor, the second year is on the second floor, and the third year is on the second floor, but because of the specialization classes, everyone gets mixed up," he explains everything very well, but I end up getting a little lost while watching Lanton and his friends further ahead.

"What made you move to a new school in senior grade?" Haris asks, making me turn my attention back to him.

"Ah... well, it was just my mom remarried," I answer, trying to give as little information as possible. "He wanted me to go to a good school or something and here I am."

"Gee, he must really like you and your mom," the boy comments and soon we are already in the school cafeteria.

It is crowded. Noisy like every school cafeteria. Haris directs me to a table by the window, where there is a group of people who soon greet my new friend.

"Where were you, Haris?" Inquires one of the boys.

"I went to pick up Luk, he's new here," Haris replies and I force a smile with a nod; I'm not a big fan of making new friends. "Luk, this is Dimas, Martina, Fauzi and Eli."

The class greets me kindly, but they don't seem very excited. Okay, I'm lying, only that Dimas guy who doesn't seem excited about me, because everyone smiles and greets me in an animated manner. Lunch continues quietly, although I have spent most of the time dodging more intimate questions about my family. If even Lanton is not known there as a Lestari, I myself don't want to be known as Lestari's stepson, for sure in the world, that would be the end of me.

"I may be going crazy, but is it just me or is Lanton Susanto coming towards us?" It is the girl named Martina who says this and the whole table turns to look at the situation.

Except me, of course. I continue eating my sandwich while I hear everyone else commenting that it is indeed approaching the table. And to my worst nightmare, he sits down next to me. I can't help but look pained, asking God why he sends me such trials. Especially when I am trying to make new friends at a new fucking school.

I keep eating and Lanton is leaning his face on the palm of my hand and keeps smiling at me, even though I try my best to ignore his existence.

"I know you see me. Do you see me? Martina? Dimas?"

"Yeah, we see you."

"I see you."

"The question is," Haris continues, stretching his neck, "why are you here?"

"No big deal, I just came to check if my brother is eating right and was welcomed by your committee," he says and I choke on a piece of bread when he says the word 'brothers'. Who does he think he is?

"Would you please get out of here?" I say, gritting my teeth.

"Wait. Brothers?"

Now they seem more interested in me than before. Without much thought, I pound the table with a closed fist and finally look at Lanton.

"Oh my God, will you shut up and go back to your friends?"

"Why are you so angry? I was just worried about you!" He says, smiling.

It doesn't even seem like he made an attempt on his own life an hour ago, and that just made me sure that he would never do anything that crazy.

"Wait. What do you mean you guys are brothers?"

"My mother married Lanton's father," I hasten to say, just so Lanton can't dictate the course of that conversation. "We're not really brothers, but our parents are encouraging it. That's all it is. It's my only connection to this guy. And you," I turn to Lanton again, "go back to your friends. I told you we don't have to be friends here."

"I'm not leaving without you," he says, running his hand down my leg under the table and I feel a shiver go up my spine, but he can't and I'm not going to let him still have power over me.

"That's enough!" I exclaim, standing up and saying goodbye to everyone there, thanking them for welcoming me so well, "And you, come with me."

I take some courage and pull Lanton by the arm, walking with him out of the cafeteria, but I can see that many people are following us curiously. I had forgotten that Lanton is very popular at school, he had already told me this a few times, but during all this time, I could only imagine. Already outside, I push him against the wall:

"How many times am I going to have to tell you that this," I point at myself and at him "doesn't exist anymore."

"Stop moving against me. I know you still like me, because your feelings can't change that easily!"

"Even if I still like you, I'll send them to hell, along with you and your family!"

"What are you talking about now, Lukman?"

"I'm saying that I'm going to send you and your family of gangsters to jail.

"What?" he smiles, not believing what I'm saying.

"Exactly what you heard," now I feel like I'm on top because he's stopped smiling and is serious like he's never been before. "I'll prove that your father is no good, I'll take everything to the police. And if you are also involved in his activities, I'll put you in jail with him. And you will never lie to me again."