Chapter 2: Announcement
The recess bell rang, all of Leona's classmates were seen scattering out and heading straight for the cafeteria. As with Leona, the girl is still busy tidying up the textbooks that are still scattered on the table. Stack them together and put them in the drawer.
Only then did she take out a piece of paper wrapped in bread from her bag. Poured a little berry jam that she made himself as a topping.
Enjoyment. It was the first thing she felt when she put the bread into her mouth in one go. No mistake she made yesterday's raspberries jam. The combination of slightly sour jam and so soft bread is something that fits perfectly on the tongue.
Among the pleasures, she had to be disturbed by a soft knocking sound from the window on the left side where she was sitting. She couldn't help but turn her head and see a small bird pecking at the window pane.
Uh!
She blinked, rubbing her eyes before looking out the window once more. How can the bird she helped this morning fly freely, even though its wings are badly injured? Or maybe they are one of a kind. Yes, it must be.
But, hey! Even her handkerchief was still there. Leona remembered very well that she was the only Archipila student who had a knitted velvet handkerchief with a snowflake motif.
"Impossible!" Leona massaged her temples which were starting to throb. She must not eat enough so easy to hallucinate.
Seeing Leona who lowered her head, the golden-red bird pecked at the glass again. This time his voice was louder with a long chirp.
"Hey, hey, are you trying to get my attention?" said Leona in frustration, starting to go crazy with herself.
Invite the birds to talk? Oh my gosh, where's the brain?
As if understanding, the bird stopped pecking at the glass. Pulled the handkerchief that had been lying on the trellis closer to the locked window. Yes, she wanted to return Leona's shabby handkerchief.
"Ah, it looks like your wound has healed. I'll take my handkerchief back."
Once again Leona spoke to the little animal like a lunatic.
©©©
It had been a week since Leona had spoken to Karrie about the shortlisted candidate Archipila. Likewise about her unintentional action of helping a red-golden bird that now always follows her wherever she sets foot. Wherever and whenever it was, Leona must have seen the little bird perched and observed it.
This is terrible! Is it true what Karrie said about the characteristics of the elected candidates?
"Oh, I'm going crazy!" Leona ruffled her hair in frustration. Looked timidly at the front fence of the house where the little bird was perched casually.
"Why has that bird always appeared wherever I am lately?" monologue itself.
"No-no, what Karrie said must be just a myth. Yes, she would love to make up stories." She shook her head, refusing with certainty what Karrie had said earlier that had been bothering her more and more.
Back in a rage, Leona chose to drop her body on a mattress left by the family. Buried her head into the pillow, hugging the bolster tightly.
It looks so poor. Destiny toyed with her so cruelly. She should be at this age, she still needs love. However, two years ago her grandmother died of illness. So she lives alone in the world. So what about her parents? Ah, Leona never even knew who they were. All she knew since childhood was only her grandmother who took care of her until she grew up with great difficulty.
Kruyuk ... Kruyuk ...
The sound of worms protesting for food in their stomachs becomes the music in this square room. Leona knew she was very hungry, but today's food supply had run out. Chances are she can eat is tomorrow morning. When the sun has not yet risen and the leaf buds are still closing. She can make simple vegetables with cassava as a staple. Just imagining it made Leona's mouth water.
"Patience, stomach, tonight you have to fast first okay. Let's just rest our bodies and think about food in dreamland," she said while stroking her stomach and starting to close.
In the morning, she could only sit dumbfounded in class. The hope of having breakfast vanished when people had already plucked the buds greedily without leaving any for later. So, Leona tied her stomach tightly hoping that her hunger would go away.
"Morning, Ona!" said Karrie who had just entered the class.
Today the girl tied her hair in a ponytail. Wearing a pink sweater as a uniform outer with a bow tie that hangs nicely around the neck. Ah, she even carried a basket of fresh fruits in her right hand. Did his family just harvest?
"Morning," Leona answered weakly.
Karrie looks squinted. "What's wrong with you? Why do you look like a zombie in the movie Train to Busan?" she asked probingly. Leona only answered with a pose of rubbing her empty stomach.
"Geez, why didn't you tell me you hadn't had breakfast from the start. Here, my mother just happened to bring a sandwich for lunch." Karrie handed Leona a pink lunch box. But immediately dismissed by the girl politely.
"Thanks, Karrie, but I just want those apples in your basket," she asked. Karrie just smiled. Then give 3 pieces at once to her friend.
"Take it, if you still need it, just tell me. It just so happens that dad's apple plantation is having a big harvest, hihi..."
Leona can only be grateful to have a friend like Karrie. Although sometimes she feels a little jealous of the girl's luxurious life. To her, Karrie was very lucky, in contrast to her pathetic self.
"Okey!" Leona answered quickly.
Just before Leona was about to eat the apple that Karrie gave her, an announcement came from the class audio.
'For Archipila School student named Leona Lewis, class XI MIPA 1, please go to the principal's office immediately. Again for students...'
"Ona, did you hear that?" cried Karrie. "Looks like the Headmaster has something important to tell you," she continued happily.
"W-wait! Maybe the announcer conveyed the wrong information. There's no way the Headmaster was looking for me," she evaded which made Karrie snort in disgust.
The girl immediately dragged Leona's hand so that she got up from her seat, leaving the class.
"Kar, where are you taking me?"
Instead of answering Karrie instead turned her body towards Leona so that the two of them faced each other. Her hand reached out and gripped Leona's shoulder, who was still confused. "Shut up and follow me! At least this time you need a little confidence."
Those were the last words Leona heard before Karrie left her in the Headmaster's room alone.
"So you're a student named Leona?" The headmaster's booming voice made Leona not move. It's really hard to catch my breath. She timidly lifted her face slightly, to see the face of the number one person in her school.
"Yes sir!" Leona answered firmly. At least she should look not easy to intimidate.
Far beyond expectations, the Headmaster laughed after hearing Leona's answer earlier. The middle-aged old man repeatedly asked whether his facial expression was scary or not.
Leona just smiled awkwardly, confused about what to answer.
"To think that the candidate this time is a girl," interrupted the Headmaster, Leona's brows furrowed.
"You mean dad?" she asked quickly.
Instead of answering, the Headmaster just smiled mysteriously while holding out a small map on the wooden table."I can't tell you everything. For sure Omelas is waiting for you and you need the map."
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