1. Bad Or Best Friend
People say guys and girls can't really be friends. Someone's always gonna catch feelings, right? Well, the world and all its theories clearly don't apply to Suuzan Pratiwi Swastika. She and Leonardo Gunawan have been besties since middle school. No, wait. "Besties" doesn't even fit.
They're more like sworn enemies. Seriously, almost every time they meet, they end up fighting. Whether it's Leo getting ice cream and making Suuzan pay, or him messing with Suuzan when she's trying to hit on her crush, the Student Council President, or when Leo gets caught watching something he shouldn't and Suuzan snitches to the guidance counselor. They're always bickering and throwing shade.
They first met in middle school during scout extracurriculars. They were both late and got punished together, and that's how they clicked. In high school, they decided to go to the same school, even if it meant Suuzan had to cram like crazy the night before because Leo wanted to go to the most prestigious school in Semarang. Leo's a straight-A student. Even though he looks like a total delinquent, he's super smart. He can get good grades without even trying that hard, so it's no surprise all the teachers love him. Suuzan's totally different; her brain's just average, but luckily Leo helps her out to keep her grades up. Suuzan's parents have high hopes for her to become a doctor. But seriously, 'doctor'? Her biology grades are a disaster.
"How many times do I have to tell you? You gotta finish this formula first if you wanna do this one. If you just skip ahead, you'll never get the answer!"
Leo had lost count of how many times he'd ranted at Suuzan, who just couldn't grasp what he was teaching. Suuzan was getting annoyed too. There was a basketball game today, and the Student Council President, Damar Candra Alsaka, was playing. Suuzan hadn't been able to focus on Leo's explanation for ages. They were currently sitting on a park bench at school, under a big Banyan tree.
"Can we stop? I'm never gonna get it, no matter what. Math just isn't my thing." Suuzan looked down, disappointed in herself, but also totally distracted.
Leo immediately ruffled Suuzan's hair, which she'd just had rebonded a week ago. Even though she wasn't the smartest in school, Suuzan was pretty trendy, despite her slightly tomboyish style. A few guys at school had tried to get close to her, but for Suuzan, Damar was her whole life. She'd fallen for him the first time she stepped foot in this school. Damar was a cool senior, the Student Council President, smart, and every girl was crushing on him.
"Just admit you wanna watch Damar play basketball. Math isn't hard. You just don't wanna think."
Suuzan grinned. Even though Leo could be super annoying sometimes, he knew exactly what she was thinking. He knew Suuzan didn't want to be a doctor. Suuzan loved writing. She was great at giving opinions and writing essays, but of course, her parents would never support her if she told them she wanted to be a writer.
"After high school, just go for literature. If you go into medicine, I'm worried your future patients will get sicker instead of better," Leo teased. "You'll probably be imagining Damar's face while you're giving injections."
"Hey! No way! You think I'm a malpractice doctor? I still have empathy, you know." Suuzan sighed, as if she'd already given up on her future. "But seriously, Leo, there's no way I'll get into med school. You know my brain's totally fried."
"Yeah, fried. Makes people's blood pressure go up." Leo glared a bit at Suuzan. "Your brain's just 'Damar, Damar, Damar.' He doesn't even know you exist at this school. If you like him, just tell him!"
Suuzan was usually fearless. She was one of the few girls who often got into fights with guys. Suuzan hated bullying and anything that meant bad news for other students at school. But when it came to Damar, Suuzan was like a cracker soaked in water.
"Wanna go to the basketball court with me?" Leo offered.
Suuzan's face instantly lit up. She knew only Leo could be counted on. She playfully pinched Leo's cheek because he was so sweet.
"You really are the best, Leo."
"Nothing's free. There are conditions."
"Conditions? What?"
"Tonight I'm going on a date with Irene. You gotta tell my mom we're having a study group, okay?"
Suuzan narrowed her eyes. She knew her friend's devious plan.
"You're hitting on Irene? She's the guidance counselor's daughter. Don't pull anything, Leo!"
"Chill. Nothing's gonna happen. We'll probably just hang out at Simpang Lima roundabout. Already, you want my help or not? If not, fine. I can find another day to meet Irene, but your chance to watch Damar might not come again. It's senior year soon, and all extracurriculars are canceled for seniors."
Suuzan cursed inwardly. She knew Leo was sneaky. Leo loved using her as a shield when he wanted to go out on Saturday nights with girls he was trying to impress. Who wouldn't be tempted by Leo? He was smart, top of his class, and good-looking. His tall, slightly athletic build gave him a certain reputation among girls. But in Suuzan's eyes, Leo was just Leo. Damar was the most handsome guy in the world.
"Fine, whatever. I'll agree to your terms, but you promise you'll come with me to the basketball court."
Leo smiled. Controlling Suuzan was easy for him. Especially when it came to Damar. Suuzan would do anything.
Without further ado, Suuzan and Leo headed to the basketball court, which wasn't far from where they were sitting. As they entered the court, Suuzan grabbed Leo's arm tightly.
"Why are you scratching my arm!"