CHAPTER 1 – The Stupid Beginning

My name is Rina.

Rina Hermawan.

I go to Tunas Muda High School, one of the most prestigious schools in Bandung.

People say high school is the best time of your life.

For me?

Not always.

Especially after the stupid thing you're about to read.

---

That afternoon was unbearably hot.

No wind, the class air conditioner had given up on life, and students of Tunas Muda were basically dried salted fish waiting for rain.

But I stayed in the second seat from the front, scribbling mol formulas like my brain was boiling with them.

Normally I’d run to the library at break, but not today.

Chemistry test after the bell — and I’m not the type who relaxes before exams.

The back of the class, though?

Different universe.

Laughter.

Chairs dragged like torture devices.

Shoes scraping the floor.

Boys laughing at jokes only they found funny — sounding more like monkeys choking than humans.

I already knew the mastermind:

Anto Subagja — and his chaotic little gang.

Anto is tall, fair-skinned, expressive, and according to himself — underline that — he’s handsome.

To me? He’s average.

Annoying, actually.

The type who attracts chaos like a magnet.

"Oi, To!" Tey shouted, grinning as if the whole world needed to see that smile.

"Bet you won’t date Rina Judeng!"

Judeng.

Yes. My nickname.

Because I’m supposedly cold, snappy, and allergic to stupid boy jokes.

Which is not wrong, honestly.

I raised my head slowly.

My eyes already saying: one more word and I’ll throw a desk.

They took that as encouragement.

Anto laughed, scratching his head, pretending to be cool but clearly embarrassed.

"Come on, me being paired with Judeng? Seriously?"

"Look at her eyes — LASER!" Kane pointed dramatically.

They laughed even harder.

My grip on my pen tightened so much it almost snapped.

Chemistry test?

Suddenly felt easy compared to this circus.

"Who’s scared, huh?" Anto suddenly puffed up, ego rising like steam.

"If you can date her for a whole year," Kane declared proudly like a knight of stupidity,

"I’ll give you half of my allowance for a year!"

"Me too!" Juke added.

Tian raised his hand. "Count me in!"

The back of the class turned into a stadium.

Me?

My breathing matched a dragon ready to burn a village.

They laughed too loudly.

So I closed my book — and without hesitation — threw it at them.

"HEY!"

The book flew like a perfect frisbee.

All four of them scattered like chickens under fireworks.

"YOU'RE CRAZY!" Anto laughed, still somehow amused.

I wished it was a brick I threw instead.

---

Later that day, we gathered outside the biology lab.

Practical exam incoming.

Students sat around rereading notes like zombies.

I sat by the wall, calming my shaking nerves.

Until a tall shadow blocked my book.

I looked up.

Anto.

Great.

Why wasn't it an earthquake instead?

Hands in pockets, wearing the dumbest smile known to mankind.

"Rin…" he called.

"What." I replied without looking.

"You heard the bet earlier, right?"

"I didn’t hear anything."

Conversation closed.

Or so I hoped.

"Seriously? You didn’t hear?" He squatted down, eyes peeking up at mine.

"I'm deaf," I deadpanned.

He snorted. "Then you did hear."

I closed my book slowly, holding back an urge to swing it at his face.

"Anto, I'm studying."

"But think about it," he said suddenly too serious.

"If we pretend to date for a month, I could earn so much money. You could too."

I turned my head very slowly.

"Anto… I’m not that cheap."

Instantly he spun toward his friends and yelled:

"GUYS! SHE'S NOT THAT CHEAP!!"

I could feel my soul leave my body.

Students turned.

Some laughed.

Some whispered.

Some recorded.

Embarrassed?

Not enough to describe it.

I wanted to evaporate.

Tey raised his hand like a game show host,

"How about this! If Anto and Rina manage to date for ONE month — and look like a real couple — we all give half our allowance to them! If they fail…"

he smirked,

"they have to continue another month!"

"What?! Why another month??" Anto panicked.

"A year is too long — I still want to eat!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

"Agree!!" Kane yelled.

Within seconds, hands shot up, students cheered as if this was the finale of a national TV show.

I froze.

Heart pounding.

Ringing in my ears.

This is my life? Not a nightmare?

Anto looked at me, grin stupid but with a hint of uncertainty.

He leaned closer, voice low only for me,

"Rin… I think the universe is messing with us."

I took a long breath and stared at him with my deadliest glare.

"Anto Subagja," I whispered,

"if you think I’ll join this idiotic game—"

"RINA! TOMORROW WE'LL CHECK YOUR COUPLE STATUS!" Tey yelled.

Crowd cheered again.

Anto just smiled.

I just covered my face.

This is only Chapter One.

And my life is already a disaster.

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