Capítulo 2: Rumors
Kalea Orlin Lovaata. A long-haired brunette with hazel eyes shaped like a cat, a slim and tall body, and thin freckles on both cheeks. Kalea has a charming physique and is fairly unmarketable. Her face is very similar to that of her biological father.
12 years ago her father played with fire behind her mother's back, even leaving them both without words. This left Freya devastated, betrayed and alcohol-dependent. Because of Kalea's resemblance to her ex-husband, Freya, who was originally a gentle and loving mother, came to hate and abuse her own biological daughter. Because when she saw Kalea, the image of her ex-husband just appeared.
Freya doesn't work, she's mentally shaken and can't think clearly because her child is on her own. Kalea had to fulfill her mother's needs, not to mention alcohol. From the age of 9, right after her left irresponsibly, Kalea worked here and there and even had to quit school to make ends meet. Fortunately, she sometimes put aside her hard-earned money so that she could continue her education until high school, and with her smart brain, she was able to continue to a higher level without any cost because she received a full scholarship until she graduated.
For now, she works as a teaching assistant at her university and a waitress at a well-known family restaurant in city. Even then, she feels that it is still not enough to fulfill her mother's wishes, so she will have to look for additional work even though her activities will be more hectic.
After the incident with Kalea and Freya that ended with Kalea's temple being injured, the girl continued her activities as usual as if nothing was wrong with her. Confidently, she cut through the crowd of people on campus who sometimes stole glances at her, wondering about the bandage on her face.
Of course Kalea didn't care, this was normal for her.
Kalea entered her scheduled class today, immediately taking the front seat close to the lecturer. Not because she was looking for attention or going to curry favor with the lecturer, but she felt she had to make the most of the opportunities she had been given. Kalea did not want her college scholarship to be wasted because the knowledge gained was not digested optimally.
"Ka ... lea? Lea! That ... bandage, what's wrong with you?"
"Oh, hi, Luna!" greeted Kalea ignoring her best friend's concerns.
Aluna who had just arrived and saw her best friend's condition become like this even though yesterday she was sure to take her home safely without the slightest injury, "Is this..because of your mother?" Aluna asked in a whisper, her hand reached for the bandage but Kalea avoided.
Without being told through her best friend's mouth, Aluna knew that it was true.
Her eyes began to tear up, she immediately hugged Kalea tightly stroking her best friend's back gently. While Kalea could only smile. They both didn't care about the stares of the people around.
Aluna knew the condition of Kalea's family, her best friend was the only one who knew about it. She was grateful that there was still someone who cared, at least one who understood about her, that was more than enough.
Exactly at 8 am, the lecturer entered the class and started the class. Kalea paid attention to what was explained by the lecturer in front, often answering questions from the lecturer who has a slightly chubby body.
"Okay, before I close the class, I will give you a group assignment on what global issues are currently being discussed. One group contains 2 people, I will share the group on the campus portal, please see after thisclass I close. And also next week you present. Is there anything you want to ask?"
No one opened their voices, indicating that everyone had understood the assignment.
"Then I'll close, thank you for today." said the lecturer.
After the lecturer left the class, the majority of children sighed with relief and some even planned to go to the faculty cafeteria. Because indeed the class will restart at 1pm. Kalea herself opened her cell phone intending to look for job vacancies again. Yes, she really intends to find an additional job. Her fingers coolly swipe the screen looking for something that suits her, of course she considers the time and cost.
"Kaleaaa!!! Did you see the group list earlier?!" Aluna asked with a face like she had been chased by a ghost and made Kalea surprised.
"Not yet, why?"
"Duh, you better see who is your group partner."
With Aluna's prompting, Kalea closed the job posting page and replaced it with her campus portal. She looked at the list of group members, but saw nothing unusual. "Is there anything strange about this?"
Kalea's question made Aluna gape, "Don't you know the rumors of your group mates later?"
"What's wrong with Zeline? Isn't she so pretty?"
Aluna rolled her eyes lazily, she sat on a chair that belonged to whoever before, leaning her body towards Kalea, "I heard she's the mistress of old men! You know that even though she's that pretty, no one wants to be friends with her. She always looks alone, doesn't she?" Aluna said in a whisper, "and I'm sure she'll be a burden to your group," she continued.
"But those are just rumors, Luna. Don't believe it until you see it for yourself, it's not good." Kalea began tidying up her books, which she put into her canvas backpack.
"Ugh, but it's public secret! It wasn't me who saw it, but some of others, Lea!" Luna was still not to be outdone.
Kalea sighed and smiled, "But still, I'll work with her anyway. I won't make a big deal out of the rumors because she won't harm me."
"Then what if she really is a burden to you?"
"First, I will reprimand her myself. If that doesn't work, then of course I'll complain to Mrs. Betty. So don't worry," Kalea said steadily, making Aluna chuckle. That's right, Aluna shouldn't have to worry that much, because her best friend can definitely deal with it no matter what the problem is.
"Let's go to the cafeteria!"
"Ah, but I'm saving money."
"I'll treat."
"Deal?"
"Deal!"
They laughed as they walked towards the faculty cafeteria.
***
Today the lectures are over, the students return to their respective activities. Some join organizations and will hold meetings until midnight, work part-time, or just visit café hits and upload them on their social media. Meanwhile, Kalea will probably just review today's material and as a teaching assistant she will also prepare materials for the class she is bringing.
"Lea, what do you want to do after this? I'm going to karaoke with my other friends, do you want to come?" asked Aluna, her hand was busy fixing her curly hair with the curling iron she always brought.
"Hmm maybe next time. I want to prepare the material for later, oh I will also invite Zeline to talk first maybe."
Aluna stopped her activities, "Are you sure?"
Kalea nodded.
"Want me to accompany you?" Aluna offered, making Kalea chuckle.
"No need, you go first."
"Really? Then I'll just watch from a distance, we'll walk to the lobby together. Deal?" Aluna finalized and would not be denied.
As agreed, Aluna ended up waiting at the table closest to the classroom door, while Kalea approached the blonde girl who was left loose and long with beautiful sea-blue eyes who was busy applying light makeup on a face that was almost perfect. "Zeline?" called Kalea.
The girl looked up at Kalea, raising her eyebrows haughtily, "Who?"
"I'm Kalea Orlin Lovaata, you can call me Kalea. We're in the same class and happen to be in the same group for the International Relations Analysis course." Kalea said as she flashed her sweet smile but her interlocutor unfortunately did not reply properly and instead resumed her dress-up action.
"Um ... well, Zeline, I just want us to work together on this assignment. When do you have time and where can we work on it? so we can finish it quickly." Kalea still did not give up, but Zeline still did not respond.
Shortly, the blonde girl inserted her cosmetics, then faced Kalea, "Then today. I'll decide the place, is it okay with you?"
"Ah ... today? Yeah, I'm okay with that."
The girl smiled wryly, "Okay."
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