The school hall that afternoon transformed into the student council headquarters. From the outside, it might have looked like a room full of half finished ideas. Cardboard, markers, raffia string, and empty plastic cups filled a long table. Nisa sat on the floor sketching decorations on a large piece of paper. Her earphones were in one ear, playing her favorite music.
"Nay, are you sure you want the words 'Literacy Festival' in blue?" she asked without looking up.
"Why?"
"Because blue on a white background looks like letters that regrets being born," Nisa replied casually, replacing her marker.
Nayara laughed softly. "Nis, do you realize you have a talent for being an absurd poet?"
"I do. I just haven't found a brave publisher yet," Nisa replied, waving her marker like a microphone.
Meanwhile, Nayara stood near the small stage, checking her to-do list on a clipboard. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Her uniform was neat, though the hem was slightly undone—a classic sign that she'd been busy for too long without sitting down.
Several student council members passed by carrying a large banner.
"Be careful, okay? Don't tear it again," Nayara said. "If it tears again, we'll change the theme to the Arts Patch Festival."
A chuckle came from the end of the hall. Jovan had just arrived carrying a box filled with files and stationery. His face was tired, but still enthusiastic.
"Here are all the participant forms, they're complete," he said, placing the box on the table. "Only the photography students haven't sent their equipment list yet. I asked them to take care of the documentation. They said Raka was the one who finished it."
Nayara paused for a moment. It wasn't long, but enough to make Nisa, sitting on the floor, glance suspiciously.
"Eh—it seems like someone's name was just mentioned and it's making you freeze," Nisa commented.
"No," Nayara replied quickly. "I was just wondering why the files haven't been sent yet."
"Then, why are you smiling?" Nisa raised an eyebrow as she stood up.
Jovan, clueless, joined in and asked, "That's Raka from Science 5, right?"
"Yup," Nisa replied in an overly cheerful tone.
"Nis, enough," Nayara interrupted quickly. She felt like disappearing behind the banner.
The entire hall began buzzing like bees. Nayara slapped her forehead, while Nisa pretended not to understand. "What? What did I say?"
Nayara just glared, causing Nisa to finally give in. "Okay, okay," she said, raising her hand.
Jovan knew something was wrong here. And he didn't like it.
The hall was busy again. The sound of markers on paper, dripping glue, and a creaking old fan filled the room. Amidst it all, Nayara glanced at the still-empty stage. What popped into her head wasn't the stage, but the atmosphere of the library and the person sitting right in front of her.
She let out a short breath and smiled slightly.
Nisa watched again. "You're smiling to yourself, Nay. If it wasn't for me, it would be because—"
"Don't continue," Nayara interrupted quickly.
"Fine," Nisa muttered. "I'll just wait for your story. Which I think will come soon."
Jovan, who was taping paper, almost dropped the tape in his hand. Nayara had a crush on Raka? That would be a lie, right?
An hour later, the main decoration was almost complete. Large letters spelling out Harapan Nusa Literacy Festival were neatly installed on the stage.
Nayara stood gazing at the results, a little tired but satisfied. "Not bad."
"I didn't expect council to be able to work without drama today," said Devi, one of the student council members.
Nisa immediately chimed in, "Are you sure? Because I just saw Dika's fingers stuck together because of super glue."
"Just fingers. Luckily, not lips," Devi added.
Laughter erupted again. Nayara smiled too. Moments like this—light and warm—were her favorite part of student council.
But she was also worried.
"Are you okay, Dik?" she asked softly.
"I'm fine."
"Soak it in warm water, okay? Don't force it off, it'll get sore." Nayara looked around before adding, "Do you want me to take the water? Or do you want me to accompany you to get it?"
Her friends spontaneously booing.
"No. He'll be happy!"
"Yeah, misfortune brings blessings. I want that too."
The others laughed again. Dika just grinned.
"Don't bother. I'll do it myself. I'm not a kid anymore."
"Okay then." Nayara went back to checking her to-do list.
Suddenly, Jovan approached her, looking at the clipboard too. "Nay, this one's wrong. It should be 3:00 PM, right? 15:00, not 13:00."
"Oh, yeah. Typo. Thanks, Jo."
"This one too, a little typo," Jovan added, pointing to another line.
Nayara, coming to her senses, immediately corrected her handwriting.
Jovan looked at her worriedly. "Tired, Nay? That's unusual."
"No, I'm fine. Thanks for reminding me."
"Anytime. It's minor, but just... unusual."
Nayara caught Jovan's gaze, but didn't know what it meant. It felt like someone was observing.
After a few minutes, Jovan clapped his hands. "Okay, everything's done. Tomorrow we just have to put up the final decorations."
Nisa pointed at Nayara with a marker. "And you, you need to get enough sleep tonight. So you can focus and avoid making any more typos."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Nayara replied calmly.