And here they were now—Adelia, Margaret, and Rachel—standing slightly crowded with other students on the roadside, at a crossing located somewhat far from the school gate.
Just above their heads, the traffic light hung high, emitting a cold green glow, while the flow of vehicles in front of them never stopped, as if racing against time before the light finally turned red.
They stood not too close, but close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed when someone passed by or when the crowd behind them moved forward slightly.
Margaret stood a little further ahead, crossing the boundary line that was supposed to be safe—not entirely her fault, because the area was filled not only by students from their school but also by office workers from the tall buildings surrounding the school, as well as other people who might have been preparing to enjoy the first night of the weekend.
Everyone was mixed together, gathered, and squeezed onto the narrow sidewalk, waiting for a chance to cross.
Occasionally, a subtle push from behind made Margaret stumble slightly forward, enough to make her breath catch for a moment. And every time a vehicle sped by too fast, she was startled again—her eyes widened slightly, her body reflexively took a breath as the gust of wind from the car or motorcycle hit her face and hair.
The speeding traffic seemed to ignore the presence of the traffic light; as if all drivers only wanted to escape before they got trapped under the red glare that would soon light up.
On her right and left, Adelia and Rachel also stood close unconsciously, occasionally touching each other's arms, ensuring that even though foreign bodies kept shifting, the three of them were still in the same orbit.
"Veriza Nadem?"
"Noor Beriez?"
Adelia finally broke the silence when she realized that none of the three had said anything after Margaret finished explaining what had just happened to her.
Adelia's tone sounded slightly broken—not because of nervousness, nor because of anxiety—but because her body was constantly being pushed forward and backward. Her back and both shoulders moved non-stop, swayed by the wave of people who were getting more crowded around them.
"Yes."
Margaret's answer came out softly.
Her tone was flat, truly flat—not cold, just weary, like someone who had walked too far and was now merely moving her lips simply to acknowledge the conversation that was trying to greet her.
There was a faint shadow behind her gaze, as if her last ounce of energy was being used just to show that she was still listening.
Adelia took a light breath, then tried to piece together what Margaret had just recounted—as if tidying a tangled thread that was carelessly thrown into her lap.
"So… they almost hurt the puppy just because of a sandwich, then you came just in time to stop them, then the three of you ended up in an argument, and suddenly the two girls changed the subject because one of them started discussing an idol, while you yourself tried to look for the puppy but couldn't find him, and now you feel guilty because instead of bringing him home and caring for him, you ended up being stuck listening to their rants and sarcasm… is that what you mean?"
She spoke while bracing her body that was being pushed again, then looked at Margaret with a gaze that wanted to confirm—not interrogate, but to ensure that the story she had just heard had not been distorted by the surrounding noise.
Now it was Margaret's turn to take a long breath, a sigh that sounded like a mixture of exhaustion and persistent guilt.
Her back slumped slightly, then slumped again, as if every second of the crowd added a burden that made her body reluctant to stand tall.
There was something in her eyes, the way both her eyeballs kept glancing upwards, staring at the traffic light that was still green, as if trying to find an answer there. But her mind had already run off somewhere—floating far from the crowd, far from the voices of people milling around her.
In her heart, a silent prayer flowed, repeatedly pleading for the white puppy to be in gentler fortune than the human hands that had almost harmed him.
"Do I need to explain it again from start to finish, if you could finally grasp everything I explained, Adelia?"
"You listened to me well, so there's nothing wrong with what you just said."
And again, her tone now sounded not only flat but also sank slowly, almost like an almost inaudible murmur—it was no longer the voice of someone who was truly talking to her conversation partner.
"You really shouldn't get too close, and you shouldn't even intend or try to be friends with them, Margaret."
Rachel finally slipped into the conversation.
She said it without looking at anyone; her face was actually downcast, her forehead was furrowed as if her mind was being dragged by something that forced her to ponder deeper than she wanted.
Her serious tone made Margaret, who had been looking down earlier, slowly lift her face. Her gaze moved slightly, turning towards Rachel, as if she had just realized there was another wave she had to listen to.
"Do they have anything to do with the school?"
"Honestly… during these two weeks, I haven't been interested in getting to know or trying to be friends with anyone."
"Even if on that day you hadn't helped me find the principal's office, and we hadn't met that day, I might have ended up with no one talking to me on my first day of school."
She spoke not to argue, but to seek an answer—like someone trying to understand the direction of the wind that suddenly changed.
Rachel slowly lifted her face, turning towards Margaret too.
"Veriza is the only daughter of the Nadem family; she is the Vice Principal's child. Meanwhile, Noor is the second daughter of the Beriez family, and their family is often involved in the school's sponsorship and donor issues. To simplify, the Noor family has huge influence in the school, and the Veriza family is its backbone."
"The two of them, even though they aren't popular students or outstanding achievers, are known by everyone. If you make trouble with just one of them, they won't just say they will get rid of you… they will actually get rid of you."
Rachel's gaze changed—the furrow on her forehead eased, but was instead replaced by a deeper, sharper stare, as if she was ensuring that Margaret understood that this was not just a story she had heard from the school corridors.
Margaret immediately furrowed both her eyebrows—not just a small movement, but a movement that looked like two thin lines were suddenly forced closer by an understanding that she couldn't fully accept.
There was something bothersome, something that sounded jarring about Rachel's explanation.
"Is it that serious?"
"Will they really do things like that in school?"
"Are they the only two who have that kind of power?"
"So, even if they commit a violation of the rules, and whoever sees and reports it is instead accused of spreading unproven rumors… even if the reporter has proof, school law still won't affect them, because they are protected by influential families? Is that really true?"
This time, Margaret's tone sounded much more serious, firm, as if every word demanded full attention.
She fired all of that without a break, without a real breath, almost like the words were pouring out of her own accord—fast, continuous, yet still understandable.
And precisely because of that, Rachel froze.
Her gaze widened slightly, as if Margaret had just uncovered something that was supposed to remain behind the curtain.
"Woah, Margaret!!"
"Aren't you just really that smart and that clever?"
The small exclamation did not come from Rachel after all; it came from Adelia.
She turned towards Margaret, her eyes sparkling with a look full of admiration—feigned admiration, clearly exaggerated.
Margaret turned towards Adelia.
"I was just saying what crossed my mind. Besides, cases like that are no longer rare occurrences, right?"
Her questioning tone sounded soft, and along with her question, her inner voice spoke:
"Of course, I can say that, because I once saw it with my own two eyes. The difference is, this didn't happen in a school environment, but in a place that was supposed to make me grow up comfortably."
"But unfortunately, that environment actually made me someone so sensitive, to the point that I forgot I used to be a cheerful little girl who loved to smile."
Adelia only gave a short shrug.
"What you said… isn't entirely wrong."
"Sometimes, the two of them are truly annoying. You know? Like a boss who arbitrarily gives orders for trivial things, even though they could do it themselves."
"Not many people want to be friends with them. And I'm sure, some of the people who approach them… are not entirely sincere. You understand what I mean, right, Margaret?"
Her tone softened slightly, as if every word had a meaning she only wanted to share with Margaret.
She leaned her body slightly, moving closer until their distance was cut short like two secrets seeking a place to whisper.
"Instead of talking about the two of them while we wait for the red light, I'm actually more curious about one thing."
"Why are you thinking so much about that puppy? I mean, it's normal for someone to want to help him, but… isn't he not yours? Why does it make you so frustrated?"
"I can even see it in your eyes—you must keep thinking about that puppy, right?"
"And besides, isn't he a stray dog? You know, right? A wild animal that usually bothers humans, isn't entirely tame… and maybe never can be tamed."
Even though her tone sounded relaxed—with a touch of seriousness that showed how truly curious she was—the way she fired those questions was actually messy, hurried, as if her lips couldn't wait to overtake her own thoughts.
However, before Margaret could weave an answer to Adelia's stream of questions, Rachel's voice slipped in first.
"I also want to know… is what they said about you true? Did you really have difficulty making a good impression on your first day of school? And is that also why you often spend time in the library during breaks, instead of trying to make friends with other students?"
"To be honest, I don't mind it. Quite the opposite, I want to thank you—because thanks to you, we often visit the library. Even though we have to deal with the fussy librarian, who always warns us to be careful bringing in food which is actually not allowed… both our grades are improving."
Although it was spoken in a flat tone, as if every word had lost its color and vibration, there was something different when the word escaped her lips: a sincerity that couldn't be hidden when she said "thank you."
Adelia did not want to be outdone; she interrupted as well.
"That's right!"
She gave a small exclamation, almost like an accidental sound that just escaped her lips.
"Do you want to know my mom's reaction when I first got a perfect score for English Literature and Chemistry? She was completely shocked, confused, and of course started accusing me of all sorts of things, as if I wasn't being honest when I worked on them."
"But I also want to know… even though you've only been at this school for two weeks, I'm curious why you decided to move to Jakarta. Was school in Bandung not fun? Or did you have difficulty making friends there?"
"You rarely tell us about yourself too—where you live, the things you like besides reading books, the activities you often do on weekends. You never even discuss your favorite idols, singers, or actors. You only gave us your phone number, and usually just nod or answer 'yes' or 'no' when we start telling our stories."
"You are indeed similar to Rachel, but you are much quieter… even though sometimes you can be the most talkative person."
And again, her words flowed rapidly, in quick succession, without a pause, assaulting Margaret from all directions. Every sentence felt full of urgency, as if every letter demanded Margaret's full attention, demanding that she respond immediately.
Margaret was slightly startled, instantly feeling her heart beating faster when she heard the questions and statements that launched from Adelia and Rachel's mouths.
However, between the two, the one that truly shocked her—even making her breath hitch for a moment—was what Adelia had said.
Margaret took a long breath, trying to calm herself, even though her heart knew that this was actually unavoidable.
All the questions, all the statements, were bound to slap her, sooner or later. Considering how she always kept her distance, always filtered every interaction at school, a moment like this—where others' curiosity was targeting her—was certainly unavoidable.
She furrowed her brow slightly; it was clear she was thinking hard.
Her eyes, which were usually calm, now flashed faintly, tracing every word that came from their lips, weighing the possibilities, looking for an opening to answer safely.
She knew very well that the real answer—the one she honestly wanted to say—could cause suspicion, and perhaps even misunderstanding.
So, she had to be careful. Careful in choosing words, careful in weighing her intonation, even careful in balancing her facial expression so that it wouldn't be too suspicious.
"I can't possibly say that the reason I moved here had anything to do with my father's job as a CEO, right?"
"They would definitely ask further than just what company my father leads."
"And if I were to say that my father is the CEO of one of the biggest agencies in Jakarta—ASpire Entertainment, known for its idols, actors, and singers—they would definitely never stop asking questions. That would be quite troublesome for me, because I don't like getting involved in that kind of business at all."
She bit the inner part of her lower lip, a small, almost invisible movement, but clear enough for anyone who was observant enough to notice.
The sign was not just a habit; it was a clear sign of confusion, an indication that her mind was spinning rapidly, searching for a way to hide without being caught.
"And if I avoid all their questions… they will only become more suspicious, constantly wondering about me without end."
She took another breath, this time slower, more controlled.
"Maybe… if my answer is slightly odd, they will stop asking, right? But… what kind of answer should I give?"
"Oh my God… even the math problems I managed to solve earlier feel easier than this."
She took another breath, this time slower, almost as if she wanted to hold back all the tension that was flowing through her body.
Margaret looked at Adelia and Rachel, trying to compose the right words, trying to open her lips, even though her heart was filled with doubt.
She was not sure whether the answer she was about to say would sound convincing or not, but there seemed to be no other choice. She had to say something.
However, before the words were truly formed, a harsh shove slammed into her back.
The push came fast, rough, and without warning.
And instantly, everything slowed down.
Margaret was shoved forward, her body lost control like a leaf released by the wind. The voices around her faded, swallowed by her own magnifying heartbeat, beating against her ears like war drums.
Right in front—
A black car, speeding rapidly, reflecting the twilight sky on its surface.
Both her eyeballs widened.
She didn't have time to dodge.
She didn't have time to turn.
She didn't have time for anything.
Time collapsed.
Her body was dragged by the momentum, pushed by a force much greater than herself. When metal and air met, her body was tossed slightly, like a thin cloth flung from a clothesline.
Then—
She fell face down onto the asphalt. Her knees scraped the rough surface, leaving a long trail that felt like an unforgiving scratch mark. Her skin broke, and the color red flowed out—silently but quickly—staining the black asphalt.
The afternoon air turned sharp. The wind tensed up too.
Everything stopped for a split second.
Then the panic-stricken voices of Adelia and Rachel exploded at that very moment.
"MARGARETTT!!!!"