That morning felt different.
Ratna stood in front of the school gate, staring at the big building as if she were facing something that once terrified her… but today, it felt just a little lighter.
"Come on, Na," Helen said, gently squeezing her hand.
"If you stand here any longer, everyone's gonna stare even more."
Ratna nodded. "Sorry… I'm just nervous."
They walked in together.
Some students glanced at her, but not like yesterday.
No mocking laughter, no whispered insults.
Just… an awkward silence.
"Morning, Ratna."
Rey appeared beside the lockers, holding a few books.
His eyes were soft, though the worry in them hadn't fully faded.
"Morning…" Ratna answered quietly.
"You sure you're strong enough for today?" Rey asked.
"I… have to try," she said.
Rey gave a small smile. "If anything happens, I—"
"—won't let her face it alone," Helen cut in, laughing softly.
Rey chuckled.
And Ratna, even if just a little, felt lighter.
The three of them walked toward class.
But from behind a pillar near the stairs, someone was watching.
Harold.
From afar, his eyes followed Ratna.
Not angry.
Not annoyed.
More like… someone trying to fix a mistake he never meant to make.
Andre leaned beside him. "Boss, you really not gonna talk to her?"
"Not yet," Harold whispered.
"It's not the time."
---
In the Classroom
The moment Ratna stepped inside, she could feel the shift in the air.
Classmates who were usually indifferent now looked at her carefully.
Some gave stiff smiles.
Some lowered their heads when their eyes met hers.
No one dared laugh like before.
Helen placed her bag down and tapped the seat beside her.
"Sit here. We'll take the day slowly, okay?"
Ratna nodded and sat.
A few seconds later, someone approached her.
It wasn't Rey.
It wasn't Harold.
It was Alya—quiet, gentle Alya who barely talked.
"Ratna…"
Ratna turned.
Alya looked unsure. "Yesterday… I saw the commotion. I'm sorry. I didn't do anything to help."
Ratna quickly shook her head. "It's okay… I didn't want anyone else getting dragged into danger."
Alya bit her lip. "Still… I'm sorry."
Then she returned to her seat.
Helen smiled softly.
"See? Good people always come back to good people," she whispered.
Ratna's chest warmed.
But the atmosphere changed the moment the classroom door opened.
Rani and her group walked in.
Slow steps.
Heads lowered.
No thick makeup.
No loud voices.
No arrogant laughter.
When they saw Ratna, they paused.
There was guilt… buried under pride.
Ratna swallowed hard. Her hands trembled slightly.
Helen immediately held her hand.
Rani opened her mouth as if to speak.
But in the end, she only whispered, "Excuse me," and walked to the back.
The room fell silent.
And for the first time since coming to this school, Ratna felt…
not feared,
not ignored—
but seen.
Acknowledged.
---
Lunch Break
Ratna and Helen sat in the cafeteria, eating bread.
Ratna kept glancing around, still nervous.
Helen kept reassuring her.
"You're doing great. Sitting here already means you're brave."
Not long after, Rey walked over carrying a juice.
"For you," he said, placing it in front of her.
Ratna blinked. "Huh? Why bother?"
Rey smiled. "It's not a bother. I just—"
He stopped, unsure how to continue.
Helen quietly laughed at how the usually-cool Rey suddenly became clumsy.
Ratna nodded softly. "Thank you, Rey."
But the atmosphere shifted when someone stepped up to their table.
Harold.
The cafeteria fell completely silent.
Helen stiffened.
Rey stood slightly forward, instinctively shielding Ratna.
But Harold raised a hand gently.
"I just want to talk."
Ratna looked at him—afraid, but trying to stay calm.
Rey's eyes narrowed, ready to intervene at any moment.
Harold took a deep breath.
His face was nothing like his usual self.
"Ratna…"
His voice was quiet—stripped of arrogance and anger.
"Yesterday… I was wrong."
Helen and Rey froze.
Ratna, too.
"I didn't know my group would go that far. That's my fault. I should've controlled them. Not let them hurt anyone."
He lowered his head slightly.
"I just… want to say sorry."
The cafeteria grew even quieter.
Some students stared in disbelief—Harold, the school's 'leader,' apologizing to Ratna?
Helen glanced at Ratna, giving her a small nod.
It was okay to answer however she wanted.
Ratna gathered her courage.
"Thank you… for saying that."
Harold nodded.
"From now on… you're safe. I'll make sure no one touches you again."
Rey tensed. "Harold—"
Harold looked at him. "I'm not trying to take your place, Rey."
He gave a faint smile.
"I'm just… fixing what I broke."
Then he walked away.
Rey exhaled slowly and sat back down.
"He… changed, huh?"
Helen smiled. "Sometimes, reality slaps people so hard they suddenly turn human."
Ratna stared at the bread in her hands.
Her world wasn't entirely calm yet.
But today, she learned something:
Kindness spreads.
Courage creates change.
And love—even quiet, hidden love—can bring light.
Ratna took a deep breath.
For the first time since yesterday…
her heart felt much, much lighter.