High School

Years have passed since Alona's party. Nothing could separate Citra and Kencana; they maintained a close relationship even during high school. Citra finally entered SMA 8 Jakarta, the same school as Ken, who was already in 12th grade.

Ken had once regretted distancing himself from Citra, which allowed a guy like Damar to enter her life. After the incident at Alona's party, Citra ended her relationship with Damar. She never once opened the door to reconciliation with him, despite Vincent's attempts to persuade her. Until Damar graduated from junior high, Citra never spoke to him.

Citra felt she didn't need Damar and didn't regret losing him. Moreover, Kencana filled her life with companionship. Citra even moved in with Ken when her parents suddenly divorced. Her heart shattered upon learning that her father was cheating and that her heartbroken mother fled to America. During that dark time in high school, Citra felt she had only Ken. He was the only one who could accompany her through her difficult times.

Ken embraced her every night on their bunk bed. They held each other until Citra fell into a deep sleep, too exhausted to cry.

"I hate boys, Kak Ken. Aren't they all like dogs?" Citra said, her voice hoarse.

Ken didn't reply; he simply stroked and kissed Citra's hair lovingly. He felt happy because Citra now considered him the only person in her life.

Citra's life was under Ken's protection. Even when she no longer received financial support from her parents, Ken took on that burden. Since his parents didn't have much money, Ken was willing to teach taekwondo to elementary school kids after school. Even on Sundays, they sold bottled water together at gas stations or busy city areas. They were that daring, overcoming many struggles together.

With Ken's support, Citra's academic performance skyrocketed. Ken truly guided her well. He showed his sincerity, even though at school, he often heard negative whispers about them. Ken and Citra were rumored to be a couple. But Ken didn't care, and neither did Citra. She felt her happiness was solely with Ken.

The rumors intensified in high school as many boys developed crushes on Citra. Just like in junior high, Citra became a queen bee again in high school. She appeared even more beautiful. The fact that she was Damar's ex-girlfriend, a rising teen movie star, boosted her appeal among the boys at school.

The boys who liked Citra weren't just ordinary boys. There were the sons of officials, entrepreneurs, and even celebrities like Damar. But she rejected them all outright. This led some to think she was a "Les Biola" (a derogatory term implying she was a lesbian), especially since she was very close with the tomboyish Ken.

"What a shame, all those handsome boys and she prefers girls!" the boys would tease as Citra walked by.

At first, Citra stayed silent, reluctant to engage. But eventually, she fought back.

"What’s your problem? Just because I don't like boys doesn't mean I'm a Les Biola! My dad cheated, and my ex was a creep. So I'm traumatized being close to boys. Got it?! Plus, dating is against my religion!" Citra shouted, silencing the boys.

Citra's female friends at school supported her stance, sympathizing with her as a victim of her parents' divorce.

Who could be as strong as her? At 15, both her parents had abandoned her. She was even kicked out of the house she had lived in since childhood because her father sold it to live with his new 18-year-old model girlfriend. Citra, clueless about everything, had to leave it all behind, including parting ways with her childhood friend, Vincent.

If it weren't for Ken, who knows what would have happened to Citra? Despite her beauty, she could easily have taken a dark path and become a plaything for older men. But Citra refused to be like Oktavia, her father's immoral girlfriend. She didn't want to be that cruel. Her family was broken because of a girl desperate for money; she certainly wouldn't do the same. Citra fought to survive alongside Ken.

"I promise we'll always be together, Kak Ken. Promise me, okay? I love you so much," Citra whispered, hugging Ken, who stood before her.

Ken nodded, hugging her back.

But that was back when Ken was still in 12th grade, when they both wore their grey and white uniforms. It wasn't when Citra suddenly became busy with paperwork on the floor, preparing to apply to become a policewoman after graduating high school.

"Becoming a policewoman has been my dream since childhood, Citra. I have to achieve it," Ken said, busy organizing the paperwork.

"And what about me?" Citra asked, her voice choked.

Ken paused for a moment, then looked at Citra's beautiful face, which was starting to tear up. His heart felt uneasy. Honestly, he had been very happy with Citra all this time. That was his dream. But the problem was, becoming a policewoman was another one of his dreams. And Ken didn’t feel guilty about wanting it all.

"Citra, you'll still be part of my life. Becoming a policewoman is for your future too. You can continue school and even go to college from the income I'll earn," Ken said, trying to be as gentle as possible in his delivery, fearing Citra would misunderstand.

"Being a policewoman is busy, you know. Really busy. Vincent's aunt is a policewoman. She hardly had time for Vincent when he was still in elementary school. You'll be away for a long time during training if you graduate to become a policewoman."

"Why bring that up? I'm just applying now. I haven't even been tested yet."

"But you hope to pass, right?"

"Yes, I..."

"Are you going to leave me to live alone in the boarding house? While I bring friends over, you get mad?"

"Uh, that's a different matter. You can bring friends over, as long as they're girls."

"What if I go to my friends' houses?"

"Y-yeah, that's okay. What's the problem?"

"You didn't like it before. Why are you being so lenient now? It's strange!"

"Citra..."

Citra sighed, "Do you want to go back to how things were? Like when we were in junior high? When you were so obsessed with getting into SMA 8 that you forgot about me? And I got caught up with that jerk Damar?"

"Citra, I..."

"You left me once, remember? Don’t forget that. Even though you came back, I'm already traumatized. Thinking about how you once turned away from me hurts so much!"

"Citra, please..."

"Are you going to do that again?"

Ken shook his head vigorously, "No! But please, listen to me. I just want to be a policewoman; is that wrong? If I want to improve my life, is that also wrong?"

"So improving your life means without me? Forgetting me? You're selfish, Ken!"

"Everyone has dreams. Including you, and that doesn't mean we're breaking up. Why is it so hard to understand something so trivial? Now, who’s really being selfish?"

Citra remained silent. She turned away angrily, then jumped onto the bed and cried her heart out.