Untold Experiences: A Mysterious Senior (Recount Text Assignment)

 

If  you're asking me about the most embarrassing moments I've experienced throughout my life, this story is probably the one I will always remember. It's not that bad, actually, but everytime I meet 'this girl' at school, I can't help but laugh awkwardly in private. Okay, so, let's begin the story. 

There was an event held by my school to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. The event took place at Lapangan Bali. It is an area for our students, teachers, and staffs to do sports or other physical activities. The area is divided into three units: basketball court, soccer field, and gymnasium. 

The third tug of war match ended and it was time for lunch. Man, I was starving that I could eat myself. So, I decided to go to the gymnasium and eat the snack I've brought from home. Turned out that some of my classmates were there, too, eating their snacks. I was going to approach my them when I heard an unfamiliar voice shouting. "Hey! Do I know you?" The voice sounded like a girl. And it was a girl indeed. 

At first I tried to ignore her since I thought she was calling someone else. But she kept calling and I felt like it was me she had been calling. So I turned around and walked towards her. She has brown eyes with thick eyebrows, full brownish-pink lips, and long, straight, black hair. A smile rose on her face. "You're the girl from LISTEN, right?" LISTEN is a community for Christian students at my school. 

I was surprised and delighted at the same time because she was so considerate. At that time, I barely knew anyone but my classmates, so to have someone knowing who you are is just cool. But then I said something kind of clumsy. "Yes, I am. What's the matter, kak?" 'Kak' is a honorific for our seniors at school. Most people use it to call their elder siblings, but we can use it for people older than us. There was an awkward silence, but then she and her friend laughed. "'Kak'? Oh, don't call me that, I'm not your senior! We're on the same grade. Don't you remember me? I am Ruru from Class X-4. Nice to meet you!" Oh, snap! I finally remembered her. She's not a senior, she's a 10th grader just like me. Her calmness, maturity, and cheerful vibe made me think so. I was stunned and turned red instantly. This thing, perhaps, was realized by her, so she made fun of the situation."Do I look like a senior? Thanks, hahaha!" She made fun of that situation. Then I laughed along with them and stopped my awkward gestures. 

I realized my mistake and said sorry. Perhaps she was upset. Like she knew who I am but I didn't know who she is. It is important to pay attention to the smallest details and care about people especially when they care for us. The thing is, there are only 11 students from Class of 2025. It should've been easy to identify their faces, right? Not for my August 2022 self, though. The transition from a private Catholic school with only 45 students to a favorite public school in with 360 students is just not easy. It's not easy to remember faces and voices. Thank God, it feels so much easier now. I join clubs and interact with friends from different homerooms. They are really kind and funny. To be accepted in SMAN 3 Bandung is such a blessing, not just for the academic validations, but also the feels-like-home vibes it offers.