Chapter 2 A Newbie

"I don't want it, Mom" shouted the girl with long hair.

"Hey, hey sweetheart." Yuna tried to calm her daughter down. "It's not as bad as you think."

"What do you mean?" the girl asked.

"We're moving to Texas because that's the right place for Mommy's business, my little baby." The voice was so soft as she stroked Yu Ling's long and beautiful hair.

"But why have to go to college, Mom?"

"You also need other activities, focus on education dear. Your dad would be proud of you."

"you mean, I need to be a professor so Mommy can see Daddy in me?" Yu Ling asked firmly.

"It's one of many reasons. But Mommy just wants the best for you. Becoming a model is a temporary career. You need other things to improve your qualities of you. Moreover, you are a smart girl." Yu Ling was still staring at her mother who was talking. "My baby, be aware, in this world, a beautiful girl is not always useful in all things and conditions, you have to use your logic and mind to survive." Yuna while pulling and hugging Yu Ling.

"I know it obviously, Mom."

Yu Ling pulled her body from Yuna's arms, "but I could become like daddy."

"what do you mean?" Yuna asked.

"I mean, Daddy is a professor concentrating on nanotech, and I don't like it."

"No need to worry, you can be what you want. Find things that make you happy to learn. I believe you are a human of science. Always appreciate all knowledge. But no matter what, humans are born with one field as their specialization. Am I right, Miss Science?" Yuna asked, smiling at the girl.

"You're right. Article 1, Mommy always be right, Article two, if Mommy was wrong, go back to Article 1." Yu Ling teased her mother. It was a rule that she and her father made to always make Yuna happy. Unfortunately, now she is the only one left in this world who has the responsibility to make her mother happy. Her father passed away while traveling to Pakistan to do research. Always think positively. Not wanting to drown in sorrow, Yu Ling always thought what happened was God's destiny for her family. She and her mother must survive, no matter what. She would not want to lose to the bitterness of this world.

"Baby, have you packed your luggage?" Yuna shouted from the 1st floor to Yu Ling who was on the 2nd floor. In the house, only the two of them are at that house. Only 1 household servant helps do any home work.

"I have done, Mom." Yu Ling replied who also shouted. 'Clothes, bags, shoes, and my lovely books are already packed.' Yu Ling thought. 'nothing seems to be left behind.'

She picked up a pile of books 3 centimeters thick. She puts them in the package. Then, take her favorite white backpack and tied her shoelaces. Well, now she's ready to go.

Tok, tok, tok. The sound of fast footsteps. Yu Ling walks quickly down the stairs and meets Yuna at the dining table. "Where are you going?"

"I want to return these books to the library." The right hand holds up a large package containing books on philosophy and psychology.

"Can you remember the contents of all those books?" Yuna asked while preparing toast with tiramisu and peanut butter. "If you want, Mommy can buy all the books for you, so you will have a collection of books that you can read anytime. Because humans have limited memory. At any time can lose some of the memory."

"You're right, My Beautiful Mommy. But I think it's not needed. Because I have a learning method that I designed myself to anticipate this. After all, these books are very expensive. I don't want to spend Mommy's money on something I can get for free."

"You know, being the mother of a beautiful and intelligent girl like you are the best gift that ever I've had. Mommy feels very grateful to God for being allowed to be a mother to Yu Ling Gracia."

"It means you should be grateful because daddy wants to marry Mommy." Yu Ling teased.

"That's clear, dear. By the way, aren't you curious about the story of the meeting between Mommy and Daddy?"

"maybe next time, mom. I must return these books immediately before the book return time would be closed." After finishing her lunch, Yu Ling washes the dishes. "Bye, mom." Yu Ling said goodbye, not forgetting she kissed Yuna's cheeks.

She swung the pedal fast, afraid she reaches too late. She only has 30 minutes left to get to the library. The guard is a fat, grumpy woman. Not only Yu Ling, but many other students were also often scolded by her for breaking the rules in the library. So it's usual that many students hate her and are lazy to come to the library. But somehow Yu Ling does not hate that woman despite being scolded thousands of times for being in the library a lot. Even one day, she once felt unwell but rested and slept there.

"Wait…." Yu Ling shouted while running at maximum speed from the bicycle parking lot.

"Almost late again, always return the book at the last minute of the allotted time." protested Madam Denise, the librarian who crossed her arms.

"It's almost. Not too late." Yu Ling replied as she raised his eyebrows a few times. With a seductive smile. "Come on madam, this is the last time. Furthermore, you won't see this beautiful girl late for returning books."

Not answering right away, she looked straight at Yu Ling. "Come here." While wrapping his arms around Yu Ling's neck. She hugs the girl. "I will miss you, my girl. Only you accompany me in the library every day."

"Haha, don't be upset. This is just part of the puzzle of life. I was destined to be present in your life only for these 3 years."

"Start with a million manipulative words."

"no no no," said Yu Ling who played with her index finger. "Not manipulative, but it's the truth. Why do you grieve when someone leaves you but at the same time there will be a new person coming into your life?" Smiling, Madam Denise takes out the books from the bag that Yu Ling was carrying. Check and put the books on the shelf according to the book code.

"So, what's your next life plan?" asked Madam Denise, serving her a cup of tea.

"I will continue to live with Mommy in a new environment, new people, and new characters."

"Hahaha..." Madam laughed so loudly.

"Laugh as long as you can laugh." Yu Ling took the cup and drank it.

"New character huh?"

"Yes."

"What character will you play again?"

"Who knows! Maybe 180 degrees compared to my current character."

"Are you enjoying this game?" asked Madam Denise, curious about what the girl thought and wanted in her life.

"So far I'm enjoying it. I haven't found a reason to stop. What I love right now is science." Yu Ling started to approach Madam and whispered, "Surely my Mommy is the first."

"What a strange girl." Madam mocked with a smile.

"Okay, I have to go. Goodbye, my adam." Yu Ling waved her hand.

"Goodbye, my daughter." Sad smile and waving back.

Yu Ling immediately left Madam Denise. Didn't turn around a bit, because for her it would only add to Madam's sadness at her departure. In the parking area, when she wanted to leave, someone stopped her.

"Stopp….!" Shouted Axel Downey, her classmate who is a basketball athlete.

"Hey, uncle. Who are you? Why did you stop me?" She shouted

"Uncle? Where?" asked Axel in surprise.

"It's you. I don't have the money to compensate you if you get hurt because of my bike." Yu Ling said with an even tone and gaze.

"Haha, you have a good sense of humor." The boy smiled, he has a pretty smile.

"Then, what do you want from me?"

With an embarrassed face, his eyes kept looking to the right and left. Yu Ling, who can read expressions and body language, then invited Axel to sit in the park near the school.

"What do you want to talk about? Since you feel uncomfortable because there are a lot of people at school, now you can be more relaxed to talk. Speak up."

"Yu Ling, you are always good at reading the situation making me very comfortable around you."

"Then?"

Axel, who tried to hold Yu Ling's hand, was immediately pushed away. "Hey... no no no." while pointing at Axel's hand. Indicating the prohibition against touching the girl.

"Just a little bit, please."

"It's okay if your hand bones are broken. I don't mind. But you will be in trouble because you won't be able to play basketball anymore." Threatened Yu Ling in a smooth voice.

"Wow, that's scary."

"Speak up properly."

Axel gets up and stands in front of Yu Ling. With a serious look, he takes a slow breath. "I like you, will you be my girlfriend?" said Axel loudly.

"You're still young, don't have any relationship with others. Focus on your athletic career and studies. It is the only best thing that I could suggest to save your life."

"Hah?" Axel is confused. "We're not kids anymore."

"If you're not mature enough, then what's your name if you're not a child? You can't even live alone without your parents."

"I can."

"Do not talk like that. You haven't felt abandoned by them for good."

Axel was silent, he just remembered that Yu Ling had no father. But he didn't know why. He thought Yu Ling's father left her and her mother because of another woman. Because that's the rumor that spreads in the school. Yu Ling didn't tell anyone much about herself. Even the one who spread the rumors was her. Not wanting to vilify her father but she didn't think the story of her life and her family was too valuable to tell to strangers. She didn't want others to know the truth of her life story. That's how Yu Ling manipulated the people around her.

"So, what's your answer?" asked Axel.

"The answer is NO!"

"But why? I'm a popular guy, handsome, smart, and rich. It doesn't have any flaws."

"Axel, you better accept and respect my decision." Yu Ling's advice stood up from the park bench.

"I don't accept it. Tell me the reason!" protested Axel who did not accept her refusal. For him, no girl in school would resist her charms. Even though he firmly believed that a girl as beautiful and as genius as Yu Ling would accept him with 100% probability.

"That excuse will hurt you, Axel. Just accept it without asking."

"no. I don't accept it." Axel firmly grabbed Yu Ling's hand. Yu Ling was shocked by Axel's angry attitude. Yu Ling just kept quiet and watched what the boy was going to do.

"If you don't accept me as your girlfriend, I will make you mine by force." Threaten Axel.

"What exactly makes you so angry? Rejected by me? Feeling hurt by my words? Or…." With a calm voice but not finished the sentence. His goal was to see Axel's expression.

"Or what?" Axel asked with his face red from holding back his anger.

Yu Ling looked at Axel's face without blinking. Axel who was uncomfortable with the gaze tried to avoid Yu Ling's blue eyes. Their eye color is similar to her father's.

"Ha ha ha." Yu Ling laughed. "From some of my guesses, none of them were right. Because there is another reason, right?"

They were silent in the same position. Yu Ling stared and Axel dodged.

"You are angry because you lost the bet!"

Deek… trembling, Axel was silent. The sweat was allowed to run down his cheeks. No more protests. 'You are a scary girl, Yu Ling. How do you know it? Only me and 2 boys in the classes know it.' Axel thought with a sharp look that wanted to take revenge for bringing down Axel's self-esteem as the popular boy in school.

'hey Axel, you are too stupid to face an environment and people filled with falsehood. You are too stupid to let them deceive you and destroy your character and life. How could I possibly be attracted to you who still has many openings to attack? Indeed, I'm still a newbie in romance. But I'm not as stupid as you. I have no interest in second-hand guys and it's too easy to get.' thought Yu Ling, who then left Axel alone.