Chapter IV

Tomorrow came by fast for Serra. Her eyes were a little puffed from crying and deciding what she has to do. Surely she won’t be able to go to the police and help when she was warned by those loan sharks that even the police officers are in alliance with them. She is dead meat.

“Serra!” Marmi calls, running to her with a big bright smile. But when she got close her smiles faded. “What’s with your face? Are you okay?!”

Serra had to level the kind of smile Marmi had. “Yes! And to support the yes, do you have a concert that is free tonight? I think I want to go have fun with you!”

“What?” Marmi’s jaw dropped and her face came alive once more. “Of course! There is one at the Loop’s Dome! The Rocketeers are performing! Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am so sure!” Serra giggles that made Marmi hug her tightly, shifting weight side by side. This is where Serra flashed a sad smile. At least for the last time, she is going to make her friend happy. “We better get to class first, Marmi!”

“Oh, yeah! We’re running late!” And so they ran together into their class.

 

Being inside the classroom, Serra never felt it was boring. She was always paying attention to everything their teacher says or write but right now it doesn’t matter. She was going to die. Now looking back at it, she worked so hard to have a better future and yet, trusting somebody and being too nice ruined her.

As promised, after class, Serra went with Marmi to Loop’s Dome for the concert. For a moment there, Serra was laughing genuinely with Marmi, enjoying the remaining moments of her life. She sipped a little on her friend’s glass, talked to strangers, and jumped with the beat. If only she knew this feeling first. If only she had no debt to pay.

“That was amazing!” Marmi yelled as they walk to the bus stop. “You see? There is so much more to life than studying and working! You’re young, Serra! We are young! Next time we get you a boyfriend!”

Serra laughed. “Sure thing!” she agreed. 

“Are you really Serra?” Marmi squinted her eyes at her. Serra thinks it was cute when Marmi did that and she nodded. “Well, I don’t know what happened but I like you better now!”

When they arrived at the waiting shed, the bus was already there and so Marmi needed to go. Before she went, Serra hugged her friend super tight for eight seconds and moved away. Marmi had her eyes wide.

“What was that for?” Marmi asked.

“I am sorry. It took me long to go with you to a concert. I love you!” 

Marmi crossed her brows but then she smiled at Serra and curved her mouth upwards into a smile. Serra needed to bite her lower lip so she doesn’t cry.

“I love you! I will see you tomorrow! I’ll bring lunch for us both!”

A wave was the last gesture she gave Marmi. She breathes out loudly, turning around to walk somewhere far from home. It’s time.

Standing on a bridge would cause so much trouble gaining a lot of attention from the passerby. So, Serra went down, under the bridge. No one will notice her. She took off her shoes and socks and her bag at the side. Then she moved forward, touching her feet with the cold water.

The city light by the water was nice to look at, she wonder if she could see the bridge’s light from below. The dusk will not let anyone see her. This is a perfect time and she is ready.

Serra continues to walk further, to a deeper part until all her body was under the water and she let her air go. Bubbles were seen from the surface but of course, no one was around. No one will notice every bubble popping-- her life drains.