Seeing the look on Uti's face, who was looking down deeply, immediately made Novan feel even more guilty. Novan now decided to sit next to Uti, the girl did not refuse, and Uti remained seated in place, just silent, not moving away at all. Uti didn't push Novan away, which meant she didn't reject his presence.
"Hey, why do you look so sad? And why did you apologize earlier?" Novan asked quietly, his voice calm and careful. Novan's gaze was glued to Uti's face, which slowly began to rise, and then the eyes of the two teenagers met in the air.
Uti swallowed before responding, "Because I was wrong with you, Novan, that's why I'm sorry," she said quickly, a sad intonation creeping into her voice.
Novan immediately shook his head—that was so wrong. That's not how it happened. Novan hurriedly said, denying what Uti had said. "You didn't do anything wrong to me, and you don't have to apologize like this, I should have done it, Uti."
"I was wrong because I got too carried away, I shouted loudly right in front of your face, besides that, I also behaved badly, even though I was a guest in your house, but I stupidly got angry with you."
"Hey, listen to me."
"One more thing." Uti immediately cut off Novan's unfinished speech. By making Novan swallow his sentence whole, Novan was not given the opportunity to continue his floating words.
Uti took a deep breath, then she said again, "My actions were wrong, even though you just returned from your mother's grave, you must miss your mother, and when you came home, I was angry. I was wrong, Novan, I was wrong here. I really want to apologize to you, after all, I was too emotionally provoked, even though the problem of Mr. Hockey's assignment is not something too serious. I should have been a little calmer, instead of immediately spewing anger at you." Uti closed her eyes rarely for a moment, her breath wasted. "I'm embarrassed, to be honest."
After Uti was completely silent, Novan spoke up. "Hey, you're not wrong about that, everything is normal, and the assignment is not a trivial matter in my opinion, we need grades, we need cooperation, because we are a group. I need to remind you again, you're not guilty."
"Maybe you can say that, but I still feel guilty."
"Okay, so what do you want now?"
"You forgive me."
Novan nodded his head. "I'll forgive you, you don't have to worry, I'm okay, I'm fine."
A faint smile had now begun to settle on Uti's face. They both looked at each other for a split second, before Novan finally said something, "I think you're tired, your face is also weak, your energy must have been drained, so do you want me to make something? What do you want to drink?"
"Honestly, I'm really thirsty, and I'll be really grateful for whatever you're going to serve."
"Okay, wait a minute, I'll make it first, you need energy so you can focus on the assignment later." Novan then stood up from his seat, while Uti herself replied with a quiet mumble. After Novan moved towards the kitchen, Uti thought about the assignment, thinking about what to make. After this, she and Novan also had to go to buy ingredients and supplies for the assignment.
In a short time, Novan returned from the kitchen, a tray in his hand with a teapot, two glasses, and a box of brownies still intact. Novan served them at the table.
"I made some ice milk, is that okay?"
"No problem, this is enough, thanks."
"You're welcome, drink first, then, after this, we discuss the assignment together. You might as well eat the brownies, okay?" Novan smiled broadly after his words.
Uti followed Novan's advice. Because her throat was so dry, Uti finished two glasses. And now she was completely relieved, her thirst was gone.
"How's the milk? Not sweet enough, huh?" Novan confirmed.
"Why don't you drink it yourself? Have you tried it yet?"
"I haven't tried it yet, and I'm also not thirsty," Novan replied.
"I actually think it's too sweet, but it doesn't matter, the ice cubes will melt by themselves." Uti explained Novan's question.
"Okay, here." Novan was now sitting right next to Uti, just like before. The distance between the two was not far, in fact, it could be said to be very close. "Before that, I want to discuss the previous problem, I was wrong. When I left, I charged my phone in my room, I didn't have my phone with me, so I didn't respond to any calls or messages from you. My phone was completely dead."
Novan explained at length. "And I know that you're really upset with me, and when you got mad at me like that, I'm honestly happy, because I deserved it. You have the right to be angry, everything is purely my fault."
Novan's face was now filled with great regret. "So, forgive me, okay? I'm sorry once again. Compared to you, I have more right to apologize like this."
"Yes, I forgive you. I don't think we need to discuss that problem, don't think about it anymore. What's important is that we focus on our goal this time."
"I wish you weren't in the same group as me, Ti," Novan said softly. "I'm sure you wouldn't be as emotional as you were, but unfortunately, you brought a group member with you, and I know you'll regret it."
"Hey, why are you saying that?"
"Honestly, it's better. It doesn't matter, I can understand, after all, it's a fact, right?"
"I thought so before," Uti said, being as honest as Novan asked. However, Uti hurriedly contradicted, "I thought that because I was upset, but now we'll work on it."
"Yes, thank you for accepting me, Ti?" Novan continued.
"We are a group, and of course I accept you. You have to accept me too. We've been chosen by Mr. Hockey, so you and I should be able to accept each other. Do you understand now?"
Novan lifted the corners of his lips up. Then he remembered what Uti had said a moment ago. "So, when you came here, you really wanted to hit the cat?"
"Hm, luckily I didn't really hit it. I almost did. The cat suddenly ran away, I had to brake suddenly, then I swerved to the left."
Uti's explanation made Novan swallow. "But you're okay, right? You're not hurt at all, right?"
"You can see for yourself that I'm fine, right? It's a good thing I didn't collapse. I'm still safe."
Novan was now very relieved to hear the words of the girl sitting next to him. "I'm happy to hear that, I'm relieved."
"Okay, now back to our main topic." Uti picked up a brownie, fed it to her mouth, and chewed. Uti was not embarrassed, because Novan had provided the dish for her.
Understanding what Uti wanted to discuss, Novan hurriedly improved his sitting position, then he answered quickly, "I've been thinking, and I think I have a suggestion. I have a good idea."
"Try to tell me, explain it as briefly as possible, but also clearly. I want to hear it."
"Okay, so here goes." Novan focused his eyes on Uti. "How about making houses out of ice cream sticks? That was my first idea. Do you think Ti, it's good?"
"It's not bad at all, you can try it. But hold on, I want to hear your second idea first. What's the other one?"
"Make a pencil case from cut bamboo, then paint it, draw it, then paint it. What do you think? Or do you have your own idea?"
"Your idea is interesting, Van, everything can be tried. I agree with which one you want to make. And I have an idea too actually, I was thinking and immediately thought of one thing."
"What's that?" asked Novan, curious.
"To make bags or baskets out of newspaper, or maybe plastic? That's all that came to my head." Uti revealed the idea. "What do you think? Give me your opinion."
Novan crossed his chest while leaning his back on the sofa. He answered after thinking for a while. "My honest opinion, is that your idea is inefficient, it seems to take too much time. It must be a woven bag, right? It will take a long time to make, and the results may not necessarily be good and neat. I don't agree."
Because this is a group project, of course the decision does not rest with just one party. All members must agree. And this time, Uti was on the same page as Novan.
"I was thinking the same thing, let's just use your idea, I agree."
"So which one do you want to use? Which one do you prefer? A bamboo pencil holder, or a playhouse using ice cream sticks?"
"The bamboo pencil holder seems more useful. The playhouse is just for decoration, right?"
"Yes, then?"
"But, where should we find bamboo? I think it's difficult, not to mention having to cut it ourselves with a saw. Can you really do that?"
"I'm a boy, and I'm tough too. Sawing bamboo? That's small." Novan smiled wryly, then suddenly pulled the sleeves of his black case up, showing off his arm muscles. "See here, how big are my arms?"
"There's no need to show it, I don't need to see it." Uti pouted softly, while Novan just chuckled for a while. "So, what do you think?"
"You're right, it's hard to find bamboo, so make a playhouse using ice cream sticks instead. What's important is that we're both handicrafts. We'll paint them, make statues and trees out of cardboard, it's all about how creative we are."
Not wanting to waste any more time, Uti agreed to the idea. The important thing was to make an assignment, get a grade, and then it was done. Uti didn't care what grade she got, as long as it wasn't zero. Anyway, this assignment had to be finished today, so that it would be better and there would be no need to worry about this problem anymore.
"Alright, let's just do that."
"Do you agree?"
"Agreed. Let's go buy the stuff right now." Uti tidied up her bag, ready to carry her again.
"Now, huh?"
"Yes now, when else will we try?"
"Okay, I'll get my jacket first. Can you wait for me?"
"I'll wait outside while I make my shoes first."
"Okay."
Both of them slid out of the living room. Novan went to his room again, to get his jacket and motorcycle keys, and Uti went to the porch. It wasn't long before Novan emerged as Uti tied her shoelaces. Novan locked the door again.
"Come on, I'm done here." Uti stood up again, now facing Novan.
"Let's go buy some stuff, shall we use my motorcycle?"
"Shall we ride together?"
"You don't want to? Do you want to be alone?" asked Novan. "But I think it's better together; if you ride with me, it'll be faster. Leave your bike here, it'll be safe."
"Alright, whatever you want, I'll follow. But is my motorcycle really safe here?"
Uti's concern was answered by Novan with a soft chuckle. "There are no thieves, relax, my house is safe. And where are the burglars in broad daylight?"
"It's possible, nothing is impossible, right?"
"If you have doubts, you can take your motorcycle to the garage. Let me park it there. Want to? It'll give you more peace of mind."
"Is that okay?"
"No problem at all, would you like to?"
"I want to, but I'm scared. This is my only motorcycle, what if I lose it? "What about my school?" Novan nodded while laughing softly.
"There's no need to laugh, I'm serious here. I'm not from a rich family like you, so even though my motorcycle is ugly, it's very valuable."
"Yes, I know. Where are your motorcycle keys? Let me move it right now."
"Okay, hold on." Uti reached into her skirt pocket, and once the motorcycle key was in her hand, she moved closer to Novan, handing it over. "Here."
Novan accepted it, then moved to open the garage first, followed by bringing Uti's motorcycle inside, followed by taking out the car that was rarely used.
Seeing the car come out of the garage made Uti flinch a little, and the girl was silent and stunned for a while.
Novan then got out of the car once he had warmed up the engine. Since he was leaving, it was a good idea to warm up the engine first.
Novan closed the garage door, then he saw Uti approaching him.
"Shall we take the car? Aren't we taking the motorcycle?"
"Now that I think about it, I think it's better to take the car. Besides, it's getting hot, why Ti? You don't want to? Do you want me to take the motorcycle?"
"I'm just asking, I'm not saying I agree. It's up to you, I don't mind riding anything, the important thing is that we reach our destination and get what we're looking for."
"Okay, let's get in the car then."
"Can you really drive a car?"
"If I can't, why would I want to ride? I might get into trouble on the road, especially if I bring a girl." Novan replied with a half laugh. "It's okay; I already have a driver's license too. Want me to see it?"
"I don't think I need it."
"Alright, let's go now."
Uti nodded briefly, then the two started to get into the car together. They were ready to look for materials for the assignment they would be working on later.