Enemies by Fate, Lovers by Choice

By the time Mira and Maria finished unpacking their belongings in their new house, it was already midnight. The new residential subdivision they moved into has good security, and their house is near the lake. Mira knew that this place cost a lot, so she smiled softly, knowing her mother always wants the best for her. She didn't question her mother's choice, besides, she really likes the place. Mira showed appreciation and even hugged her mother when there were only two of them left.

"Honey, do you like the place?" Maria asked as she saw her daughter standing on the balcony.

Mira turned to look at Maria. "Yes, I like it very much," she smiled softly. 

"That's good. Don't worry about the money. I used the money I got from the divorce, and I also sold everything he gave me, so I saved a lot. I also have some money you can use when you go to America later," Maria said, not wanting her daughter to worry. 

Mira nodded, then she looked away. Her smile cracked when her mother mentioned America. She remembered that she had to go soon, which meant she wouldn't be able to attend her graduation. Although she didn't have friends, she still felt attached to that school, so she regretted not being able to attend.

Maria tapped her daughter's back. "Let's get inside now and take a rest. You still have an appointment with your adviser, right?"

"Yes, mom. I'll go inside in just a few more minutes." 

"Okay, good night."

"Good night." 

Mira took a deep breath to suppress her sadness. She closed her eyes and felt the wind blow. When she opened her eyes, she became indifferent again. She went inside after taking care of her emotions.

            ............................

Luna, who was sitting in a daze, noticed Prima walking quickly towards her.

 "Luna!" Prima shouted excitedly. 

"What's gotten into you?" Luna asked. 

"Professor Kaye is looking for you. You better go there quickly."

 "So in a hurry?"

 "There's good news for you! Come on, let's go, let's go," Prima said excitedly, pulling Luna to the teacher's office.

"Professor, Luna is here," Prima said politely. 

Professor Kaye nodded and asked Prima to go out first. 

"Luna, please take a seat." 

Luna sat and waited for Teacher Kaye.

 "You already received the results of your exam, right?" Teacher Kaye started. 

"Yes, Professor." 

"Your results are always consistent and just keep getting better. So by the day after tomorrow, I will distribute your card, and we will proceed to your graduation." 

"We already know about these things, Professor."

"Ehem... okay, the thing is, you know your grades and Mira's grade, and the final results between you two, right?" Professor Kaye stopped beating around the bush as she really not good at it and went straight to her concern but still wanted to take it slow, knowing the rivalry between her two top students.

 Luna became attentive when she heard Mira's name. "Yes, I acknowledge it, and I'm fine being second. You don't have to worry about me, Professor," she said, thinking that her Professor might be worried about her feelings. 

"I'm happy to hear that, but... Mira is second, and you will take the first place."

"What? How?" 

 "Both of your grades tie with each other, so we did a tiebreaker criteria, and you did better than her in your extracurricular activities."

Luna frowned as she didn't get it. She had already accepted that she was second, and now, because of the tiebreaker criteria, she got the first place. 

Professor Kaye let Luna think first. Actually, even she herself was shocked when Mira came to talk to her today. Mira was the one who was supposed to take the first place, but Mira rejected it, saying Luna did better than her in terms of communication and leadership. Although it's a fact, the difference between them was not big enough to notice. But after Mira explained her circumstances, she also understood that it wouldn't be good for the school if they push Mira take the first place then suddenly wouldn't be able to attend. Besides, knowing that Luna really did better in that extracurricular, she also thought that it would be better if Luna took the first place as she should. It would also boost the school's reputation as a fair and honest university. 

"Does Mira know about this?" Luna asked in confusion.

 "Yes, I already talked to her earlier." 

"I see."

 "You should get ready to prepare your speech. Congratulations, you did great," Professor Kaye smile knowing that she almost make a mistake but still manage to correct it in time thanks to Mira  

Luna thanked the teacher and went out. Prima, who was outside, quickly congratulated Luna. 

"Congratulations!" Prima greeted excitedly.

 Luna nodded. 

Prima noticed that Luna didn't seem happy. "Are you not happy about taking the first place?"

 Luna sighed and finally voiced out her thoughts. "It's not that I'm not happy about it, I'm just thinking..."

"Thinking what?.. Why did you stop?" Prima asked as she followed Luna's gaze. It's Mira. 

"Are you worried about Mira?" Prima asked carefully. 

"I'm not," Luna answered calmly

Prima is familiar with Luna, but although she knew her friend was pretending not to care, she wouldn't expose it. After all, she knew her dear friend Luna would make a move.

Prima just smiled and nodded knowingly and had a sudden thought of looking at the campus forum. As expected, Mira and Luna were at the top of the topic again after the "accident" at the library that looked like a teenage romance. Today, the rivalry between the two surfaced. Some students had their own interpretations of the interaction between Mira and Luna. She looked around and saw some students observing Mira, who was standing and seemed to be looking for something in her bag, and some were looking at Luna staring at Mira from a distance. Prima stepped aside not to be caught on camera and became a third wheeler.

Luna, who didn't notice Prima's action, looked at Mira not far away. She set aside her thoughts and had an urge to run to Mira to talk, but she held herself back because it was unusual for them to talk. Then she noticed Mira's neck. There was nothing on it. She looked at the clover keychain on her phone. After some thought, she walked towards Mira.

Luna walked slowly towards Mira and saw a wallet behind Mira. She thought that maybe it was what Mira was looking for. She took the wallet and accidentally saw what was inside: the necklace she had given was inside. She paused for a moment and then acted as if she didn't see anything.