In a high school world where popularity reigns, Ava Martinez prefers the quiet corners of the library to the chaos of the halls. After her mother's engagement to Mark, she's forced to navigate life with her charming yet unpredictable stepsibling, Ethan Davis. When a science project pairs them together, their playful banter ignites a connection neither expected. As Ethan helps Ava transform into the girl she thinks she wants to be, they both confront jealousy, self-discovery, and the complexities of their feelings. But when a betrayal threatens to unravel everything, Ava must decide what truly matters. In this heartwarming tale of friendship, identity, and the struggle for acceptance, Ava learns that the journey to find oneself is often the most rewarding adventure of all. Will she choose the spotlight or embrace her true self—and the unexpected love waiting right beside her?
View More"Ugh!" Suara lenguhan panjang terdengar memenuhi ruang kamar saat Andi menyelesaikan permainannya.
"Enak," ucap Andi, merasakan nikmat yang tiada tara. Namun berbeda dengan Febby yang tidak merasakan klimaks sama sekali. Wajahnya menyiratkan kekecewaan mendalam. "Sudah keluar Mas? Kok cepet banget, ngga sampai satu menit. Perasaan baru masuk." Febby mengeluh sambil menghela napas panjang. Sudah sering dia mengatakan kalau dia tidak pernah puas dengan permainan suaminya. Dia juga tidak pernah merasa ada yang keluar dari bagian inti tubuh, yang menandakan dia belum mencapai puncak. Namun Andi seolah masa bodo. Yang penting nafsunya tersalurkan. "Aku lelah. Tadi itu aku udah berusaha untuk lama, tapi malah keluarnya cepet." Selesai melampiaskan hasrat, Andi berbaring di sebelah istrinya tanpa merasa bersalah sama sekali. Raut kesal dan kecewa terlihat jelas di wajah Febby, yang selama dua tahun menjadi istri sah Andi. Selama dua tahun itu dia tidak pernah merasakan klimaks saat berhubungan dengan suaminya. Kenikmatan hanya dirasakan oleh Andi, bahkan Andi tidak pernah membuatnya nyaman di atas ranjang. Andi juga kurang perhatian, hanya memikirkan diri sendiri. Pernikahan dua tahun terasa semakin hambar bagi Febby. Namun tidak ada yang bisa dilakukan. Toh Febby yang memilih laki-laki itu menjadi suaminya dan mereka sedang menjalani program kehamilan. Ya, Andi dan Febby sudah didesak oleh kedua orang tua mereka agar secepatnya memiliki anak, tetapi sampai detik ini tidak ada tanda-tanda Febby mengandung buah cinta mereka. "Kamu mau langsung tidur Mas?" tanya Febby pada suaminya yang baru saja pulang kerja dan meminta dilayani. Selesai dilayani, Andi berbaring di ranjang sambil memejamkan mata. "Iya, aku ngantuk. Kamu masak makan malam aja dulu. Kalau udah mateng semua, bangunin." Febby menghela napas panjang, turun dari ranjang lalu memakai pakaian satu per satu. Matanya melirik Andi yang terlelap, padahal baru saja kepala suaminya itu bersandar ke atas bantal. Tidak ada ucapan terima kasih. I love you. Atau gombalan yang keluar dari mulut Andi, membuat Febby merasa tidak dicintai sama sekali. "Mandi dulu dong Mas, masa langsung tidur." "Hem," sahut Andi datar. Selesai memakai pakaian, Febby melangkah mendekati pintu lalu keluar. Sedangkan Andi sudah jauh mengarungi mimpi. Langkah kaki Febby dihentikan oleh ibu mertua di ambang pintu dapur. Wanita paruh baya itu menatap wajah menantunya yang lesu sambil mengerutkan kening. "Kamu kenapa, Feb?" "Ngga apa-apa Bu," jawab Febby, pelan, melanjutkan langkah kakinya mendekati kulkas. Ratih mengikuti Febby ke dapur, membantu menantunya menyiapkan bahan makanan. Sejak kemarin wanita paruh baya itu menginap di rumah kontrakan dua kamar tersebut. Satu bangunan rumah yang baru dua bulan ditempati itu berada di komplek perumahan Melati. Rencananya Andi ingin mencicil rumah yang mereka tempati sekarang agar tidak bayar kontrakan lagi. "Suami kamu mana, Feb?" tanya Ratih. "Mas Andi tidur Bu. Katanya capek," jawab Febby seraya mengeluarkan bahan makanan dari dalam kulkas dua pintu. Beberapa jenis sayur dan ikan segar dia letakan di dekat wastafel untuk dibersihkan. "Kamu udah konsultasi lagi ke Dokter Kandungan?" tanya Ratih pada menantunya. "Udah Bu, katanya aku sama Mas Andi harus sering minum vitamin biar subur. Aku udah dikasih resep vitamin itu. Semoga aja ada kabar baik bulan depan." "Amin," ucap Ratih. "Selain berkonsultasi ke Dokter, kamu juga harus pergi ke Dukun beranak. Atau ke mana kek. Biar kamu cepet isi." "Udah Bu, tapi emang dasarnya belum dikasih aja. Kalau memang belum rejekinya, ya mau gimana lagi." "Kalau gitu, coba kamu konsultasi ke Dokter lain. Misalnya ke Dokter Dirga. Dia sepupunya Andi. Siapa tahu dia bisa bantu kalian. Kasih saran apa untuk membantu mempercepat kehamilan kamu." Febby terdiam. Sebenarnya sudah beberapa kali mereka gonta-ganti dokter, tetapi tidak ada perubahan sama sekali. Beberapa dokter juga menyarankan untuk memeriksa kesuburan satu sama lain, namun Andi selalu menolak dan mengatakan kalau dia sehat. Sementara, selama berhubungan Febby tidak pernah merasa puas. Bahkan durasinya hanya sebentar, tidak sampai tiga menit langsung crott. "Lebih baik kamu coba dulu saran Ibu," ucap Ratih yang selalu mendesak Febby agar cepat hamil. Andai kehamilan bisa dibeli, Febby akan membelinya agar bisa secepatnya memberi gelar ayah pada sang suami. "Kalau kamu ragu, mending komunikasikan dulu sama Andi. Biar kalian lebih yakin. Ibu sih percaya sama Dokter Dirga. Banyak kok pasien dia yang berhasil hamil." Febby menghela napas panjang. "Nanti aku coba bicarakan sama Mas Andi. Kalau dia mau, besok aku dan Mas Andi ke tempat praktek Dokter itu." Ratih tersenyum, "Nanti alamatnya Ibu kasih ke kamu. Kamu dan Andi langsung ke sana aja. Nanti Ibu bikin janji biar kalian ngga antri." "Iya Bu, makasih." Saat sedang berbincang, Andi datang mendekati kedua wanita di dapur. Pria yang memiliki tinggi 170cm itu duduk di depan meja makan dengan lesu. "Bikinin aku kopi," katanya memerintah Febby. "Tunggu sebentar Mas. Aku lagi masak." "Ck! Aku maunya sekarang!" Andi mengeraskan suaranya, membuat Febby terhenyak kaget. Ratih dan Febby saling tatap, Ibu mertuanya itu memutar bola mata meminta Febby menurut saja. "Biasa aja dong Mas, jangan marah begitu," sahut Febby kesal. "Kamu ini. Suami minta kopi malah nanti-nanti. Utamakan melayani suami dulu, baru yang lain! Gimana sih!" cecar Andi memarahi Febby. Ratih hanya diam, tak membela menantunya ataupun menasehati Andi. Baginya pemandangan seperti itu sudah biasa terjadi. Dia pun mengalami di rumah. "Sabar Mas." Terpaksa Febby menunda masakannya dan membuat kopi untuk Andi yang sudah tidak sabar. Dengan perasaan kesal, Febby meletakkan kopi hitam pesanan suaminya ke atas meja. "Mau apa lagi Mas? Sekalian aja, aku mau masak." Andi melotot, menatap istrinya seperti ingin menelan hidup-hidup. "Kamu ngga iklhas?" "Bukan ngga ikhlas Mas, aku kan cuma nanya sama kamu. Kamu mau apa lagi? Biar aku ambilin sekalian." "Ngga ada, aku cuma mau kopi." "Ya udah," sahut Febby pelan. Ia kembali melanjutkan memasak makan malam, meski perasaannya kesal. Sikap dingin Andi sudah berlangsung lebih dari satu tahun. Tanpa alasan yang jelas, Andi tiba-tiba jadi kasar dan bahasanya tidak pernah lembut seperti dulu. Febby curiga suaminya memiliki wanita idaman lain di luar sana, namun ia tidak pernah mendapatkan bukti apapun perselingkuhan itu. Suasana hening. Di ruang dapur yang tidak luas itu hanya terdengar suara dentingan sendok dan panci. "Mumpung ada Andi di sini. Ibu ngomong aja langsung sama kalian berdua." Ratih membuka pembicaraan di ruang sunyi itu. Andi mendongak, "Ngomong apa Bu?" tanyanya datar. "Ibu mau ngasih saran, gimana kalau kamu dan Febby konsultasi aja ke Dokter Dirga. Sepupu kamu itu. Dia kan Dokter kandungan terkenal. Kebetulan dia buka praktek di Jakarta. Kalian bisa ke sana. Kalau kamu mau, nanti Ibu bikin janji sama dia. Biar kalian ngga antri panjang. Maklum, pasien dia kan banyak." Andi manggut-manggut. "Oke, aku setuju. Aku dan Febby akan ke sana." Ratih tersenyum. Ia tatap menantunya yang tengah sibuk mengaduk sayur di dalam panci. "Kamu dengar kan. Suami kamu setuju. Kamu juga setuju kan?" tanya Ratih pada menantunya itu. "Iya Bu, aku setuju," jawab Febby.Crossing the LineAva didn’t stop walking until she was outside Jenna’s house, the cool night air hitting her like a slap. Her heart was still racing, her mind spinning with Ethan’s words. "You think I don’t care?""Why do I hate the way he looks at you?"She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to forget it. To forget him. She had played the game. She had won. So why did it feel like she had lost? Behind her, the party raged on. Laughter, music, and the occasional drunken shout echoed from inside. She should leave. But before she could, the door swung open. And Ethan walked out. Unfinished BusinessAva turned away immediately, walking toward the street. She heard his footsteps following. “Martinez.” She ignored him. “Ava, stop.” His voice was closer now, low and insistent. She spun around. “What do you want, Ethan?” He stopped a few feet away, jaw clenched. “I just… I don’t want to fight.” Ava let out a sharp laugh. “Funny. Because you’re always the
A Thin LineEthan wasn’t used to being the one thrown off balance. For the past few weeks, he had been the one teasing her, watching Ava fumble over her words, rolling her eyes at his smug remarks. But now? Now, she was the one in control. And he hated it. As much as he tried to act indifferent, he couldn’t ignore the way Ava had brushed him off, the way she had used Tyler to get under his skin. He wasn’t sure what pissed him off more—the fact that she had played the game better than him, or the fact that it actually worked. Unfinished BusinessThe next day, Ethan didn’t bother with his usual laid-back attitude. He wanted answers. And he wanted them now. He found Ava by her locker, talking to Freya. “You and I need to talk,” Ethan said, stepping between them. Freya scoffed. “Wow. No hello?” Ethan ignored her, his gaze locked onto Ava. “Now.” Ava didn’t even flinch. “I’m busy.” Freya glanced between them, clearly sensing the tension. “Uh, I’ll be over there.”
Dangerous GamesAva barely heard the chatter around her as she walked home, Freya’s words looping in her mind. Jenna’s been talking. She said Ethan’s just messing with you for fun. That he’s playing some kind of game.It shouldn’t have bothered her. Ethan always messed with her. That was their dynamic—annoyance, banter, and thinly veiled insults. But something about the way Freya had looked at her, the hesitation in her voice, unsettled her. And worse, a small part of her wondered: What if it’s true?When she arrived home, the house was eerily quiet. Mark wasn’t back from work yet, and Natasha had mentioned running errands. Ava dropped her bag by the stairs and headed toward the kitchen for a glass of water. She was halfway there when she heard it. A muffled voice. Low, amused. Ethan. Ava frowned, following the sound. It was coming from the living room. Peeking in, she spotted him sprawled across the couch, phone to his ear, a smirk playing on his lips. She should have w
Unraveling SecretsAva sat at the dining table, absentmindedly twirling her fork in her salad, her mind elsewhere. It had been a few days since she’d been paired with Ethan for the Shakespeare project, and she had done everything possible to delay their first study session. But today, she had run out of excuses. “Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off at the library?” Natasha asked as she sipped her tea. “I can walk,” Ava mumbled, still poking at her food. Across from her, Ethan was scrolling through his phone, acting like he wasn’t paying attention—but she knew better. She could feel his eyes flicking toward her every so often, his smirk practically radiating amusement. “You’re meeting with Ethan today, right?” Mark chimed in, glancing up from his newspaper. Ava sighed. “Yes.” Ethan finally looked up, his grin widening. “She’s thrilled about it, can’t you tell?” Ava shot him a glare before turning back to her plate. Natasha cleared her throat, clearly trying t
The School ProjectAva woke up to the sound of her alarm blaring, dragging her out of the restless sleep she’d finally managed to get. She groaned, turning it off and burying her face into the pillow. She was still at Mark’s house. Still stuck in this unfamiliar place.After last night’s disaster of a dinner, she hadn’t bothered speaking to anyone. She stayed in her room, only coming out after she was sure everyone had gone to bed. The house had been dark and silent, the perfect time to move unnoticed. She wasn’t in the mood for another argument, another reminder that her life had been turned upside down without her consent.Now, she had to face the day.With a deep sigh, she rolled out of bed, got dressed, and grabbed her bag. She made sure to keep her steps light as she headed downstairs, hoping to grab something quick and leave before running into anyone. No such luck.Natasha was already in the kitchen, sipping on her coffee, her eyes flickering with cautious hope when she saw Ava
Moving in with themMark’s expression hardened. “Go to bed, Ethan.”Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides. “That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna say?”Mark’s jaw ticked. “Drop it.”Ethan let out a bitter laugh. “You really think I’m just going to let this go?”Mark turned to leave, but Ethan’s next words stopped him in his tracks.“I’m going to find her,” Ethan said, voice low but full of determination. “And when I do, you better pray I don’t hate you more than I already do.”Mark didn’t turn around, but the stiffness in his shoulders said enough. Without another word, he walked out, leaving Ethan standing there, heart pounding, mind racing.This wasn’t over.Not even close.___It had been two weeks since Ava found out about her mother’s relationship with Mark and the sale of their house. Two weeks of tense silence, of pretending not to care, of keeping her emotions locked up because if she let them out, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop.Today was the day. The day they were of
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