CHAPTER Chapter oneJUNGWON Jungwon hit the brakes of his bike and stared at the massive school where he would be going to spend my final year of high-school in. The buildings rose high above him, far grander than anything he had ever seen. It was like huge buildings are part of big cities like Seoul. He was still trying to absorb the sight while being lost in thought when a loud car horn disturbed his reverie. Tilting his head behind, he stared at the line of luxurious cars of different kinds all driving to the front of the school's main building. Drivers who were all wearing suits stepped out to open car doors as each student climbed out, some look bored, while others glued to their phoned. No one seemed even remotely excited.…. you would think that attending the best high-school in the country would at least put some spark in their eyes, but the students rather looked bored and tired. Jungwon released the break-pads from the wheel and peddled into the school.He Slung his back pack across his shoulders as he ventured inside the school. The huge buildings in the school made him stare in awe. Back home, the largest building wasn't even half this big. Everything here gleamed- clean, polished, expensive. The students in this school were all neatly dressed moved around wearing the school's expensive Khakis, white shirt and fitted grey jackets. Thankfully when he got the scholarship, they had also included the uniform else he doubted he could have afforded it.The moment he stepped into the school's main building, the announcing microphone was turned on. "Will all student move to the auditorium immediately"Swarm of students came out and began flooding the hallways. They were all headed to the auditorium he assume. Jungwon followed, keeping his head down hoping to not stand out. The auditorium like the rest of the school was massive with over five thousand sitting capacities with red theatre chairs. He slipped into an empty seat at the middle row.There were two girls behind him who couldn't stop chattering_ they were talking loudly for more than half of the auditorium to hear. "Look at my hair pin. Immediately I saw it on Haerin, I had to purchase five of it" "I made my mum buy me the Gucci sunglasses she had worn in her latest Instagram stream. Haerin is so iconic. Look doesn't it look great on me it makes my face look smaller _ just like Haerin's.""Ummph" he heard someone else scoff. "So you follow her on Instagram but you refuse to follow me your close friend. I wonder what is so special about Haerin that I keep hearing her name everywhere. Everyone keeps praising her and now you two. It's so annoying. How is she supposedly better than me." There was an awkward silence after that."Look before you guys started talking crap, I wanted to show you my shoes. This is from JIMMY CHOOS unreleased collection it is the only one in Korea. Guess who wanted to have it but failed.""Wow. It looks so nice they haven't even released it yet." The girls behind him gushed."It was Haerin but look now I have the shoe on my legs. This is why I say she is all hype just some crazy bitch that everyone worships." the girl mutter bitterly. He had not wanted to listen to their gossip but he couldn't avoid it and they were not exactly being subtle. The girl they were talking about her name is Haerin. Haerin. The name sounded to nice in his head.The girls continued talking about various things and very loudly, but Jungwon was the only one bothered. Everyone else were lost in their own conversations or on their phone. Even if he wished he didn't, he already felt awkward and uncomfortable_ being the new kid and all; everyone seemed to belong somewhere.He was more than grateful when the hall filled up and the head teacher finally appeared on stage to address the students. "Welcome to the new session....." his voice quickly faded into the background as everyone seemed disinterested with what he had to say. "In the recent international science fair competition, it is with great pride I announce that our school came out on top. So, I would like to invite the student who we are all proud of and made this great achievement for our school Yoon Haerin"The name seemed to have grabbed everyone attention with loud cheers and screams. If he could recall that was the name of the girl the girls behind him ranted about.The whole hall was in utter chaos – screams, cheers, applause. Even the girls behind him squealed in joy; guess they don't care about what their other friend said.Jungwon became curious. Who exactly was this girl that could make this entire elite school like that. A girl stood up from the distant front row. He could only see her back view as she walked to the stage. She walked calm and confident it was like she commanded the room all eyes darted on her automatically.When she got on the stage and turned to the crowd. Many people gasped including himself. She looked unreal.The mic clicked on like a command, the whole hall went silent. Her voice was nothing like her appearance it was deep, firm and sultry "Thank you everyone. It is always a pleasure to achieve great things for the school so let us keep up the good work".When she stepped off the stage, the whole crowd begin cheering all over again with occasional screams of 'we love you Haerin' from various people. She had a small smile of her face till she returned to her seat. Whoever she was, it was a wonder how she had made such impression on these rich snobby kids.After her speech it was hard to get the students to become quiet. The meeting was shortly over then he went to look for my homeroom teacher. The teacher's office had name plates boldly written on their desk.Along with his uniforms, a class schedule, cafeteria menu, school calendar and list of extra-curricular activities was sent to him as well as any other information he might require including that of my home room teacher, Mr. Tae Hwan.Mr. TaeHwan was in his seat engrossed in quietly sipping on a coffee cup when Jungwon approached. He seemed startled by his presence so Jungwon quickly explained."Good morning sir. I am Kim Jung Won. The new scholarship student I was told to report to you immediately I resumed" the whole room turned silent. Teachers turned to stare. It was uncomfortable but he focused on Mr. Tae instead who was scrutinizing him as well behind his glasses.He gave a disapproving look before shaking his head and standing up "follow me"They passed by many classes Jungwon nervously clutching his bag and adjusting the frame of his glasses until they stopped in the front of a class that had written 12D on top.Voices could be heard from inside "Lee Min could you please tone down your noise" then Mr. Tae went inside to ask for permission to interrupt from the teacher in the class before he gestured for Jungwon to come in. Adjusting the glasses on his frame once more, Jungwon took steps into his new class. He was face to face with the students most who were watching him with amuse looks on their face.Mr. Tae then spoke "Good morning class. This is your new classmate from….?" he then turned to Jungwon "Geoje" he whispered to him. Then he straightened himself and continued "Right from Geoje. Everyone be kind to him. Please introduce yourself"Jungwon went forward and took a bow "I am Kim Jong Won" he didn't want to say more about himself. The lesser people in this school knew about him the better. "Take your seat at that empty chair beside the window".Some girls gasped and several guys glared as he walked to the seat at the back of the class. The boy beside him was already asleep. Strange, considering there was a teacher present. Should he wake him? He contemplated.Putting off any more thoughts on it, he decided to just focus on the class. This is different from my other school so I have a lot to catch on.----By lunch time he hadn't spoken to anyone well apart from the group of girls who rushed to him immediately the teacher left. They were asking like a million questions at once. He wanted to put them off and not reply but that seemed to have back fired as they think he is mysterious and 'even hotter'.The dining hall was packed. He quietly collected his food and sat at an empty table in the far back not wanting to mix with the crowd. They had bibimbap, kimchi, pickled radish, tteokbokki, bulgogi and Saengseon-hoe. The food looked like it was made for royalty.As he tasted the bibimbap, memories of his little sister Sarang tugged at him. It was her favorite dish. The thought tightened his throat.A loud screech of the chair resonated around the whole dinning-hall everywhere suddenly became very quiet. A group of boys about four of them surrounding a young boy who appeared very timid and scared. He looked oddly familiar yes, he is his sleeping classmate.They shoved a plate toward his face while everyone watched like it was some entertainment. Jungwon could feel his chest heavy and sweat drip from his forehead. He began taking deep breathes he shouldn't feel scared. They can't get to him here he is miles away from them now.In the process of the struggle, Bongsu pushed the food tray to the ground causing the bowl to shatter and its content to spill on the floor. Gasps, whispers, judgement. now they could react.Why is everyone are always blind to the times that the bully makes someone's life miserable but when the victim reacts, he is suddenly the villain. What an upside world.It seems that just made the situation worse. The leader wiped his stained jacket. Even from far you could see his neck veins popping. He ordered his guys to hold Bongsu down with his hands smugly in his pockets, he then extended his legs showing his now dirty leather shoes."Make him lick it."Jungwon couldn't watch this anymore all his appetite were suddenly sated. He felt disgusted. Just as he stood to leave, he saw her Haerin.Standing calmly at the center of the hall with two girls beside her. Arms crossed, eyes emotionless. She as well as others looked unfazed at the torture someone is going through.They made Jungwon feel sick. He hated how I felt at that moment. He hated her. He hated everyone in this school. He hated all these rich spoilt brats and He hated himself for doing nothing- just like the rest.Soon after lunch, Mr. Tae came in to call out the class attendance "Where is Kang BongSu? That kid what am I going to do about him? Do anyone know where he went?" he asked the whole class but no one knew or said nothing.Jungwon stared at the empty seat beside him till the gasp of his classmates pulled him out.It was BongSu looking disheveled, soaked and spotting a large bruise on his right eye."What were you doing in the hall? Don't you know it is time for class? This should be the last time. Go away" Mr. Tae yelled while BongSu looks down nervously.The bruise on Jungwon face was huge yet Mr. Tae couldn't question that rather he ignored the obvious.As BongSu returned to his seat, his shoes were making a lot of squishy noise making the class erupt in laughter and Bongsu to fold more in shame.How could anyone think this is funny, Jungwon wondered. The people must be insane glorifying someone's pain. After Bongsu took his seat, Jungwon couldn't even turn to him. He felt guilt curl in his stomach.After school, he retrieved his bicycle-untouched. Ofcourse these kids wouldn't steal something as cheap as this. He rode home to his uncle's house. His uncle had agreed to house him for his school since he was the only one he knew in Seoul, Jungwon was extremely grateful. The house was nice he even had his own room. His uncle had bought it when he was working for huge companies then till he had unfortunately fallen victim of a scam and lost his job. His uncle and nephew were really happy to have him around his aunt however, not so much. He remembered his mum always called her vain. She had been so happy with his uncle's money in the beginning now all she does is complain and frustrate everyone.His aunt ignored his greeting at first. That was odd he thought- She should be at home after all she never tries to leave the house. When he got to the parlor, she was indeed at home seated casually on the couch as she ate a huge watermelon with a spoon while watching one of her usual Tv series.JunSeo his nephew who was sitted in a corner playing with his toys rushed to hug him. He really liked Jungwon around. It was mutual for Jungwon, he reminded him of his younger sister.Finally, his aunt acknowledged him "Oh you are back.""Yes ma'am" she nodded staring at me with an irritating look on her face."What are you doing here go and help you uncle at the store. You can't keep free loading from us" Jungwon nodded politely and quickly went inside to change out of his school uniform. He never wants to get them dirty they cost a fortune. His uncle runs a dry-cleaning store not far from his house. He had used his remaining savings to open the shop so he could have a new source of income. It's not very huge but his uncle spares to effort in his hard-work.There are no workers apart from his uncle and now, him.He had started to help his uncle the moment he had arrived in the city.By nine p.m. the shop closes so, Jungwon decided to have a quick shower before coming out for dinner. His uncle had also changed and was in a white shirt and some faded shorts everyone was already sited on the floor around the table, so he took a sit beside JunSeo facing my aunt."We can't even afford braised beef again" his aunt grumbled before he even got to put the first spoon of rice in his mouth. The air grew tensed. Everyone shifted uncomfortably even the little Junseo looked nervous."You went ahead and brought your nephew to live with us when we were already managing the little, we have. You don't even care how me and your son would be doing. You just brought him here to free load from us." She turned to his uncle and continued as her voice grew louder. For someone who always complained, his aunt was the most selfish conniving bitch ever. She constantly runs the uncle dry with her limitless expenses. His uncle was always working trying to provide for her constant need while she spent it all."He is just here for school you know that and you also know how much my late brother had been of help to us in the past why won't help is own son too. Do you expect me to turn my back on him?" his uncle tried defending him. "Moreover, he also works at the store so he is not free loading"That just seemed to make his aunt even angrier "He is family so he is not doing anyone a favor helping you in the store. He is just helping as he should for eating our food and sleeping under our roof" she huffed. The matter was immediately escalating and could go further with both of them yelling at the top of their voices all night. That was what happened the first day Jungwon came to the city.Jungwon just wanted a moment of peace he didn't want to watch Junseo watch his parents arguing because of him."Auntie don't worry I have already applied to some restaurants and shopping stalls any moment now, I will get a part time job and be able to help contribute to the house" apart for his aunt blatant disapproval in him coming to live here and "freeloading", he also need to get a job so he could have money to send home to his mum and Sarang.She finally calmed her down Jungwon awkwardly lifted a spoon of rice into is mouth. They all continued eating in tense silence. Noticing Junseo seemed extra sad, Jungwon placed his seasoned fish to his bowl. The little boy gave a cheecky smile that made Jungwon smiled too.Afterwards, Jungwon studied in his room he had a lot to catch up with in his new school but his mind kept drifting back to Bongsu. He remembered when it was happening to him how he desperately wished for someone to save him. He had initially tried fighting back but when the whole school and town suddenly hates your family who would save him. He was in constant pain at the end of thir torture that he wished they would finally end him.He could feel Bongsu wishing the same for himself. How could he turn his back to Bongsu when just few months ago he was Bongsu. In as much as he wants to ignore, his good heart wouldn't let him.
