Stay (Hwasa)

THE PAST

A/N POV

(Throwback to their junior years.)

At Jeonju Geunyong Middle School.

Songhoon is in his 12th grade, a nerdy student with thick glasses. He likes to be alone because of his nerdy nature; nobody in their school wants to be his friend. He also knows that other students only want to take advantage of his bright mind. That's why he chooses to be alone. One time, he's in his favorite spot at the back of their school building. There is a small abandoned guard house there he occupies. No student comes there because of a rumor that there is a ghost that whistles there, but actually, it's him hiding in the outpost to scare junior students cutting classes. To his disappointment, "there they are again! Can't stand to be in their class. Who's that stubborn student?" he said and peeped through the small broken window. He got curious at the two girls silently laughing while trying to cross the brick wall.

Girl 1: Yah, faster. You need to climb up and then jump just like that. (looking around, afraid to get caught)

Girl 2: Yah, Hyejin-ah, if our parents knew this, you know we will be grounded. How can we attend auditions if that happens?

Girl 1: Let's just take the audition now and explain later. I know we will win that. We are invincible 😏. (confidently winks at the other girl; they both giggle)

Sunghoon enjoys watching the two girls. He grabs his bamboo straw and beans and spits, hitting the can on the other side, and whistles.

Sunghoon: pssst.....pssst...psssst...psst (Suppressing his laughter)

The two girls get scared, looking around.

Girl 1: Haaa!!! Yah, Hyejin-ah, I told you there is a ghost lurking around here. I'm scared; let's go. Let's just take the front gate. Let's just say I'm sick to the guard like we always do.

Girl 2: Wheein-ah, there's no ghost in the morning; it's just some stray cat. We can't take the front gate; the guard will not believe our drama. Remember last time? Let's go! (laughing at the thought because they tricked the guards just to cut class.)

Sunghoon sees the two girls climb and jump over the brick wall in their short skirts. He just sighs and shakes his head. What stubborn students; what will they gain by cutting classes just to attend auditions? If they study hard, they will have a bright future. He knows the two girls; they are 10th-grade students always performing in school festivals or events, Ahn Hyejin and Jung Wheein. He likes Hyejin's smile and her attitude on stage while singing. Sometimes he gets annoyed by some students talking behind her back that most of them are inferior to the talent Hyejin has. He just shrugs his shoulders. He's nobody, and Hyejin will not take notice of him until one evening when his parents talk to him.

Sunghoon's house. They are eating dinner when his father starts to say something.

Mr. Bang: Sunghoon-ah, how's your school? (Authoritative tone)

Sunghoon: I'm doing okay, Dad.

Mr. Bang: (nodding and looking at his mother) Sunghoon, ready yourself on Saturday. We will go to my friend's house, Chan Yeop-ssi. He's my close friend since high school. We already talked about the union of our families. I want you to meet his daughter. We agreed that after your senior high, both of you will get married.

Sunghoon gets surprised at his dad's sudden declaration of his marriage. He gets furious inside; why do they have to dictate who he wants to be with his life, to do with his life? He feels suffocated by their love overruling his life always. "Sunghoon do this, do that, be like this, be like that." It really stresses him out, but to avoid unwanted conflict with his father, he just silently nods and says "yes" and excuses himself to go to his room. He knows what will happen if he disobeys his mother; he will pay the price, and he can't take that anymore.