Bittersweet ≈ Seonghwa [NEW!]

It All Begins

The keys to my house jingled as I trudged through the doorway of my house at 6 am in the morning after the night shift at the convenience store.

Sure I may have gathered enough money for school but I still had to earn for myself and dad who sadly always asks for his cut of my pay. So I kept my night shift job at the convenience store and the jobs I have over the weekend and threw away the weekdays job at the cafe.

I'm exhausted but today's going to be my first day at high school!

I silently went straight up to my room, avoiding dad who was snoring away on the couch smelling like a bag of dirty socks.

Time check: 6.15am

I have exactly 45 minutes of sleep before school starts! I can't wait to finally get my mind off work and well-study my way out of this household.

- - -

7 am, I was barely awake but still managed to prepare for school. Putting on my brand new uniform and tossing my hair up into a neat bun, I combed down my wispy bangs and slung on my bag over my shoulders.

Boy these books are heavy.

Stealthily, I sneaked out of the house and on my way to school by 8.

Oh yea, I didn't tell dad I started school. I tried asking him once, he was drunk at the time but he was grumbling on about how I shouldn't have to go to school since I already got jobs.

Him and his mindset of "people go to school to get a job, you already have one so it's like skipping a step"

Sounds like bullshiet to me.

It took me about 30 minutes walk to school and I reached just as the school bell rang.

Perfect timing.

Eyes followed me wherever I went and I smiled, hoping to look friendly.

"Ah Miss Yeona!" I turned around to the voice and was welcomed by an elderly man who resembled a shrimp. He was bent over like a hunchback, relying on his walking cane. He wore an orange tee shirt with smart pants and he has one of those grandpa hairs. You know, the one where he's nearly bald but he still has white hair on either sides of his head.

I smiled, bowing politely as he approached.

He introduced himself as the principal and started talking about how he's been principal for over 40 years. It took a good hour until he finally brought me my timetable and to my class.

I entered the chaotic classroom. The kind where the teacher was teaching and the kids don't pay attention.

"Class! We have a new student!" The lady who was my teacher also looked pretty old. She can pass as my own grandmother.

I disappointedly looked at the class who was giving absolutely no respect to the elderly teacher who was speaking to them.

My eyes roamed the class and that's when we made eye contact.

A boy, sitting at the very back of the class amidst 7 other rowdy friends of his.

His fierce eyes squinted as he looked my way. He has tan golden skin, a sculptured face, a tall nose and full peach colored lips. His hair was side parted, and he wore a black tee shirt inside his uniform of which he didn't button up and a silver chain necklace hung from his neck. He looks a little older and more mature as compared to the rest of the class.

But my guess is, he's bad news.

I bit down my lip and lowered my gaze. The teacher who was flustered at the students misbehaviour, simply turned to me and smiled.

"I believe you're a sweet and kind girl. You don't have to introduce yourself to them now. Just keep your head low and don't engage with anyone else. You'll survive."

My jaw dropped, "What do you mean survive?"

The lady painfully smiled and the bell rang again, indicating a different study period.

"Your next class is gym. Take care lovely."

Before I could get any answers, she scurried off quickly with her teaching supplies.

Great.

I sighed and noticed the class suddenly grew silent.

Uh-oh.

The whole class was staring at me as if I was an alien from out of space.

"Uhm-hi?" I voiced out, trying to sound confident.

I thought they were going to hit me or throw paper balls at me or something. But instead,

"NEW BLOOD! HELLO!"

"HI NEW GIRL!"

"OMG you're so pretty!"

"WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"

I was stunned. Sure, everyone was not wearing their uniform according to the dress code and they looked rather like delinquents but seeing how they were open to me, I found me introducing myself to the class and they cheered. Except for the 8 boys at the back, including the one of whom I made eye contact with.

The 8 were sitting back in their chairs, watching everyone like lions to their preys.