Bittersweet ≈ Seonghwa [NEW!]

A New Friend

I expected gym class to involve running, dodgeball, or basketball maybe. I also thought the gym teacher would give us instructions, perhaps guidance and watch over us.

But no.

I followed the whole class towards the gym where the gym teacher was quivering, holding onto a soccer ball and my gym uniform which I was instructed to collect from him earlier on by the principal.

Just as I was about to head over to the teacher, the class divided into two sides, making way for 8 of the same boys to walk through.

One of the girls in my class, Hyunah, pulled me back, stopping me from stepping forward.

I watched as the 8 members intimidated the poor teacher, staring down at him and mocking him. The teacher finally gave up and ran off, dropping the things in his hands.

Again, we all watched as the boys turned to face us while grinning.

"Do whatever you want guys." One of them said, the one with lots of piercings on his ears. He has a sharp nose and playful smirk. Though a tad shorter and smaller than the other 7, he had this glint in his eyes that made me shiver.

Everyone cheered and dispersed as I carefully stepped forward towards the 8.

"Hi-uhm...that thing, the teacher dropped. That's my uniform." I pointed to the floor behind them.

The group snickered and made way for me to crouch and pick up my belongings.

Though I think we're the same age, I bowed and quickly left the gym to get changed.

As I wandered the hallways looking for the girls toilet, I managed to peek into other classes. The teachers were laughing and the students were smiling as they went through class.

Almost every single class I stopped by, had such nice students and the teachers don't quiver or scurry at the sight of the students.

Why is it just my class? Why was I put in there? And what's up with those 8 boys? Everyone is treating them like they're some kind of mafia. They're scared of them and they listen to them.

"Ugh i hate that. I hate that they're mistreating the teachers who work hard to teach, they think everyone in our class is like them and has to follow everything they do. Why did we even move out of their way just so they can walk? Just walk the other way genius."

"Excuse me?"

Oh shiet was I wondering out loud?

I stumbled and looked up to the voice who stopped me.

A sweet boy with short hair stood before me. He wore big round black rimmed glasses and an innocent smile on his face.

"I can't help but overhearing. Are you talking about The Leaders?"

"I'm sorry the what now?"

The boy looked right and left and shushed me. He grabbed me by my arm and dragged me quickly outside to a nearby secluded bench.

"It's safe to talk here."

I frowned, "What do you mean? Why's everyone afraid of the 8 of them?" My eyes caught on his name tag, Lee Beomgyu.

Beomgyu leaned closer, talking in a shushed tone.

"The Leaders consists of 8 members. Rumor has it, they're young members of one of the biggest mafias in South Korea. They're called The Leaders because as you've experienced, they are leading your class and controlling the whole school."

He took out his phone and handed it to me, showing me a photo secretly taken of The Leaders having lunch at a table. No one sat anywhere near them. The tables around in the photo were empty.

He pointed to the one with the ear piercings, pointy nose and the playful smirk, "This one is their captain, Hongjoong. This guy over here," he pointed to another member with red dyed hair. "He is Jongho. He's really strong so be careful of him."

I listened as he introduced the other members Yunho, Yeosang, Mingi, Wooyoung and San. They sound terrifying.

"What about him?" I pointed to the one member who stood out the most to me.

Beomgyu sucked in a deep breath, "That's Park Seonghwa. He's the oldest among all of them, he's really quiet, and he's known to be the best fighter."

I snorted, "Fighter? Who does he fight? The lunch lady?"

Beomgyu firmly shook his head, "It's not funny Yeona. Please don't tell anyone. But I once saw him, hiding a gun in his bag."

My eyes widen, "Gun? How-"

"Like I said, they're the young members of the mafia. They probably have loads of weapons or something."

After a couple more words, Beomgyu decided it was time for him to get back to class. But we did promise to meet each other for lunch break.

I headed back to the gym after changing into my gym attire. My eyes scanned the class. The Leaders were seated on the benches, smoking away.

A fellow classmate coughed at the smoke and he was immediately returned a glare from the one I remember as Wooyoung.

The poor fellow bowed in forgiveness and ran off to play.

I sighed while muttering under my breath, "what bullshit is this?"

This is a school, a class. Everyone is supposed to treat each other equally, joke around and have fun. Not like this.

So what if they're young members of the mafia. For all we know, it's just a rumor. The gun Beomgyu saw, maybe that's just a fake one to scare people away.

There's no way he would carry a gun in a bag. If he had one, he should've kept it somewhere less obvious. Duh.

The fact that I was the only one just standing in the corner with my arms folded, made The Leaders turn their attention to me.

Hongjoong raised his eyebrows as if asking me why aren't I playing like everyone else.

Uhh hello it's a free country? I'll do what I want to, it's not like I'm hurting anybody.

Instead of speaking my mind, I walked away and picked up a ball hoping to get their attention off my back.

Well, it worked.

I hope that's the last of the interactions I'll have with them. I wouldn't want to get on their bad side.