Bittersweet ≈ Seonghwa [NEW!]

History

I huffed out in anger and stormed out, leaving The Leaders and The B/tches in the class.

---

I sat in front of the principal's desk with my arms folded.

"Yeona, I thought you were a good student. All the teachers adore you the most of everyone in your class." He started. The old man leaned forward in his desk, taking off his glasses.

"What happened?"

My jaw clenched and I had tears threatening to spill.

"Sir I-I'm really jealous of the other classes," I replied softly. "The students are nice, the teachers enjoy teaching there. Why was I put in this class of delinquents? Am I not good enough?"

The principal pursed his lips, looking as though he's looking for the right words.

He then reached into his drawer and pulled out my academic forms.

"My love, you barely made it into this school. That's why you were put into the lowest of classes. Unfortunately where all the students who don't like to study are."

My eyebrows knitted in confusion as I studied the forms, "What do you mean? My grades are average. It's not even below the quota."

He shrugged, "We are a cheap school.  The cheapest in the area. Smart students from low income families come here. And they're really smart. But also, delinquents who can't afford school are sent here."

"What about those 8 boys who seem to rule the school AND the teachers here?" I asked.

"Ahh...the 8 of them suddenly came in all at once at the beginning of last year. It was as if they were assigned to this school. They came in, started wrecking school property, threatening teachers and students and they were searching for a boy named Woojin. After a few weeks of their arrival, we heard from Woojin's parents that the boy went missing. Everyone got afraid of them."

My jaw dropped, "What were the speculations?"

The principal shrugged again, "Even the police don't know. Some say he's hospitalized somewhere, some say he died and some say he fled the country."

"Should I be afraid of them too?"

He shook his head, "As long as you didn't do anything to make them angry, you'll be fine dear."

---

It wasn't long that I stayed in the principal's office.

By the time we were done talking, I was just in time to run off for work.

The convenience store I worked at every day after school is always located near my home. But today, I'm needed in branch at the far end of the town nearby the rich people houses.

It's the same company I work for so I get relocated at wherever they needed someone to take the shift.

I took off my school uniform revealing a black tee I wore underneath it. Putting on my work vest, I started towards the cashier.

It was just a regular night like any other.

Until,

A group of 8 loud boys filed in. They were wearing all black, with their eyes covered by caps and were goofing around, touching everything on the shelves.

They look, act and sound really familiar.

As they approached the counter with their purchases, one of the boys lifted up his cap, "Oh? New girl!"

The other 7 gathered in front of me laughing. Ah, figures.

"Heh, she's really got no life. What's she doing here?" Wooyoung snickered.

As I rung up their things, I smiled, "I'm working. That'll be 25,000 won please."

Hongjoong handed me his card as he sucked on his lollipop.

"Ey, you don't mind we just sit here all night do ya?"

I collected his receipt and handed it over professionally.

"Of course not. We're open 24/7. But if you're going to be a nuisance, there's CCTV recording your every move. Have a nice day."

I kept my fake smile up as the 8 of them shuffled towards the seating area of the store. They joined 2 tables together and 8 chairs as if they were having some sort of fancy gathering in a low budget setting.

Yes, they were being noisy but somehow, I kind of appreciated the ruckus a bit. It's better than the boring nights of just people watching and cleaning and stocking up.

It felt like I had some company.

It was nearing 12am and the boys were still playing and snacking. I noticed Seonghwa's subtle glances my way, which made my ears grow hot. Is my hair weird? I smoothed out the sides of my bangs and tucked a loose strand behind my ear.

He smiled, lowering his gaze.

Since they're actually behaving, should I give them some stuff for free? I mean, when snacks are nearing expiry date, we take them off the shelves but that's a waste right?

I picked up the basket of triangular kimbap and was about to head over when a bell came at the door, indicating a customer.

"Welco-dad?" I gasped, dropping the basket onto the floor.

My reaction made the 8 members turn their attention to me.

Dad was all drunk and wasted. He smells likes dead skunk and his shirt was bloodied?

What's going on?!