HYYH Notes 1

Everything Started From Here

March 2 Seokjin Year 19

I stepped into the principal's office following Dad. It smelled like mildew. It'd been ten days since I came back from the U.S., and I'd just found out the day before that I'd be one grade lower because of the different school systems. "Please take good care of my son." I shuddered at Dad's hand on my shoulder. "School is a dangerous place. It needs to be tightly controlled." The principal looked me in the eye. Wearing a black suit, his wrinkly cheeks and the corners or his mouth quivered slightly every time he opened it. The insides of his blackened lips were even darker. "Don't you agree, Seokjin?" As I squirmed at his abrupt question, Dad tightened his grip on my shoulder. I felt a twinge on the back of my neck. "I'm sure you'll behave yourself." The principal obstinately tried to make eye contact, while Dad tightened down on me further. I clenched my fists as his grip almost fractured my shoulder blade. "You know you have to keep me informed, right? You'll be a good student, right?" the principal stared me down without a hint of a smile. "Yes." As soon as I squeezed the answer out, the pain in my shoulder disappeared. Dad and the principal raored with laughter. I couldn't even raise my head. I kept looking down at Dad's brown shoes shined brightly though it was a mystery to me wehre the light was coming from. 

March 12 Jimin Year 19 

It had been several days since the new semester began, but my classmates were still strangers to me. It was not hard to guess that they were gossiping about me. I tried to act indifferent but to no avail. "We heard you live in an apartment across the river. Why did you come to this school?" I pretended I didn't hear the question. I had nothing to say. I just continued walking past with my head bent. "Hey, didn't you hear me?" I quickened my pace. I had transferred from one school to another as I had been in and out of the hospital. There were no more schools left near my neighborhood to transfer to. 

I headed for the classroom-turned-storage room that i cleaned as a penalty for being late for school. As I opened the door, I was startled to hear voices inside. Who could be here at this hour? I was about to silently close the door and turn around when someone called my name. "Hey, you're Park Jimin, right?" They were the seniour students who cleaned the classroom with me for being tardy. I wasn't sure whether I should answer them or just leave. Somebody tapped me on my shoulder. "Aren't you going in?" Without realizing it, I walked into the classroom. "it's good to see you again. Don't you remember me?" I'm Taehyung. We're in the same grade." 

Before I knew it I was sitting down on a chair. The storage room door continued to open and close. The seven students who did the cleaning together were all there. Nobody asked questions. We just listened to music, read books, danced and fooled around. It felt as if we'd been hanging out together forever. 

June 12 Yoongi Year 19

I cut school without thinking, but I had nowhere to go. It was hot, and I had no money and nothing to do. It was Namjoon who first proposed we go to the sea. The others seemed excited about it, but I didn't care either way. "Do you have any money?" Hearing my question, Namjoon told the others to dig into their pockets. A few coins and even fewer bills. "We can't go." "Why don't we walk?" That must've been Taehyung. Namjoon's expression seemed to tell him to use his head and think before speaking. Everyone but me was jabbering, laughing for no reason, and romping around. I fell back as I wasn't in the mood. The sun was broiling. It was midday, and there was no shade under the trees. THe asphalt road had no sidewalks, and every time a car passed, it would kick up a thick cloud of dust. 

"Let's go there." It was Taehyung. Or, was it Hoseok? I wasn't paying attention anyways, but it must've been one of those two. I don't see any point in going there... Should I tell them to go on without me? I turned my head and almost bumped into someone. It was Jimin. He stood there as still as a stature. his face was trembling down to the smallest muscle as if he had seen something terrifying. "Are you OK?" He seemed unaware of the question. HIs gaze was fixed on a signpost that read 2.1km to Grazz Flower Arboretum. Sweat was dripping off his face, which had turned ashen as if he was going to pass out. "Park Jimin?" I called again, but he didn't budge. He just stood there, glaring at the signpost.