Right Here | SunNew / Sunric

「32」

★Kim Sunwoo★

Everything was so loud; the ticking clock on the wall, the doors opening and closing as more people walked in, the screeching of the old chairs as they sat down and adjusted their seats, the microphone feedback as they tested the sound, Sunwoo's heartbeat.

All of it was happening at the same time and he was beginning to feel overwhelmed. He was trying so hard to forget where he was. It was hard when every little sound he heard kept reminding him.

The hearing was about to start and he knew exactly how it was going to end. It was being held in the gym. The board members were sitting at a long table with some kind of papers in front of them.

Sunwoo and Younghoon were sat in front of the panel of board members. They had a desk with a microphone directly in front of them. He didn't even want to look at Younghoon, afraid he might crack and kill him.

And in the back was everyone that was invited. Sunwoo looked back to where his parents were sitting. Chanhee, Eric, and Juyeon were sitting right next to them.

He hadn't heard from those three in a few days. He guessed that they didn't find anything to clear his name and were just to embarrassed to face him. But nonetheless they were there, and for that he was grateful.

His leg began violently shaking up and down as the anxiety crawled up his back and down his legs. He turned back around and analyzed the board members.

Half of them he's never even seen before. The superintendent was, of course, sitting dead center. He liked to make himself look important.

It felt like an eternity before this thing actually started.

"So I'm sure most of you know why you're here. Today we are here to discuss the fate of 4th year student Kim Sunwoo on the count of hazing and public humiliation." The superintendent said, now standing up.

This is bullshit.

"Before we move on, we've asked the parents to speak on account of the defendant." He continued.

He's talking like they're in court. Must make him feel powerful.

Then he saw his parents walking up with Eric. The confusion on Sunwoo's face was evident. His parents told him they would speak, why are they bringing Eric into this?

He looked back at Juyeon and Chanhee, they only nodded at him. As if he was supposed to know what the fuck that meant.

"We'd like to give my sons friend a chance to say something." Mrs. Kim said into the mic.

Eric stepped into the center, he was holding a piece of paper, Sunwoo could tell his hands were shaking. He was nervous, Eric wasn't very social and big crowds like this one scared him. He'd have to scold his parents and friends for letting him go up there once this was over.

A little bit of stuttering later and he gave up.

"Screw this." Eric finally said. "I was going to give a sappy speech about how Sunwoo saved my life and would never hurt a fly, but I know that wouldn't change your minds. So here are the facts, anyone who's ever interacted with Sunwoo will tell you he is the most genuine person there is. Younghoon is the real dirt bag here. He's the one who made a bet with his friends just so he could slut shame a classmate. He's the one who publicly humiliated Sunwoo. Younghoon has been tormenting the halls of this school for years.Sunwoo got tired of being afraid of him, so he did something about it. He stood up for his best friend. And this is how Younghoon decided to retaliate. By making up lies and letting other people do his dirty work. Younghoon is nothing but a coward." Eric finished his speech and stormed out of the room.