𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐋 ─ all of us are dead

𝘰𝘯𝘦

Hyosan High School was as lively as ever; students cleaning the classrooms, coutyard, tennis court, gym — basically every room. The day was bright, sun shining, wind blowing, birds chirping — it was a beautiful sight. There was no panic around, just students chattering and having fun with their friends.

Rosie Eun could sit on the rooftop for hours, simply enjoying the beauty of the world around her. She was a sweet and kind girl, always doing what was best for her and her friends. She never spoke up against people unless they did something bad. Her flaw? She could never bring herself to hate a person, and that's what made her so nice — and, well, stupid.

But just because she couldn't hate someone, it didn't mean that she didn't know when and where to draw a line. She was a smart girl; she knew the difference between helping and being taken advantage of. And just like a Rose, she had a part of her that was consumed with thorns — anger — anger she refused to show anyone. She was a nice and sweet girl until she was provoked.

She smiled softly to herself when she saw Lee Suhyeok. They had been in a relationship for over a year. Their breakup wasn't messy, no, it was far from that. Despite everything, they were still best friends — and she absolutely loved that. It hurt her very much when they had to part their ways, and she wouldn't lie, but she still had feelings for him deep down, but she'd never say it, afraid that he'd drift away from her.

They both were the perfect example — the perfect definition of right person, wrong time. It was a beautiful relationship — two teenagers completely and foolishly in love with each other, making stupid plans to last forever and marry each other. Their dreams were shattered into million pieces when their relationship came to an end. They were still close, but they never talked about that day.

She looked around, spotting Lee Cheongsan and Han Gyeong-su messing with each other. She didn't know much about them even though she talked to them almost daily. She knew that Cheongsan had a crush on his best friend, Nam On-jo, but refused to confess his feelings. They were an odd pair, Cheongsan and Gyeong-su. Where Cheongsan was the quiet, calculating guy, Gyeong-su was the complete opposite.

Gyeong-su had a crush on Rosie — it was visible to anyone who noticed how differently he behaved around her. She was completely oblivious to his feelings, never once have the thought even plagued her mind of him liking her. He wanted to confess his feelings, but he was afraid of getting rejected by her. There was this thing about Rosie that made her stand out more. It was that even if she was declining or rejecting something or someone, she'd do in the most polite way by indirectly insulting them. Some people would understand and grasp the rude things she'd tell them, while some remained completely clueless.

Rosie had a heart of gold. She was the kind of girl who wished for everyone what she wished for herself. She's the kind of girl who prays others get the best. Her heart was full of love, and although it's sometimes hard for her to show, she cared for others before she cared for herself. She wanted to see others smile even if inside she was crying. That's the kind of girl she was. The kind they wanted to love, the kind they wanted to be friends with. She was patient, she was kind, she didn't realize her worth sometimes.

It didn't matter to her if some people had bad things to say about her, because she can't make people like her. If they didn't like her, then they didn't. It wasn't a big deal to her. She'd simply block their insults directed towards her, instead paying attention to the beauty of nature around her.

She absolutely loved the night sky, more specifically the moon. The sight of a starry sky at night seems magnificent, doesn't it? A choice of perspective gives us an insight into the vast, admirable and learnable side of the night sky. How often have we admired the moon glowing stunningly in the night sky? And how often have we realized that the moon has a dark side too? It is dark, dusty, rough, cratered and pitted. Surprisingly, the earth has never seen that side of the moon since it's existence. The moon never chose to show the earth it's other side ever. Can't we humans be that way? Can't we hide our ugly side and shine the light on our happier sides to make the world a happier place?

She sighed heavily when she saw Yoon Gwi-nam. She didn't understand why he stuck around with the bullies, always listening to — well, someone — she didn't know the name of the leader of that group. Gwi-nam was better off without them. That group made him harsh, cold. Gwi-nam was better than that, she knew it.

When there was nothing around to observe, she stood up, dusting her skirt. She walked down the stairs to go back home, bumping into some people, greeting and making small talk with them.

"How are you, Ms.Park?" Rosie asked when her English teacher joined her in the corridor, walking alongside her.

"I'm quite well," Ms.Park smiled kindly. "You?"

"I feel amazing, Ms.Park. I have practice in the morning tomorrow so I won't be able to attend some lectures — yours  included. I was wondering if you'd teach me later?" The teenager asked, looking at her teacher sheepishly.

"Oh, no need to ask about it," Ms.Park chuckled. "You can come to me anytime regarding anything."

When they both heard someone call Rosie, they turned towards the source of the sound. Rosie turned towards Ms.Park, bidding her farewell.

"Yes, Nam-ra?" Rosie aksed her Class President.

"If you want, I can make extra notes for you?" Nam-ra offered. "You have basketball practice, right? You'll miss the lectures."

"Oh, no, it's alright," Rosie shook her head. Nam-ra would always make extra notes for Rosie whenever she had practice, and Rosie couldn't be more grateful. "You don't always have to do that, you know? I can't ask you to."

"But you're not asking," Nam-ra pointed out. "I'm offering."

Seeing the determined look on Nam-ra's face, Rosie knew that there was no place for argument. She breathed out, "Oh, Nam-ra, you're the best!"

Nam-ra smiled widely, walking away after bidding Rosie goodbye.