It was a pouring day that I sat inside one of the bathroom stalls, stressing the shit out of myself. Agitated and in despair, I thought of anything that would make me free from those four girls who sat around me in Chemistry class since the day I transferred to Bellview Private High for eighth grade.
I thought it was why I outsmarted one of the girls named Jade when we both were asked to solve the same question on the board that they hated me. I wanted to make a good impression as a new student but I must have been seen a proud nerd. Since then, they cornered me whenever they spotted me in school, writing cuss words on my desk and sabotaging me even to some minor injuries in PE.
A bang on the door startled me to panic.
"Bitch, did nobody tell you that school bathroom is not your home?"
There was a derision in her voice."Maybe the toilet reminds her of her actual house." Another added to their laughter.
"You better come out now before I give you a shower, Daffodil!" She banged again.
Quivering to my conscience, I found myself in dilemma whether to go out and face like the last time or just stay inside until they were gone. But something told me they wouldn't go anytime soon and if frightened me more.
I used to watch kids who got bullied in the movies but never in my life thought I would be one of them. I wasn't sad. I was just angry how some people didn't know how to treat others right. But I had nothing to stand up to them. When watching those kids, I wondered why they didn't tell anyone about this. But facing this myself now, I didn't have a gut to tell anyone about this too.
Keeping everything to myself became the best decision for the first five weeks.
Without my answer, the sound beyond the door didn't come again. And for a moment, I thought they were gone.
Until I started to hear the sound of water and plastic and something being dragged towards the door of the stall and the suppressed giggles, the qualm in my heart became louder that I almost unlocked the door when I realized what they were trying to do.
Then a loud, authoritative voice halted my action.
"What are you doing?"
I didn't know who it was but I felt relief at her voice and the silence she drew upon the girls and their actions.
"Ms. Bond, let go of the trash bag immediately!" She commended.
The girl must have followed her words but the moment she dropped it, the sound of splashing prevailed. In a wink, the water flew through the stalls. The floor was of water turgid with pieces of trash immediately. I winced when it wetted the bottom of my shoes.
The teacher gasped, "what were you guys doing with that!"
No answer overcame her voice.
"Ms. Bond, I asked what you were doing with the trash bag." She repeated threateningly.
When no one dared to answer her, she eventually said, "all of you! Follow me into principle's office."
The steps rattled the bathroom tiles and I thought I heard some of the girls murmuring to each other. After a while, I assumed they were all gone.
Yet I couldn't bring myself to get out of the stall. Seconds went by, a sigh came from outside, making me straighten myself in alert once more.
YOU ARE READING
THE TRACE OF LOVE // 양정원
FanfictionThis is your typical teenage high school love story but with Jungwon from Enhypen. This book is light, heartwarming and unburdened, something you can read when your heart or mind is heavy as it would relax you and make you smile again.🍃🤍 @wonieye...