Nostalgia: The Bucket List

four

"Once everything is set, schedules will soon be given. We'll all take the initiative to prepare the facilities needed. I hope everyone will work hard to keep everything under control..."

I glared at my lesson plan on my cubicle, feeling like an idiot for accepting the offer and responsibility of putting the lead actress under my care when I was given the option to decline.

I shut my eyes tight and just imagined I was banging my forehead on the table.

"Minjeong?"

"Yes?"

"Aren't you going to your class right now?" Ms. Taeyon, the principal, asked as she walked out from her office. I still find it hard to accept her calling me by my name, we have the same surname so students and teachers assume we're close relatives. Thus, she said it was easier for the both of us to call each other by our first names.

"Ah... Yes, ma'am"

I started feeling anxious, thinking that maybe the spectators were already in my room. I checked myself on my phone's camera one last time before pacing my way out of the faculty room with my handbag and lesson plan.

I glanced at my watch and I had 15 minutes left before my first class starts. I'm yet to see if my classroom is tidy and organized enough before the visitors and the students start arriving.

'Come on... Come on... I still got time'

Once I got in my classroom, I slid the doors close and took off my blazer so I could move freely. I scanned the area for anything that might need some cleaning. Everything was as spotless so it gave me the time to breathe.

Just when I was about to sit down, I saw the trashcan under my desk. It was filled to the brim with last week's trash and this just triggered a bad headache.

"These kids, really"

I picked up the bin and placed it at the back of the room. I took out the full trashbag and tied it close.

I had no time to throw it outside so I headed to the studio room that was just connected to my classroom. It's where the instruments are kept, it's also where I and my students compose songs.

If I had not mentioned yet, I am a music teacher.

With my shoulders slumped, I hid the bag under my computer desk and covered it with my swivel chair. I stretched my back and closed my eyes, letting out a deep and relaxed sigh in an attempt to calm myself down.

'You can do this'

Then, I heard knocks on the main door. I remembered that I left my blazer on the table so I hurriedly, but calmly, went out of the studio room and headed for my desk.

After swiftly grabbing it, I turned around and wore it just in time when I could hear them enter the room. Fully composed with a smile, I turned around and bowed in greeting.

"Good morning~ I am-"

'... Eh?'

My heart froze. I held my breath. The moment I looked up, my heart immediately sank to the pits of anxiety. Every noise faded and I felt like I was in a blank room.

My stomach started to feel tight and I was starting to feel nauseous. I gathered up all my energy left just to look away.

'Please... Not now...'

'No... Not now...'

"Y-You're here" Her voice rang and I had to close my eyes.

As much as I wanted to fall down on the ground and break apart, I had to compose myself. Now was not the time to give in to any suppressed emotions, I had to keep the bottle shut.

"Yeah... This is my room"

I couldn't look at her eyes still, all I could stare at was her black leather jacket and her hands awkwardly feeling for the pockets of her jeans.

"Is it you?" I had to ask. Out of fear, I had to ask.

'I would be fine if you just came to talk and that's it, nothing else...'

'Please...'

Just then, there was knocking on the door. I immediately knew it was the visitors. I averted my attention to the door and composed myself with a big, welcoming smile.

I didn't mean to ignore her, but I had to. I had to.

At my peripheral, she swiftly wore her mask and cap and walked towards the back of the classroom, heading towards the other door.

As soon as she went out, the main door opened and in came the visitors.

"Good morning~ I am Yu Minjeong, my students call me Teacher Win, and I teach music for the 9th and 10th grade level students. Thank you for choosing me and I look forward to this evaluation"

"We were told of your skills and professionalism. We look forward to seeing you in your field of expertise and hopefully be able to entrust our artist with you for her field experience"

They then introduced themselves, the the writer, the director and a few of the producers. These people right here are big, they've literally worked on amazing shows.

I thought they didn't need to hold evaluations and would rely on recommendations, but then again, I'm not in that industry so I have no idea.

After shaking hands with everybody, another person came in... with her. This time, she had her jacket off, exposing her white, plain shirt. She still had her mask and cap on, only revealing her cat-shaped eyes.

The smaller woman then introduced herself as the manager of the artist. She was bubbly and sweet, she was clearly someone who was good at her job.

"I would like to introduce you to the leading actress of this upcoming drama" The manager smiled.

"If you are familiar with her, she is Karina. She is an amazing model and an amazing person to work with. This is going to be her first acting gig so I trust her to be in your care, Ms..."

Even though I had already introduced myself to the others, I felt hesitant to repeat myself this time. I started to think if I should just say my nickname, but it wasn't a professional thing to do so.

'Why must the universe play me like this...'

"Yu Minjeong. My name is Yu Minjeong" I smiled.

The manager's face lit up and she chuckled. She looked at me, then at the actress. And with another chuckle, she nodded.

"What a coincidence, you have the same surname~"