True Beauty: An Alternate Universe

Chapter Eleven

Soojin:

We all sat down at our desks and waited for the teacher's morning announcements. "Okay class," he began, leaning on his podium, "As you are aware our year level camping trip is tomorrow. That means today is the last chance you get to hand in your fees, otherwise you won't be able to come. Please go home and pack for two nights three days and don't bring any additional devices apart from your phone and headphones. Now, let's begin roll call," he finished. After our first few sessions we all headed to lunch and lined up with our trays. I lined up in between Sooah and Jookyung while Suho lined up with Seojun and Taehoon. "So Jookyung," Sooah said, "Are you coming on the camping trip?" she asked. "Yeah I payed this morning, it kind of surprised me when I found out considering it's my second day," she said nervously. "Don't worry about it, you'll meet so many nice people, you were already popular on your first day," I said reassuringly. Jookyung slapped me playfully on the arm and went up to get her food.

Today they served soybean paste soup, shrimp fried rice, barbecue pork ribs, green salad with caesar dressing, a chocolate tart and cubed radish kimchi. We walked over to our usual table while talking. I went to put my tray down but someone blocked me with theirs. "What the heck?" I said and looked up after some of my soup spilled on the tray. It was Heejung, one of the bullies in school. "Back off loser I'm sitting here," she said, shoving me out of the way. The rest of the soup splashed onto my uniform along with my hand and the remaining food fell on the floor. In the process I had bumped into Jookyung, causing her soup to spill on her as well. "What is your problem?" I yelled as the hot soup started burning on my skin. "What's going on here?" Suho said as the guys walked towards us with their food. "She stole our table and pushed Soojin which spilt their food," Sooah explained quickly, "She got hot soup on Jookyung and Soojin," she placed her tray down on an empty table, slamming it down in the process.

The whole cafeteria was watching the scene that was unfolding. "Big deal it's just a bit of soup," Heejung said scoffing. "Just a bit of soup huh? I'll show you-" Taehoon said angrily while picking up his soup bowl. Seojun grabbed his arm firmly and snatched the bowl away placing it on the table next to Sooah. "Gosh you guys are pathetic. Over a table and soup? Haha how entitled can you get Kang Soojin, our beloved goddess?" she looked me up and down while smirking. Out of anger I raised my hand ready to strike her. One of her minions grabbed my wrist. Suho snatched my arm back, "Don't touch her," he said, glaring. "Ugh you wench! How dare you try to hit me! Bastard!" Before anyone could stop me I did a spinning heel kick to her face. My foot just grazed her nose and she feel back on the seat in shock as all the students gasped. "Huh," I said, brushing my hair out of my face, "I missed, maybe next time, dear Heejung," I got close to her face and grinned sinisterly then walked out of the cafeteria without eating. Everyone clapped and cheered as I exited.

As soon as I was out of shot I winced in pain and looked down at my red hand and quickly blotted the remaining soup off on my skirt. "Soojin!" I heard Suho yell down the hall. He came up to me, "Are you alright?" he asked out of breath. I showed him my burnt hand and my drenched uniform. He grabbed my shoulders and led me towards where the bathrooms were. There were a few girls in there who stared at the sight of him but left quickly without saying anything. Suho didn't care and led me over to the sink. He turned on the tap to the cold setting and held my hand under it. I winced when the water came in contact with my raw skin but after a bit it felt soothing. Suho massaged it and rubbed it gently but kept the tap running. Suddenly Jookyung and Sooah ran in, Jookyung had her stained jacket slung on one arm. "Oh there you two are," Sooah said and sighed with relief. I noticed that Jookyung was staring intently at my hand which Suho was still holding under the tap.

"I'll leave you guys to it I need to go calm down my boyfriend along with Seojun and his gang," she said running off again. I blinked a couple times while Jookyung stood there dumbfounded but made her way to the sink next to us and started washing her jacket with soap. Suho turned off the tap and grabbed a paper towel then gently patted my hand dry. He would blow on it to help with the pain. "I have some money on me I'll run down to the uniform shop to grab you a change of clothes," he said chucking the paper towel in the bin. "No it's fine I'll just wash it you don't have to spend your money," I said insistently. He ignored me and walked out of the bathroom. I stood there stunned but leaned against one of the stalls and waited, watching Jookyung scrub at the stain. "Hey Soojin," she said when she noticed me looking. "Yeah?" I replied. "How long have you and Suho known each other?" "We're childhood friends so for ten years." "You guys must be close then huh?" "Yeah I guess." "Are you guys by any chance, dating?" she asked suddenly.

I almost choked, "No? What makes you say that." "I didn't mean to offend you it's just, Sooah said you guys are really close, and..." she said nervously. I laughed a little "Sooah gets excited over little things, we're just friends," I replied. She nodded apologetically. A few minutes passed and Suho came back with a plastic bag containing new uniform in one hand and a paper bag in the other hand. "Change into these clothes and place the stained ones in the bag. Come to the classroom and I'll treat your hand," he said, giving me the plastic bag. Before I could retaliate he left the bathroom. I went into the stall and changed into the uniform Suho bought me which surprisingly fit perfectly. I stuffed the dirty clothes into the bag and stepped out. I fixed my hair while Jookyung finished up with drying her jacket under the hand dryer. "Ready to go?" I asked. She put the jacket back on and linked my arm with hers. We both walked back to the classroom together and chatted.