𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Chilling Fall

“To be, or not to be, that is the question: whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them. To die: to sleep; to sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; thus conscience does make cowards of us all.”

Mrs. Shin’s voice echoed through the classroom, her gaze sweeping over the students. The famous soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet hung in the air, as she continued,
“This line speaks to the profound despair and existential crisis faced by Hamlet, questioning whether it is better to endure life's hardships or to end them through death.”

The classroom, bathed in the muted light of a chilly fall afternoon, was silent except for the rustling of pages and the soft tapping of a pen. Mrs. Shin, a poised woman in her early forties, stood by the blackboard, a figure of authority and grace. She explained, “Hamlet is pondering the value of life and the inevitability of suffering, questioning whether it is worth enduring the trials of existence or seeking escape through death.”

A boy with his black, silky hair slightly tousled, sat near the window. The crisp fall breeze fluttered the edges of his notebook as he stared out, seemingly lost in thought. The weather outside was grey, with the wind blowing hard, making the fall season feel particularly chilly. Eun-woo’s gaze was distant, his usual vibrant demeanor replaced with an unsettling sense of introspection.

Mrs. Shin’s explanation continued, “Hamlet’s soliloquy reflects a deep philosophical and emotional struggle, a contemplation that many of us face in our own lives.”

Despite her words, he remained disengaged. His mind was preoccupied, a stark contrast to his usual upbeat and friendly self. He had always been the ‘sunshine’ of his group, a friend to everyone, but now he seemed detached, lost in a whirlwind of internal conflict.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. Mrs. Shin gathered her notes and announced, “We’ll delve deeper into this topic in our next class. For now, take some time to reflect on Hamlet’s thoughts.”

As Mrs. Shin exited the classroom, his gaze remained fixed outside the window. The classroom buzzed with the sound of students chatting and gathering their things. Among the chatter, Jungkook’s voice cut through, “Eun-woo! Are you coming?”

The boy didn’t respond. Jungkook, noticing his friend’s silence, stood up with a screeching noise from his chair and made his way over. The classroom was abuzz with students leaving, talking loudly and moving quickly.

Jungkook reached Eun-woo’s desk and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “Eun-woo, you alright?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Eun-woo jolted slightly, his thoughts interrupted. He looked up, blinking as if waking from a trance. “Oh, hey Jungkook. Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, forcing a smile.

Jungkook wasn’t convinced. “You sure? You’ve been zoning out all class. Something wrong?”

Eun-woo, feeling the weight of Jungkook’s gaze, tried to mask his inner turmoil. “No, it’s nothing. Just a lot on my mind,” he said, trying to sound casual.

Jungkook tilted his head, scrutinizing Eun-woo. “You don’t seem like yourself. Come on, let’s go grab lunch. Maybe it’ll help you clear your head.”

Eun-woo shook his head. “I’m not really hungry. I’d rather be alone for a bit.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “You? Not hungry? That’s a first. You always want to hang out with us. What’s going on?”

Eun-woo’s irritation surfaced. “I said I’m fine, Jungkook. Just... need some time alone.” His voice was sharper than intended, and a flicker of anger darkened his eyes.