I stared into the mirror as I watched my own reflection.
Tears,daring to fall from my eyes.
I saw as the tap kept on dropping cold water into the sink.The atmosphere is quiet and untroubled.
I looked down to my hands.
An irregular feeling occurs. My hands felt numb.
I wiped my tears and straightened my tie.
"Stop being a crybaby." I told myself while looking at the mirror.
I packed my hair up and took a deep breath.
"Really,really.. I am not ready, but.." I stopped in my tracks.
"Seol Yoon Ah! You're late!" My sister screamed.
I froze at the sound of her voice, the sharpness of it cutting through the stillness. My chest tightened as I turned toward the door, where I knew she was standing, impatient, and worried. My sister had always been the type to keep everything in order to make sure we never lost our way. And yet, here I was, staring at the reflection of someone I barely recognized, someone uncertain and fragile.
The mirror didn't lie. It showed a face worn with doubt, eyes red from more sleepless nights than I cared to count. I looked back at the door.
"Yoon Ah, don’t make me repeat myself!" she called again, now muffled by the thin walls.
I let out a long breath and wiped my eyes once more. I could feel the cold sweat building on the back of my neck, the nervous energy creeping into my muscles. I hadn’t expected the day to arrive so soon, and now, with only a few minutes left, I was still fighting to gather the courage to face it.
With shaky hands, I grabbed my coat off the hook. My reflection seemed to mock me as I tried to steady myself. I couldn't even stand the sight of the person in the mirror anymore—someone who had been too afraid, too unsure for too long. The tap kept dripping. It was almost like a countdown to something I wasn’t prepared for.
"Yoon Ah!" My sister shouted once more, this time her voice closer, her impatience practically tangible through the door.
I forced myself to move, but my feet felt like they were made of lead. Each step toward the door was like moving through molasses. I knew what awaited me outside, and it terrified me. The world, the expectations, everything seemed so heavy, too much for me to carry.
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing larger. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out.
She stepped aside, allowing me to walk into the hallway. The weight of the day, of the world outside, pressed in on me, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a little less alone.
Maybe I wasn’t ready. Maybe I never would be. But, at least for now, I didn't have to face it by myself.
The door clicked shut behind me, and I took the first step into whatever was waiting for me beyond.
The air outside,cold and sharp, biting into my skin as I entered the school building.
The school air is crisp and smelling of flowers,especially the lotus flowers.
A lotus flower has a delicate, subtle fragrance that is often described as sweet, floral.
The scent is not overpowering but rather soft and soothing, evoking a sense of tranquillity and peace.
The overall aroma is light, ethereal, and refreshing, leaving a lasting sense of calm in the air.
The sounds of our footsteps,echoing the hallway, create a distant sound to hear from far away.
"I'll catch you up later." My sister said, slightly cautious. "Let me know if you need anything." She said as she quickly left.
The bell suddenly rang,symbolising it was the start of class. I ran towards my class, English 3.
I sat at the back,putting my things down as the teacher greeted me.
"Good morning,Sullyoon.You seem quite early." The teacher bowed and greeted me.
"Good morning,teacher." I bowed in respect and sat down.
As the lesson started,thoughts already came to overpower my mind with thoughts.
Overthinking was the worst for me,it would happen, especially through lessons.
I zoned out,staring into the abyss while the teacher called onto me.
"Sullyoon, pay attention." The teacher
snapped quickly.
"Yes,teacher." I replied quickly and bowed.
By the end of the lesson,it had been broken, yet there was nothing to do.
I was alone for most of the time,so I decided to study in my seat.
"Hi?" A girl came up to me,her hair was silk black, and she had very pretty eyes.
She'd look like one of those dolls.
"Hi," I bowed,respectfully.
"Jiwoo.Kim Jiwoo." She said,holding out her hand for me to shake.
I shook her hand, "Sullyoon. Seol Yoon-ah."
My nervous system seemed to light up in the fact of meeting someone new, while I removed my hand awkwardly from her grip.
