Courts and Rinks | Hwang Hyunjn

3

Harin's POV

Ice skating is my life.

I started training ever since I was young, nonstop. It was like I wasn't a child, I was treated like I am getting prepared for a competition. I have experience all the fall, and had all the bruises in different types of my body. I would be starved to maintain my figure, to the point I had to eat a small cup of rice once a day.

Once. I lost a game when I started competing with everyone older than me. Mom left me at the venue and told me to go home alone after she cursed on me and slapped me across the face. I cried so much that I wanted to pass out but I tried my best to go home as soon as I can.

After that, I tried everything I can and won every competition I joined. I trained so hard and made sure everything is perfect.

I won every game not until yesterday.

It was the second time it happened to me. Mom didn't even look at me when she told me that I am such a disgrace in the family. She just left me there crying, and took all my things with her.

I had to walk home despite the pain in my leg and ankle. Luckily, it rained and no one noticed I was crying.

Since yesterday, I had never gone out of my room, scared that Mom would hurt me physically and verbally. I wanted her to leave before I come out of my room.

"Harin? Come out of your room. Your Mom left already." Chunwa said, our maid

I took my bag with me and started walking to the door with a little to no pain in the injured part of my leg. Chunwa secretly went to my room when my Mom was sleeping and did some home remedies for it.

"Hey. How are you?" she asked me

I smiled.

Chunwa has been working here ever since I was born, she was my babysitter and now that I grew up she wanted to stay as the house maid. She and the driver knew what is happening, and they wanted to tell my half brother about it but I stop them every time they try.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Giwon asked, our personal driver

"Yes. I promised my professors that I will be attending their on-site class after the competition."

"Okay. Let's do this!" he cheerfully said and then let me held onto his arm to guide me so I can walk

As we got in the car, he drove to Baekho University. I have been receiving special treatment because of my Mom. Not really special treatment. They knew I am the daughter of one of Baekho's professional figure skater, and I am representing Baekho.

Professors would give me materials to study and give me tasks like the other students. They would sometimes call me to teach me what I didn't understand but everything is going smooth with me.

"I tried to come back yesterday, but your Mom stopped me." Giwon said

"It's okay. I know she would do that."

"We really should tell your brother-" Giwon

"I'm sorry. He shouldn't know. He just recently got along with Mom, I don't want him to be mad at her."

I arrived at Baekho University, Giwon just dropped me off as he need to do something which my Mom asked him to do. I am not even sure what classroom I should go, nor what building.

"Shin Harin?" Professor Tan called

"Professor, it was nice seeing you."

"Wow! You kept your promise. You're here. I'm sure you won't regret coming here. People really love you and they are all amazed." Professor Tan said

Professor Tan is that one professor who pushed me to attend classes on-site, and relax from the competition. He is really the nicest and caring. He would ask if I didn't understand something or was I having a difficult time.

We entered a classroom, full of students who have their own world, talking. The moment they saw Professor Tan and me entered, they became quiet.

"Class! Why are you all so noisy everytime I come here?" Professor Tan asked

Some students were joking with him.

"You guys are full of energy, huh." he said

They were all looking at me.

"Don't look at her like that. Anyways, you all probably know her. She will be joining our class every time she doesn't have a training or competition." Professor Tan said

I bowed to them and smiled a bit.

"You may find an available seat." he told me

I walked and tried looking for an available seat but there's none, except the one at the back. I just sat there and I can still feel them glancing at me from time to time. I wonder if what questions they want to ask.

"Hwang Hyunjin, you're late!" Professor Tan said

"Sorry! I just took- Oh! Shin Harin?" he looks so shocked as he stares at me

Another student who knew me.

He sat on the vacant seat beside mine, "Don't you remember me?"

"Excuse me?" 

"I offered you a ride yesterday, but you ignored me." he said

Huh? A ride yesterday? Where? I don't remember-

He smiled at me and said, "I'm Hwang Hyunjin, your biggest fan."

That man with the umbrella.