My High (Seventeen Mingyu)

Chapter 1

I wake up on the first day of school feeling better than I have in 17 years. Finally. Freedom.

Free from that sickening apartment that smelled of liquor, free from all the cuts scars from my dad, or what I was demanded to call him, free from the looks of pity, just free from everything.

There was still some loneliness, but I have experience with that. Being lonely isn't always so bad.

I put on my uniform and smile at the picture of my mom, smiling contently with me cradled in her arms. My mom died last year. Dad's been beating her ever since I can remember, but I guess her body couldn't take it anymore. She died just because of some cold. Her body was too weak to even fight of a cold.

"See umma? I told you I'd make it," I grin like an idiot, "I'm finally free, we're finally free! I'll make sure to live for both of us, I'll make you proud. I'm going to find you and get you a proper resting place. Just was a little bit more."

Her smile remains unaltered, but I know that she's listening. She's smiling for real now.

The uniform I have to wear isn't as bad as I thought. Just a plain navy blue and white uniform, but it still means the world to me. I live by myself now, how I want.
I don't need to hide anymore, I don't need to please anyone. I'm can be my own person.

If you're wondering how it's legal for a 17 year old to live by herself, well technically it's not. My Uncle is supposed to live with me, but he just sends me money every month, and pays for my house too. I don't mind much, I'd much rather live by myself. I don't feel the least bit burdened by living in this house. He's plenty rich.

Plus, I know my uncle kinda cares about me, or else why else would he prepare the house perfectly, with the latest clothes, makeup, fully stocked fridge, and with maids? The house isn't huge, but I admit that it is really nice. He must care about me, right?
He's just young, that's all. Besides, he's better than my step-dad.

I eat a quick breakfast and walk out the door with my headphones on. The school isn't too far away from here, so I take my time as I walk there.

When I get there, I can already pinpoint all the different kinds of people. Jocks, nerds, geeks, normal crowd, rich girls, and the Kings.

It seems that there's 13 of them, all lead by a tall, tan boy with weirdly colored hair and a slightly shorter guy with regular black hair. I have to admit, they're hot. But the last thing I need is a bunch of rich prep boys ruining my life all over again.

I open my locker and leisurely, to get my books out when I hear a gruff voice interrupting the constant flow of music from my headphones.

"Move," the muffled voice says.

I look up, sliding the headphones off simultaneously. Oh, joy. It's tall boy and his 12 minions.

"Hm?" I reply, ignoring him and starting to slip the headphones back on again.

"Move."

I look around the now silent hallways. "Uh, there's plenty of room for you to get around," I motion at the current parting of the High School's Red Sea. "Unless you snots have some rule where all 30 of you have to go through at the same time? Tell me, is there a certain order too?"

He takes a step towards me. I'm not proud to say this, but I flinched when he took the first step.

He takes another step.

Instinctively, before I know it, I'm on my knees, shaking. It reminded me too much of...back then. All of his friends hold him back and crowd around me.