Breaking In {BTS In School}

78. Punished

**** Clarifications: only certain personnel at the school know about YeongMi's true parents. These select people were present during the private meeting with YeongMi's parents, and they include the Headmistress Mrs. Park, Head of Discipline Ms. Xi, and School Counselor Miss Ahn.

Also, just as a general thing, I will often use beautiful {and other complimentary words that are typically used to describe ones physical appearance} as more than just externally beautiful, but as in a beautiful personality, heart, et cetera et cetera ****

YeongMi was disappointed when Miss Yi pulled into the school's winding driveway.

As soon as the guard noticed YeongMi in the passenger seat, he hurriedly waved them through, as if he didn't want to see YeongMi for longer than necessary.

As she passed through the illustrious grounds, she felt her stomach drop inch by inch, slowly drawing closer to the entrance.

YeongMi froze in her seat. Even when Miss Yi parked, graciously right in front of the double doors, she remained in the car.

"Perhaps I've got the wrong address, although I don't see why the guard would wave us through if the young mistress wasn't attending this impressive school. "

YeongMi frowned, wanting nothing more than for Miss Yi to turn the car around and leave the dreadful place.

"I just need a moment, I think I still have some soul left in my body, and this school doesn't allow that."

Miss Yi looked at YeongMi curiously, "Perhaps the young mistress would rather take a sick week."

YeongMi smiled, but it fell at the thought that Miss Yi would only get in trouble because of that. Her parents might even fire her, and YeongMi couldn't bear it if it was her fault. She refused to get another person fired because she was selfish.

"No, I just need to stop being a baby. Thank you, Miss Yi."

"Of course, young mistress."

Miss Yi waited until YeongMi had disappeared behind the double doors before she spoke again. The words were slow to rise, experimental in her throat. "You're welcome, my beautiful YeongMi."

A small student shadowed YeongMi, soon finding their way to her side.

"Was that your mom?"

YeongMi smiled sadly, her heart twinging, an echoing of childhood pain faintly making its way into her mind.

"Basically."

"What does that mean?"

YeongMi didn't answer her question. "Yeri, why are you following me?"

"Well, actually, you're supposed to follow me."

YeongMi sighed, and mindlessly touched the bandage on her face as she altered her steps to mimic Yeri's.

"Yeah, Ms. Xi wanted to escort you, but Mrs. Park asked me instead. She probably thought that if you saw Ms. Xi, you wouldn't come back."

YeongMi laughed; she very well could have been right.

"Well, you better go on, enjoy your rest day. Quickly, before someone thinks you have a crush on me or something." YeongMi chuckled.

"Why would anyone think that?"

YeongMi stared at the girl, shaking her head softly. "It was a joke, because you walked me to the office, just, nevermind. Move along now." 

Yeri seemed conflicted for a moment, but she gave YeongMi a deep bow before running down the hall.

YeongMi walked into the office with a smile, finding herself thinking fondly of the young girl.

"I'm glad that you made it."

"Yeah, it's a good thing you sent Yeri to fetch me, or I might have been lost, seeing as I've never been here before."

"Well, I see that being locked up hasn't changed you. Good, I was worried for a moment you'd become respectable."

YeongMi shrugged, taking a seat and fiddling with the wraps on her knuckles.

"Well, I see that you've been tended too. I half expected you to come in with dried blood all over."

"Yes, that would've been a look, right? I guess I'll just have to fight someone else and try that out."

"I'd rather you didn't." 

Mrs. Park folded her hands on the desk, looking at her student seriously.

"I'm sure you know what comes next. Fighting is forbidden, and I will not tolerate it. God only knows what you could've dragged the others into. I wanted to give you a chance, but you're making that very, very hard. In the end, I have to look out for all my students, not just you. Keep that in mind next time you want to start something."

"Why don't you tell the others to mind their own damn business. It's not like I was with them, they should've just walked away."

Mrs. Park gave YeongMi a strained look, a mix of concern and disappointment. "You wanted them to leave you to fight alone?"

"Obviously, that's how it always went before, why should it change now? It shouldn't. That's how it goes."

"Evidently not. Perhaps the fact that whatever you bring onto yourself, you bring onto them will keep you in check."

YeongMi glared, biting her lip until she reopened the cut, ignoring it as blood pooled to the surface, leaving a red tint on the bottom of her teeth.

"As for your punishment, you will be spending all of your spare time this month cleaning the school. Starting today, with the girls bathrooms."

YeongMi stood up quickly, barely craning her neck in a bow before storming out of the office. Her hands clenched into fists, and she glared at her feet as she stalked down the halls.

She didn't notice the boys staring at her as she walked past them, particularly a tall blond rocking on his heels, intently taking in every detail of her.

She entered the bathroom alone, and used her rage as energy, furiously cleaning as if the dirt had offended her.