My Next Door Neighbors

Welcomed with Joy and Excitement

  I thanked the cab driver as he drove off with a tip of his hat, a congratulating smile on his face. The old army green bag that hung against my back and left shoulder grew lighter with every pounding heart beat. My grip on the  suitcase's leather handle clenched and released with bubbling excitement. I took a step forward, accepting what was really happening. I couldn't help but smile cheekily with enthusiasm as I walked through the gates of Bang Shi Hyuk's Academy of Preforming Arts.

"Good morning! I suppose you're an accepted student?" A male student with ashy blond-gray hair asked as he jogged up to me, leaving the rather large group that stood at the gates.
"Ah, yeah!" I answered back to him happily. He was attractive, there's no lie about that. I studied his outfit blatantly, eyeing him from top to down. He wore a crisp white button down shirt, the sleeves rolled to his shoulders and buttoned while a black tie with thin white angled stripes hung around his neck. I quickly glance down at his lower half, blushing madly, then back at his now noticing gaze.

"Are you checking me out?" He asked cutely, a suppressed blush on his cheeks.
I felt my face beaten in embarrassment as a bit my bottom lip anxiously while gazing to the side of the path. "Kind of, sorry..." I managed to force out as I looked at my hiking boots' laces that I hadn't noticed come undone. "It's a weird habit of mine and people often mistake it as a rude gesture whenever I," I coughed out, "Check them out but I just try to remember what everyone looks like." I explained as I met his eyes, anticipating a violated and judging stare. His deep earthy eyes stared through me curiously as he crinkled his eyes, a quiet chuckle coming out as he stepped back and rubbed the back of his head with his right hand while the other drifted into his front pocket, resting there.

"It's only 7 a.m and I'm already having a great time." He said as he stretched his right hand to me. "Kim TaeYoung." He said with a warm smile. "Pleasure to meet you," Taeyoung said as I gingerly took his hand.
"Kang EunHa." I said as my voice wavered, my cold and sweaty hand meeting his warm ones. With two pumps of our connected fists and a slight bow, we let go. "I'm gonna take a jab and guess that you're also student here?" I asked as I shrunk a bit. "Sorry," I quickly added.

"Nice guess, I am." Taeyoung said as he extended his hand towards me once again. I only looked at his hand then at his waiting face with a clueless expression, my mouth agape, "Ahh..?"
"You're slouching to your left," Taeyoung said as he cocked his head to my left, looking at my bag. It hadn't occurred to me that I let its weight drag me down. I heaved the bag off with a grunt as I let it hang heavily in my two clutched hands that were holding its worn leather straps. "Are you sure?" I asked quietly with pursed lips as he reached down and grabbed the bag with a swift gesture, slinging it over his shoulder as he held it. "Yep," Taeyoung only said as he began to walk backwards slowly, careful not to stumble on anything. I grab my remaining luggage, nearly tipping over the suitcase as I walked briskly next to Taeyoung.

"Welcome to Bang Shi Hyuk's academy of Preforming Arts EunHa." Taeyoung announced proudly as I looked up to his tall stature. He came to a halt as I tripped on a tiny crevice in the pathway, lurching forward before catching myself.
My jaw clenched as I looked back to him, but he was only staring mystically into the distance, a bright light twinkling in his eyes. I looked up at the distance, my eyes widening in awe.

Before me was the sight I had dreamed of since I was young. In the far distance, a 3 story building stood powerfully, radiating craft and expertise. To the west, another building around the same height -not exactly in length- stood facing the east building which was identical to it. In the middle was a titanous statue of the school's founder, Bang Shi Hyuk. Students the size of ants were walking together in loose groups, parting, joining, and brushing each other by with small steps. A freshly cut lawn was absorbing the summer sun's rays in its emerald grass. Trees swayed in the soft wind, giving a natural shade for students, their leaves filtering the sun light. My eyes were glued to the scene as they darted from object to object, hungrily trying to savor the moment.

It hadn't occurred to me how long I was there standing with my mouth open in amazement if Taeyoung hadn't nudged me lightly. I flinched before turning to him bashfully with a quiet "sorry."
He only snickered as we both began to walk towards the academy's heart. He coughed before imitating what I said earlier playfully. "I'm gonna take a jab and guess that you wanna explore the campus?" He chortled. I nodded vigorously in response as we made our way downhill, passing carefree students around our age.

"I researched a bit," I said without thinking before pausing. "Well, I researched a lot about this academy when I found out I was scouted for it." I explained as a whisper of a breeze brushed by, ruffling my coffee brown hair. "The demographics, they showed that this school is made mostly of teenagers and young adults, ranging from 13 to 20 year olds."
"That is quite correct Miss EunHa." Taeyoung hummed energetically. "Most, if not, all students have to pass a background check before being able to audition for a spot here. It's surprising how peaceful and quiet a place where hormonal teens live and study is. I guess that's one thing the academy looks for, the ability each student has when they're left on their own in the open world." He added on before I peeked up.

"Just EunHa is fine," I giggled. "We're becoming friends, that's a good sign that I'm doing something right, right?" I asked gently.
"Definitely. It's better to take it slow here rather than to come and take everything seriously. I've seen some kids the other guides have taken in the past week that are so inhumane. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they're nice people, they were just so stiff and formal to everyone." He sighed. "Do you wanna take your luggage to the front desks? Employees'll take them to your house while you're free to roam around campus." Taeyoung went on. "And I'll be happy to show you around whenever you're ready."

We reached the foot of the hill as I stopped a few paces in front of Taeyoung. Looking back at him, I grinned as a few tears of joy formed in my eyes. I was here in Seoul's best Preforming Arts school where idols and producers were born. My heart raced in euphoria as everything came to my senses. The beginning of a new chapter in my life I fantasized about was finally becoming reality.
"Yeah," I beamed, my voice cracking as tears rolled down my cheek. "I think I'm ready."

Taeyoung's eyes brightened as he grinned before grabbing my hand a lightly pulling me along to the main building as he ran.

"The start of your new life is here my dear friend, Kang EunHa."