Semaphorism » Park Woojin

11장

Minjae looked out of the window, pouting. The lesson Mrs. Hwang was giving wasn't interesting at all and even top student Ahn Choa next to her was rather doodling into her notebook instead of listening to her teacher. Minjae's mind was clouded with a thousand other thoughts than concentrating on school. She took the can of ice tea that was resting on her table and leisurely sucked on the straw. Choa eyed her from the side.

It's been two weeks since Woojin had last been to school. In these two weeks, Mrs. Park had officially lost custody of her son and all custody had gone to Woojin's father. The tribunal even banned Mrs. Park to have any contact with her son for the next five years. It had been a lot for Woojin, now that he was living with his father. He occasionally texted Jihoon and Jinyoung about his well-being. And those two immediately told Hyeongseop and Minjae, as those two were Woojin's friends as well.

But Minjae missed Woojin. She knew it must've been tough for him to move in with his father and adapt to a new way of living. Minjae sighed loudly and Mrs. Hwang looked over to her. A sigh left the teachers lips. "Minjae-ah." She said and Minjae looked at her teacher, widening her eyes. "I'm sorry." She bowed and Mrs. Hwang shook her head. "I know it's tough on you, Hyeongseop, Jihoon, and Jinyoung as well. But I bet Woojin would be happier if y'all would concentrate better." Mrs. Hwang spoke and Minjae nodded. Even if she disagreed with the teacher in her mind. 

Minjae knew Woojin would rather have his friends around him at this tough time. "Do you know when he's coming back?" Hyeongseop asked and Mrs. Hwang sighed. "No, Hyeongseop. I don't. A lot changed in his life now. But I am sure he'll come back soon. And now, please concentrate. Your mock exams are close."

When the bell rang for lunch break, Minjae grabbed her wallet and stood up without waiting for Choa. She rushed to Jihoon and Jinyoung, Hyeongseop on her heels. Choa eyed her best friend once more but keeping quiet.

"Did Woojin write a message?" Minjae asked once she and the three boys entered the cafeteria. Jihoon shook his head. "He wrote me something last night, but it was the last thing he wrote." - "What did he write?" Minjae asked, almost shoving Jinyoung out of the way. "Sorry, Jinyoung." She mumbled but looked back at Jihoon. "It was something about his birthday party," Jihoon said and looked at the friends around him. "He asked me to tell y'all to come to his new house on November 2nd. He is turning eighteen and wants to celebrate it with the people he ... loves."

Hyeongseop, Jinyoung, and Jihoon looked at Minjae who clapped her hands like a seal. "A birthday party! How exciting!" She smiled. "D-Do you have his new address? I'd love to visit him before he comes back to school. I really miss him." She pouted and the three boys exchanged a few glances.

"We actually wanted to visit him today after school," Jinyoung confessed and Minjae's face fell. "T-Today?" She asked and looked down. "What a bad timing." She sighed. "Why?" Jinyoung asked and Minjae put on a brave smile. "Today is the audition for Mrs. Hwang's Drama Club," Minjae announced and Hyeongseop nodded. "I completely forgot about that. Minjae auditions every year. She is really brave." Hyeongseop said and Jihoon looked at her.

"I won't force you to decide immediately. Just tell me if you'll join us after school or if you're going to the audition." Jihoon said and Minjae nodded when it was time for them to order their lunch.

When the bell rang after the last lesson Minjae was quick to stand up and to walk over to Mrs. Hwang. "Excuse me?" She started and her teacher smiled down at her. "I was actually planning out to audition for the Drama Club this afternoon," Minjae said and bit her bottom lip. "But something came up that I really need to attend. But Mrs. Hwang I really want to be a part of the Drama Club. Is there no other way to become a member?" She asked when she saw Jihoon, Jinyoung, and Hyeongseop waiting for her at the door. The boys knew Minjae wanted to tag along, so they decided to wait for her.

Choa was watching her friend talk with their teacher before looking over to the boys. Ever since Minjae had befriended Woojin she hung out with him and his friends a lot. Choa wondered if it was because she was so busy with the Drama Club, that Minjae looked for new friends. But she quickly shook her head. Minjae would never miss the opportunity to audition for the Drama Club she loved so much. 

With a winning smile, Choa packed her stuff and waited for her friend to come back.

"You know it's tough to become an on-stage member of the Drama Club." Mrs. Hwang said, "but I could always need people helping with the lights and microphones. If you're open to doing a job backstage than you're always welcome to join us. The auditions are mainly for people who want to be an actor on my stage." She said and Minjae nodded. "I'll think about it. The next audition for actresses is...?"

"You'll already have graduated at this point." Mrs. Hwang said and Minjae nodded. "Good to know." She said with a defeated smile. "I will... I will think about it." She said and walked over to her seat to pack her stuff. Choa smiled at her. "Did you practice enough for the audition?" Choa asked and Minjae nodded. "I won't attend it though." She said and Choa opened her mouth. "Why? You'd have a better chance now that I am one of the judges-" - "You were one of the judges the last time as well and it didn't work out." Minjae smiled bitterly. "And the time before that as well. Weird how it never worked after you taught me everything." Minjae smiled and Choa bit her lip. "What do you mean? Why are you not attending?" Choa rambled and rolled her eyes. "Is it because of your new friends? Because of this disgusting and overly-angry Woojin guy?" Choa hissed and Minjae continued to pack her stuff.

"You can't let this audition slide, Minjae! It's your last chance!" Choa said while Minjae put on her coat and her bag pack. "Ya! Gong Minjae!" Choa repeated but Minjae only smiled. "I know it's my last chance. But... there is something more important for me to attend right now." 

Minjae looked over to the door, where Jihoon was pointing at his wristwatch. "Five minutes!" Minjae mouthed before turning to Choa. "Mrs. Hwang gave me an option to think about so I will do this. But now I will visit my friend. Have a nice audition, Choa-yah." Minjae said and ran over to the other boys that were waiting.

Choa blew up her cheeks. Minjae was changing, she was growing up into something Choa didn't like. It was like Minjae was slipping out of Choa's fingertips. Who would cheer for her and her acting from now on, when Minjae was always busy with visiting that stupid classmate?

Choa grunted and took her bag, leaving the classroom to get ready for the audition.