Just Before The Dawn [DaeJae]

Four

"Mr Choi, would you be so nice and follow me? I need to talk to you for a moment."

Junhong looked up at the teacher who had just approached them during the break and got up. "Sure."

They went inside the building, to an empty classroom, where another boy was already waiting.

Junhong recognised him, it was the boy who had been in trouble the other day. He looked insecure and a bit... scared?

"Please take a seat." The teacher said and Junhong sat down next to the other boy, while the man kept standing in front of them.

"You both know, that your results in the last math test were not the best. Actually, they were the worst results out of all students from your two classes. For both of you, I see the problem in studying. You both need to pay more attention at school and work more at home, otherwise I don't think you will pass this year. Also, Mr Choi, I think you know that copying from your neighbor will not help you on long-term. You can't copy in the finals. About you, Mr Yoo-" he looked at the other boy "- I am really clueless what to do with you. It seems to me like you have no interest in school at all. You are late every day. You never answer questions or do your homework. You barely take notes during the lessons. To be completely honest, I am wondering how you even passed the former years. I have no hopes that you will pass the finals. This goes for every subject. I've heard the same words about you from every teacher. So tell me, what am I supposed to do with you?"

Junhong carefully looked at the boy next to him, who didn't say a word. Instead, it seemed like he tried not to cry. His fingers were clenched into the fabric of his jeans while he stared at his hands without even blinking.

After a while of silence, the teacher sighed. "I will give you five minutes. Then I want to hear an answer from you." he said and left the room.

The boy wanted to get up, but Junhong was faster and grabbed his arm keeping him on the chair. "If you don't answer him, he will never leave you alone." he said quietly and the boy bit his lip.

"Even if I do he won't."

"He will, if you get better. I can help you if you want. I am not the best either but my friend Daehyun is basically a genius, I'm sure he'd give us extra lessons."

"Thanks but... I don't really think it would help. I don't care about my grades."

"But why? They can ruin your whole future. Don't you think you should at least try to pass this year?"

"If I had the choice I would not even come to school..." The boy mumbled.

Before Junhong could say something, the door opened and the teacher came back.

"Now what is it, Mr Yoo?"

"Nothing."

"What exactly do you mean by 'nothing'?" the man asked and Junhong could sense the anger in his voice.

When the boy shrugged without saying anything else, and the teacher took a deep breath.
"Mr Choi, you can go now. I expect you to get better."

"Yes, Mr Kim." Junhong got up and left the room, after a last concerned look at the other boy.