Wick | 민윤기

Twenty-three

September 14th, 2009

    Victoria's sharp eyes scanned the giant gates in front of her as the taxi sped off. Through the graveyard-like wrought iron, she could clearly see the large main building of the school in the distance. It was the classic scene of a boarding school and for a moment she almost felt like she was in a movie. Because nobody was actually so misbehaved that they were sent away to a boarding school for the rest of their high school years.

Except for her cousin, Jimin, who wasn't really misbehaved, but his mother was somewhat of a loose cannon. He'd been there since middle school and rarely kept in touch with the rest of the family because of it. What she didn't know was the hell she would encounter once inside.

"I can't believe this..." she muttered, kicking at the ground with her feet.

In the distance she could see a woman approaching her direction, weaving through some of the students hanging around in their white uniforms. Once she reached the slightly open gates, she beckoned Victoria closer. Reluctantly, she obeyed, because she was on Jeju Island and there was nowhere for her to run.

"You must be Victoria Song." The woman's voice was cold as she closed the gates before locking them. "The headmaster has been expecting you in his study."

    With pursed lips and a shrug, she turned to walk closer to the closed gate. "Okay."

    "His study is over there, girl," the woman barked harshly. "In the main building." She pointed behind her, toward the large structure in the center of campus. "Don't keep Dr. Kang waiting. He's a brilliant man..." Her eyes wandered off, suddenly overcome by some euphoric sense. "Brilliant..."

    Victoria only furrowed her eyebrows and followed the uptight woman in a pencil skirt. The ground was made of worn cobblestone that gave way to a very small courtyard where one could choose to go left, right, or straight. She looked around. To the left was the Boys Dorm. To the right was the Girls Dorm. She passed a group of guys at the entrance to the Boys Dorm with white shirts and slacks on.

They stared at her, smirking to themselves at their eyes traveled all over her body. She felt heavily violated and seriously considered starting a fight, but that wouldn't be a very good way to start off her stay at the school.

    There were quite a few steps leading up to the doors. Victoria took a deep breath before going in. It was nerve-wracking, almost as nerve-wracking as the punishment her mother gave when she "accidentally" set their neighbor's car on fire.

    The floor was so squeaky clean that she could see her reflection in it as she stared down at her feet. It was yellow with the school logo in the center. She looked up to see that the second floor was open to the first. A large staircase splitting both ways welcomed her damned soul. Students were walking to their lockers and talking in little groups. The Principal's office was on the second floor according to the signs on the wall, so she began climbing the steps. An arch fed into the front office. The woman that had met her outside was waiting by the front desk. "Ah, there you are. Come with me."

She turned on her heel and led Victoria through a few more doors until they were in the presence of the headmaster, whose graying hair and slightly wrinkled face was not one she wanted to be faced with. One chair faced his desk and someone she knew it was for her.

    "You must be the Song girl," he said in a friendly voice, his fake smile reaching into her chest and squeezing her lungs.

    Victoria pressed her lips together and sat ungracefully in the seat. "Uh-huh.."

    "What? Uh-huh, what?"

    With a suppressed sigh, she corrected herself, sitting up straight. "I mean—Yes, sir."

    "Very good." Dr. Kang opened a big book and began to read before looking up at her menacingly. "Victoria Song...let's see...violence, foul language, skipping class." His gaze only hardened further. "Oh, I'm scared of you, Song!" he said sarcastically. Victoria stayed quiet, refusing to meet his gaze as she sunk into her chair. "Yes, I've never met a girl like you. Never in all my life." He went on, standing and walking around the other side of the desk. "You're possibly the nastiest little girl I've ever encountered. Tell me, why should I waste my time on you?"

    She only continued to look down. That's what her mother had said the day she was sent away. I'm not wasting my time on you anymore. "I don't know," she admitted quietly.

    "Because it's my calling!" he beamed, lifting his hands for effect. "It's what I do. You excel at causing trouble, and I excel at fixing little girls like you and making you respectable members of our community here at the academy." The headmaster pointed at her. "You keep that nose clean girl, or I shall clean it myself." As if their conversation had never happened, he stood straight and looked to the door that was still open. "Secretary Kim, are you back yet?"

The woman from earlier strode into the room holding a tray with a teapot. "Yes, headmaster—and I got your tea."

    "You are good to me, Secretary Kim," he said before winking.

    Secretary Kim gushed, her demeanor completely different. "No more than you deserve, headmaster." Victoria only watched in disgust.

    Then Dr. Kang turned his attention back to her and scanned her outfit. "Take our new friend here and show her around the school—get her properly attired, too."

    "Certainly, headmaster," she said sweetly with a smile. But when she turned to Victoria, her smile was gone and her voice was icy. "Come along, child. I haven't got all day."

Victoria stood and followed her, fists clenching and unclenching as the anger boiled deep inside her. The green carpet only made it worse, as did the annoying students around her.   

I can't believe mom sent me here—to probably the worst school in the country, whose alumni are arm stealers, serial killers, and corporate lawyers. Real scum. And that old creep thinks he can tame me? We shall see, my friend. I only give people what they have coming to them.