Today, Two Years Ago

How It Started

How It Started

It's just a normal day. After all the lessons finished, I still have an extra class to attend. I'll be honest, I'm not that smart and that's the reason why I'm here. I glance at the digital clock hanging on the wall, pressing my lips into a thin line.

Five minutes left.

My eyes travel to the person in front of me who is busy checking my answers. It has been two days and I'm still stuck with the same subject. According to him, almost all of my answers are wrong (and only one is correct), however, he ordered me that I have to find the mistakes by myself. How'd I know?

"You got two correct. Nice progress," he says, handing me back my papers.

"Mister, can you just tell me which numbers are right or wrong?" I ask while looking at him. I'm just desperate to move to the next subject. "I'm getting bored with this," I continue. I didn't want to say the last sentence but I had to.

"Finish those first."

But of course, I could never win. I just want to roll my eyes so bad and scream "I'm dumb and you expect me to do all of these?!" right on his face but thankfully, I still got some respect for him. Even though we're just four years apart, he's still my teacher after all. Yes, Park Sungjin is pretty new at my school and it's his seventh month here.

Before I could start reading the first question, he releases a breathy sigh. "Number two and six are correct," he says. "There. I gave you some clues."

"Oh...thank you," I answer flatly. "Can you teach me how—"

"Try to solve it by yourself first," he cuts. I could never win.

Not long after that, my phone vibrates, signing my extra class has finished. Yes, I got my own alarm so that I can remind him. Plus, I just wanna go home real fast. Or not.

A smile plasters on my face and my eyes travel to him. "Welp...time to go home."

He looks at me for a second and then just nods. "I want you to try solving those questions at home or else..." He stands up from his seat, fixing his collar. "You won't learn the new subject."

...

"That guy does not even teach that well!" I place the glass on the table harshly, shaking my head in frustration.

"Whom are you referring to?" Dana, my best friend asks.

"Sungjin."

"Hyeju, It's Mr. Park," she corrects me.

"Dana, we're not in school and he's just four years older."

"Yeah...you're right. But don't you think he's kinda... hm... attractive?" She asks with a bit hesitation.

Her words makes me stare at her for a while. "Oh god."

"No! I meant— whatever, let's just finish our drinks and stop talking about something related to school or people will find out that we're still students." She fills my glass with beer and I immediately drink it in one shot.

After we're done, Dana's boyfriend came to pick her up, she's actually not a good drinker. Sometimes, it makes me jealous and want to have a boyfriend but I don't think I will because of some reasons.

I walk slowly, heading back to my place while my head feels a little bit heavy. Everything seems like spinning around and I already knew this would happen. I keep on walking and walking until I see something that captivates me.