𝓓𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷 𝓪 𝓡𝓸𝓬𝓴【】𝕋𝕒𝕖𝕘𝕚

Chapter 6 - Fulfilling Lives

[Ding, ding, ding.]

The bell rang out for dismissal and everyone started to chit chat.

"Alright class, don't forget your homework here at the front of the room, and have a good Thursday!"

The teacher smiled at us as she then started to organize papers and mark things on the clipboard.

Most people dashed up to the front of the room and grabbed the homework, then ran out into the hallway, ready to get home. Others just left the room without getting it.

I should've known. They're basically all delinquents.

I got up from my seat and looked over at Tae. He was writing something down, I wonder what it was?

I shouldn't get into his business though.

I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, Tae, let's get going."

He nodded and packed up his things. We then went into the hallway that was filled with students.

We slowly made our way to our lockers. It definitely wasn't easy with everyone pushing and shoving, but we managed.

I got my things quickly out of my locker and closed it.

All I had in there was a phone and a jacket, nothing too extravagant. I have a bag with a shoulder strap on it, I don't exactly need a backpack.

I looked over at Tae. He was quickly shoving things in his backpack while other people hit theirs in his face and pushed him around.

I quickly grabbed him by his arm and shoved through the crowd, making my way to the closest boys bathroom.

"Phew.. It's truly like a swarm of humans out there, huh?"

"Mhm.. Thanks for getting me out of there, by the way."

"No problem, that's what friends are for!"

He smiled at me and I smiled back, probably blushing a little, I could feel the heat on my face.

Tae continued to put his things in his backpack, more calmly now.

Not in a shoving-everything-in-and-possibly-damaging-everything way.

I put on my jacket and put my phone inside my pocket. I swung my messenger bag over my shoulder and looked over at Tae.

He already had his backpack on and even put on a coat.

It was a long, light brown coat. It turned his curvy body into a straight and rectangular one.

And while his body got more straighter, I surely didn't.

My face got hotter and redder.

I cleared my throat a bit.

Did that sound weird? Just to randomly do that?

Does he think I got flustered? I mean, he's not wrong, but I'm curious if he picks up the little, subtle things I do.

"Hm? Something wrong or on your mind?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing important. Just a little something, that's all."

"I see, well let's get going now!"

I smiled and walked out of the restroom with him.

"Oh, how do you get home, Yoonie?"

"I just walk. I don't live too far from here."

"Ah, I walk too! I live a bit far from here but it's nothing too bad. No one can pick me up now so I don't have much of a choice."

"What about the bus?"

"I used to go on the bus, but people are mean, you know? A lot of people picked on me, so a staff member advised me to not go on them again, and I obviously agreed."

"Oh, I see. I really don't understand why people pick on you. You're so sweet and kind, what have you done to deserve them picking on you?"

"I'm not sure myself, but everyone has their reasons. Maybe they don't like that I'm from Daegu, maybe I look ugly, maybe I'm dumb to them. Whatever their reason is, I don't care. I'm just trying to get by in life."

I smiled at his words, but they made me think.

Why would he just want to 'get by' in life?

Wouldn't he want to live a fulfilling life? Doesn't everyone want to live a fulfilling life?

A life where, while you have your regrets and mistakes, you do something you enjoyed.

If you get a job, wouldn't you want to pursue something that brings you joy?

Wouldn't you want to do that?

"But.. If you just get by in life.. It wouldn't be fulfilling..?"

I mumbled under my breath and we started to walk out of the school, exiting the hallways that kept us captive for the beginning and middle part of our day.

"I don't need to have a fulfilling life to be happy. I can be happy on my way to something. On the journey. I don't need much to be okay with the state I'm in."

"That's.. Not right. You should have a fulfilling life. Do what you like. Don't follow someone else and make your own path. Don't be what others what you to be."

"I would if I could, my little Yoonie."

He rested his elbow on my head as we turned a corner.

I shrugged off his action.

Hm. He goes this way too?

I looked up at Tae when I heard him start to giggle. I felt him take his elbow off my head then, too.

His lil' giggle is really cute..

I felt my face blush as we walked. I kept my eyes mostly to the ground, looking up every once and a while to see if my street was nearby or not.

Soon enough, my street came up on my right.

"Ah, that's my street! I'll see you tomorrow, Tae!"

"See you then, Yoonie!"

I looked behind me while I ran. I waved to Tae as he waved back.

I smiled at his smile. It was adorable.

I looked back to where I was running and kept going.

Today..

Today was good. It was nice.

I made a friend.

One who didn't like me just for my face.