The Transferee's Mute ⇥ Luwoo

Chapter 1

JUNGWOO’S POV

“Out of my way mute!”
“Ugh, he’s here.”
“Weirdo.”
“Why does he bother to go to university when he can’t even speak.”

Those were the words I always deal with day by day everytime I walk down the hallway, cafeteria, gym, and even in the comfort room. I’m used to the insults they throw at me because I was always bullied in every school I went in Seoul. I stopped transferring when I can handle myself here in SM High. I also made a lot of friends despite my condition.

“Hey Jungwoo!” I heard someone called, I mean yelled, my name. I stopped walking and turned around. It was my best friend, Moon Taeil. “Wait for me!”

I decided to wait for him. He tackled me in a hug when he reached me. I tapped his shoulder, signaling to let me go. Taeil got the message and let go. “Sorry.”

‘Why are you so slow?’ I signed, teasing him a little. He told me he learned sign language because he had a deaf friend before.

Taeil slapped me in the shoulder, hard. I winced and showed him my ‘hurt’ look while rubbing the spot. “Don’t give me that face Woo. Just because I'm small doesn't mean I'm slow.”

‘Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.’ He nod.

Once we entered the class, we sat in our seats at the back of the room and talked for a while until our Literature professor, Mr. Lee, came. “Settle down class. I have something important to discuss with you all.”

He explained that there will be an acting presentation in the end of the semester, and the story we’re going to act is Les Miserables, which he said he’s going to discuss it to us in the early this semester.

This is new, the last time I checked this is Literature class, not Theater class.

While Mr. Lee is discussing To Kill a Mockingbird to the class, I’m doodling on my notebook since I already read that novel last summer break.

In the middle of his discussion, there was a knock on the door. Mr. Lee stopped talking and look at the door. “It must be the transferee.” Huh? A transferee? Here in SM High?

I heard whispers near me. It was unusual to have a new student here.

The door opened and walked in a 6-foot male and the strap of his backpack clinging onto his shoulder. I have to say he’s handsome. What the hell?

The whispers stopped when he stood beside Mr. Lee. “Introduce yourself first please.” He told him.

The transferee nod and face us. “Heya, my name’s Wong Yukhei but you guys can call me Lucas if you want. I just moved here yesterday that’s why I came in late.” He said and bowed.

Our professor looked at the girls with an unamused look as they squealed again. “Ok, quiet down. Lucas, you can seat beside Jungwoo over there.” He pointed at my direction. Lucas smiled.

My eyes widened as he got closer. It was the only available seat. “Hi Jungwoo.” He greeted.

I just stared at him when he sat down after fishing out a notebook and a pen. I think he sensed I’m still looking at him when he turned to face me.

I immediately focused my attention to my notebook with a pink blush tinting on my cheeks. Why am I blushing?!

He chuckled and asked, “So, 20 questions?”

I looked at him. I ripped a piece of paper on my notebook, wrote something and passed it to him.

‘You might not want to talk to me like the others because I’m mute. But if you like we can later after classes end.’

He just stared at it like it was his first time reading something in other language. To my surprise, Lucas gave me a small smile. “Sure.” He fold the paper and kept it in his pocket.

Did he just...? No, it can't be.

As Mr. Lee continued on his lesson, I can’t help but steal glances at Lucas. I can see he’s really kind and loud. I shook my head.

For the rest of the period, I just look out on the window, deep in thoughts until class is over.

I fixed my things and wait for Taeil to finish taking down notes.

I took my phone out and captured the notes Mr. Lee had written and gave it to my friend. He took it and thanked me.

“Hey Jungwoo?” Lucas called me. He’s still here?

I raised my eyebrows like asking him what’s wrong. “Can you show me where’s the…uhh…” He took out a paper from his back pocket and handed it to me but Taeil snatched the paper before I can even touch it.

I glared at him but he just shrugged and smirked.

He read what was written and said, “We all have the same schedule but I have Physics and Calculus instead of Geometry and Chemistry. But I guess you’re stuck with us for a year then.” He grabbed his bag and sling it on his shoulder.

We walk out of the room. My next class is Chemistry with Lucas. Taeil bid goodbye because he had Physics.

We entered the classroom and sat at my usual seat. I'm paired up with Hyunjin.

Mr. Kim stopped Lucas to introduce himself, again. He pointed at Jongdae, who doesn’t have a partner, to sit beside him. I was kinda sad that he’s sitting at the other side of the room.

Class goes on and it was a good thing we don’t have an experiment today or I’ll get suspended for sure if I blew this room up.

The bell rang, signaling the students that it’s lunch break. Finally! I didn’t ate breakfast because I woke up late and I thought I’m late for class, which was wrong.

We reached our hang out table in the cafeteria. Taeil was already in our table but my other friends weren't here so I thought they're out at the field.

I spot Taeyong at the door searching for us. Taeil waved to get his attentions and luckily he did. He ran to our table. “Hey! Have you met the new student?”

He didn’t notice that the new student was with us until Taeil pointed at Lucas. Taeyong’s eyes widened. “Woah. You really met him already.” He introduced himself and sat beside me.

We chatted about nonsense things until Jaehyun, Renjun, and Jeno showed up.

Jaehyun sat beside Taeyong, which made him blush a little. Renjun and Jeno just stood up at the back where Lucas was sitting since the table is full.

Lunch break ended after 30 minutes. I tapped Taeil’s shoulder. ‘Hyung, I’ll go get something from my locker. You guys can go ahead.’ He nod but I can see the worry in his eyes. ‘I’ll be fine hyung, don’t worry.’

He knows that every lunch time when I’m alone, some students bully me, except they don’t throw punches and kicks which I’m thankful for.

We walk out of the cafeteria and I walk from the different direction to my locker. I opened the lock, grab my History book, closed it and hurriedly ran to the Study Hall where History class is.

I arrived without getting to trouble with the bullies and entered the room. I have this class with my best friend, Changbin, Chanyeol, and Mina.

After sitting down on my seat, Ms. Yoon began discussing World War.

I sighed. This is gonna be a long day.