You + Me = ?

The Yang-Baxter Equation

September 2010

This is such a waste of my time.

I sit quietly as the adults talked, I've been trying to convince my parents that this is such a bad idea as I don't really see the point of me doing this. I blow out a breath as the trio laughs in unison, I glance at my watch then clear my throat to get their attention.

"Mom, Dad, I'm sure you can catch up with the Director another time."

My Mom places her hand on mine then face my father, "maybe we should walk with you."

I had to force myself not to roll my eyes, "I think I'll be fine."

The Director chuckles then stands to his feet, "that's a good idea, we'll all walk with you, I can show you the new improvements done to the school."

Just great.

I walk behind the trio with a sigh here and there, as I look around the hallway, I couldn't help but wish that I'm anywhere but here. Like seriously, I wouldn't wish what I'm about to go through on my enemies.

I watch as the Director enters a room, leaving me standing outside with my parents. "It's not too late to change your mind."

My Dad walks over to me and takes my hand in his, "Hei Ryung-ah, we just want you to have the experiences of a normal teenager."

I sigh, "Dad, I'm fine seriously. We can just forget about this and go home."

My Mom smiles at me, "I just want you to make some new friends, friends who are the same age."

I nod my head at that, "I understand, but I do have friends, people who can reason with me, people who have an idea of what goes on in my head."

She places her warm palm on my cheek and smiles sadly at me, "I know Pumpkin, but this is for the best. The school year is not that long, then you can go back to NASA."

I was about to protest once more, but the Director calls me into the room, with a sigh I give my parents one last look before I enter. I stand beside a man, who I'm assuming is a teacher or whatever, he smiles at me but I keep the blank look on my face as the Director addresses the students.

I give a short bow, "my name is Lee Hei Ryung."

The teacher looks at me, "anything else?"

I raise my eyebrows at him, "that's all."

He blinks at me then turns to the students, "Ji Rin-ssi raise your hand," a chubby face girl shyly put her hand up, "you can sit beside her for now."

I bow at him then find my seat, the Director exchanged a few words with the teacher then join my parents outside the classroom. I watch as they left with him, and I really want to run after them, get down on my knees and beg them to take me with them.

But I guess I can't do that right now since all eyes are currently on me. I sink in my seat as the teacher continues his talk about some test or whatever, I pay no attention to his speech as I stare out the window.

I don't even notice when he takes his leave until the girl beside me touches my arm. "Hi," I look at her, "um, if you need anything let me know, or someone to show you around the school, or if you want to make a request for gym clothes."

I nod my head at her then continue to stare out the window, I sigh once more as the chatter in the classroom grows tenfold. A group of three girls then approach Ji Rin's desk and she visibly shrinks in her seat as one of them kicks her desk.

"Rin Rin, you look pretty today," a skinny doe eyed girl ruffles her hair.

Another girl sits on her desk, "yah, how much money did you get today? I'm suddenly craving bread, go buy us some."