Home Gallery Wattpad Upvote monsteracademy   "To put it clearly, I'm going to a school filled with monsters?" THREE: M Academy “Are you sure you have everything you need?” Your mother asked for the hundredth time. “Yes, umma.” “Your vitamins?” “Yes.” “Your national ID?” “Yes.” “Your phone? It’s the only way we can communicate.” “Yes, umma, I got it.” “Your underwear?” “UMMA~!” You turned around to check if Doctor Jung heard it. He was the monster doctor who checked on you before. “I was just kidding,” your mother laughed. “But who knows, you’re very forgetful.” “That’s an exaggeration! Aish!” You answered, annoyed. “Aigoo. Stop being grumpy now. Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off?” “No, it’s okay. It’s very far anyway. I’ll be fine. And Doctor Jung is with me. Besides....” If you come with me, I’ll only want to back out and return home with you, you thought but you didn’t say it out loud. It was a warm Saturday morning. It has been more than a week since your ‘monster’ incident happened. Your most dreaded day finally came. You’re finally kissing your normal high school life goodbye. Today, you’re going to your new school, Monster Academy. Doctor Jung came around lunch time to pick you up. According to what he told you and your mother before, the school was located on a mountainous area in the outskirts of Seoul, ‘to minimize the risk of human intrusion,’ he said. Since the school is far from any town, students are required to stay in and are allowed only a once a month weekend trip to the city. Staying in is also part of the training. In order to not arouse suspicion from humans, the school had an alternative name, M Academy. What outsiders know about M Academy is that it is a prestigious school only for a few well-selected students who either have high intellectual abilities or who belong to the richest families in the country. You laughed to yourself when you realized you belong to neither category. No wonder Hye Bin refused to believe me. You have told her about it over the phone a few days ago. She just laughed and thought you were joking. You didn’t pursue the topic since you also can’t give her a convincing reason how you got accepted at such a school. “Is that the last one?” Doctor Jung asked, as you handed the last of your luggage to the driver who placed it at the trunk of the school van. “Yes,” you answered as you stepped out of the house. The driver reached for Totoro, which you were carrying in your arms. “Oh, it’s okay. He goes with me,” you told him. Some of your neighbors were standing at a corner, whispering among themselves. “Who would have thought that kid’s got something,” you heard one of them remark. You shook your head and gave a sigh. Now they think I’m some kind of genius. “Umma, I’m going,” you said and kissed your mother goodbye. “Be good Joo Ri-ya. Don’t hesitate to call if you have trouble,” you mother said in a cracked voice. “Umma, don’t start crying. The neighbors are watching. I’ll see you soon,” you said. “We’re going now Mrs. Song,” the doctor bowed. “Take good care of my Joo Ri for me,” your mother told him. “I will,” he smiled. You rolled your eyes. “Umma I can take care of myself.” You were about to get in the van when you heard someone calling you. “JOO RI-YA~! Wait!” It was Hye Bin. She was running towards you while waving her hands frantically in the air. “Hye Bin-ah!” “Thank God I made it!” She panted as she stopped in front of you to catch her breath. She saw the van with large ‘M ACADEMY’ painted across its body. “So you did make it. How’d you do it?” You just shrugged and gave an uneasily smile. She suddenly slapped your arm hard. “Ow!” “You unfaithful friend! Why didn’t you tell me you had plans to transfer to another school?” She yelled. “It just happened,” you reasoned. “Well, since today is the day you’re leaving, I’ll forgive you. Aish! And I actually thought you were only joking. Anyway, are you allowed to use your phone there?” “Yeah.” “Good. We can still call each other. Call me from time to time araso?” “Araso.” “Don’t skip meals when you’re busy.” “Ne umma,” you teased. She slapped your arm again. “And stop being too clumsy. I won’t be there to help you anymore,” she added and laughed. “I’ll try,” you laughed along. The two of you had been together since you were kids. You were the one who would always get into trouble while she was the mature one who always helped you out of it. Going to another school is quite a tough change for her as much as it is for you. “Ugh! And stop being attached to that,” she said, referring to Totoro. “Hey, leave him alone. He’s my first friend you know,” you told her. “Whatever,” she said, rolling her eyes. The driver gave two loud honks. Doctor Jung’s head appeared from one of the van windows. “I’m sorry to interrupt you girls. But we need to go. Please wrap it up,” he smiled. You saw Hye Bin gaping at him with hanging open. “Who was that?” she mouthed. “The school doctor,” you answered. She stared in awe at him again. “Well,, I need to go now. I’ll come visit whenever I can.” “Right,” she said, giving the doctor one last look before finally setting her attention back on you. “Good luck. Take good care of yourself.” “Thanks. You too.” You gave each other a long, tight hug. “You’ll be fine on your own,” she said. You smiled and moved to step into the van but you bumped your head on the car’s roof along the way. “On second thought, I hope you’ll quickly find someone who can look after you,” she stated. You gave her a pout and finally got into the van. “Bye!” You called out from the window one last time at your mother and Hye Bin who were now standing side by side as they watched you go. “Take care Joo Ri-ya! Find yourself a good boyfriend!” Your mother yelled. You face palmed yourself in embarrassment. “So, have you prepared yourself well for this?” Doctor Jung asked you a few minutes later. “I guess,” you answered. “At least I think