‘How could I possibly sleep through my alarm, it’s my first day too.’ I thought this as I rode my skateboard towards the school. Just as I rode through the gate, I could hear the bell ring for first block.  I stopped my skateboard and popped it up.  Taking a hold of it I began to run towards my home room. ‘Please let me be there on time.’ I began to slow down as I neared the room. I walked in and was surprised to see the teacher lecturing another student.  I froze in the door way as the boy looked my way. He looked as though he was about three inches taller than me.  Dark brown hair styled to be standing, his eyes were a dark brown almost black color.  My breath caught as he seemed to flash me a sideways smile.  I stood frozen in the door way, unable to take my gaze away from his.  Suddenly the teacher turned around, as soon as he saw me his anger seemed to build.

“Come here boy, you and the misfit are going to be punished together.”  He motioned for me to stand in front of the class.  I felt my face redden as I slowly walked up to the front.  I watched as the teacher walked over to his desk and told everyone to begin reading the assigned assignments.  I felt my nervousness overwhelm me, and I found myself biting my bottom lip.

“If you bite any harder, you’re going to hurt yourself.” I jumped as the boy from earlier tapped me on the shoulder.  I could feel my face redden even more, I tried to calm myself down.  I looked down at my shoes, my nervousness kept me from making eye contact.  I found myself beginning to blink uncontrollably.  After a few more minutes the teacher walked over to where we stood.

“You know better Mr. YongGuk.  And you, I would think it being your first day you would at least be on time.  I will go easy on you this time but you mr shall be punished.” I looked up and saw the boy named YongGuk roll his eyes.  He took a deep breath and sarcastically said,

“Yes, sir.” He quickly saluted him and returned to his earlier position.  I felt myself begin to laugh.  He looked over at me and winked.  I quickly looked away and instead turned my gaze towards the teacher.  He’s face reddened as he frustratedly said,

 “Now Mr. JunHong I let you off with a warning but I can’t allow you to get away with supporting Mr. YoungGuk’s actions. You will also be punished.” The teacher shook his head in disappointment as he made a clicking sound with his tongue. I looked down at my light blue converse, ‘Unbelievable! It’s my first day of school and I am already being punished.’ I looked at the teacher as he suddenly shooed YoungGuk away. “Everyone we have a new student. Please introduce yourself"  He gestured for me to speak.

“I… I’m JunHong.  It is nice to meet you all.” I bowed as I said this. I could feel my cheeks begin to redden.  The teacher coughed.

“Yes I would like you all to welcome him and show him around.”  He seemed to give a dissatisfied sigh. “Since there are no other seats available, I am left with no choice but to seat you next to Mr. YoungGuk.”  I watched as the surrounding students seemed to give me ‘I feel sorry for you’ looks.  I slowly walked towards the empty seat.  Thankfully it was next to the window ‘At least I can pretend not to notice him if I just look out the window.’  Just as I took my seat I could feel the stares of the surrounding students and then it was gone. I decided to look out the window, hoping it would help me forget about my nervousness. I found my mind begin to drift off towards the image of the guy name YoungGuk.  A funny feeling inside my chest began to make its appearance.  I quickly pushed the unknown feeling down as I tried to think of something else.  I soon found myself beginning to drift off to sleep.  I awoke to the sound of the dismissal bell ‘Did I fall asleep?’  I opened my eyes and found myself propped up on the desk.  I was shocked to find that I had been blocked by a book, stopping the teacher from discovering my sleeping appearance.  I grasped the book and looked to see where to return it.  Finding nothing I grabbed my backpack, skateboard, and the book.  I walked up to the teacher,

“Excuse me.”  I quietly whispered to him. He seemed puzzled as he turned towards me,

“Yes?”

 “Ah, um this book where do I return it too?”  The teacher gave me a quizzical look.

“Mr. JunHong those books are issued specifically to students the teachers do not have books in their class rooms. But you may want to return it to the owner.” ‘What? But then where did this one come from?’ I looked down at the book and decided it would be best to return it to the rightful owner.

“Oh alright, thank you.” I quickly bowed and left the room.  I stopped walking when I got farther down the hallway.  I opened the book, shock ran through me as I read the owners name. ‘Bang YoungGuk’ “Why on earth was his book used to block me?”  I pondered on this question as I made my way towards the school gate.  Just as I was near the Iron Gate I hear someone yelling and a loud crash. I don’t know why but I began to walk towards the source of the sounds.  I followed the sound all the way to the other side of the school.  I slowly peeked around the brick wall. My eyes widened as I recognized one of the boys.  He’s dark brown hair that had been sticking up was now plastered to his forehead.  His lip was split open and it looked as though he had already been hit in the face because he had a few tiny bumps forming.  There were five more boys but they each stood around YounGuk.  I watched in horror as YoungGuk punched one of the boys, breaking his nose.  He looked up and spotted me, his expression softened. I stared back but found myself yelling, “Watch out!” One of the boys had come up behind him.  I don’t know why but I began running towards him.  I stopped in front of him, even though I knew it was going to happen I still couldn’t help but feel shocked as I felt my lip split open, as I got punched.

“What the hell?”  I opened my eyes and met the eyes of one of the attackers.

 “Hey isn’t that the new kid?”  I heard another say.  I was too focused on not collapsing from fear to listen to the rest of their conversation.

“You had better leave if you don’t wanna get hurt.”  It was the guy who had punched me whom said this.  I stood my ground and straightened up as I said,

“I can’t do that.”  Even though I was scared, I was determined not to show them my fear.

“Kid we’re giving you a chance to leave. You better take it.” I shook my head furiously. I heard the laughter from the group. "Alright, but don't say I didnt warn you." I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blow. To my surprise it never came. I opened one eye and found that YongGuk had taken the blow for me. I heard one of the boys say,

"We finally have some competiton." I was confused, even though YounGuk had broken one of their guys nose, they just now thought of this as a competiton. I heard the tear of clothing as one of the boys had grabbed YongGuk's arm, to move him out from in front of me, he had torn the sleeve. I still stood but I felt like i would collapase if didn't get out of there soon. I pushed down my fear and quickly grabbed YongGuk' hand. He looked back at me, shock plastered on his face. I didnt think too much before I started running, tugging YongGuk behind me.  I didnt stop running until I felt we had run far as faraway from the school as we could get.  After I caught my breath I decided to look around.

"Ummm, do you have any idea where we are?"  I looked at YongGuk and felt my cheeks flush.

"I... I.." I stopped when I heard YongGuk begin to laugh.

"Relax, I know where we are." I puffed out my cheeks.

"Well then why would you ask me?" YongGuk surprised me as he pinched my cheeks.

"Because you look adorable flustered."

"What?" Before he could answer, the sounds of the guys from earlier could be heard. I felt YongGuk tighten his grip on my hand before he began to run. I gripped my skateboard tighter and tried to keep up with YongGuk's long strides. After what seemed like a long time and six blocks away, YoungGuk pulled me into an alley and blocked me from anyone walking past. My breathing was rapid. I heard loud thuds of footsteps, out of reflex/fear I clasped my hand over YongGuk's mouth, as he placed his over mine.  We stayed frozen until after a long time.  I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled up at YongGuk. I blushed as I found him staring at me intently.

"Thank you."

"For what? You saved me remember?" I couldnt hlep but smile as YongGuk chuckled. I felt butterflies in my stomach as we stood close to eachother.  YongGuk seemed to realize how close we were standing, so he steeped back. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Ummm. I think we should get you home."  He smiled at me.  I couldn't help but feel just a little bit of disappointment, I shook my head 'Yes' and allowed YongGuk to guide me out of the alley. "Oh, wait. Where are you staying?"

"T... the school dorms." I felt a little nervout about telling him but I knew he would be the only one to help me back.