Bianca was dropped off at school by Mother, who had a concerned expression as she looked at the school and at Bianca who skipped inside the entrance.

Inside, she saw a banner that said, “Saturday meetings starting this weekend!” But Bianca didn’t care much about it. She then entered Namjoon’s classroom. But the students seemed much more dull and depressed.

What is going on? How come my classmates are feeling so sad?

Namjoon entered with anger in his eyes. He was much angrier than the time he lost his girlfriend through bullying in his days in high school.

“Mr. Joon,” said Bianca, “What is with your moody expression?”

He flashed a scowl. It was the first time he had ever done that to one of his students.

Poor guy, she thought, looking down.

Once class was finished, Namjoon noticed Bianca and approached her quickly.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I didn’t mean to shoot my frustration at you. It’s much worse than when I lost my girlfriend.”

“She died?”

“No. She ran away. Actually, she moved away. When she called me and said she went back to Ireland, I was pretty heartbroken. But she thanked me for protecting her at school when she needed it the most and hoped that I would visit her at some point.”

“And did you?”

Namjoon smiled and nodded her head.

“We were in college. And Maeve, my girlfriend, said that even if we are far apart, we still feel together.”

“And your point is…”

“I don’t want you to lose Jake. He seems to really like you and is probably trying hard to find the love of his life at the moment.”

“I feel like you’ve told me that before.”

“Have I ever?”

“Maybe…”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*

 

After school, Bianca skipped with glee. But as she was waiting for Mother to pick her up, she saw familiar faces from her traumatizing past. It was the principal of the SIJH, Bianca’s previous school.

It was during homeroom when Bianca noticed a frown on most of the students’ faces. Now, she became concerned.

“Students,” said Namjoon, “If I could have your attention, please.”

The students quieted down. Namjoon sighed.

“Class, the principal of our rivaling school has arrived at Independence Academy, and I overheard them talking about changing the rules here.”

“You won’t let them, will you?” Bahiyyih asked with disbelief.

“Of course not,” said Namjoon, “Who said that this school was not changing anything?”

Bianca skipped out from the classroom with glee.

But then, someone stopped her and said, “Stop right there.”

The woman crossed her arms and scowled straight into Bianca’s innocent face. Bianca was brought back with so much trauma.

“I hope you are not messing around, right?”

Bianca tilted her head.

“Why would I?” she said, “I only focus on getting to class. That is all I do.”

Namjoon then walked by but secretly eavesdropped on the conversation. He felt concerned.

“Very well, then,” said the woman, “But if I see you mucking around in class, or when you are supposed to be in class, you will be held accountable. Am I clear?”

“Yes.” said Bianca, quickly walking away.

Namjoon had a concerned look on his face. His thoughts were as vigorous as Bianca’s. And although he was in his twenties, he still thought of himself as a teenager.

At the end of the day, the students were brought to the main auditorium, where they sat with concern in their hearts.

Mrs. Kim stepped onto the podium.

“Good Afternoon, students of this lovely school,” she said with great dismay, “We have a bit of an announcement to make. And believe me. It’s not an easy one. Our rivaling school SIJH is having us setting up their boundaries. And we had no choice but to abide by them. But don’t worry, everyone…I will find a way to get us out of this. I promise you.”

Mrs. Kim walked away with tears in her eyes, letting the students declare the end of the assembly. Bianca was confused.

How is it that Mrs. Kim is so heartbroken?

 

*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Bianca still could not get the fact that Mrs. Kim cried in the middle of the speech out of her mind. It was hard to hear, but easy to think about.

When she got to Kim Namjoon’s class, she found that Kim Namjoon was gone and Kim Taehyung was the substitute for the day.

“Where is Mr. Joon?” She asked.

“He said he was in Ireland, visiting his girlfriend. He will be back next Monday.”