-THE FIRST ARC-

The bird was free but she was reluctant to fly without her wind.

S P E C T R A

Chapter 1

(New Leaf)

“I’ve done all the paper works. Everything was set when you go there. You already know how to deal with secrecy Jessica and that’s all you have to do now. Don’t tell anyone anything about the past. Better yet, forget the past.” Tae Woo dictated as he paced around the apartment, double checking everything while I stood at the corner of the room trying the best I could to comprehend everything he was saying.

Carrying the small brief case in one arm, he stopped in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Just remember all the things I told you and you’ll be okay.” He said reassuringly and patted my head.

“Are you sure this would be the last, Oppa?” I asked worriedly.

“Yes it is. I’m sorry for leaving you immediately after I brought you here. I know its tiring making you move from places to places all of the sudden but I needed to do it.”

“It’s fine, Oppa. I understand.”

He nodded to himself. “Well then, I need to go. I’ll leave you alone now. Take care of yourself.” He said. He was about to open the door when I tugged his shirt.

“I forgot to ask you this before but… how is he?” I asked hesitantly.

“He’s okay. Don’t worry. Boss kept his word.”

I held my head low and nodded in understanding.

He heaved a sigh. The big man he was, he needed to crouch in order to look at me and hold my gaze. “It’s been months since we started this, Jessica. You need to forget him. You’re free now. Treat this as a new life. You’re not just a lost kid now. You can do this. I believe in you.” He said with all sincerity. He managed a small smile. Without a beat, he carried his briefcase with him and all that was left was me standing right in front of the closed door of the empty apartment with nothing but one suitcase full of shoes, a backpack with a handful of clothes and stacks of credits cards I didn’t want to use.

I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself together.

It was final. There was no turning back. This time, I’ll let go him go.

The taxi driver told the area in front of my new school was restricted and he couldn’t drop me by the entrance so he dropped me by the corner nearby not before he gave me directions.

I walked to the direction the taxi driver told me. I had no idea what my new school looked like but I bet it was a good school because when I mentioned it to the driver; he suddenly sat up straight and began treating me cautiously during the ride.

Sone Academy of Arts and Science. That’s what I remembered Tae Woo called it. He said it was the best school in South Korea.

School of the rich and smart, maybe?

Should be cool but even being part of a prestigious school had no effect on me. I was not even surprised why. Nothing seemed to have an effect on me these days.

It’s been a week since my arrival in South Korea but it’s already the first day of class in my new school. That was the first time in my life that I’ll be studying in Korea; my mother’s homeland and I got to admit that I felt kind of at home to be here.

I scanned the surroundings admiringly. Taking in the details of the scene around me, I couldn’t help but daydream about the kind of life I would face in here.

The facts that I was a transferee, that I needed time to adjust in my new environment properly, that I was running late, that I left my map on my apartment and didn’t know how to navigate my way in the area were not enough for me to keep myself from slowing down and to just take everything in.  

I don’t usually do that but maybe the chirping of the birds or the sweet glow of the sun or maybe the fact that I wanted to make myself believe that things could get better made me desperate to see something else other than the dimmer shade my life had become.

I walked in even pace, with no intention of hurrying. Without even realizing, I was no longer walking on the right direction.

“Where is this?” I found myself in a front of an intersection without a memory of how I got there. I turned my head from left to right, trying to pick a way that seemed to offer a better chance of leading me to school.

That’s when my eyes came across a café just across the road on my left.  Deciding to go where a café was located to ask for directions, I crossed the road.

Then out of nowhere, a car came running at fast speed, almost hitting me. I screamed at the top of my lungs and lost balance, sending my books out of my hands as I fell on my bum.

“Aish!” I bit my lips as I massaged my probably bruised and glared at the retreating car. I clicked my tongue in irritation. Good job, Jessica. You always pick a good way to start a day.

I pulled myself in a sitting position and grudgingly gathered my scattered books. I was too engrossed with picking my things up that I didn’t notice another car coming.

Just when the screeching of the car registered on my ears, I looked up and found myself staring face to face with the bumper of the car inches right in front of my face. I forgot how to breathe.

I could only sat there, stiff because of shock.

“! Miss, are you alright?!”

A husky voice of a man made brought me out of trance. I slowly turned my head to the direction where the voice was coming from.

Brown Orbs.

That was the first thing I saw. I felt my heart tightened.

“Miss? Miss?! Hey!” He was gently shaking me but I couldn’t take my gaze off his eyes. “Oh my God! What the hell are you thinking ducking in the middle of the road! That was so dangerous!” He kept on talking as he helped me pick-up my things and helped me to stand up and lead me to the safe side of the road. “Does anything hurt?” He asked with his eyes full of concern.

My mouth remained shut. The resemblance was so shocking my brain couldn’t take it. I began extending my hand, wanting to touch those brown orbs that looked exactly like his. It’s as if they got it from the same person. It got me stunned, willing me back to remember the past. I was in trance once again and this time, I felt like I don’t want to wake up.

“Miss? Hello.” He snapped a finger in front of my face. I blink twice but before I could focus my eyes in the wholeness of his face, he did a double take, his back facing me. I heard a loud female chattering on the background. “Dang! They can’t find me here!” He exclaimed all of sudden.

Then, with all urgency, he shoved the books on my hands. “Listen, I’m really sorry about what happened. I really wanted to stay but I couldn’t. Here, take this.” He took something out of his wallet and put it on top of the books. “I really needed to go now. Don’t lose that. I’ll wait for your call, okay?” He said before ran to the car and drove away.

He’ll wait for my call?

It took time before I realized what he was talking about.

First thing that registered on my mind when I looked at the card on top of my books was his name.

Kwon Yuri.

That guy just gave me his calling card.

After series of asking, I finally made it near enough my new school to see its massive gate. I quickened my steps. Maybe if I hurry I could still make it to the start of the discussion.

As I got nearer and nearer the school, I found myself amazed by beauty and sophisticated aura it gave off. I was actually expecting something that looked like the school I previously attended in Japan but this new school was way way way above that.

The school didn’t seem to be that much bigger than my last but its modern architectural structure was captivating.

After a series of questioning from the guard, I finally get to enter.

First thing I noticed was a group of squealing girls forming a mob, gathering a particular spot in a parking lot. Hmmm. Isn’t class supposed to start now? Why are they still outside? 

Disregarding the girls, I went to the lobby of what I thought was the main hall. I glanced at all directions, trying to get a clue up to what particular pathway should I take to get to the registrar and get my class schedule.

I groaned in frustration. I honestly wanted to curse myself for not asking the guard for directions.

I decided to take the west path. I was scanning the door signs as I walked the hallway, when a very strong force collided to my body, sending my books flying out of my grip for the second time today and scattered all over the floor.

Strike two. How lucky.

I grudgingly gathered my books, unconsciously muttering ‘Why? Why? Why!’ because of irritation. “I knew you’d do this to me!” I hissed at no one in particular.

I was about to stand when I saw a pair of foot before me. I stiffened, anticipating that the man was one of the school’s disciplinarians who roamed looking for students loitering around during class hours.  

I gritted my teeth in nervousness as I slowly looked up, preparing myself for the worst.

And believe me; I so did not expect what I saw.

He’s not a disciplinary staff. No. Nothing suggests that, especially that face. 

Believe me; I’ve seen a lot of good looking people but not that good looking.

He has tanned smooth looking skin. He has slightly long, raven hair. His straight, well-chiseled nose was complemented by his defined jaw line and cheekbones. His lips were thin. Strands of his bangs fall slightly on his face, resting right above the upper frame of the shades he was wearing. I couldn’t help but feel a little bad that I couldn’t see his eyes.

I would say it was majestic. That face.

For someone who never gave a second glance at anybody, he made me stare at him.

“I’m really sorry miss. I was in a hurry. I didn’t see~” He was explaining as he crouched and started helping me pick my things up. “Y-Y-You again?!” He stuttered when he saw my face.

I raised my eyebrows questioningly. Have I seen him before?

“It’s me.” He said, his lips breaking into a toothy smile.

And before I could say I don’t know what he was talking about, he took off his shades.

“Remember?”

My eyes widened in recognition.

Brown orbs. 

My heart tightened. I froze. He’s expecting me to reply but I couldn’t say anything. I just stared. 

Those eyes. 

They're exactly like 'his'.

“Believe me. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t plan to bump into you at all.” He said again, his tone suddenly defensive. 

I looked at him confusedly. I had been too preoccupied with his eyes to understand what he was saying.

“Okay. Okay. Please don’t give me that look. Let me explain.” Look? What look? “Like what happened earlier this morning, this was an accident too. I was just trying to sneak pass the hall because a lot of students are 'hunting' me even as we talk. I just accidentally bumped in to you in the process. I didn’t know you were here, I swear.” He explained so fast I couldn’t even keep track on what he was saying. The bits of sweat started forming in his forehead distracted me. He looked really nervous.

“Why are you acting defensive, mister?” I asked, cocking my head to one side as I wait for his reply. I swear I intended to sound nothing but offensive but his expression changed from nervous to… scared? 

“N-nothing. I-It’s just that after I accidentally bumped into you I was about to help you gather your things up but then you said 'Why Why Why' all of a sudden. I wanted to explain b-but before I could even start, you said that you knew I’ll do this to you, which, allow me point out, is so not true." He pointed out. The way he moved his hands as he explained distracted me the whole time he was speaking. "I didn’t mean for this to happen, miss. I promise.” He said, raising both his hands up in surrender.

I raised an eyebrow. Amused by this boy’s antics, it took me a lot of effort not to smile. 

“Please, I’m really sorry. Forgive me?” His shoulder dropped as he asked apologetically, looking straight into my eyes to show me his sincerity.

Those eyes again.

The time seemed to stop whenever I looked at those eyes. They could engulf me whole. They bring me back to the world of old memories. Memories of the past. A past that I no longer want to remember.  

A/N: This is just starting.

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Thank you for reading.