We were both taken aback by her cheerfulness but Yoseob quickly regained his senses.“We both have Teacher Jung.” He said, a bit unevenly.

“Well, I heard that they went outside to try to get some inspiration. For what? I’m not exactly sure.” She checked the time on her computer. “But there are only twenty-five minutes left of class. Why don’t you two just wait here ‘till the bell rings? I’ll tell Teacher Jung what happened.” She smiled and gestured to a big round table where the teachers had their daily meetings.

Suddenly a short, bald man in a light brown suit walked out of a small room at the other end of the office. He wobbled up to the lady teacher that we just asked and placed a folder on her desk. “Gosh! These kids know how to keep us teachers busy don’t they.” He huffed. His eyes strayed to the table where we were sitting at and his eyes bulged.  “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! YOU KIDS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN CLASS!” He yelled, meanly.

I flinched. Damn, he’s loud. Looking at him innocently, I told him, “It’s our first day here. We aren’t very familiar with the school yet, so we got lost. When we did find the classroom, it was empty. Since there was no one there, we had no choice but to come here.”

The man looked at us in disgust. Then, suddenly the phone began to ring. He jumped back, startled, almost knocking his glasses off of his head. “Teacher Kim! Get that!”

“What are you doing?! Pick it up, Teacher Lee!” Teacher Kim, who was apparently the guy with the smart appearance, yelled at the nice teacher we asked before. He looked at the phone in frustration and hit it with his grade book. “What an annoying piece of ! I was in the middle of my game!” He gulped and sneaked a glance at the bald man. “I meant work.” He lamely corrected, and all the eyes in the room rolled.

“I got it!” Teacher Lee chimed. She reached over her desk and grabbed the old-school telephone off its stand. “Yeoboseyo? Ahh neh... They are here with me right now.” After a long pause, she scrunched up her face. “Arasseo.” Then, she slammed the phone back to its rightful place.

“What happened?” The old man leaned down and rested his chin on the lady’s shoulder. His arms were slowly beginning to wrap itself around her slim waist.

“Well, we could start off with you getting your body parts off of mine. I thought you were the one who made that rule. You’re the principal of this school, for goodness sakes. Act more responsible.” She eyed his pointy chin. The man sighed and stood up. “Teacher Jung told me that these two fine students need to get back to class. I was getting pretty attached to them.” She pouted at us and grabbed Yoseob’s cheeks. “They are just TOOOOOO cute!”

“Okay. As the principal, I will you two to your class.” He smiled, proudly. Then he leaned back towards Teacher Lee. “Where did Teacher Jung say the class was at?”

Teacher Lee began to look annoyed. “Outside, duh. Where else would they be?” She rolled her eyes.

The principal looked hurt by her comment. “Yes, I know. But where?”

“At the field.” She replied, whipping out her nail filer once again.

“Ah. Arasseo.” He looked at us and motioned for us to follow.

Yoseob and I stood up, and our hands accidentally brushed against each other.  He blushed and quickly moved his hand while I pretended to ignore it and followed the principal out the door.

“So, you guys are new, eh? Already causing trouble on your first day?” He looked at us mischievously.

Yoseob shook his head. “No, we didn’t mean to. This school is just so big.” He emphasized this by opening his eyes wide and looked around in circles.

I giggled but stopped quickly after the principal shot me a look. “This is a good school though and very famous. As you may see, I only hire the best teachers.” He beamed, proud.

Yoseob looked like he just choked on his spit, and I almost did too. I looked at the man before me. He was walking happily, shaking his to and fro. “Ahh! I see the class is in the middle of some performances.” He smiled and skipped out the door. We didn’t have any other choice than to follow.

“Teacher Jung!” He smiled. Then the principal whispered very loudly in the teacher’s ear, “Keep your rascals in check! I don’t want to see them wandering around the halls! You know how I feel about work.”

I glanced at him and made a face. Yoseob caught it and laughed. “Yoseob!” One guy ushered him over. He smiled at me and left. After he was gone, I turned to look at what was causing all the commotion and high pitched screaming.

It was Joon. He was up in the front dancing and singing for the class. There was a crowd of girls sitting in the front, squealing like pigs. I sighed and sat down at the back.

“Every day I shock (shock!), every night I shock (shock!).

I'm sorry jebal naege dasi dollawa jullae.

Every day I shock (shock!), every night I shock (shock!).

Nan neo ttaemune amugeodo hal su eobneunde, oh.”

Joon finished and looked at his audience for their reaction. As expected, everyone hollered, clapped, and asked for encores.

From the side, I could see Yoseob smile. He raised his hand and stood up. “I wanna try too.” Yoseob smiled and all the girls swooned. Joon was forgotten in an instant. He stepped up to the stage and looked at Joon. “Can I take over?” Something in his eyes had changed. He looked more competitive and confident.

Joon looked back at Yoseob, amused. “Sure.” He backed to the side and sat down.

Yoseob took a deep breath and looked up at the class. There was an evident grin on his face.

"Cause ur like caffeine, nan bamsae jam mot deulgo

Simjangeun gyesok ttwigo geureodaga tto niga neomu mipgo

Like caffeine meolliharyeogo haedo

Ijeoboryeogo haedo geureol suga eojjeol suga eobtjanha

You’re bad to me, so bad to me, oh girl you’re like caffeine

You’re bad to me, so bad to me, oh girl you’re like caffeine

You’re bad to me, so bad to me, oh girl you’re like caffeine

You’re bad to me, so bad to me, so bad to me, yeah”

He ended with a quick turn and flashed a smile to the girls. They all went crazy from this. The guys just smiled and clapped for him, proud of their new friend. I did the same. He looked at me and blushed.

“Okay kids, that’s enough.” He smiled at Yoseob. “You are a GREAT singer! Have you ever thought of auditioning for any entertainment companies?”

A big smile was plastered onto Yoseob’s face. “No. But thank you for the compliment.” He then happily skipped to his friends, where they gave him pats on the backs and showered him with more praises.

“Alright then. Hmm, what is your name?” He spotted me in the back and pointed at me.

“Annyeonghaseyo.” I stood up, did a polite bow, and continued with my introduction. “I am Lee Eun Mi.”

“Ahh, so you are a new student, right?” He didn’t wait for me to answer and continued. “Well did you learn any instruments that might be of use to you while in this class?”

“Neh. I learned how to play the viola and piano.” I replied.

“Do you, by any chance, sing? Do you think you could sing for us?” He walked towards where I was standing and grabbed me by my arm.

“Umm... where are you taking me? What?..” I protested but he continued to pull me to the front of the class.

“Sing for us.” He demanded. “If you are thinking why should I do this, then think of it as your punishment for coming late.” He walked away, leaving me alone with eyes that drilled holes into my skull. I just stood and stared at everyone. I could barely move from the shock. It was scary.

“You can do it!” Someone yelled from the back of the class. I looked in that direction and found Yoseob smiling, giving me two thumbs up. I smiled back.

I inhaled and exhaled for a few seconds and found myself much more confident than I was before. I looked back at the class again. Joon was smiling back at me and mouthed the words fighting. I suddenly felt like I could take on anything and opened my mouth,

“I hope these tears will stop running someday

Someday after this darkness clear up

I hope the warm sunshine dries these tears

When I feel that I’m getting tired of looking me exhausted,

I want to give all my dreams I’ve kept hard

Every time I feel that I’m lacking in more things than I have

I lost strength in my legs and drop down

I hope these tears will stop running someday.”

I quietly ended IU’s song and looked at the ground. After about a few seconds of silence, everyone clapped. The teacher clapped along as well. I felt so embarrassed. My face was on fire. I hid my face behind my hair and quickly went back to my spot at the back of the class.

“That was great!” Teacher Jung whistled. “That, my dear, will be quite useful for this assignment that I will now announce.” He said that while wagging a finger at me. Teacher Jung then looked back to the class sitting on the grass. “Everyone must pick a partner and rehearse a song together. I know some of you are very... er... insecure about your voice. So I have decided that you don’t have to sing, it could be done with instruments.” All of the students breathed a sigh of relief. “But of course, I have to make it somewhat challenging.” The students groaned. “The topic for your songs will be about dreams. It is quite simple but it may be a challenge for some. I am leaving the interpretation to you guys. Music is supposed to be something inspirational, with little direction to guide you.” He smiled happily at the class. “I wish you all luck in this assignment. Since we still have about five minutes left, go back to the classroom and start choosing your partners!”  He left us all staring at his back as he walked back inside.

Everyone got up, running around to get their desired partners. I stood up as well and followed the crowd inside. I looked behind me and saw Yoseob jogging towards me with a smile. “Wait up, Eun Mi!” I beamed back at him and stopped, receiving glares from the students that were walking behind me.  “So have you decided on who you wanted to work with yet?” He asked me.

I shook my head. “Ani. Have you?”

He smiled. “Then maybe... do you think we cou-”

“Do you want to become partners?” Someone had cut Yoseob off. His smile faded and was replaced with an angry pout. I looked to my left and found Joon standing beside me, hands in his pockets.

“You scared me!” I looked at him.

He gave me a wide smile before saying, “So, what do you say? Do you want to become my partner?”  

Girls glanced over at me and shot me angry looks. I ignored them and looked back at Joon Wait. What??