Forwards

Mika’s POV

All I did was tell the teacher to shove it. Okay maybe that isn’t really ALL I did. But that guy has been getting on my nerves for the past couple months. He’s such a jerk, and really thinks he can tell me what to do. I had to do something. Maybe kicking him in the balls was too much, but no one understands. And no one would believe me if I told them the truth. Maybe I messed up in the past, but it really was necessary. And HE is the one who brought it on himself. I wouldn’t have gotten so angry if he hadn’t done that and reminded me of HIM. But I don’t want to discuss HIM. I never will. It was the past, and it’s done and gone. I just can’t let it happen ever again.

Now thanks to that dirt bag teacher, I was expelled from school. My parents begged for an explanation of why I’ve been acting this way, but I don’t have an answer for them. And because of my own actions, apparently, there’s nothing they can do with me. The only thing they can think of is sending me to Boot Camp. You have GOT to be kidding me!!! If the court wasn’t involved, I would refuse, but by law I am being forced to go. This is so wrong! What do they think will happen to me there? Am I supposed to be yelled at and forced to run obstacle courses, in order to fix my attitude? I don’t think so!

Today is the day I am leaving home. This is the first time I’ve gone away for so long. I won’t see my parents, or oppa or my little dongsaeng again for a long time. I know they love me, but I am sure they’re looking forward to this. They want me to stop behaving so “poorly” as they say it.

I sighed heavily as I laid the last pair of jeans into the suitcase, and zipped it up. Maki walked in.

“Unnie! I’m going to miss you.” She whined.

“I’m going to miss you too dongsaeng. But we can still call and email, so don’t worry.”

My younger sister Maki has always looked up to me. We are 5 years apart, so she has always seen me as her elder I guess. I’m almost ashamed that she has to see me leave this way. It’s not like I just graduated High School with honors, on my way to College. Nope, she has to watch me go away to Boot Camp after failing to behave correctly during my senior year of high school. I love Lila, and never lash out at her, but I still feel sorry toward her for being such a bad unnie.

“Yeah, I am going to call you every day, unnie.” She smiled innocently at me.

“I’m not sure if I am allowed to talk every day. But I promise we can talk as much as possible.” I sweetly replied.

She frowned slightly, “Fine,” then her lips curled back into a smile, “But I will still try to call every day.”

“Okay, Maki.” I laughed and she sat down on the bed next to my suitcase.

My mom suddenly walked in. “You all packed and ready, Mika?”

“Yes, ma. I’m finished.”

“Okay, your father is waiting in the car. He will be taking you himself.”

“Alright, mom.” I sighed, and grabbed my bag.

Nichi oppa walked in to take all my stuff for me.

“Thanks oppa.” I tried to smile as he didn’t say anything while walking out.

We all ended up on the porch outside, and my brother set my bags in the truck, where I saw my father waiting in the driver’s seat. Oppa walked back over to where I was standing.

“I wish you hadn’t done this to yourself.” He sighed, looking at me.

“I am sorry for making you all ashamed of me.” I said to the three of them, choking back any tears that dared to well up in my eyes.

“Unnie, I am not ashamed. I love you and will miss you.” Maki replied, and I couldn’t stop one tear from forming as I heard her voice tremble and saw her own eyes filled with tears.

“Maki, be good. Unnie loves you too. I will call when I can.” I hugged her tightly.

I then looked up at my oppa. He had softened. I knew he felt bad about everything that had happened. He knew I didn’t really want to behave the way I had.

“Goodbye Nichi oppa.” I hugged him, and he held me closely.

After breaking his hug, I turned to my omma. She was crying quietly, not wanting to say goodbye.

“Omma, don’t cry. I will contact you.”

She hugged me, saying, “Mika, I don’t know what happened. I don’t understand what is going on with you, but I love you, no matter what. I will miss you. We all will.”

“I’ll miss you too. I love you omma.” I broke the hug and smiled at her. She forced herself to smile back.

I said my last goodbye to all of them, and turned to climb into the car with my appa. He waved out the window to the others, and pulled off onto the road.

He was silent, and so was I, until we arrived outside the camp.

“Mika…” He began. I turned toward him, and he suddenly looked very vulnerable. He had lost his tough defenses. I had hurt my father.

“Take care of yourself here. We hope to hear from you soon. You know I love you, right? It doesn’t matter what you do. Your mother and I love you. And so do your brother and sister. I know there’s a reason for your actions, and I understand that you don’t want to talk about it. Just get through here, and figure out what you really need to do. I know you will talk when you are ready.” His voice trembled slightly, and he looked at me very intently. His expression softened.

“Okay, appa. I will try my best. I love all of you too, very much. I will miss you.”

We got out of the car, and he pulled my bags out of the back and set them in front of me.

“This is goodbye now, dear.” He told me, and I hugged him.

“Goodbye, appa.” I answered, and he left like that.

I stood there in front of a large gate. I gathered my bags together, and walked my last few steps of freedom for the time being. After this, I will hardly even have a will of my own. This really is goodbye. Not just to my family, but to life as I know it.