MARCH: 11 MONTHS AGO.

As usual I’ve been practicing early in the morning since 6:00am at the school’s personal dance studio. I placed my hands on my hips as I tried to catch my breath. I was getting frustrated if a certain move wasn’t coming out right. It bothered me if my arm wasn’t angled the right way, if I didn’t get the same position as before, or if my feet didn’t coordinate right with the top half of my body.

I rest my hands on my head, taking a minute to myself, and give it another try.

I moved to the beat thinking what step was next and I was getting them down without any of my previous mistakes until I hit the turn that makes me lose balance. I turn off the music and sigh in irritation. I was getting really annoyed that I wasn’t getting this right. I grab my phone to check how much time I have left before class starts. My eyes pop wide open when I realize its 7:45 am.

I groan “Are you kidding, I set the alarm!”

I quickly put my belongings together and rush out of the studio. I normally set the timer to go off 30 minutes before class starts. Now I only have 15 minutes to go to my locker to change into my school uniform to make it before the final bell rings.

I didn’t care if I was running through the school campus, I had one thing on my mind and that was to not be late. I couldn’t be late. I hated being late.

I smile surprised and pleased with myself that I managed to make it into my homeroom three minutes before the final bell. I put my stuff on the top of my table as I unpack to place my folder, notebook, and pens neatly out on my desk. When everything is perfectly set I take my seat releasing my breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. I took the opportunity to get my planner out to quickly go over my day that is scheduled.

Mr. Hwang walked right at 8:00. I sit up straighter and fix my blazer. He greets us and we greet back.

He stands in front of the class “Alright, quick announcement. Ballots are in and you guys have chosen your new homeroom class president to replace our last year’s president Oh Sehun.” He pauses checking the paper “Miss. Cheon Hayoung, please step forward”

He smiles at me and I listen right away. I take my place in the front of the class staring at my classmates.

I smile kindly at them “Thank you. I will take really good care of all of you and I hope you will all be kind to me.” I bow and I receive the same, following that a warm applause from them.

I take my seat again as Mr. Hwang thanks me for my speech.

“I’m excited for you” Haeryung whispers who is sitting next to me on my left side “Congrats” She smiles giving me a thumbs up.

I smiled, appreciating her kind words, and thanked the girl who transferred this year.

During class, whatever Mr. Hwang was writing on the board I highlighted over on my notes and marked the ones I felt like I needed to study more. I placed my pen down and took out my planner.

Sunday 10

Monday 11

Mr. Hwang was in the middle of explaining the literally analysis of the book we were assigned to read over the summer when the class got interrupted by a late student. I had to double check to make sure my eyes saw what I thought I saw. Sehun walked in with a black cap wearing it backwards, a strict dress code violation for the boys.

The only loose dress code boys were allowed to have is wearing their mandatory belts, prescribed glasses, and whatever color sneakers they wanted. Same rule applied for girls but we were allowed to wear bracelets or necklaces as long as they weren’t distracting.

As he was walking to his desk, I wasn’t the only one staring at the famous Oh Sehun and his little grand entrance.

Mr. Hwang noticed right away “Mr. Oh Sehun”

Sehun rolled his eyes as he turned around. Mr. Hwang motions his two fingers to make him walk up to the front of the class.

“Rules are Rules.” Mr. Hwang places his hand out waiting for Sehun to turn in his baseball cap.

Sehun sighs removing his hat. I’m shocked to see that the side of his hair is buzzed off. I pull my eyebrows down confused if what I’m seeing is really real.

“Aside from breaking the school’s dress code, you are late. That’s an automatic trip to see Principal Kim II-Hyung.”

Mr. Hwang makes a call and we all knew he was asking for the campus security to pick him up.

Sehun walked out of the class and Mr. Hwang followed him calling after his name. Once our teacher walked out no one wasted time to immediately whisper and gossip about what just happened.

Haeryung turns over to me and asks “What was that, what’s with the new haircut?”

I shrug my shoulders unsure myself

“Shouldn’t you know?” She whispers

I shake my head “Why would I?”

“You guys don’t talk?”

I shake my head again. She raises an eyebrow as she looks up in the air getting lost in her thoughts. I understood why she would think that Sehun and I would be friends but our cliques never bothered to really hang out like that.

I mean I would talk to him but it was mostly about school work. The only reason I stayed away from that group of boys was because he and his clique had the guys in our school respect and admire them for everything they do while the girls would day dream about them and swoon over who is better looking. Something all five boys took advantage of and something that I didn’t agree on.

Now, Sehun made his big return after missing the first week of school. I have a feeling that this is just going to get the guys to praise him and his group of friends even more than the usual. I sigh preparing myself to hear admiration from the entire school for a week, it just didn’t fail.

I was having lunch with Kyungri and Saerin at our normal spot inside the lunch area. Kyungri was offering me some of her cookies and I took one.

“Guys, it’s official. My worst nightmare has come true”

Kyungri and I stare at Saerin unsure what she’s talking about

She sighs “I’ve run out of ideas. This is the first party of the year, our last year that I’ll be able to throw parties and I can’t come up with anything”

Kyungri chimes “I told you not to go crazy last year”

“I don’t know what to do” Saerin leans on the table placing both hands on each side of her head “I need to go bigger than usual, I’ve never been known for throwing bad parties. What if this will be it?”

I chuckle “I don’t think it’s that much of a big deal”

Saerin sits straight back up “You don’t even care about my parties. You’ll be there for a few minutes before you decide to leave.” She puts her hand on her chest “I, I care. I can’t allow my reputation to be on the line.”

Kyungri jumps in “I don’t think anyone cares much for what you do. All they care about is being there, so don’t sweat it. I’m sure something will come up”

Saerin was looking around thinking to herself and after a while she responds “I think I just did” She smiles and without saying anything else she quickly got up and left us sitting at the table.

“Where are you going?” I ask

She turns around with her signature smile “I just thought of an idea”

Kyungri and I stare at each other clueless and continue eating our food.

This morning I left the dance studio right on time. I had plenty of time to kill. I sat in my seat going through my planner, writing down extra activities to preoccupy myself with for today.

I noticed my classmates walk in filling the classroom. I placed my planner away and took out my supplies, setting them out in their usual perfect spot. I notice my folder isn’t straight so I fix it.

When I look up, I notice Sehun enter the room with small white earphones on and just a folder in his hands walking towards his desk. My gaze followed him, waiting to see if he’ll put those away. As he took his seat he still didn’t remove them and I grew impatient.

I decide to make my way to the second row where his desk is, standing next to him being ignored. I know he can see me.

“Earphones off”

I felt a little dumb because he obviously couldn’t listen to me with whatever music he was listening to. I move to stand in front of him and this time he stares at me. His eyes had this cold stare, lacking emotion, and I was taken off guard but I still managed to get my words out.

“Off” I point at my ear to make it clear to him what I mean

He continues to stare not moving an inch except his lips and looking away with annoyance. He takes one off but leaves the other one in.

“Both”

He sighs irritated but listens.

“Thank you” I walk away and when I take my seat the final bell rings.

This morning it was Mr. Kingsley, our English teacher who greets everyone and doesn’t waste any time starting with our English lesson.

“Alright, so your first class assignment, informative speech.” He looks up and when he does he sighs “Mr. Sehun”

Everyone turns around including me and when I do I can’t believe he had his earphones back on again. Why would he do that after I just told him to put them away?

Mr. Kingsley adds “I suggest you put those away unless you want to visit Principal Kim’s office.”

When Sehun listened, Mr. Kingsley continued with the lesson. I on the other hand couldn’t help but scowl at him. I shake my head and turn my attention back to the front of the class.

“You guys can pick any issue or topic to do a speech or debate about but it must be entirely in English with 2-3 minutes long. So let’s do a practice round” He pauses looking around the class and his eyes focus on one person “Mr. Sehun, give me a full sentence on coping with stress”

I continue looking forward waiting to hear for his answer.

“The stress is caused by what?” He asks

“Anything in general” Mr. Kingsley replies “What would be some ways to cope with it?”

Sehun pauses “Drink, have , and not give two s”

I turn back to face him shocked that those words came out. I’ve known Sehun and he’s never spoken in that form to any of the teachers. Some students giggled and whispered.

Mr. Kingsley was just as shocked “Principal Kim’s it is”

“You’re getting me in trouble for giving you an answer?”

“An inappropriate answer” Mr. Kingsley walks to his desk making the call

“You didn’t say it couldn’t be”

Students continued to whisper amongst each other and cracking smiles. I didn’t know what was so funny? I couldn’t agree with Mr. Kingsley any better, it was very inappropriate.

I had no idea where this new persona of Sehun was coming from. I’ve known him for the past three years and he was never like this, his friends yes, but he never let that influence him.

Campus security finally arrived and as Sehun stood up I couldn’t help but to observe him. First, he stopped caring last year and didn’t show up for the last month of school. Secondly, he came back this year late with a new hairstyle and getting in trouble on his day back. Now, he’s being sent to Principal Kim’s office twice in the same week.

I couldn’t add it up, I knew there was something off but I couldn’t put my finger on it yet. I couldn’t understand what could have possibly made him be this way.

Mr. Kingsley continued doing practice rounds with the entire class and while they were all focusing on giving him answers my mind was focusing on the assignment. I was trying to get a head start but I couldn’t think of any topics I wanted to work on.

Everyone gets interrupted by the homeroom phone that was ringing. After Mr. Kingsley answers my name comes out from his mouth.

“Miss Hayoung” Mr. Kingsley’s voice makes me look up at him “The office needs you”

I stood up while I felt others look at me. I was confused to why I was being asked to go. I was trying to recall what I did but I haven’t done anything wrong.

I reach the front office when the secretary smiled at me

“Go right ahead.” She points with her head at the double door to Principal Kim’s office while she was busy typing away on the laptop.

I open the door and find Principal Kim II-Hyung turning to me. When I walk in I notice the back of Sehun’s head and his new half buzzed haircut.

“Miss Cheon Hayoung, please take a seat”

I do as I’m told and when I do I look over at Sehun who had that same look as earlier, expressionless, he squirms in his chair as I stare at him. My attention quickly goes back to Principal Kim when he begins to talk.

“There’s been a small situation with Mr. Oh Sehun here, as of last year his grades dropped. I as the Principal have to make sure that all students who attend at Daewon Elite Prep graduate with a high GPA. As you know our school has the biggest reputation in Seoul and never in the history in Daewon has there ever been a student who drastically lowered their GPA than Mr. Sehun.”

I look over at the same but different guy sitting next to me. I knew Sehun stopped caring about his classes but not to this extent. No one in their right mind would want to jeopardize their GPA, not here. Especially if this was the best school to get a scholarship to any College in the world. I look back at Principal Kim who continues.

“The Senior Class President already has a lot on his plate to put his full attention on Mr. Oh, so as his homeroom class president you will have full responsibility to make sure that he walks to receive his diploma by the end of the year.” He pauses turning over to Sehun “Do we have an understanding Mr. Oh?”

I turn back at Sehun, he doesn’t say a word and I look back at Principal Kim feeling really uncomfortable.

I lightly raise both eyebrows “For the whole year?”

He clears his throat and nods “You can head back to class Miss Hayoung, thank you.”

In my mind I wanted to find ways to get out of the situation but it was an order that I had to complete. I had to admit I was a little bothered that I had to make sure he does well in all subjects for the rest of the year, it was a lot of pressure but I knew this was part of the package deal if I became homeroom class president so I it up and promised to do my best.

Class started to go by quick, all our teachers switched throughout the day and Mr. Hwang was the last one. When the bell rang to go home I walked up to him.

“Mr. Hwang. Principal Kim put me in charge of Sehun so I’m going to need to know what he needs to catch up on please”

Mr. Hwang checks his laptop “Ah Yes, Principal Kim sent me an email about that.”

He clicks on his keyboard and after a while of waiting he prints out a sheet handing it to me. I can’t help but to sigh, I had a lot of work to get to with Sehun and on top of that my own. I thank him putting the sheet in my folder and walk out of class.

I took my planner and I checked the time 4:15, I had to attend Drama Class today. As I was walking towards the theater I saw Sehun standing at his locker with his friends surrounding him. I continue walking choosing to ignore him but then I remembered I don’t have his number to tell him we need to meet. I need to get him back on track so I turned around to walk up to him.

I caught him with the tiniest hint of a smile on his face while he talked to Chanyeol, Kai, and Kris. Tao was coming from behind to join them. When I finally reach the spot they’re standing in, I heard a little small part of their conversation.

“Are you going to do it?” Kris asked Chanyeol

The tall guy who smiled 99.9 percent of the time noticed me and the rest of the guys followed his eyes, including Sehun. I clear my throat and put my attention on the pair of cold brown eyes that made me feel really uneasy.

“Hey, meet me at 6:00 to get you caught up with your work and you better show up.”

His friends cause a little scene as they mimic my threat. I stare at all of them and slightly open my eyes not being able to believe how immature they are.

“You hear that little brat?” Kris smirked wrapping his arm around Sehun’s neck “Miss perfect is giving you an order”

Miss Perfect?

I ignore his comment and continue “Junggok Hall at 6:00. Library, don’t be late.”

I walk away and I can still hear them make noise with their oh’s and uh oh’s

I roll my eyes and continue on with my schedule.

I was bouncing my knee impatiently. It was 6:00 and Sehun wasn’t here. I look around noticing other students working on their homework or studying. I was tapping my pencil on the table and a girl stared at me annoyed. I mouth ‘sorry’ and stop myself from getting impatient. I hated when I needed to wait for things I knew there was a specific time for.

Ten minutes passed by and there was still no Sehun. He better not bail or I swear I’m going to have a serious talk with Principal Kim.

I continue looking forward and just decide to take my folder out and get started on my work.

“Isn’t it rude to start without me?”

I turn around and notice Sehun sitting right next to me. When did he get here?

“I think it’s more rude that you kept me waiting” I take my textbook and get started on my work “I checked out a book you’re going to need to research for your 2 page history essay.”

I slide it over to him.

“Page 112 you’ll find it’s more accurate to the topic.”

I hear a soft small chuckle and I turn over to face him. I pull my eyebrows together unsure what was so funny. I ignore it and continue with my work.

“I only came here to let you know that this arrangement is pointless. I don’t care about receiving that diploma.”

I scoff amused. “Well, Principal Kim put me in charge. So like it or not you’re going to catch up on your work.” I pause “I’m surprised he hasn’t suspended or punished you for your behavior.”

He doesn’t exchange words after a long pause and when I turn around to face him he wasn’t sitting next to me anymore. I look around to see where he went and he was nowhere in sight. I scratch the top of my eyebrow frustrated, hoping it’s not going to be like this. How am I going to make him get caught up with his work if he was going to act this way? I take a deep breath and exhale it out. Staying positive thinking to myself I can do this, I will make him do this.