Disable? what? am i...

"It has a 24-hour nursing staff and it's only a few minutes from a highly regarded general hospital. The majority of students live on the campus. Think of it as a boarding school of sorts. Its designed to give students a degree of independence, while keeping help nearby"

Independence? Its a school for disable kids. Don't try to disguise that fact.

If its really that 'free', there wouldn't be a 24-hour nursing staff, and you wouldn't make a hospital being nearby a selling point.

"Of course, thats only if you want to go. But... your mother and I aren't really able to home school you. We went out there and had a look a couple of weeks back, i think you'd like it" my dad began to spoke.

It looks like i really don't have a choice.

"Compared to other heart problems, people with your condition usually tend to live long lives. You'll need a job one day and this is a good opportunity to continue your education"

This isn't an opportunity, don't call it an opportunity. Don't call it a goddamn opportunity.

"Well, you should be excited at the chance to go back to school. I remember you wanted to return to school, and while its not the same one.."

A special school. Thats.... an insult. This is what i want to say. Its a step down.

"Its not what you think. All of the students there are pretty active, in their own sort of way. Its geared towards students that can still get around and learn, but just need a little help.. in one way or another"

The doctor noded. "Your father's right. And many of the graduates of the school have gone on to do amazing things. A person doesn't have to held back by their disability"

Tch, i don't care. A person doesn't held back by their disability? thats what disability is. I really hate that something so important was decide for me. But what can i do about it? "A normal life" is out of the question now. Its funny, I had always thought my life was kind of boring, but now i miss it.

I want to protest. I want to blame this lack of reaction on shock, or fatigue. I could easily yell out something now - something about how i can go back to school anyway. But, no. I don't say anything. The fact is that i know now its futile.

I look around the room, feeling very tired of all this. The hospital, doctors, my condition, everything. I don't see anything that would  make me feel any different. There isn't a choice. I know this, but the thought of going to a disable school... what are those even like? as much as try to put a positive spin on this, its very difficult.

But let me try.

At the very least, I'll try to see what my new life will look like.

The next day, I arrived at Gwangju Inhwa.

Red bricks, black wrought iron and gray plaster, assemble into a whole that didn't feel welcoming at all. I wondered if it like what a gate for a school should look like, but couldn't decide. Probably no. Of course i didn't want to get stuck on thinking about the gate too long, so i entered through it with a brisk pace that felt suprisingly good.

So i walked towards the main building. Im alone, as my parents are taking my stuff to the dorms, and theres suppose to be someone waiting for me. Feeling nervous and with this realization set in my head, i open the front door.

A tall man with bad posture notices me as i enter. We're the only people at the lobby, so its only logical.

"You must be.. Hy.. Hye... Hyeju?" he stuterred.

"Hyojin."

"So you are. Excellent. Im your homeroom and science teacher. My name is Yunho, welcome." we exchange bows, and he looks at his watch.

"The head nurse asked you for a brief check-in visit, but theres no time for that now."

"Oh. Should i go later?" i asked. "Yes, afternoon is probably fine. We should get going and introduce you to the rest of the class. They're waiting already"

Waiting for me? I don't really like being in a centre of attention, but i guess its inevitable in a situation like this.

Somehow, not knowing what waiting for me makes me really nervous. Thinking of this, i almost miss what the teacher is saying.

"Do you want to introduce yourself to the class?" he looked at me. "Why do i have to?"

He shook his head. "Of course not, thats why i asked"

"Right"

He take a quick glance at his watch. "Lets go then"

My heart is pounding in my chest and it keeps me thinking about my condition as i follow the teacher upstairs. The third down the third floor corridor marked as the classroom for class 3-C. Yunho opens the door and enters.

"Good morning everyone, sorry im late again" i hesitate for a split second at the door, freezing on the spot.

Aish get a grip! this is a big step, i know that.... but there isn't any point to worrying ao much about it, at least not this soon.

I follow the teacher into the classroom and looked around, partically so i won't have to meet the curious gazes of my new classmate. Its pretty spacious; the ceiling is usually high and theres a lot of space left over around and inbetween the desk.  An entire wall taken up by blackboards and the high, old fashion windows only make it seems larger.

I stop walking in front of the classroom and face the other students. They all look normal, like students in my other school. But then, why would they be here?

I notice a flash of dark hair and see that someone looking at me. A boy with dark black hair that is pretty-eye catching. As he sees me looking back at her, he covers his face with his hands as if it will make him invisible.

"....Please welcome our newest classmate" he claps his hand and so does everyone, except for that one boy in the first row who has only one hand. I cringe a little but hide it by bowing in thanks for this applause i did not deserve.

After the applause, there is a brief silence that nobody seems to want to be responsible for breaking. The teacher soon realizes that he should probably say something and then starts introducing me.

Nobody seems to be interested.

Probably realizing he doesn't know anything about me, he just ends up saying my name wrong again, and ask me to write it on the blackboard. I do that, and turn back to face the class feeling awkward. I listen to the teacher as he drones about getting along while letting my gaze sweep across the classroom

Everyone seems to listen to him intently and when hes done, they clap their hands again which feels like a weird thing to do. The first row boy claps on this round, with his one hand against against his other wrist that ends in a bandaged stump.

It makes me feel bad.

"We're going to do some group work today, so that i'll give you a chance to talk with everyone. Is that okay with you?"

I noded. "Its fine with me"

"Thats good, you can work with Kyungsoo. He is the class representive. He can explain anything you might want to know. And who else would be able to do that right?"

The teacher passes out the day's assignments and announce that we will be working in groups of three. It hits me that i don't know who Kyungsoo is. The teacher seems to catch my helpless expression.

"Oh right. Kyungsoo is right there" as he call out his name, the chinese looking boy with hazel brown hair waves his hand at me. I take a sit next to him, by the window

"Hi, i guess you're Kyungsoo right? Its nice to meet you"

He chukles.

What? i caught off guard by his laughter.

"Its nice to meet you too! but, im not Kyungsoo, Im Luhan! This is Do Kyungsoo" laughing, Luhan points to the boy next to him, Its look like hes being staring at me this whole time. He nods once nonchalanthy to show that he acknowledges my presence..

"Its nice to meet you" i said.

[A/] So you've met Dyo and Lulu! So i'll be using their Overdose' hairstyle : ) also, keep an eye for the other members appearance~