Chapter Text
Jinhwan's POV
I felt my hands shake as I got ready for school.
I really didn't want to go. I wasn't ready to go.
I got accepted into a new high-school, and I was both excited and horrified.
Since I was 10 years old, I started taking dance class not too far away from home in order to distract myself from the problems my mother and I were facing then, and I really enjoyed it.
I practiced my best during class and then practiced more at home, slowly becoming one of the best students in class.
One day around April or May, a man came to observe our class.
No one explained to us what’s going on, and the teacher simply said he’s going to sit in the corner of our class and should just pretend like there wasn’t anyone there.
Which was a bit ridiculous to tell a class filled with mostly 7th to 9th graders, and mostly girls, but whatever.
Only a few weeks or a month later, one girls in that class found out that man came to check our class, to see if there’s any potential in the students in this studio.
And apparently, there was.
Me.
I was so shocked when I received a letter saying I got accepted into this school, and I got a full scholarship for 4 years from 9th to 12th grade.
I mean, I started dancing as a hobby.
Yes, I enjoyed it a lot. and yes, I took one class three times a week.
But that was all.
The class I was taking wasn't something famous or expensive since we couldn't afford it. I mostly paid from my savings.
I also taught myself whenever I couldn't attend.
I didn't have any special talent and most of the students were a lot better than me.
The letter said I have two weeks to decide whether I want to join or not.
I talked with my mom about the subject since I knew it would be a bit difficult for us to pay for uniforms and new textbooks for this not-so-cheap school.
I had my savings from part time jobs I had on weekends and summer break, but I wanted to use this money to help my mom out.
But she told me I should go for this offer.
It's a once in a lifetime chance to get accepted into a school like that for
free
and it could be a great chance for me.
They have an amazing dance major from what we read, and they focus on your other subjects as well, having a really high grade average.
This could be really useful for me later getting into college.
But I still hesitated a bit, not sure what to do.
I had my small group of friends, I got used to the routine I had there. Moving schools…
It would be difficult.
Especially since this new school is most likely filled with a bunch of spoiled rich kids who don't give a damn about anyone but themselves.
So yeah, I was horrified.
But standing in front of the school’s gate, it really hit me that there is no turning back from here.
I really am enrolled in this
huge
school!
I’m definitely going to lose myself around here. Not to mention, I already know I’m going to stand out.
I don’t belong here. I don’t think I ever will.
Well, too late to regret it now.
I took a deep breath and made my way inside, looking for the secretary’s office.
I need to get my schedule for the school year and make sure everything is set with my scholarship.
I couldn’t help but hope I won’t be too far behind since I missed my first and a half months of the school year because of...personal reasons.
I asked to enroll a bit later to work a bit. The school was perfectly aware of my financial problems and had no problem. But they gave me only two months. I didn’t have too many options.
Students were giving me looks as I walked in the hall, they were probably made their way to class.
I did my best to be invisible as I tried to figure out where that damn office was.
I hate it when people look at me. I hate being the center of attention.
But from a quick look around, I could already tell it’s going to be different from my old school.
“Excuse me?” I knocked on the door with the sign ‘secretary’ on it.
This school was literally like a maze, and since I had no instructions, I asked a blonde student where the office was. He was kind enough to walk me halfway before hurrying to his own class.
At least one nice person.
“I’m the new student.”
"Oh, Kim Jinhwan, right?" The woman at the computer stopped typing and turned her head to look at me before smiling politely.
I nodded, feeling now comfortable to step inside the office. It was simply decorated, and there was a door inside the office with ‘Principal’ written on it.
"Nice to meet you." She said, returning her focus on the computer. "Come and sit, we'll go through a few things and a student should come soon to give you a tour. Stay close to him for this week so you won't get lost. Okay?"
I nodded again and sat on one of the empty chairs, putting my bag down on the floor before looking around the office while waiting.
I didn't like the thought of spending a week with a complete stranger, but I guess I don't have too many choices unless I want to get lost.
She finished typing and printed my schedule for me before going over it with me.
We also went over the details of my scholarship to make sure I understood everything correctly.
I must keep an A- average at least. I can’t get more than 3 detentions a year and I can’t be called to the principal over 5 times a year.
It didn’t sound all too complicated. I rarely got in trouble in my school, and I never got detention either.
I had to have free time to work and help around the house.
After clearing everything about my scholarship and schedule with the secretary I think I waited for 10 minutes after before a guy walked inside the office.
He had dark hair which was combed up. It also seems like he's moving his fingers through it at least once an hour to make sure it stays up.
His jacket was open, the shirt beneath it was sticking completely out of his pants and apparently he decided there's no need for a tie since it was missing.
Anyways, he had a displeased expression on his face and I can't say I blame him.
Who does want to babysit the school's new student?
"Jinhwan, this is Koo Junhoe. He'll be with you for this week."
Koo Junhoe? Didn't I hear that name somewhere?
I know everyone around this school had ties somewhere, so it wouldn't surprise me if I happen to see an article somewhere about him or his father.
When Junhoe looked at me, his expression seemed to change from annoyed to surprised. I wonder why. It's definitely not something I expected, but…
I guess we're stuck together for a week.
I looked back at him a bit unsure, before standing up from my seat, realizing only now how tall he actually is.
Could it be I'm the shortest around here?
"Uhh… Hey…" I said quietly before picking my bag up, waiting for Junhoe to respond or say something.
But he didn't move.
Junhoe kept looking at me, his eyes not leaving my face and honestly, I made me feel a bit nervous.
This isn't normal, right? It can't be normal. But maybe that's Koo Junhoe normal?
"Um… I'm Kim Jinhwan." I decided to introduce myself when he didn't say a thing, reaching my hand forward.
It felt like forever until Junhoe nodded and shook it.
"Let's start with the tour?" He asked with a smile.
I nodded and waited for him to let my hand go before thanking the secretary and following him.
I kept a safe distance from him, following him quietly as he lead me back to the school's entrance so he could show me how to get around school from there.
Trusting people in this school would be difficult because it's clear they come from different statuses, so I believe it's safe to assume it's better not to mention the subject of my family's wealth.
"So, what are you here for?" Junhoe suddenly asked me, and I looked at him confused.
"Your major."
"Oh, hmm dance. I guess."
Well, I got in this school because someone thought I was good enough at dancing. It also said it's my major in the approval letter I got so I guess it only makes sense.
"You're a good dancer?"
If I'm a good dancer? I can't really answer that.
In my opinion - there are a lot of talented dancers out there who dedicated their lives to it and have amazing potential.
I'm not one of them.
"Well… I don't know if I'm that good…" I managed to mumble quietly.
"Well, I'm sure you're good enough if you're here." He smiled amused and looked at me. “They are usually really picky when it comes to selecting new students.”
Well, it sure seems like he knows a thing or two about how things work around here. I assume he’s in this school for at least three years.
‘I wouldn’t really count on that…’ I thought. "What about you?"
"Music, but I take the singing classes."
"Oh, so you want to be a singer." Well duh, Jinhwan. Isn't it obvious?
"Yeah." Junhoe chuckled. "I think I'm good enough for at least not make your ears to bleed."
"I'm sure you can't be that bad if you're here." I hummed, looking around the school. "I mean… This place doesn't just accept anyone like you just said. Though you might wanna think about it again because the standards can’t be that high if they let me enroll…"
"That what I thought when I got accepted." Junhoe chuckled again.
I couldn't help but smile and then chuckle. This guy might be a bit weird, but for now, it seems I can get along with him.
Maybe the school year won't be too bad.
As long as I won't mention my background I should be fine.
We walked around the school, Junhoe showing me where the classes are and I stuck close to him to make sure I'm not getting lost.
I swear this place was bigger on the inside than it was outside, and I wasn't sure how I feel about that. Is a week really enough for me to get used to this place?
Another thing was that as the day went by, I couldn't help but notice the students were whispering around us.
At first, I thought they might simply be gossiping or something like that. Then I started thinking it might be about me since I'm clearly new and I clearly don't belong here.
But when I actually tried to concentrate on what they were whispering about, I understood they're talking about Junhoe.
Just who that guy exactly?
It's a wealthy students' school, so obviously there might be some more 'popular' students. Some who had more famous or more rich parents. Some who had a higher status than the rest…
But Junhoe didn't tell me anything about himself. I don't know his story and who his family was. I had no intention of asking either because I didn't want to lie about my own background if he was to ask.
"Don't mind them." Junhoe decided to say after a while.
I looked at him in wonder. "What do you mean?"
"The students. Don't mind them." Junhoe shrugged, "they'll gossip just about anything."
I frowned, wondering why would he want to avoid the subject if he knows there are whispers about him, but decided not to question it any further. It wasn't my business.
But I still couldn't help but catch a few whispers.
'Hey, isn't that Koo Junhoe…? What is he doing with that guy…?'
'That's Koo Junhoe, right? Isn't his father funding the school? Why is he stuck babysitting this guy?'
‘God, Junhoe looks so good today. Who’s that kid who’s with him?’
Ouch?
But, well, it seems like Junhoe's father was someone important.
Important enough to make Junhoe to be considered as a guy too good to give a freaking tour to the new student. Or to have students talk about him for at least half the day.
I stopped walking and grabbed Junhoe's arm to make him stop walking as well.
He looked at me confused as I smiled at him.
Just because his father is funding the school doesn't mean we can't be friends, right?
Until now he looked like a nice guy. And he didn't look happy when he walked into the secretary's office, but he still took his time and gave me a tour without complaining or rushing it.
He was patient enough to explain to me the classes, the lockers, where's the cafeteria...
And I really was grateful for it.
I mean, I know he was forced to, but the tour didn’t feel forced at all.
"Is everything okay?" Junhoe asked, and I nodded.
"Just wanted to say I appreciate you're taking your time to show me around. I would have gotten lost here otherwise."
Junhoe chuckled. "It kind of supposed to be my 'punishment'." He said, shrugging. "But it doesn't feel like that."
"Punishment? What did you do?" I frowned. So Koo Junhoe got into trouble, huh?
"Talked back to a teacher one time too many, apparently." Junhoe answered, shaking his head. "She deserved it."
I looked at him, waiting for Junhoe to explain more, but it didn't seem like it's going to happen.
"Well, I'm glad to know you don't see me as a punishment." I said amused.
"Not at all." Junhoe smiled, looking at the time. "It's almost lunch time. Wanna join? I said I'll meet with my friends, but I can make an exception."
"Sure." I smiled and let Junhoe lead me to the cafeteria.
I was starving.
I have to admit, I was kind of happy Junhoe was the one who was assigned to me.
While sitting at the secretary's office I wondered whether it's going to be some spoiled, stuck up student who'll talk non-stop about how popular he was, how much money he had and how his life was better.
But it didn't seem like Junhoe cared about his popularity or reputation at all. I actually think all the talks about him and his father actually annoy him.
And we actually had quite a lot of stuff in common to talk about.
Could it be I might actually have a friend in this school?