"Mom, where is our new apartment?"
I asked my mother while we were driving to the apartment we're going to live in.
"Ilsan" she answered, not even looking at me.
That didn't really give me an answer forbmy question, I already say an 'Ilsandong-gu' sign, But I let it go.
After about 10 minutes she stopped the car and told me to get off.
"We're here"
my mother said with joy, she was obviously happy to finally move out.
The old apartment we lived in was crappy and small, now we have a bigger apartment to live in.
I was exhausted from the ride so I immediately took my stuff, took the elevator and entered our new apartment; the basic stuff like couch, table, TV, sink, oven, dishwasher, shower and other furnitures were already there because we moved them earlier.
I looked around the apartment and saw a room with a sign on a paper that said: 'Hana's room' I barged in, my bed, table and closet were already there, I put my luggage on the floor and jumped on the bed without even taking a shower.
The next day I woke up and I didn't feel like I got any sleep at all.
My mother opened the door of my room and said: "You need to buy your school uniform today."
She said it like it's no big deal, but I HATE going to new schools, especially buying the uniform! Like can't they hand it over at the school?
My mother eventually got me to go buy the uniform, of course she made me take a shower and eat breakfast first.
I went on my way to the store.
After a while I got to the shop and entered the it and looked at the staff sitting in the counter on their phone.
"Excuse me.."
I said.
I'm not the person that askes staff things and instructions and all, but I was alone her so I had to.
The staff member looked at me, she was obviously tired.
"Can I buy the Daejin high school uniform here?"
The staff member nodded and showed it to me.
On my way back home, my phone buzzed;
[Mother: today is your father's death anniversary, I bought a cake while you were still sleeping, so come home quickly.]
I totally forgot today is his death anniversary..
'I feel so bad now..'
I took a bus and got home by 5 minutes, my mother was sitting at the table with downcast eyes and the cake next to her.
I sat down next to my mother and started cutting the cake, I also brought some cups and water for us and put it on the table.
I finally sat down again.
"I bought the uniform, mother"
I told her, she didn't answer but I knew she was happy with it.
After we ate the cake and cried togeter about dad's death, I went to my room and started reading a book.
It was about demons; the book said that they are evil and mischievous, but I don't believe it.
When I was a kid, one helped me. I couldn't see him, but he was kind. He saved my life.
Because of that, I don't hate them.
I believe that deep inside they still care for us - unless why would that demon want to help me?
I returned the book to his place, took clean clothes and took a shower.
I eventually went to sleep and that long day ended.
The next day I woke up, took a shower, ate breakfast, put on the new unifrom, pack food and notebooks and went on my way to school.
The school was huge, bigger than the one in my old town; there was about 3 floors, there was a huge soccer field too.
I made my way in and with barely noticing the bell rang.
[Ding-Dong]
I entered the class I was supposed to - it was a girl's only one, everyone was busy putting on makeup and gossiping with their friends to notice me.
"Silence, everyone!"
The female teacher commanded, eventually after many tries everyone was quiet.
"Introduce yourself"
she said while looking at me.
I immediately obeyed and did as she said.
"My name is Kang Ha-na, I am 17 years old. Nice to meet you all!"
I said as I bowed down on my last words.
The students started gossiping as soon as I finished.
"A transfer student in the middle of the year?"
some said.
"Don't be her friend. She looks weird."
a girl told her friend.
"I bet she will be bullied by tommorow"
students started betting on my fate, it was obviously really embarrassing.
The school day went on without any obstacales for me, that's a relief.
I walked back home and fell asleep on my bed.
The next morning, my phone continued buzzing.
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
[You have a new message]
I wondered who could sent me this much messages, probably not my mother.
I opened KakaoTalk and viewed the messages.
Someone added me to a group chat of all the second year students, boys & girls.
I suddenly get another message, I see it's from someone called Lee Myeong-sik.
I'm guessing he's a second year student as well and he got my number from the group chat.
[Hey, are you the new student? I'm from the class next to yours.]
I was guessing that too.
[Yes. Your name's Lee Myung-sik?]
[Yes]
[I got your number from the group chat]
I know.
[Save my number] he added.
I saved his number and got ready for school, on my way I recognized him from his profile picture.
"Lee Myung-sik?"
"Kang Ha-na?"
"Your name doesn't suit you"
I said with boldness.
"You're pretty" he said.
"What?"
I thought I heard wrong.
No one has ever said that to me, maybe he's joking?
The bell rang.
[Ding-Dong]
I couldn't be late to class on my second day.
I quickly waved goodbye to him as I ran to my class.
2 hours passed, It's time for lunch.
I run to the cafeteria as everyone do, not to be able to buy a snack but to find a seat, I already packed lunch.
I was about to sit somewhere but someone quickly took my seat, it was Go Yu-ri, from my class.
I fell but something catched me.. it was...
"Lee Myung-sik?"