Soo-Jin Lee Age 21
4:00 a.m. November 4, 2019
It was still dark out and many people were still asleep. I took the wash bin to the stream inside the deep forest. The waterfall was quiet today. As I dipped the clothes from the wash bin into the pond, the water sent a chill down my spine. It was cold.
I took the bar of soap and rubbed the clothes against it. The dirt and the smell were washing away. I lit a small fire and hung my clothes on a stick over the fire. As I undressed and walked into the pond, I washed myself with the soap, cleansing my wounds.
The pond was cool, and my skin enjoyed the coolness of the crystal cold water. The stillness of the dark night still mesmerizes me till this day. As I dressed into my pajamas, I picked up my clothes, and put out the fire even if they were not completely dry.
The stars guided me back to the small room. My hair became frozen. Small particles of snow filled my hair and turned it into icicles. Before sleeping, I made sure all the clothing was hung and ready to dry. The gas was turned off and there was no water running. Everything became still and silent.
6:00 a.m. November 4, 2019
I put on my school uniform and my coat. The colors of my uniform were to my liking. It was a navy-blue skirt with a small and tight navy-blue jacket. There was a red bow and white blouse that went along with my outfit. The uniform was a bit stiff but doable. My long coat hung over my shoulders and draped along my neckline. As I exited the house, I took one last look at the room. Everything was in the correct place and nothing seemed off. As I locked up the house, I headed for school.
According to my watch, it would take approximately an hour and a half. I hurriedly exited through the forest and walked into the small dark alleyway. The sun barely broke through the dark clouds giving just minimum light to see. At last, school was about to begin again. Similar to any other day, the process was going to repeat itself all over again. The bullying, the criticism, the lying, the rumors, and the beating of the body.
The sound of the pounding never left my head. Years and years passed and the bullying never seized to stop. My body became a body of bruises, cuts, and scars. Scars of all the hardships that I have gone through my entire life. In the end, the people around me never tried to understand my situation. My sibling excelled in everything including academics and sports. But I was left with nothing but a great pain in my heart and my body. I then realized that my life was nothing but pity.
7:30 a.m. November 4, 2019
As I arrived at the school gates, the students stared at me with disgust and hatred. The evil death stares pierced my gazed. The unwelcoming teachers did not bat an eye at me. They continued to stare at me in acrimony and revulsion.
"I should have suspected that nobody would accept me. After all, I am an outcast."
I entered the school gates and headed towards the abandoned library at the back of the school. There was nobody there. Due to the terrible rumors of the haunted library, nobody ever stepped into the library. On the other hand, I enjoyed my days there as a college student. Even though my college was small and very private, we were known as a very smart and meticulous school. Nobody rivaled us in academics, and sports.
Even though life on this campus was joyous, every grade counted. The curriculum was difficult and keeping up with little things were important. As I entered the library, I began my work. The schoolwork that I had missed over the past days. Certain situations disallowed me to work on the projects that I was assigned and so has the day begun...