_03_ (Lavalee's Point of View)
I woke up when I heard my phone ringing, the whole room was dark so it was easy to locate my ringing phone although I just tossed it somewhere yesterday.
"Ohayo," I answered not even bothering to check the caller ID
"Are you still in bed, Eonnie?" My eyes flew open and I sat up straight immediately
"No, I was just fixing my bed." I lied and then went to my bathroom
"Neon geojismalhagoiss-eo, Eonnie. You just woke up." I heard her say then chuckled
"What can I even hide from you, our little empress?" I teased her then opened the faucet of the tub
"Can I go there too?" she asked
"You know you can't but I promise when you're old enough you can." I told her on the phone while I was removing my clothes
"Alright," she said
"How's Breakore?" I asked diverting the topic then got in the tub
I placed it on outdoor speaker mode and then opened the shower of the tub before putting my phone somewhere in the bathroom.
"Breakore's great. We went to Busan, Changwon, Namyangju, and Jeju City. Hanguk is so pretty, especially Seoul. But on our first day here it was sad. Gamgie keoleosseoyo." She narrated
I stopped massaging my conditioned hair because of that and washed the conditioner off my hand before I reached for my phone.
"Are you okay now?" I asked her and placed my phone closer to my ear
"Jeonun ja jinaeyo, Eonnie." She answered and I felt relieved
"That's good to hear. How's Icey?" I asked her
"Eonnie Icey is always going out with Autumn Eonnie. I am always left with Spring Eonnie and Rielle Eonnie. They are so childish they even fight over small things." She told me and I can't help but chuckle and continue massaging my hair
I can imagine her pouting expression with the tone of her voice. Oh, I badly want to hug Freia right now!
"You have to get used to it. Why aren't you used to it anyway? You've been with them for years." I said and drained the tub
"You're taking a bath, aren't you, Eonnie?" she asked
"Yeah, how did you know?" I asked her then rinsed my hair while replacing the water in the tub.
"Oh, Eonnie, you never changed. Plus, I heard the sound of the shower." She said and I heard her chuckling
"That's why, and has nobody ever told you that old habits die hard, little empress?" I said while wearing my bathrobe
"I heard from Chelsea Eonnie that you'll be studying again, it's already 6:15 there, you might be late." She said
"It's worth it anyway," I said while exiting the bathroom and going to my walk-in closet
[Eonnie, you have to study hard. We can't use our money to have credentials.] She told me – more like – reminded me and that made me smiled
"I know that, little Empress. I never forgot that." I said while dressing up in my uniform
"Eonnie, you shouldn't speak our mother tongue in your school." She said
"Mueolseulyo? Waeandwaeyo?" I asked while smiling although she won't see it
"Eonnie, you're in the Seryphil. You shouldn't speak in our mother tongue." She said making me chuckle
"Fine, I will, later," I said while chuckling
"I'll ask Chelsea Eonnnie. I miss you, Eonnie. Saranghae. Jal ga." She said
"Johimaeyo, yeodongsaeng. I miss you too, little empress." I said and hung up
I went out of my room with my phone connected to the power bank inside my bag, I have two power banks since I always need to have a means of communication.
My little sister had grown somewhat mature. She's just eight and she should enjoy her life. I'm seven years older than Icey and nine years older than her but still, I manage to remain close to her.
I went to the garage and we drove to the school. I almost forgot that we'll be using cover names but our grades and academic performances will be registered under our names.
"Let's go," I said and led them in
Well, no one needs bodyguards here since this school is monitored 24/7 with a special lockdown system if an unauthorized weapon is detected. So yeah, we won't need those police officers and they will most probably be blocked by the school security.
We went in front of our class door, I looked at my friends and smiled.
"Ready, girls?" I asked them
If there is one thing Irene and Jess will both agree on, that will be the grand entrance.
"Welcome, transferees, and tell us your names and ages." The teacher said, unbothered by the fact that Jess and Irene just kicked the door open
"Jira Han at your service, 18," Jess said
"Blare Jang, 18 years of existence," Irene said
"Talia Go, 18," Chelse introduced
"Valerie Kan, square root of 196 + 4," I said while grinning
Everyone looked dumbfounded while my beloved friends shook their heads. Irene even threw me a look as if she's asking me; "Are you serious, Lavalee? Math, really?"
"She's also 18," Jess said
"You may take your seats." The teacher said and started discussing
The lesson was no different from the lessons we had back in the states, I didn't want to slack but knowing the lesson already made me a bit bored. The teacher doesn't seem to mind that none of the students in his class actually paid attention or is taking notes.
Some are even obviously cleaning their daggers and muzzle of their guns, the sight in our classroom is sure to give a normal person some fright but we're all members of the underground society here so it's a normal thing around here.
After our morning classes, the four of us went to the cafeteria.
"Jira," I called Jess
"Yeah, whatever," Jess said while rolling her eyes.
Jess and Chelsea went to the counter to buy our lunch, Chelsea is the most patient while Jess can handle any kind of bitching or jerk-like attitude along the line so the two of them are the best ones to go and get food. They went back to our table and then distributed the food to the four of us.
"This school is just great." Jess said and Chelsea hummed while nodding
"I agree," Irene said
"Maybe we can have a lead." I said and sighed in my heart
"You haven't found it yet?" Chelsea asked and I shook my head
"No, I don't even have a clue where she left it." I replied
I want to find it, I badly want to find it.
After we ate, we went back to our classroom. For our social studies, we are currently studying courtship, dating, and marriage.
"So, what is marriage?" our teacher asked
For some reason, both Jess and Irene seem to be very interested in this particular topic. Jess was called to answer the question and she immediately stood up.
"Marriage is part of the ingredients of a family." She said then sat down
"Ms. Kan? Care to join the discussion?" our teacher asked
Oh? She thought I'm not listening to her discussion. I stood up and faced her then I placed my pencil down.
"Marriage is the union of two people bound together by love, one of the seven holy sacraments." I answered then returned to my seat
I looked at the image I'm currently sketching and she resumed her discussion about marriage.
"Okay, class, bring out an Oslo paper or your sketchpad, coloring materials, pencil, and rulers." She said and we took out our art materials
"I want you to draw your ideal partner. Give him the characteristics you like and write what you'd expect him to be. And remember class, be realistic, okay?" she said and we started doing the activity
My ideal partner, huh? Hmm…
I started drawing a man from feet up. Well, he's wearing a navy blue shirt, pants, and rubber shoes and his hands are in his pockets.
"Why is the face still blank?" Chelsea asked me
"Mind your own business, Tal." I said and looked at my drawing
Hmm, what should he look like? I drew the first face of the guy who crossed my mind apart from my relatives. After drawing, I wrote these on my sketchpad below my illustration:
Characteristics:
Loyal Hard working Optimistic
Trustworthy Honest Humble
Loving Strong Snob but sweet
Lovable Accepting Outgoing
My Expectations for my Ideal Partner:
I want someone who will love me because of who I am not what I am, the kind of man who will never think what other people will think. Someone who will accept what I am wholehearted that even the things that are not good about me he still loves, someone who will make me feel secure and safe that I can always lean on and rely on, someone who will never judge me without listening to my explanations, those who trust me and don't believe in gossips and rumors about me, someone who will make me feel like I'm the only one he sees. That is my ideal partner.
I signed it with my signature and then passed my sketchpad.
***
Translation:
Ohayo - Good morning
Neon geojismalhagoiss-eo, Eonnie. - You're lying, big sister.
Gamgie keoleosseoyo. - I have a fever.
Jeonun ja jinaeyo, Eonnie. - I'm fine, thanks, big sister.
Eonnie. Saranghae. Jal ga. - I love you. Goodbye.
Mueolseulyo? Waeandwaeyo? - What? Why not?
Johimaeyo, yeodongsaeng. - Take care, little sister.