Chereads / The Starboy From Chicago / Chapter 2 - Metamorphosis

Chapter 2 - Metamorphosis

As Brandon and Seok Ho arrived at Brandon's mom's house, he was welcomed by his mother. Brandon ran towards her and hugged her tightly.

Brandon: "I missed you so much, Mom!"

His mom hugged him back, a slight tear falling down her cheek.

Soo Ah: "Oh my son, I missed you too. Welcome back home."

Their heartwarming reunion was interrupted by his sister, Ji Yeon, who woke up and came outside still half asleep.

Ji Yeon: "Mom, why is the door ope—" She looked up, saw her older brother, and ran full speed towards him, hugging him tightly. "Big Brother, you're back!"

Brandon patted her head gently.

Brandon: "Yes, I'm back, Ji Yeon."

Seok Ho, shivering slightly, spoke up.

Seok Ho: "Shouldn't we go inside? It's a bit cold out here."

Later, at the dining table with his mom, sister, and Seok Ho, Brandon spoke up nonchalantly and excitedly.

Brandon: "Mom, I want to change my name."

Soo Ah looked at him, shocked.

Soo Ah: "You want to change your name? Why's that?"

Brandon smirked.

Brandon: "Since I'm here now, I'd like to change my name to Choi Woo Young."

His mom remembered when Brandon was five, before his dad took him to the US, she had wanted to name him Woo Young. But his dad insisted on Brandon Junior. Now hearing Brandon's request, she teared up.

Soo Ah: "You remembered that. Let's go file a petition tomorrow."

Brandon smiled.

Brandon: "Got it, Mom!"

*Few months later*

Soo Ah: "Woo Young! Ji Yeon! Come downstairs for breakfast!"

Woo Young came downstairs with a new look and his uniform. His new look featured long, flowing hair with dark purple highlights and eye-catching earrings.

Woo Young: "Oh, Kimchi, Kimbap, Rice Cakes, and Hotteok! I haven't had this in a long while!"

Ji Yeon then came downstairs with her uniform and started eating her breakfast. Their mom, Soo Ah, asked:

Soo Ah: "By the way, Woo Young, are you going by bus to school?"

Woo Young, eating, replied:

Woo Young: "No, Seok Ho will pick me up."

Then Woo Young's phone rang. It was Seok Ho.

Woo Young: "Oh, speak of the devil, he's here already. I'll finish my breakfast fast."

Ji Yeon smirked.

Ji Yeon: "Big Bro, since you're going with Seok Ho, why not drop me off?"

Woo Young patted her head sarcastically.

Woo Young: "Not happening. You're 14 years old; you need to learn how to walk to school on your own. Besides, when I was your age, I used to walk from Chicago to California on foot. Maybe next year when you're in high school, we'll take you to school by car."

Ji Yeon glared at Woo Young angrily. He wasn't fazed at all.

Woo Young: "Alright, Mom, see you after school, okay?"

Soo Ah: "Have a nice first day of school, honey!"

Woo Young opened the door and saw Seok Ho's car, a brand-new Porsche.

Woo Young: "Damn, must be nice to be rich, huh?"

Seok Ho: "You ready?"

Woo Young's eyes lit up.

Woo Young: "Ready!"

Seok Ho drove towards the school. It was a big, beautiful campus with multiple buildings, looking more like a mall than a school. Woo Young was amazed.

Woo Young: "How big is this school?"

Seok Ho chuckled.

Seok Ho: "It's big, right? Usually, rich people join this school, so don't be surprised if you recognize some people from social media."

As they walked through the doors, they saw loads of people inside. The people stared at Seok Ho, but when they noticed Woo Young, everyone's jaw dropped. With smooth skin, mixed hair color, a tall and athletic build, and a friendly smile, Woo Young's handsomeness amazed everyone. The girls suddenly ran towards him, swarming him with questions.

Girls: "What's your name?" "How tall are you?" "Can you give me your number, please?!"

Seok Ho started acting like Woo Young's bodyguard, gently pushing them away to make some way for Woo Young.

Seok Ho: "Okay everyone, please move out of the way so he can go to his class."

Woo Young was relieved to have Seok Ho there. Soon after, as they walked down the empty aisle to their class, Woo Young was perplexed.

Woo Young: "What the heck was that?"

Seok Ho: "Well, it's nice to be a handsome guy, I guess. They were treating you like freaking BTS."

Woo Young burst out laughing.

Woo Young: "BTS! Aren't you exaggerating a bit?"

Seok Ho: "No, that was the kind of reaction fans have when they see V, Jung Kook, or Jimin."

Woo Young: "I can agree with you on that one."

Seok Ho then saw their homeroom teacher and approached her with Woo Young tagging along.

Seok Ho: "Ms. Park! Nice to see you again!"

Ms. Park smiled warmly.

Ms. Park: "Seok Ho, it's so nice to see you again. Ready for another fun year?"

Seok Ho nodded as Woo Young caught up. Ms. Park looked at Woo Young and switched to English.

Ms. Park: "You must be the new student here. I heard about you from Seok Ho."

Woo Young asked in Korean.

Woo Young: "Why are you suddenly speaking English to me, Miss?"

Ms. Park burst out laughing in embarrassment.

Ms. Park: "Sorry about that. I thought you wouldn't know Korean since you're from abroad."

Woo Young: "It's fine."

Ms. Park told Seok Ho to go inside the class. He entered and sat down on his chair. Ms. Park stayed outside with Woo Young.

Ms. Park: "Stay here until I call you to come inside the class, okay?"

Woo Young nodded. Ms. Park entered the class. Everyone went silent and sat down.

Ms. Park: "So, students, I have some news for you. We have a new student joining us today."

Everyone whispered excitedly, interested to meet their new classmate.

Ms. Park: "Enter, Woo Young!"

Woo Young opened the door and walked in with such aura. The people stared at him in awe.

Woo Young: "Hi guys, my name is Choi Woo Young!"