*Bang Su Ki*
Who didn't know about Bang Su Ki? I guess there wasn't anyone. As condescending as he was, he still had his loyal lovers. It was etched in the brains of most high-class students that those from a lower class only mooch off them. He has had his fair share of encounters to validate that claim.
Many times, when Su Ki was younger, he had a free and open mind towards everyone, the only bad thing about him was his bossy attitude. Once he liked a fellow student either male or female, they had to come to him for everything, he took total control of their lives, especially if their parents weren't as wealthy as his.
Bora was different, but she also faced the same attitude from Su Ki. Back when they were in middle school, Su Ki had a close-knit friend, Im Soo Chan, Soo Chan was brilliant and had an extruding aura that drew people to him.
The first person Soo Chan encountered when he arrived at Jukheon High School was Bang Su Ki, right outside the gate, they bumped into each other and from then they became friends. Since Soo Chan was still new, he spent his first session following Su Ki like a leech, and Su Ki loved it since he always had someone to talk to and go home with.
Soo Chan and Su Ki were so close that Su Ki's mother and Soo Chan's mother often allowed both of them to have sleepovers at each other's houses.
Soo Chan's Father, Im Seo Geuk was head of operations at Su Ki's father's company, Alpha Touch which made the two little friends even more intimate, they played together, they ate together, they read together, they practically everything together, they were like inseparable twins.
Soo Chan's accommodating and friendly nature drew people closer to him quickly, Su Ki had been in the school since kindergarten so he was popular enough to be known by everybody. But Soo Chan came just six months ago and he had become squinted with basically everybody in the school, even teachers took a liking to him.
Su Ki wasn't phased by this, he was smart enough too, and to compound that, he always passed Soo Chan in their exams and his parents were richer so he never took it to heart. But sometimes, all it takes for a relationship to fall apart is just to remove a little integral stone that was part of the building block.
Soo Chan's family was well-to-do, they had all they wanted - a happy home, a compact family, love was within, and Su Ki witnessed it all each time he went over to Soo Chan's place. It was something he longed for.
Back at his own home, it all seemed nice on the outside, but the inside was a total mess, a family of five including his parents and two brothers. His smile was always a lie, everything to him was a mess inside his home. Soo Chan was his most trusted ally and confidant, and his cooling pill.
Su Ki was one to hold on to things for a very long time, he and Soo Chan had been friends for two years now, and they had entered their last year in middle school. They had big plans for high school life, including the number of girls they'd date, who would date more people, and which one of them would find true love first a lot of things were on their to-do list.
*How people change*
The morning was sunny, the day was bright, filled with hope and expectations. Su Ki got to school at his usual time, quarter past 8 and Soo Chan followed behind. The two were known by the whole school, as "two peas in a pod."
The Jukheon High School uniform was a navy blue and black checkered blazer with a white shirt and black trousers. The building contains over 200 classes including unofficial classrooms used for indoor activities. The school has a standard football field, a standard swimming pool, a full-sized basketball court a mini athletic track, and a lawn tennis court, their P.E. session was one of the best parts of the day for most students.
As they walked through the school gates, Su Ki couldn't help but notice the way Soo Chan effortlessly charmed their classmates. It was as if he had a magnetic personality that drew people in. Su Ki felt a twinge of unease, a feeling he couldn't quite explain.
"Hey, Soo Chan, wait up!" Su Ki called out, quickening his pace to catch up to his friend.
Soo Chan turned around, flashing his signature smile. "What's up, Su Ki? You know I'm always happy to see you, buddy!"
Su Ki forced a laugh, feeling a growing sense of discomfort. "Yeah, yeah, of course. I just...I don't know, man. You're just so...popular."
Soo Chan chuckled. "Popular? Me? Nah, I'm just friendly, that's all."
But Su Ki knew it was more than that. Soo Chan had a way of making everyone feel seen and heard, a way of making them feel like they were the only person in the world. It was a gift. But it was also...intimidating.
As they approached their locker, Su Ki noticed a group of girls giggling and whispering to each other, their eyes fixed on Soo Chan. Su Ki felt a surge of annoyance. Why did everyone fawn over Soo Chan like that?
"Hey, Soo Chan, can I talk to you for a minute?" Su Ki asked, his voice low and serious.
Soo Chan raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Su Ki? You look serious."
Su Ki hesitated, unsure of how to articulate his feelings. "I just...I don't know, man. I feel like you're changing. Like you're becoming someone else."
Soo Chan's expression turned puzzled. "What are you talking about, Su Ki? I'm still the same person."
But Su Ki knew that wasn't true. He could see it in the way Soo Chan carried himself, in the way he interacted with others. He was becoming more confident, more self-assured. And it was unsettling.
"I don't know, man," Su Ki said finally. "I just feel like we're drifting apart or something."
Soo Chan's face softened. "Su Ki, we're not drifting apart. We're just...growing up, that's all."
But Su Ki wasn't so sure.
As days went by, Soo Chan and Su Ki grew further and further apart. They still hung out but it wasn't the same. Su Ki couldn't hold it against him, he was a very bright kid, one to be reckoned with but Su Ki felt a growing danger over Soo Chan's head.
Su Ki was studying in the library on a hot afternoon, studying for their forthcoming mid-term exams. Soo Chan casually mentioned that he had been selected for their school's soccer team.
"That's great, Soo Chan!" Su Ki said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "You'll be amazing at it."
Su Ki could sense Soo Chan's changing personality towards him, he always coldly replied to him, but Su Ki shook off the feeling every time it happened.
Slowly, Soo Chan started becoming closer to their seniors, especially the son of an assemblyman, Kim Tae Oh, who was known for his cunning ways. Gradually the pieces of their friendship started falling off slowly, one after the other.
Soo Chan incorporated himself into the whole glitz and glamor of their school. Su Ki became more and more alone than he ever was, at that time.
Gradually he started to recline, his family tension was getting worse, his parents fought daily like it was a morning routine, and he had to take in all the negative energy being poured out, in the past, he'd have just packed up his clothes and gone to Soo Chan's place but, he didn't have that leverage anymore Soo Chan had started refusing to see him, and each time they saw each other at school, all Soo Chan did was wave "hello" and walk away.
To compound it, for the first time in three years, they weren't in the same class, and that made them grow further apart.
The Cafeteria
The cafeteria was a wide space, with a lot of delicacies, each student of Jukheon High School ate in school like they were at a party, a buffet for lunch was what they had every day, and no one to dish out the food to the students, just supervisors to watch over the food and act in case of any tension.
The cafeteria for the Middle School and the High School were in different locations, through Su Ki's influence, he and Soo Chan had a designated table to themselves, and no one sat there except the both of them.
"Soo Chan-a," Su Ki said waving at Soo Chan in the cafeteria at their regular eating table. Soo Chan smirked, what does he want this time? Why's he being such a lousy baby?
Soo Chan took his tray and placed it on the table. Su Ki made several remarks, trying to joke with Soo Chan but the only response he got was either a cold smile or," Hmmm"
"I'm leaving for the US on Tuesday, Su Ki." Soo Chan said.
Like lightning struck Su Ki in the chest he winced in pain and his eyes gleamed with disbelief, "Mwo (what)! W-waeyo (why)?"
"Waeyo (why)? Do I have to explain to you everything?" Soo Chan said.
Su Ki sighed slightly, "Why didn't you tell me this beforehand?"
Soo Chan clenched his jaw, "I didn't think it was important for you to know?"
Su Ki smiled, "What, do you think I'd hold you back from going?"
"Not really, it's not like your lazy ass can do anything to stop me right?" Soo Chan jested and they both giggled
"Why don't you just wait till the semester is over, it's already half of it, and I can use that time to convince my Mom to allow me to go too." Su Ki suggested.
"Aniyo (no), just leave me for now Su Ki." Soo Chan said.
Su Ki looked at him in amazement, "You're shedding your skin, Soo Chan. I'm not sure I recognize you anymore."
Soo Chan tilted his eyes, his eyes hitting every corner. "Maybe I'm finally becoming who I'm meant to be. Without the weight of our friendship holding me back."
Su Ki looked at Soo Chan in confusion, "You think our friendship is a weight? You think I'm holding you back?"
"Ye (yes), Soo Chan said, "I think we've outgrown each other, Su Ki. We want different things from life."
"And what exactly do you want? To be some kind of social climber? To impress everyone with your fake smile" Su Ki jested.
"I want to be seen, Su Ki. I want to be heard. And I don't need you to validate me anymore, so just leave me alone," Soo Chan blasted and stood up.
Soo Chan was about to take his tray when Su Ki grabbed him by his hand, "Im Soo Chan, what's wrong with you, I only said we, we..should go together to the US why are you angry, I was only kidding...." Su Ki stuttered.
Soo Chan hit the table in annoyance, "Shibal (damn it)! Ya (look here), Bang Su Ki, what part of Leave Me Alone was said in Spanish, huh?
Su Ki's eyes flickered with anger, "mwo (what are you doing)?"
"Look, Su Ki, Soo Chan adjusted his collar, "you've done a lot for me, I know that, but we're growing up now, we're seeing things from different angles. I know you're pained that you can't school in the US, no need to be jealous, okay? Don't make it sound like you're happy for me, we both know you aren't."
Su Ki felt a tingling in his head like the monster in him was coming to light, he stood up from his chair and smirked weirdly, "What did you just say? Me jealous? Of you?"
"There it is, that condescending personae of the high-class kids, that's it right there," Soo Chan shouted trying to get sympathy from the surrounding crowd.
"Ha, ha ha," Su Ki laughed maniacally, "you said I'm jealous of you because you're going to school in the US? I could go there if I wanted to."
"Tsk, which Father would do that for you? The one that doesn't even acknowledge you as his child and sees you as a wasted effort?" Soo Chan blasted, "Or the brothers that only see you as a burden to them? Who exactly, huh? Who, Bang Su Ki, who? I know who you are Su Ki, You're so desperate for attention, it's pathetic."
Su Ki felt Soo Chan's words run down his skin, piercing every vein in his body. With his anger-filled eyes, Su Ki sucked his teeth, " my Father and I might not be best of buddies but I'm fine with that. At least, I'm not living off someone else's Dad's money," he chuckled.
Everyone in the room began to chatter indistinctly, what's Su Ki talking about? Why are they fighting? What's wrong with them?
Su Ki faced the crowd, "are you all surprised? His Dad works under my dad, Head of Operations at Alpha Touch, but still, he's on a scholarship from my father's trust fund, funny right? He's bragging about going to the US, it's his first time going there actually," Su Ki stopped and laughed a bit, "still it's my Dad that's sponsoring your schooling in the US right?"
Soo Chan looked at Su Ki with a growing annoyance in his eyes, "What makes you think your family is sponsoring my schooling, huh?"
"Because I know my Dad, he's not one to go back on his words, "I already knew you were going, he kinda did it to punish me actually, so no matter what you become later in life, know I was your stepping stone, scholarship kid!"
"I'm making this announcement today, each person should know their place and where they fit in, I can't be paying my school fees, and some low-life animal would come and use it in the form of a scholarship. If your parents can't afford a school that fits their pockets, then they should at least find one that does. And if you somehow get into where your pocket doesn't fit, you should know how to behave to those you met there, you scholarship students have mooched off our pockets too much, at least have respect and know your place." Su Ki concluded.
He looked at Soo Chan, "Oh, and you, don't ever let me see you again. My Mom was right, all you low-life's do is go to what feeds you the most. All you do is mooch off people, you have no loyalty. And I know who you are too, you're a bug, a parasite that needs to be treated as quickly as possible."
As if on cue, all the non-scholarship students stepped forward, taking sides with Su Ki, they all took sides with Su Ki and from that day, Jukheon High School became a school of the highs and lows, Soo Chan, who was the main motivation for the change left for the USA the following Tuesday, leaving the other scholarship kids to a fate he decided for them.