Haneul's POV
Haneul gazes out the window of the luxury sedan car, his eyes fixed on the passing scenery as his mom, Jenna Kim drives him to his new school.
He wonders what the new school would be like. Crystal Lake High School. It is a private school, the oldest and the best in Crystal Lake. He spent the previous night researching about it on the Net. From what he found, the school's academic prowess was excellent but what about the students? Will the students be welcoming? Polite and prim? Friendly and casual?
The sleek car glides through the streets of Crystal Lake, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the town. The town is way different from the bustling metropolitan Crestview City he grew up in. Crystal Lake is serene; small and peaceful. A sharp contrast to Crestview.
"Haneul, sweetie, I know you are nervous, but you will love it here!" His mom says, her bright and encouraging voice piercing through his thoughts.
He doesn't respond, his eyes dropping to his laps where his fingers fiddles with the seatbelt that is secured around him, his mind elsewhere.
He feels a knot in his stomach, his palms growing sweaty. The excitement of starting a new school feels lost on him. Everything tingled with a sense of dread.
His mom's expression softens. "Hey kiddo, I know it's tough moving into a new town but you're strong. You'll make new friends—"
He plugs in his headphones, the voice of Whitney Houston, 'I will always love you' drowning out his mom's voice. He had heard it all before and it now irritated him, sounding like grating chalk on a blackboard. He stares blankly ahead, his thoughts consumed by the familiar ache of loneliness. He will be here, alone again. It's not different. Not at all.
His mom sighs, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. She reaches out, gently brushing a strand of his hair out of his face. He know she just wants to touch him. Sadly intimacy isn't really his thing. Since he arrived from Crestview City, he had been so spaced out and barely even talked to her. Who cares, though? He flinches when her hand brushes against his face, his eyes flashing with a hint of fear before he relaxes, his gaze returning to the window.
The silence between them is palpable, the only sound the soft hum of the car's engine and the distant beat of music.
As they approach the school, his mom tries again, her voice gentle. "Haneul, I know it's hard, but you are safe now. You are free to start afresh, okay?"
His eyes flickers, a faint glimmer of pain crossing his face before he masked it, his expression turning neutral.
The car pulls up to the school's entrance, and Mrs Kim's voice fills with forced cheer. "Well, we're here! Let's get you settled in, okay?"
Haneul nods, his eyes avoiding hers as he gathers his things, the headphones still clamped around his ears. The music is his escape, his shield against the world.
As they step out of the car, Haneul's eyes scans the unfamiliar surroundings. Students dressed in the school's uniform of dark blue blazers with equally dark blue trousers or plaid skirts, milled around, laughing and chatting. He feels out of place, like a sore thumb sticking out.
His mom guides him to the principal's office. The scent of fresh coffee and polished wood fills the room, and at her desk sits the principal, Mrs. Laura Greene, a warm-smiling woman with a kind face. She knows his mom and she greets her warmly. Obviously, his mom had been lived in Crystal Lake for quite a while now that she was friendly with almost everyone.
Finally, the principal turns to Haneul and smiles. "Haneul, welcome to Crystal Lake High! I am so glad you are joining our community!"
Haneul just mumbles a greeting, his eyes fixed on the floor.
The principal become instantly worried. "Hey, everything okay? You seem a bit. . . overwhelmed."
Haneul shrugs, his gaze drifting away. "I'm fine."
His mom intervenes, her voice gentle. "He's just a bit nervous, Principal Greene. It's a big change for him."
The principal nods understandingly. "Of course, I totally get it. Being the new kid at school. All that drama. High school is not devoid of them. Well, let's get you settled in, then."
She hands Haneul a schedule, directing him to his first class. As they part ways, Haneul's mom give him a reassuring smile.
"You'll be great, sweetie. Just be yourself."
He nods, his eyes still downcast. She badly wants to hug him, hug away his fears and insecurities but she know he isn't comfortable yet. He would just push her away.
She sighs and waves goodbye, leaving him to navigate through his first day. Haneul wanders around the hallway, obviously lost. Luckily for him, a teacher, Mrs Johnson approaches and instantly recognizes him.
"Hey Haneul, welcome to our school. I am your English teacher. Let me show you to your class."
He heaves a sigh of relief and follows her, his eyes still scanning the surroundings.
Mrs Johnson lead Haneul to his new class room, the sound of chatter and laughter filling the air.
As they enter, the teacher asks, "Class, we have a new student joining us today. Haneul, would you like to introduce yourself?"
His heart skips a beat. To a large group of unfamiliar faces? No way! But he had to do it. He gazes at their faces, and notices that some of them were staring at him in surprise and admiration. It looks foreign, for a reason. They aren't staring at him. They are staring at his clothes.
He is wearing a sleek, black Gucci t-shirt, paired with designer distressed denim jeans that fits him perfectly. His white Adidas sneakers are spotless and the black leather jacket his mom got for him two days ago drapes effortlessly around his shoulders. The Rolex wristwatch on his wrist glimmers with shiny gold. Nothing is out of place. The scent of money wafts around him like a pleasant perfume, filling the air.
"Uh . . ." He reaches up to his head and takes off the ultra new headphones. "Uh, I'm Haneul . . . I just moved here . . . from the city . . ."
Before he can finish, a boy with messy sandy-blond hair and a mischievous grin, Nashville, chimes in. "Wow, exciting! The city, huh? I bet you're a total gansta, Haneul. I mean, man! Take a look at you."
The class snickers, and Haneul's face flushes with embarrassment. He glares at Nashville, his eyes flashing with anger, but Nashville just winks at him, unfazed.
Mrs Johnson intervenes, her voice firm but kind. "Nash, that's enough. Let's make Haneul feel welcome, shall we?"
The class settles down, but Haneul's discomfort lingers. He takes his seat, his eyes fixing on the desk.
That doesn't stop his new classmates from taking occasional glances at him. One boy even asks him how much his headphones cost but he give the boy a rude look that makes him stop asking.
That doesn't deter Nash though. His seat is close to Haneul and he keeps flashing the newcomer a friendly smile.
"Hey, don't worry, Haneul. I'm just messing with you. I'll show you around, make sure you don't get lost in this crazy town of ours."
Haneul raise a red eyebrow, his gaze piercing though Nash with a hint of disdain. He decides to ignore him, his eyes cold and unyielding.
Nash didn't give up. "So, how about you sit with my brother and I at our table later during lunch break?"
In response, Haneul clamp on his headphones and increases the volume of his music, the beats and melodies engulfing him in a comforting embrace.
Nash's smile falters, but he doesn't push the issue. "Suit yourself, dude." He says with shrug and continues listening to the lecture that is going on.
The class continues, with Haneul zoning in and out of the lesson, his mind drifting to darker memories. The music is his solace, an escape from the pain and fear that lingers within.
As the bell rings, signalling the end of the period, he stands up and pack his things, his eyes still fixing on the classroom floor. Only he knows what he finds exciting staring at a tiled floor.
Nash approaches him, his voice low. "Hey Haneul, no hard feelings, okay? I just wanted to break the ice."
Haneul grunts, not meeting his gaze. "Whatever."
"Alright, man. See you around." Nash says, fighting the urge to trip him up.
Haneul nods curtly, his music still blasting in his ears as he walks out of the class room, alone.
Nash's POV
Nash sighs aloud. This new rich kid is so frustrating, he thinks to himself. Everyone in class knows Nash. He is the master joker, able to get anyone laughing with just one joke. But obviously, this new kid didn't care.
Nash smirks as he thinks about the newcomer, Haneul. He visualizes the expensive golden wrist watch on Haneul's right wrist and the way his hair was styled so perfectly, not a single lock out of place. Was it because he was some rich dude? His interior . . . the other side. Nash would love to see that too. He's curious about what lies beneath the polished exterior, the hidden secrets.
Adrian, a tall athletic kid, with raven dark hair that falls on his shoulders and striking blue eyes, who is sitting at the far end of the classroom, stand up and adjusts his shirt. He glances at Nash as he does that. "Joker, wanna be rubbing shoulders with the rich?"
"What? He's just like everyone of us." Nash retorts.
"Did you see the headphones he was using?" Another girl, Remi asks. "Heck, that's the first one of its kind. He's stinkingly rich." She continues.
"Except that he's a recluse, like our 'boy', Vesper, here."
"Stop talking to me in that way, Nash. You are so annoying." The girl in question, Vesper, says. Nash always teases her by calling her a boy because she looks exactly like a boy, except that her smile is sweet and sunny and she has wavy blond hair. She is athletically tall and loves wearing baggy clothes suitable for a guy. Even her uniform is tailored as though it is for a guy. And she wears pants instead of a skirt.
"My bad. My bad. Why are y'all so cold today? Rich boy is in school?"
Most of the students rolls their eyes, showing that Nash's attempt to joke falls through. His brother, Julian stands up and grabs him by the collar of his uniform shirt.
"Out, Nash. Your big mouth is going to get you in trouble soon."
Nash doesn't complains as his brother leads him out of the class. It is boring in there anyways.
Some students leave the class alongside them, while other continue reading their books, chatting or using their phones.
Haneul's POV
Haneul walks down the hallway alone, his comforting music blasting in his ears. As a new student he's already drawing attention from his peers but he didn't care. He's learned to wear a mask of indifference and coldness, a shield to protect himself from the sad, bad world.
But beneath the surface, he's a total mess. One big messed up kid. The memories of his past lingers, a constant reminder of the pain and shame he's endured.
His heart races as he walks through the hallway. Luckily for him, he is wearing his headphones, if not the noise and the laughter would have gotten on his nerves.
He can't help but flinch when a student accidentally bumps into him, the touch sending a shiver down his spine. His mind flashes back to the countless time he was hurt, left defenseless.
The student apologizes but he is unaware. He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He can't let his emotions get the best of him, not here, not now. He must keep all appearances, the charade of being indifferent, like nothing can ripple his calm exterior.
He reaches and opens his locker. As he does that he catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. For a moment, he sees the scared, hurt, little boy he used to be. The one he still is, the one he's trying so desperately to keep hidden.
His eyes clouds over and for a moment, he feels himself losing control. However, he looks away from the mirror, the neutral mask slipping back into place. Where it belongs, where it ought to be.
"Haneul?"
He turns around to see a familiar face. Silver Chen – a friend from his past. Their fathers were old friends and the two boys had spent countless hours together. They practically grew up side by side, exploring the city and sharing secrets.
Silver's eyes lit up as he approaches Haneul. "Dude! Long time no see!"
Haneul's expression softens, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Silver . . . it's been ages."
The two boys exchange a warm handshake, and Silver nods towards Haneul's headphones. "Still into the music, I see."
Haneul nods, feeling a sense of comfort with Silver that he couldn't find anywhere. They were brothers from different parents. "Yeah, It's my escape." Haneul mutters.
Silver nods, his eyes sympathetic. "I know how that is. My dad has been stressing me out too, you know."
Haneul raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What's going on?"
Silver leans in, his voice lowering. "I know it's nothing compared to what you went through but he wants me to join the family business. I have a flair for science not business."
A smile tugs Haneul's lips. "I always knew that. It's hard to imagine you sitting at an office desk, sorting through documents. I mean, why do they get to be the judge of how we live our lives?"
"Yeah. Know what we're gonna do? I'm going to discover a faraway distant planet and we can chill out there whenever the pressure gets hot." Silver jokes.
"Like you're going to buy it out of the aliens' hands. "
Silver grins at Haneul and they shake hands again. "Let me introduce you to someone."
"Who?"
"Wren. There she is! She's my girlfriend."
A brown haired girl with emerald green eyes walks towards them with a sunny smile on her face. Haneul notices that she is wearing a necklace identical to the one hanging around Silver's neck and thinks that they look cute together.
"Man, it's almost lunch time. Come join us. Wren's been wanting to meet you and I've been telling her all about your gaming skills!" Silver says, enthusiastically.
"Yeah, we'd love to have you join us! It'll be fun, I promise." Wren adds.
Haneul hesitates, unsure if he wants to intrude on their couple time, but Silver and Wren's persistent friendly gestures eventually wins him over.
"Okay . . . fine, just for lunch." He acquiesce with a small smile.
Silver whoops in triumph. "Yes! I knew you'd come around! Let's go grab some food!"
Wren playfully rolls her eyes. "Silver, calm down. We don't want to scare Haneul off."
The three of them head to the cafeteria, Silver and Wren chatting easily about their day while Haneul listens, still a bit reserved but starting to feel more at ease.
As they sit down to eat, Wren asks Haneul about his interest. Still a bit reserved, he answers half of them.
Somehow, somehow, he manages to survive through his first day at school. Hopefully, the other days will go smoothly too.