The Perfect Bride

Yoomi followed Suho and EXO as they showed her around the school. Chanyeol had his arms around her shoulders again. This time Yoomi didn’t move his arms. She felt safe in his arms. Maybe school here would be different after all. With all of this protection, Yoomi felt safe from all the possible bullies in the school. Sure a few girls here and there tended to glare at Yoomi, but they couldn’t do anything about Yoomi being with EXO. She looked really closed to them. The girls and guys in the school were mature enough than to bully someone just because they were hanging out with their crush. As EXO walked through the school, the group became smaller because they were leaving to their individual classes. Since most of them majored in Business Management, Yoomi had no classes with any of them. She was also a freshman. D.O. and Yoomi were the only two left. Their classes were right next to each other. D.O. rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and smiled as he pointed to Yoomi’s classroom.

“That’s your classroom,” D.O. pointed to the room next to it. “And that’s mine. Well...I’ll see you after classes today. Right?” D.O. shyly smiled.

Are they all nice? Yoomi thought. I wonder what their names are.

The shy D.O. made Yoomi smile. D.O.’s eyes widened.

She’s pretty when she smiles. Luhan’s so lucky.

D.O.’s smile widened as he went into class first. Yoomi’s smile faded as she faced her classroom’s door. She sighed quietly and began walking forwards.

You can do it.

Yoomi opened the door and walked into the classroom, letting the door close on its own. Yoomi looked at the big classroom filled with students before her. They all had those judgemental stares that the students back in high school had. They surely looked older than her by at least one year. It’s not her fault that she skipped a year of school. The person who seemed to be the professor smiled at her and gestured her to walk up to the podium. Yoomi walked towards the professor. Yoomi was a bit taken aback seeing how young the professor looked like.

“You must be the new student. Am I right?” Mrs. Kim asked brightly.

Yoomi nodded.

Whispers were heard throughout the room.

“Can she talk?”

“Is she a mute?”

“Who is she to EXO?”

“She’s pretty, but she’s mute.”

“Who cares? She’s pretty and cute.”

“Okay! Class! Quiet! Let her introduce herself,” Mrs. Kim yelled.

Yoomi quietly sighed. She looked forward to no one in particular and bowed. She looked back up and found an empty seat. She sat down and looked forward.

“I guess she really is a mute.”

“She’s pretty, too bad she’s a mute. She’ll never get a boyfriend.”

A few people snickered.

Yup, just like high school.

“Okay, then,” Mrs. Kim said quietly. She looked at Yoomi apologetically.

______________________________________________________________________________


The long class period ended and Yoomi pack her bag. Everyone rushed out of the room. Yoomi and Mrs. Kim were the only two left in the room. Yoomi put on her backpack and began walking towards the exit, until Mrs. Kim stopped her.

“Ms. Jung, may I have a word?”

Yoomi looked at Mrs. Kim and nodded.

“I know that you can talk, can you.”

Yoomi looked at Mrs. Kim for a long time before she slowly nodded.

“You just don’t like to talk?”

Yoomi nodded again.

“Will you ever be able to tell me why?”

Yoomi shrugged her shoulders.

“I know that you may be having a hard time. You graduated a year early and you’re getting married soon. Life must be tough, huh?” Mrs. Kim asked.

Yoomi’s eyes widened.

How many people know?

Mrs. Kim smiled.

“Only the principal and a few teachers know,” Mrs. Kim said. “If you ever need a shoulder to lean on. I’ll be here,” she said sincerely. “I know what you must be going through. Marrying one of the EXO brothers is a big deal. Especially if you marry one of the oldest, and in your case the most successful.”

Yoomi’s head tilted to the side confused. Mrs. Kim smiled.

“Let me formally introduce myself. I’m Kim Jinah. Wife of Kim Minseok of EXO,” Mrs. Kim held out her hand to Yoomi.

Yoomi’s eyes widened.

She’s married to one of them? Minseok? Who’s that?

“I heard about your story from Minseok. I’m sorry. Nai Nai’s like that. She tends to rush things, but she’s probably the most awesome person that you’ll ever meet,” Jinah’s eyes sparkled as she talked about Nai Nai.

How is she a university teacher and so young?

“Ah! I forgot to tell you. You must be wondering how I’m even a teacher right?” she smiled brightly.

Can she read my mind?

Yoomi nodded.

“I actually graduated a few years early,” she laughed. “It’s pretty embarrassing really.”

Yoomi shook her head. Jinah smiled.

“We’ll be great sisters. I’m sure of it.”

Another nice person. I guess...I guess being the bride of Luhan won’t be so bad. Everyone’s so nice that it’s weird.

Yoomi smiled sincerely to Jinah and nodded.

Notes