A change of heart

Hyunae’s POV
In a new school, a new environment, it’s hard to fit in, especially at an older age. I remember when, back in the good old days, whenever I transferred schools, people would accept me with open arms and smiling faces without a care in the world. I’ve moved schools about 6 times in all my life, moved houses 4 times. Primary school was easy when I’d transfer during the middle of the year. The teacher would say “Be nice to the new girl and get to know her. Make her feel welcome.” All the kids would oblige. What is it about high school that changes that? Anyways, this will be my last time moving schools. My dad has fallen so ill he can’t work anymore. He’s not allowed to leave the hospital, so my step mum and I try to visit him everyday. But it’s hard.

So here I am, sitting in the classroom alone, waiting for the school bell to ring. This school’s seating arrangement is very strange to me. Their tables are connected in rows, three rows to be exact. I’m sitting in the middle of the second row. All of my previous schools have had individual desks that were allocated to us by the teacher. “Who is this?” A girl asks me. I look at her with wide eyes. She is a tall girl with hair messily tied into a ponytail and she is chewing loudly on a piece of pink gum. Her friends stand behind her, telling me she is their ‘leader’. “Um...” I start. “Get out of our seat. I think you have the wrong classroom.” She says with a roll of her eyes. “No she doesn’t.” The teacher’s authoritative voice booms. “She is the new student of this class. She has enrolled in the vacant spot left by John who has gone back to England.” He shakes his head. “He was the best student in my class.” He mutters sadly. The showy girl pouts angrily. “You’re still in our seat. Move.” She says rudely. I don’t waste a second; I quickly get up from the row and sit in the far corner of the last row. Hopefully I’m not in anyone’s ‘spot’ this time. A burst of laughter fills the room as three boys enter the classroom. It’s obvious that they are popular because there a heaps of people crowding around them, trying to talk to them. Some of those people enter then classroom as well while others frown and leave knowing that their class is elsewhere. “Can I sit here?” One of the boys asks. Surprisingly, he is nicer than I expected. Much nicer than the girl before. “Um, sure.” I say quietly. “I haven’t seen you before. Are you new here?” He asks with a charming smile. I nod slowly and avert his gaze. “You’re quite the shy one aren’t you?” he laughs. “My name is Yugyeom. Nice to meet you.” He holds out his hand to me and I gently shake it. “I can show you around if you don’t mind. I’d be happy to show the new girl around.” He flashes a teeth-bearing smile. Something inside me clicks. He’s so outgoing, so easy to get along with, so different. “I wouldn’t mind...” I say softly. He nods and gives a thumbs up before the homeroom teacher tells everyone to settle down. “We have a new student today.” He says and gestures for me to stand up. I stand up awkwardly and watch as everyone turns their faces to look at me. Oh god no. “Be nice to Byun Hyunae.” The homeroom teacher says and looks down at his papers. “So your name is Hyunae...” Yugyeom whispers to me as I sit back down. I nod. “That’s a nice name.” “My mum said it means clever and loving.” I whisper back. “Good choice.” Yugyeom winks before turning to his friends to talk to them.

The first class I have is a double period of English. I sit next to an extremely nice and warm girl who is very pretty. “My name is Cho. You’re new here aren’t you?” She smiles so prettily it makes me so jealous that people with this extreme beauty exists in the world. “Yeah...My name is Hyunae.” I say. She raises her eyebrow and attempts a smile, I suddenly realise I’ve been staring at her for too long. “Ah...I’m sorry.” I try to laugh the awkwardness off. “It’s just that, you’re so beautiful...” Cho smiles, “Not as beautiful as you.” My eyes widen, “No! I’ll never be as beautiful as you, Cho.” I blush. She’s extremely beautiful and super nice! What’s next? Exceptionally smart? Cho is like the perfect girl everyone wants to be. “Since it’s your first day today and you don’t know many people, how about you hang out with me and my friends today? Until you want to move on.” Cho smiles. “No! I’d love to hang out with you, Cho.” I say and it makes me sound a little too desperate.

“Yugyeom! You know her?” Cho asks. It is recess time and Yugyeom is supposed to show me around. “Yeah, she’s in my homeroom.” He smiles. “You guys know each other?” I ask. They both nod in unison then a handsome guy runs up to Cho, hugs her and spins her around. “She’s Jinyoung’s girlfriend. He’s in our homeroom too.” Yugyeom smiles. “Since you’re showing the new girl around, I think I’ll spend some time with Cho.” Jinyoung smiles and pecks Cho on the cheek. A handsome boy with a beautiful girl, they’re the perfect couple.

“This is our cafeteria.” Yugyeom says as he stretches his arm out in front of him. The cafeteria is crowded with people sitting, eating and talking. “Hi Yugyeom.” A group of girls giggle as they walk pass. “Hi girls.” He waves back. He leads me outside to the basketball courts. “Our basketball team spends all their time here so you’ll always know where to find them.” He says. “Yeah, because one day I’ll need to find the basketball team...” I look at him. “Did I say that out loud?” I make an anxious face but he just laughs. “Hey Yugyeom!” A member of the basketball team comes jogging over towards us. He and Yugyeom do this handshake greeting thing I don’t understand. “Hey Yoongi.” Yugyeom laughs. “Getting ready for the big basketball game?” Yoongi nods and wipes the sweat off his forehead. “Yeah.” He looks at me and scans me from head to toe. “Who is she?” He asks. “This is Hyunae. She’s new and I’m showing her around.” Yugyeom answers. “You? Showing someone around? You?” Yoongi laughs hysterically. “You should feel special, Hyunae, Yugyeom usually never gives a damn about new people.” He continues laughing. “It’s because she’s in my homeroom.” Yugyeom punches Yoongi’s arm before walking away. “See you guys around.” Yoongi shouts to us. Next, Yugyeom shows me the soccer field. “Basketball court for the basketball team, soccer field for the soccer team.” He smiles. “Yo! Yugyeom!” Suddenly two boys come jogging towards us, just like Yoongi did. Yugyeom sure is popular. These guys do a handshake greeting too. Boys sure are weird. “Getting ready for the big soccer game?” Yugyeom smiles. “Yeah.” Both the guys say. The look at me and scan me from head to toe, just like Yoongi did. “Who is she?” they both say. “Hyunae, this is Luhan and Minseok.” He says, gesturing to the two guys as he says the names. “Guys, this is Hyunae. She’s new and I’m showing her around.” Luhan and Minseok look at each other in confusion. “You’re showing her around...? Are you being serious?” Luhan says. “She’s in my homeroom, guys. Stop being weird.” Yugyeom laughs. “Well, gotta go. Have heaps more to show her.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and gently pushes me away from them. “You sure are popular.” I say as we walk off. “Hmm? Oh, yeah my friends and I are well known at this school.” He says. “Hey, Yugyeom.” Another group of girls say as they walk pass. “Hey!” he replies. “Well known? It seems everyone is trying to know you.” I say. He just shrugs.

Notes

I'm glad to be writing again :) did you miss me?