Late Bloomer

“Is being fat the only thing you’re good at?” I was shoved to the lockers slamming into them loudly. How long will this ridiculousness go on for? The weasel was too busy poking fun at me to know that the school admin was walking around the corner. “Doesn’t she look like she ate a bean bag chair?”
I ignored them, shaking off his hand from my shoulder holding me against the navy blue lockers. They stood still seeing my eyes falter to the admin behind them.

All my life, I could say I was pretty happy. I had an easygoing personality and had a lot of friends. I wasn’t that bad looking. My grades were good. And my family had good wealth and I had good parents. It was good except for the burden of having a BMI 25.8 at 5’6” and 160 lbs when I started gaining weight in middle school after my little sister died when I was 13.

Well, everything just kind of went downhill at school. My friends abandoned me and I started to get isolated and bullied because I was overweight. It’s hard to live in such a superficial society such as South Korea sometimes.

It was dark while I walked home. I stayed for after school hours since I was the one called out randomly to be a teacher’s aid. What a waste of my afternoon though. I could’ve went home and studied or take a walk trying to focus on my weight loss goal of 50 lbs but motivation ceases to help me reach that goal.

I’ll work on it tonight! I thought trying to be motivated before having the energy being drained right out of me once more realizing about the Science homework that's due tomorrow and I didn’t even touch it yet. Monday, then.

Tomorrow then, it came. Mondays were slow and spending the whole weekend on my large packet of Science homework was tiring and PE is my first period making me even more tired. I kept wondering about how good it’d be to lose weight and be lean and fit like the other girls at the high school and have friends and have a good school and social life. But those are just fantasies until I actually get up and start exercising.

The school bell rang and I went to the girls’ locker rooms in the gym to change into the gym uniform. I didn’t mind the white t-shirt but the black women’s exercise shorts revealed my stubby legs and made me insecure once more. I could hear the other girls’ sneering and whispering and pointing at me. I didn’t have to turn my back to know what they were doing, it was expected people would treat me this way considering how much flab I have.

I walked outside and stood in like with the rest of my PE class. In my PE class, I did have one friend. Just one. Her name is Min Ara and she’s very pretty and nice but I don’t understand how someone as popular as her chose to hang out with me out of every other students she could be friends with. But I’m grateful she did, but I still feel bad about her being my only friend even though she always assured it was her choice, not because she felt like she had to. But still…

The PE teacher Mr. Kim walked in with his regular apparel of a black tracksuit and white hat with a whistle on a string around his neck. Everyone stopped talking once he blew it. The whistle’s noise echoed through the gym. “Listen up, students! You have a few new students joining your classroom starting today! Make sure to welcome them warmly and no causing trouble. You hear me?!” He eyed us carefully, pointing across the line. “And you’ll have free play today so you can get to know your new peers as well.”

“Yes.” We all said at once. Once satisfied, he read off the list of three students; Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung, and Jeon Jungkook. Three boys came through the gym doors suddenly, all of them covering their face with glasses or mask wearing stylish and nice clothing.



The class was shocked seeing them. I didn’t care about how handsome or stylish they were, but the fact on why they covered their faces and transferred at the same time to the same school and the same classroom. But I swore I’ve heard their names before. I sat on the bench, trying to figure out where.
“Mirae!” Ara exclaimed coming over to me and smiling once free play started. She sat next to me bouncing in her seat and held my hands excitedly. “Can you believe it?”“Believe what?” I asked confused. Ara’s mouth dropped open so wide, flies could go in. I closed her mouth. “Believe what?” I repeated.

“You do not know them… at all?” Ara asked.

“Just get to the point now, Kim Ara.” I said.

“Of course.” she nodded and got out her notebook from her bag writing down the three new kids’ names and graphing a large picture as she explained. She also showed me pictures of them on their phone. “Park Jimin, Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook. All three of them are local celebrities. They’re part of a street group with four other people that are called The Bulletproof. Bangtan for short. They make their own songs and dances and perform around Seoul. Mostly our neighborhood which is why everyone was shocked seeing them here earlier. Companies have tried to get them to sign a contract but rumor says Bangtan wants to finish school first and then perform as an official group under some company. But they’re music is good though. I have a copy of their song ‘Fire’.”

I must've heard their names somewhere from at school then if they're the it group right now.

“Well, the rumors are true.” A deep and unrecognizable voice was heard behind me. “Pretty surprised that she doesn’t know who The Bulletproof are. Most people do know!”“Excuse me?” I turned around to see whoever was talking about me and flinched seeing as I was 5 inches from the boy Ara told me was Kim Taehyung. He sat up looking at me awkwardly. “Were you listening the entire time?”

“Sorry-- I’m Kim Taehyung. But you may already know that as your friend just explained to you.” He held out his hand smiling waiting for me to shake it. I just stared at it. He then forced a laugh and took his hand back. "I guess hand shaking is too soon. We'll get there."

"Wait, are you talking to me?" I asked pointing to myself.

"I believe so. There isn't anyone else with a friend who just explained who Bangtan are." He pointed out.

"Oh, yes." I pulled out my hand and we shook hands. "Sorry. I'm just not used to people ever talking to me. They always mistake me for someone else or forget who I am. I'm Mirae Choi."

"It's no problem. But I don't think you'll be someone I'll forget..." he smiled staring straight into my eyes. I felt awkward.

"Ah! Hyung! There you are!" I saw Jungkook and Jimin wave to Taehyung sitting on either side of them. There were girls following them and looking from afar pointing and squealing to each other. He looked at Ara and then me. "O-oh! Hyung, who are your friends?"

I could clearly tell Jungkook was flustered seeing Ara, secretly glancing at her and then back at Taehyung.

"Kim Ara and--" Taehyung fell short being interrupted by Jimin.

"Mirae Choi. I've known her since I can remember!" Jimin piped in putting his elbow to his knee and hand to his chin. He ruffled my hair. "How are you? It's been a while."

Who is this guy... Park Jimin?

Notes

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