The bell indicating recess had begun, rang loudly throughout the walls of Seoli.
"Ma'am, your teaching period is over!"
"Let's round up the class—" the teacher hadn't completed her sentences but the students had walked out of the class.
"They never listen…" the teacher muttered angrily to herself as she grabbed her teaching notes and stormed out.
"It's high time I place a request of transfer… I'm sick and tired of the students of this damn Highschool."
Aera followed behind her watching her with a bemused smile.
"She's really pissed today…" she heard a masculine voice speak behind her. Aera crooked her head to the side and saw a tall male student. He had a very fair skin and delicate handsome features. His shirt was tucked out; his jacket folded neatly on the arm tucked in his pockets. His leg was propped against the wall.
"You are?" Aera turned to face him. He walked towards her with measured steps and Aera could feel the dominating aura exuding from him.
"Hi… I'm Kim Junha." He stretched forth his hand for an handshake.
Well, compared to those two, he's polite.
"Aera. Choi Aera." She took his hand. He gripped it firmly enough to send tremor down the spine of others but Aera stared at him blankly. Her eyes trailed to the butterfly tattoo on his wrist.
Junha's lips quirked up.
Interesting.
"You must be a gang leader." Aera stated taking back her hand understanding why he had that air around him.
Junha's eyes narrowed sharply. "I heard you're a new student, how do you know that?"
Aera crossed her arms above her chest. "The tattoo on your wrist is quite visible. Only gang leaders are courageous enough to disobey the school's most abided rule."
She looked at his wrist. "They're pretty too."
Junha chuckled softly. "You're smart… You must be heading to the cafeteria, let's go together." He offered with a charming smile.
"Sorry, I have a person I'm meeting…. maybe next time." She said and turned to leave but he held her hand pulling her to face him.
"Then can I have your number?" He asked.
"It's fine, but just so you know, I have someone I like."
Junha's grip on her loosened. His eyes conflicted for a moment. "It's fine. I just want to be friends with you Aera." He gave her reassuring smile. He reached into his pocket and took out his phone.
Aera punched her number in and handed it back. "You can call or chat up anytime." She turned to leave but paused she looked at him pointing to her neck. "Just so you know, up till yesterday, a beautiful tattoo was drawn here."
Junha grinned showing his perfect set of white teeth. "It was a nice idea to come check out the new kid."
He watched Aera run in the opposite direction. "Isn't the cafeteria for gold tier students the other way?"
He smiled once more saving her contact to his phone as "pretty tattooist."
****
Aera grabbed her lunch tray walking towards Dohyun's table. He was seated at a desolated table beside the window and was currently absorbed in the meal he was having. Beside him lay a small stack of books.
He surely likes watching sceneris and reading books.
She arrived at his table and gently placed her tray on it. Dohyun looked up his eyes widening slightly. Aera smiled, "Hi..again." she pulled out a chair and sat down.
Dohyun resumed eating ignoring her. Aera picked up her chopsticks. "I thought you were avoiding me on purpose but it seems you don't recognize me." She began placing an omelette in her mouth. Compared to what she always had, this was trash.
Was this what students that didn't belong to the golden tier ate?
She had managed to piece a thing or two about how students were treated based on their tier.
The 'Golden tier' badge was given to students whose parents either took part in the school's redevelopment or was incredibly powerful.
The 'Diamond tier' badge was given to students who came from wealthy backgrounds.
The 'Brass tier' badge was given to students who got in through the equal opportunity program.
Aera looked down at her shinny golden button and at Dohyun's brass button. He wouldn't want to keep his distance because of this right?
She raised her head coming in contact with his sharp gaze. He'd caught her staring.
"We've met before?" He asked calmly.
That voice, the way it made him sound as though he was thoughtfully picking his words, made Aera's heart skip.
"I knew it. You totally forgot. I shouldn't have redyed my hair or removed the tattoo, it's a shame." She dropped the chopsticks and picked up a silver spoon scooping a bit of rice in her mouth.
Dohyun placed his chopsticks on the tray and leaned back scrutinizing the person sitting across him. He didn't quite recall where he'd seen her.
Aera noticed his gaze and looked up at him. She dropped spoon and leaned on the table. "We met at the alley behind the school." She said but his expression didn't change.
Seeing how confused he looked, Aera leaned back. "You don't still remember? Do you have short term memory?" She joked picking her chopsticks again.
"Yes. As long as it's something irrelevant, I tend to forget about it." He replied blatantly.
"Ouch." Aera stabbed at the omelette in her plate.
'I should stick to you like a leech least you forget again.' She mentally noted.
Lee Dohyun watched as she continued eating.
This person, was really strange.
She didn't seem to be angry about the statement he made earlier even though she gave a hurt response. She ignored the stabbing glares she received from the female students. She also exuded this nonchalance that infuriated the students that they begun mummuring amongst themselves.
Dohyun's sensitive ears picked up a bit of their conversation and found it amusing.
If she wanted to sit with him, there was no problem. He never opposed anyone sitting with him, they gave him space on their own accord.
What more could he say?
He adjusted his glasses and was about to resume eating when he suddenly suddenly remembered where he saw her.
"You're that gangster from that day, the one that attacked me." His words came out haltingly, his words catching on his breath. A light frown spread across his face.
Aera grinned foolishly. "Sorry about that, and I'm not a gangster. I just happened to pick up a few habits— bad habits to be precise. I come from a pretty decent family, I have a nice name too" She leaned in again and pointed to the name tag on her jacket. One that every student had. Dohyun's eyes darted from the name tag then back at her.
"Aera, my name's Choi Aera."
"I know that. I heard it earlier." He replied curtly his frown deepening. Aera didn't seem to notice and continued eating. Dohyun picked up his tray holding it one hand and his books in the other.
"Where are you going? You still have quite a lot on your plate." Aera looked up at him.
"I lost my appetite." He proceeded to leave and Aera carried her tray prepated to follow him but he turned; "I would appreciate it if you don't follow me." He gritted his teeth and stormed off.
Aera blinked.
Is he mad?
She dropped her tray walking out of the cafeteria. He was nowhere to be seen. "Did he go to the library? Should I go spy on him?" She asked herself.
"No. It'll be no good if he sees me." she let out a groan and reached behind her ear.
It was an habit. Whenever she was bored, anxious or excited, she would look around for a cigarette and it was always placed behind her ear but she couldn't find one.
Aera's sighed. "I'm beginning to hate this uniform… should I go look for Junha?" She took out her phone turning to head for the Golden tier cafeteria when she saw three female student approaching her.
The other students passing by gave way immediately. Thick murderous intent filled the air.
Aera took a step backwards.
Just how quick does news travel in this school?
"Don't you dare runaway!" Jisoo warned.
"I told you she would soon wear a uniform." Seolhye said to the others.
Aera chuckled nervously. "Violence is not an option." If they were really angry, she would definitely receive a beating.
Jisoo snorted. "It is when dealing with a betrayer." Aera took to her heels. "I'm really starting to hate this uniform!"
"You'd better because we're gonna strip you off it." Jiwon yelled as they chased after her.
"You guys don't mean it right!"
"Just wait and see."