Once Upon A Spring

CHAPTER 1

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

I CAN HEAR SOME PEOPLE SCREAMING.

‘’Hey, there's a quarrel outside!’’

‘’Really?’’

‘’Yes!’’

I can hear the murmuring of the people around me. Of course, the people inside the campus. I have sense and instincts when it comes to circumstances like this. I hella' like it but sometimes hate it. Maybe people have different perspectives on my actions without knowing the real story behind it.

‘’Is that Yoo Jeong again?’’

‘’It might be her again.’’

‘’She will be on call from the guidance office again.’’

‘’The university will just suspend her for a week and, damn, she will return to turn our week hellish.’’

And… this lady in front of me who I like the most when she forms an anguished expression. I really love seeing the expressions of uneasiness, worries, and frightfulness. I can see from her face that she wants me to leave her alone.

Also, I can hear people cheering me up. I feel so energetic when I hear it, but disappointed because they are the ones who are back stabbing me. Sometimes , I will give a more harsh time for them. They really deserve it.

‘’I already talked about it,’’ I shouted.

‘’Did I?’’ I smirked.

‘’You must give me your allowance every week so I can eat on my own. Can you understand?’’

‘’But why did you choose me?’’ she replied hesitantly.

‘’Because you are a privileged one?’’

I can hear the random shock of people here. Y'all fake. You are all privileged to enter this expensive and most dreamed university.

‘’You are also a privileged one because you are here. But I don't know why you still keep on doing this to anyone, especially me?’’

‘’Do you know how and why? Because I'm living full of selfishness!’’

‘’And you are doing this for your attention?’’ she bravely asked.

‘’No sweetie, I'm just here to say that I am the strongest that everyone will face. I want to share that I am not the weakest one here despite being unprivileged. Having a privilege is not a strength but also an opportunity to become the weakest.’’

‘’It is really annoying to realize that people lacking money are receiving a backlash and being pulled lower into society.’’

‘’What are you talking about, that we the privileged ones, are the weakest?’’ she replied.

‘’Yeah in terms of what?’’ I heard a random scream behind me.

‘’Having a privilege is an advantage of skipping responsibilities from reality,’’ I responded.

I faced towards her as she walked. She will be my favorite teacher. I promised that she would be your favorite life mentor but she despises me when I approach her. She's also my #1 hater because of how I act in this school.

‘’Miss Son, what are you doing? Are you doing this for the sake of that topic?’’ Miss Harrison said. Well, yeah. She is a foreign teacher that's why most of my schoolmates here are skipping her classes. Still, racism here says a lot.

‘’Ah.. she did not follow my instructions.’’ I lied utterly.

‘’What instructions?’’

‘’To give me a tutor. Come on, the finals week is approaching and I can't handle too much studies. In addition, I still have my training for the Korean University Games as your top representative. It will not be easy for me. It is better to have a tutor than to cheat, right?’’

‘’But this is not a proper way to ask for that? If you are just gaining attention to scare everyone here, maybe you are suitable to be a gangster forever!’’

‘’I would like to be that way than to stay here like a s**t here all around!’’

‘’Well, it's your choice,’’ she replied .

‘’Okay, then. Whatever. By the way, Hyo Yeong, don't forget it,’’ I warned her.

‘’Also don't forget to come to the guidance office tomorrow and bring your parents here again,’’ Miss Harrison inserted.

‘’Never mind.’’ I sounded no interest.

As I walked along a direct forward path I can see some scared looks and disgusted looks of my fellow school mates. I did not bother as some of them just also kneel as they do not want to experience what Hyo Yeong experienced with my hands.

Here I am again.. They are going to message Dad again.

*Chang Hyun's POV*

‘’Do you want some help?’’ I asked the old fisherman here carrying buckets of fish from his boat.

‘’It is okay, I can do this. By the way, Can I have a favor?’’ he replied.

‘’Okay, what is it?’’

‘’Can you park my boat over there,’’ while he is pointing the farthest boat parking place.

‘’Ah---’’ I said with uncertainty.

‘’It is so heavy,’’ he innocently replied.

Seems I have no choice, ‘’I can bring that. Don’t need to worry!’’

‘’My knee and back hurt---’’ and I can see him really suffering from back pain.

‘’Okay. I can do it!’’

‘’Thank you so much!’’

I have no choice, then. For sure, I will receive a little coins here. All I do here is to help and receive tips and later I will work in the convenience store to guard it overnight. This is tiring but I'm doing this for my daughter.

I was about to receive my tip when I received a message from..

‘’From: Seong Hwa University

Hello Mr. Son Chang Hyun, father of Son Yoo Jeong. Your daughter did a horrific thing earlier this afternoon. We would appreciate if you would come to school again for the nth time as we have to settle her case for the safety of the school and students here.

For the previous days, many parents were also complaining that your daughter hurts a lot of the students here and some wanted to transfer because of her unfavorable attitude. I hope you respond positively and thank you for your kindest consideration for coming.

-Guidance Counselor’’

I sighed after reading this. Here we go again. I lectured my daughter so many times, but it seems she is consistent in what she is doing. I don't know how to handle her anymore. Maybe a prayer or miracle will only be the answer to change her.

The old fisherman approached me and gave me a little tip.

‘’Thank you!’’ I bowed.

‘’Don’t worry. That was such a real help. Thank you too,’’ he smiled.

As he turned his back, I just looked at my cashless palm. Maybe this is a small amount but it could contribute a lot to my daughter's future.

*Yoo Jeong's POV*

‘’HEEEEYYY!’’

I'm pretty sure I was very drunk this time.

‘’TAKE TWO?’’

Many people are whispering and staring at me. I just realized that I had no person to talk with. There's literally no person in my front.

‘’Oh sorry! I'm just talking to myself. Right?’’

I'm becoming an alcoholic these days. I think becoming a badass is such a historical achievement these days. Many people will become intimidated by me. I grew so much and I lived independently for how many years? Almost 5 years already? Life really sucks... I mean... I am so envious of these kids having their parents on their side...

And they are complete...

I did not experience that. Maybe having both my mother and father at my side will be one of the most memorable and fortunate experiences that I will ever have. So sad, my mom died just because of unpreventable efforts of my dad. He's really sick.

I can't imagine that I will see him again tomorrow...

and look...

Now, he's calling my phone. What an unfortunate night I had. I will have an impossible imagination and expected preach from him this night.

‘’Hello?’’

‘’Where are you?’’

‘’I am here. Drinking.’’

‘’Drinking what?’’ he seemed so shocked like I was doing it for the first time. In fact, I already did this when I was in my middle high days.

‘’Alcohol.’’ I said while laughing. ‘’It is very obvious, you know.’’

‘’Go home now. I will call my friend over there to walk with you home.’’

‘’I do not want to. I can do it myself. Your friend also has his own family to assist. Don't disturb him.’’

‘’He is our family's friend. I think it is okay with him. Also, we do not ask too much from him.’’

‘’I said, I'm okay.’’ Back to my serious tone. Actually, I don’t really need everyone’s help here tonight.

‘’Okay. You---’’

I ended the call, mischievously. I don't want to hear that sickening old man's voice again, but it is unexpected that he is very worried about me.

But maybe his mood tomorrow will change. Many misconduct and damage reports will be slapped in his face tomorrow. How naughty.

It looks like I can’t stand alone already. I need to go home as much as I can but it seems it takes many meters away and I think I will just passed by on the street.

It was only a little while ago when I started to walk when I heard a random step behind me. I don’t know if there’s a random stranger following me. I am drunk and I’m not in a mood to fight right now if and only if he is planning to act or do horrible against me. I walked at a fast pace and the same with that person’s feet too. I was about to attack him when…

I fell down.