I dreamt about that first day again. It wasn't really a nightmare, but I wouldn't call it a pleasant dream either. The echo of the footsteps boomed in my ears which made me really scared. I was terrified for the figure that was coming my way. The feeling I then got was familiar, like I had experienced it before, but it was so unpleasant, so horrific, that I couldn't imagine that I had ever experienced it before without me remembering. The vague figure in my dream was definitely planning to harm me, so I tried to hide. Like I did then I hid in the shadows and he walked past me.
 
  
This time the figure didn't notice me, but my gut said it wouldn't last long before he would.
  
  
After that bad dream I slept peacefully and when the morning came the unpleasant feeling was far gone.

|

The day came in like sunshine and dancing dust. A light beam shone through the curtain, right on my face: a morning kiss as sweet as honey. With a yawn a stood up and swung my legs to the side of my bed. I remained dazed for a moment, wondering why I was awake so early. With my hands I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and let out another yawn.

   
   
   
After a few minutes of not knowing who I was or what I was doing here, I was about to fall back onto the mattress and take back my precious sleep. That was until a shrill beep sounded through the room. The sound was coming from my alarm that I had set the night before. Quite early with the idea that I had enough time to get ready. 'Ready for what?' asked my tired body. 'School, you lazy ass!' answered my mind. With a groan I forced my body to get up.
 
  
  
Bit by bit I managed to drag my body to the bathroom. There I turned on the shower and stepped underneath the cold water jet. My body reacted with a shock, resulting in a wide awake mind and a almost hyperactive body. Finally my body knew it too: it was my first school day!
  
  
   

To be honest I still didn't know if I should be excited or not, because this meant making new friends and the beginning of long days that would definitely be coming due to the Korean education. Sometimes I asked myself why the hell I thought it was a good idea to come here for school and not to idk go back to the Netherlands.

  
   
   
With a towel I dried my body and hair and wrapped it around myself. Thereafter I tip-toed back to my room. I let my gaze go over my closet and picked out a blue jeans with holes in it and a simple white t-shirt I had bought a few days ago.
  
   
   
The stores in Korea sold so many cute clothes, but unfortunately it was difficult for me to find the right ones. Trouser legs and sleeves would often be too short for me. Being this tall in Korea also had some difficulties. But since I hadn't heard anything about my suitcase, I'd decided to go shopping anyways. It wouldn't do any harm and besides – I would've gone shopping sooner or later.
  
   
   
Holding the clothes in my hand I walked towards the mirror and held them in front of me. It would be the perfect outfit to wear to a first school day; no one would judge you for too fashionable clothing, though that would be unlikely to happen in Korea – yet it was fashionable and not over the top.
  
   
   
A little smile appeared on the face in the mirror; a face that held more excitement every minute -a reassuring one. But then the corners of the smile dropped and a pout appeared. I realized that I had to wear a uniform to school. Head shaking I mentally face palmed myself. This is Asia, stupid.
  
  
   
The moment I had put on my tie, someone knocked on the door and it opened ajar. My host mother peeked inside.
  
  
  
"Are you ready for today?" she asked. "Breakfast is ready so if you're done feel free to come and eat."
  
  
   
"I will, thank you." Quickly I did my makeup and decided to go for a high ponytail – deciding that it would be the best, since it was unbelievably hot. I also kept my makeup pretty simple, some concealer to cover up the imperfections on my skin, and a light pink lip gloss.
  
||
   
"Morning," I greeted Sune – only to get a groan back. Her face looked like she was about to kill someone. I took place at the opposite seat. "Why so grumpy?"
  
    
   
She gave me a glare. "Oh, I've just been looking forward for this day the entire summer. It's not as if I hate waking up at 6:30 and then spend the entire day studying."
  
   
   
"And it is beautiful, isn't it?"
  
   
   

She rolled her eyes and gave me a clearly fake smile. Then she stood up and placed her plate in the sink. Afterwards she went to school right away, yelling "goodbye" before slamming the door shut.
     
   
I chuckled to myself. Teasing Sune was so much fun.
 
  
  
In five minutes I finished my breakfast, because I was not used to a Korean breakfast. After five minutes my belly already protested against eating more and I felt gas gather itself in my stomach. I was used to a breakfast consisting of oatmeal and a glass of water, not this kind of exhibitionist.
 
  
  
After I'd copied Sune's actions and placed my plate in the sink, I walked to my school. Along the way I tucked at my skirt, hands gripping the edges and fumbling the material between my fists. Sune had gone to her own school and I had to survive on my own. My heart started to beat faster, though it was out of excitement. I could feel it jump around inside my bones.
  
    
   
Using Google maps again I made sure to not lose my way. Unintentionally I shivered at the thought of getting lost again. The dream of last night was unpleasant enough to remind me of the danger that could appear, even though I could not remember more than a short fragment.
  
   
   
The huge building loomed up in front of me and I took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing."
  
|||
   
"Everyone I want to introduce you to our new student all the way from the US! Please make sure to treat her nicely and show her the warmth of our school."
   
   
  
This was my hint to walk into the classroom. When I slid the door open numerous eyes looked at me with intense looks.  Me felt a bit overwhelmed, but I tried to ignore their eyes stinging in my back as I walked to the front of the classroom. Right in front of the chalkboard I had to introduce myself. Nervously I looked to the left, signaling to the teacher to help me out, but in vain. Instead of helping me out of the highly awkward situation she nodded sweetly and gestured me to go ahead.
  
   
   
So I had no choice. I turned my head and swallowed thickly. "Hello, my name is Ross Brooke and I'm from New York City."
   
   
    
"Please look up, Ms. Ross," the teacher commanded me.
   
    
    
Hesitantly I looked up, keeping my gaze straight to the concrete wall in the back of the room, avoiding all eye contact. "I am eighteen years old and I'm here for an exchange program. I'll be staying here for eighteen months and am planning on graduating here. Don't be afraid to talk to me. I would love to make friends." While saying those last six words I forced a little smile to appear on my lips.
  
   
   
"Thank you Ms. Ross, you can sit over there." She pointed to an empty seat in the back of the classroom.
   
  
   
I nodded and tucked a string of hair behind my ear. Quickly I walked to the seat the teacher had pointed at, staring at my feet the entire time.
  
   
 
"Well then class, let me introduce myself. I am Lee Yuko and I'll be giving you mathemethics this year."
  
  
 
"안녕하세요 선생님 [Hello teacher] !" The whole class answered in unison
  
  
  
I reached the table and was about to sit down, but then a little smile greeted me from the seat behind me. With a shock I recognized the boy's face.
    
             Jungkook.

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A filler chapter I guess.

I made a poem and I would appreciate it if you would check it out. It is called "a sould soul" (it's in my poetry book "what comes to mind"). Maybe you don't understand the poem, that's okay😂.

_SunflowerSeeds_ does lmao

xx