The news channel was warning parents not to let their kids walk to school anymore. Students are asked to travel in friend groups at all times. Young women under 25 are asked to always travel with pepper spray, their phone at least 50% charged, and an alarm. Men under 18 are asked to do just about the same, especially if you are clearly not heterosexual. The entire district is asked to stay both covered up and blend in as much as you can.

I watched my mom groan and sigh as she shut the TV off. She had to get going to work right now. That's half an hour earlier than when I have to get to school. There wasn't anything to be done. She couldn't even drop me off early since the doors will be locked.

It'll be my first day at my new high school. I had to wait two weeks for the semester to switch over. In that time there have been six missing kids, one home drug bust, and a failed attempt to kidnap an elementary student at the opposite end of the block from my house.

My mom wasn't exactly thrilled that her twink of a 17 year old son walks to school. It's not like I could magically make myself 19 years old tomorrow though, so no driving for a while.

She's just worried for obvious reasons. There's really nothing we can do about it though. Sadly, we can't move back either. Doctors are needed in the city, and she was one of the "lucky" few to get transferred here. I can see why now.

We moved from sweet and safe Busan for her job. Now I've lost my ability to go outside on my own. My transcripts won't be as impressive. I've lost my dance team- I'm most bummed about that. I was just starting to improve my technicality. I was even even beginning to feel less insecure on being in the spotlight.

My mom wasn't so much focused on those things, she was more so worried that I'd go out for something and never make it back. She already has given me all the materials I need to stay as safe as possible, but I rarely keep them with me when I go out. It's more than what I'd prefer to travel with. If I'm not going too far from home, then I don't stress it. Besides, school is only a block to the right from my house. I think I'll be safe. Also, I couldn't take any of it into the building with me. Not when they notified parents Sunday night saying there will be security checks at the front entrance from now on. Just a waste of space.

I sighed heavily. Grabbing my bag from off the couch. It's almost time to go.