01
𝙧𝙤𝙝 𝙝𝙮𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙖

the sound shoes squeaking on the polished wood floor.

the heavy breaths of those who are tired, and the loud calls from those who still have enough energy to guide the rest of the team.

the sound the ball makes when it hits the ground, and how you wince, afraid that it might hit you.

i loved it all—from the sounds, the activity, the pressure. it felt like only volleyball mattered in the stir of the moment.

"alright guys, wrap it up!" coach yelled suddenly, interrupting my pleasant thoughts.

immediately, the entire team groaned. my shoulders slumped and i groaned along with them.

"yah, get the hell out of here. go get some sleep like regular students." she added.

"fine, coach." a few girls whined.

"at least you guys have the chance to sleep. after i started my part-time work i don't even remember sleeping for more than 4 hours a night." i complained. "i must've done something terrible in my past life..."

"you're still doing those jobs?" our middle spiker and my dorm-mate, choi yuhwa asked.

i pouted and nodded. "i'd rather stay here and play all day long than do them, i really would."

"i'm praying for you my friend." she slapped me on the back (a little too hard). "meanwhile, i'm going to book it and get my full ten hours of sleep, so goodnight."

i glared at her. "i hope you choke on your saliva while sleeping."

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i let out a large sigh, after exiting our gym. i somehow ended up in front of our college's large and flashy sign, that displayed the large letters "YONSEI UNIVERSITY." for a second i contemplated kicking the whole thing down, but realized i probably can't and shouldn't.

it's ironic i ended up getting a part-time job at my own school. what kind of school forces their own sleep-lacking student to clean the halls and pools for them?

but then again, 1. i was the one who signed up for it, and 2. i need money, and anything for money.

money buys happiness. don't you dare fight me on that. you can buy food and a home with money, which guarantees you good health. good health is happiness, therefore, money is happiness.

it turned 11 o'clock soon after, and my shift started. at this time, all the students were probably snoozing off like the privileged kids they are, so i had to be extra quiet.

first, i cleaned the dorm building.

then, i had to clean the pool. the pool was the absolute worst to clean, because those swimmer boys leak and drip everywhere they go. literally.

i panted and sweated as i mopped the excess water around the pool, which felt like i was in hell because it was so steamy in there. water is my hell.

"god, why don't people clean up for their own mess??" i complained.

i turned to the large pool and peered into it. honestly, water is so cool. it's all bouncy and splashy and shit like that. it also glowed in the dark. quite fascinating.

i thought it was quite fascinating until i realized there was something under the surface.

in a good two seconds of me acknowledging its presence, it jumped out. literally. that thing popped up from under the surface like one of those weasel's in the weasel-hitting game. iT had a hEAD AND A BODY AND EVERYTHING.

i probably screamed so loud that i woke up the entire campus.

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