"You're going and that's final." Mum stated in her demanding tone offering a small smile.

"But mum, I don't want to."

"I'm not asking for your opinion hun." She said, giving a firm nod before turning on her heel and exiting. Leaving no room for further conversation.

I let out a harsh breath, knowing all too well I couldn't persuade mum. She had zero flexibility.

I laid on my bed and tucked my headphones in as the blasting music calmed my nerves.

I dunno. I dunno why. Coz it's all fake love, fake love, fake love.

~

"I wonder why Taehyun's not showing up." InHa spoke, dropping her backpack next to her chair as she plopped down. 

"Yeah. It's been 3 days. The guy's never taken a day off before." Chris added and I let out an 'oh'.

"We should find out then." I remarked and we all exchanged nods of approval.

"Good idea." Chris continued.

"No need." SaNa declared. We all glanced up to see Taehyun entering the classroom. His spectacles were fogged and his face flushed red, indicating the freezing weather outside. He kept blowing on his hands, attempting to warm them up from the cold. His immaculate personality was nowhere in sight. His laces undone as he held his bag on one shoulder. 

"Hi." Taehyun waved, taking his designated seat.

"Dude, where have you been?" Chris yelled as SaNa gave him a pointed look.

"Busy." Was all he said before taking out his notebooks.

Something was off. Taehyun was acting differently. Knowing him for the past 3 months, he always talked to his friends. No matter how immersed he was in his studies, he managed to comment on Chris's 'funny' jokes. 

I suppressed the question and focused on the class.

~

"Hey dude! Guess what?" Chris announced, waving his hand madly as we all were amused by his behaviour.

"What?" Taehyun smiled.

“Chris is the new class president.” SaNa said, giving him a lazy look.

“Haha. Very funny. I just died of laughter. I’m now resurrected to heaven.” Chris mocked her.

“You're only going to hell. Don't think too highly of yourself.” SaNa fired back, sipping her juice.

“Good then. You and I will be sitting together in the front row.” Chris smirked, earning a pat on the back.

“Stop it, both of you.” InHa said, lightly smacking each on the arm.

"We're going to Gyeounbokgung palace on this school trip." InHo spoke up, as Chris and SaNa were having a glaring competition.

"I heard but I'm afraid you'll have to go without me." Taehyun said nonchalantly.

"Why?" InHa queried. 

"I asked Mr Lee and he told me we weren't graded on this particular trip. Since it's not affecting my grades, I have important plans." Taehyun stated.

"You don't want to?" I questioned, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"I'm busy." He shrugged, causing the element of silence to be put into play.

~

"You better not come on this trip." SooMin sneered as I encountered her in the restroom.

"And why is that?" SaNa lifted an eyebrow upon entering.

"I was just telling her to rest instead of going on this trip, seeing how tired she is these days.” SooMin smiled but there was hostility in that smile, an aura of hatred seeming to cloud the area we were standing in.

"She'll manage." SaNa responded, grabbing my arm and pulling me outside. 

"I thought you hit your head or something seeing how you weren't coming out and it turns out you were talking with her." She commented, pointing at the closed door as InHa eyed me cautiously. Making sure I was still in one-piece.

I mentally facepalmed myself for forgetting these two were waiting outside. But I'd say I did a pretty decent job with not letting SooMin hurt me this time.

Right?

~

“Cheer up.” Chris said as he was seated next to me. “It's such a wonderful day. The sun is shining, birds are chirping. Oh, will you look at that butterfly?” He pointed out the window. 

I glanced out. It was pouring heavily. The sun was non-existent and no birds were to be seen. I looked at him dubiously, a giggle escaping my throat.

“You laughed.” His whole face lit up.

“Why? I can't laugh?” I asked in a comical manner.

“I mean you can. It's a free country. You just seemed gloomy.” He said.

I felt someone staring intensely at the back of my head. I turned around and my eyes connected to hers. SooMin was sitting at the end, all alone with a scowl on her face.

I turned away. I'm sure smoke would've come out of her nostrils as I did but I ignored it. She wasn't the one in control of my life.

The bus came to a halt and we were advised to step out. The rain had stopped and sun-rays peeked through the clouds. The cold-cutting wind flew past my hair but I had no care for the wisps of black fluttering past my ears.

I scanned around. We were standing in front of a beautiful palace. I observed it and a bulb went off in my head.

"This is where 'Rooftop prince' (1) was filmed??" I shrieked and people who passed by, laughed. 

In the middle of Seoul, stood Gyeounbokgung palace in all his majesty and glory. The mountains in the background gave a harmonious view between nature and the palace.

"Okay, everyone. Stay close and don't wander off." Mr Lee announced and we all followed behind, entering the gates.

I noticed all the people taking pictures of the palace. Some in casual clothes while others were dressed in traditional frocks which I recalled were 'hanbok'.

Perks of watching kdramas.

"King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, hangul, in this palace." Mr Lee spoke and we nodded in acknowledgement. Chris kept clicking his camera furiously and I was concerned it might break at that pace.

Guards, in different colored uniforms, stood at each gate. We stopped as some decided to take pictures before continuing on.

"The palace is divided into different sections: the government official areas and the royal private areas." Mr Lee continued. 

Within the palace walls were the Outer Court, offices for the King and state officials and the Inner Court. The designs were intricate, as I ran my fingers up the walls. Years have passed yet they still preserved the essence of Korean culture.

"These were the living quarters for the royal family as well as gardens for their leisure." Mr Lee stated, motioning towards them.

~

We were in the bus again. I stared out the window that displayed the dark surroundings outside. I watched the sky change its colour as it travelled towards the horizon, leaving behind hues of blue, pink and orange.

This trip, by far, was my favourite ever. I put my head back on the seat and my eyes fluttered close.

     -------------------------------------------------
(1) Rooftop prince: a Korean drama

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