Year 2016, Sanbu Middle High

“Hey, coward! Did I just told you to do my fucking homework, and you have the audacity to stop going to school?” Johnny shouted then kicked my solar plexus. My body then started to shake as I gasped for more air.

“I-I told you… I was sick yester-day” I explained while wriggling in pain.

“We don’t care, dork!” Johnny butt in then kicked my face with his foot.

This has been my life since the first day that I have studied here in Sanbu Middle High. The heinous acts of Johnny and Jayden worsen when Simon just lets them do what they want. And because they are protected by Simon, everyone can’t do anything about it.

“I’m gonna fail this class because of you! Damn it” Johnny yelled then kicked the chair beside him.

Everyone looked at us but no one dared to step up, and call them out. Even the teachers don’t have an idea on what is happening when they get out of the classroom.

I can’t even remember why the hell they hate me so much. I didn’t even do anything against them. Is it because I’m weak? I’m a loner? I just don’t see why they would choose me as their victim.

“I'm sorry… I-I’ll do well in the future” I kneeled.

“What? Are you fucking kidding me?” Jayden was about to hit me in the face when someone grabbed his hand and stopped it.

“T-That’s enough. Y-You’re hurting him” someone stood up and fought for me.

It was Juno Lee. The smart kid who stutters a lot. He was just as small and timid as me. Though no one dares to touch him since he’s the child of the principal.

“H-Hey! You think you’re something just because you’re a nepo baby?” Johnny grabbed Juno’s collar.

“Johnny, that’s enough! Simon will handle him” Jayden reprimanded.

Johnny then let go of Juno, and glared at me.

“We’re not done twit” he said then spit at me.

“A-are you okay?” Juno asked.

“Y-yeah, thanks for helping me.” I said then let out a soft smile.

“Just tell me if t-they hurt you” He said then smiled back at me.

From that incident, Juno and I started to hang out. Johnny and Jayden also stopped messing with me since I am protected by Juno. Even Simon Park can’t do anything to him. Since Juno is the child of the principal and of the top students, he is somewhat popular with girls at our school.

“Hey, Juno. We’re going to KTV. Wanna join us?” Celine, one of the girls in our class asked.

Most times only Juno gets invited by girls to do shopping, singing karaoke, or even watching movies. I just stand there watching them go without me.

“Can Dylan come with me?” Juno asked the girls.

“Ugh…fine. Just hurry up” Celine rolled her eyes. It was obvious that she didn't want me there.

“Woah. You even ask them to go with me” I chimed as I hugged my backpack.

“O-of course. We’re f-friends, aren’t we?” he replied then patted my head.

We hurried to the Go Girl KTV where we found the girls singing together with some of our classmates.

“Yah! Look who’s here!” Lyndon Cha greeted and welcomed Juno.

“Yo!” Juno said.

“Oppa, why are you so late? Celine whined then wrapped her hand around Juno’s arm.

Juno laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.

“You have to buy us a lot of drinks because you’re so late hmpp” Celine threw a fuss.

“A-alright!” Juno then took out his card and proceeded to buy them drinks.

“Hey! You don’t have to do that, besides we’re minors. We are not allowed to drink.” I told him.

“Chill Dylan, it’s my father’s money and card. We will not be caught with this. Trust me!” Juno whispered to my ear.

This was the first time I’ve seen Juno act like this, maybe because it is also the first time that I get the chance to go with them.

I sat in the corner quietly and watched them have fun. The door suddenly opened and Simon Park appeared in front of us.

“Hey! Simon, you made it.” Celine jumped to hug him which he just ignored.

Simon then sat on the bench opposite to us.

“I don’t have anything to do, so I thought to myself I’ll just pass by”, he said, then drank a glass of soju.

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I immediately grabbed Juno’s shirt towards me and whispered. “Is it okay for Simon to be here? You know he’s a bully” I whined.

“Nah! It’s fine, Simon and I are cool. He can’t hurt us” Juno stated then went back having fun.

I can sense the gaze of Simon Park across the room. I glanced at him and our eyes met.

“What?” he mouthed.

I was so dazed by his aura that I haven’t gathered myself to have fun.

“Hey! I think I’ll just go home” I told Juno, who is now half drunk.

“W-what? You’re going home already?” he yelled.

I nodded, which made him let me go.I went home disappointed. I can’t possibly think that Juno will hang out with Simon Park.

Days passed, Juno and I didn’t get to spend time together with each other as he was so busy hanging out with them. I can see him hanging out with Simon Park and didn’t even talk to me. I guess they don’t need me anymore.

“I guess I can touch you now,” Jayden whispered behind me, which made my whole system disintegrate.

“H-hey! Back off!” I told them.

“You dare talk back to me?” He shouted and hit my head with a book.

“No, I was talking to myself hehe. Tell me what you want, I’ll get it for you!” I smiled.

“That’s more like it! Buy us snacks from the cafeteria!” he commanded, which I automatically obeyed.

When I arrived at the cafeteria, I saw Juno eating and laughing with his friends. I was about to call him but then I noticed Simon Park sitting beside him.

I went my way to complete what Jayden told me to do, and just ignored him. It may be the end of our friendship and I can’t do anything about it.

My normal days are back, and by that I mean the hellish life that Jayden and Johnny gave me. I tended to their every need, I’ve done their homeworks, and even bought them their lunch with my own money just so they won’t hit me. Now that Juno and I don't hang out anymore, there’s no one stopping Jayden and Johnny anymore.

“Hey! I told you to massage me gently!” Jayden then hit my head with his foot that I am massaging. I heaved a sigh to manage my annoyance.

“Oh Shit! Look at this fucker!” Johnny exclaimed then showed his cellphone to Jayden.

“Sanbu Middle High Principal’s is gay” Jayden read loudly.

“What? Hahaha Juno Lee is gay?” He added.

I stopped what I’m doing. Everyone’s staring at their phone including Juno.

I took out my phone and scrolled through twitter where I found a viral post from an account with the username of @ladyboss_08.

@ladyboss_08

I used to go out with this guy who’s a son of a principal in a middle high school. I can’t believe he’s gay. I asked him what he thought of one of our classmates and he said “he likes him”. Ugh!!!

The post had reached 2.1 million views, 660K comments, and 1.2 likes.

I’ve scrolled to read the comments.

@sexybubble

Is this Juno Lee of Sanbu middle high? We used to hangout but then I distanced myself ‘cause I can see the way he looked at Simon Park. So damn obsessive.

@JJJ_456

Yeah. He even used his father’s card to purchase drinks. He knows minors can drink alcoholic beverages. What a shame for his father.

@McDowaldsBurger

Fr. He’s so gay. I heard he always hangs out with a guy in his class but left him to hang out with Simon Park. That’s kinda sus tho.

@Deez_Jam

I can’t believe the principal’s son would do that!! smh.

I scrolled further and more hateful comments were shown. Everyone’s so busy murmuring and creating speculations about the hateful posts. I looked to see how it is affecting Juno, and I saw him already crying. He packed his bag and ran away from the class.

“Hey! What are you doing?” Jayden asked when I stopped massaging his foot and ran after Juno.

“I’ll double the service later! Just let me go this time!” I shouted then left them in the room.

I quickly ran to catch up with Juno, but instead it was Simon Park that I found.

“Ugh!” I shouted when I bumped into him but his body’s so strong that I wasn’t able to move him.

His brow raised and looked at me with disgust.

“It’s your fault! Juno’s life is now a mess! Thanks to you!” I yelled. Tears started to form in the corner of my eyes not because I was hurt but because I am so frustrated that I can’t do anything.

“You can’t blame anyone but him” he answered then bumped my shoulder to walk past me.

“Hah!” I laughed sarcastically and turned to watch him walk away.

“Just wait, I’ll try to reveal your color myself” I said then gritted my teeth.

“I like to see you try” he said, then continued walking away.

Days have passed, Juno didn’t go to school anymore. Even the principal stepped down from his office since his image has already been taunted due to the circulating post. The committee and the parents wished to see him resign. Juno’s appearance then became untraceable in the social media, until everyone eventually forgets about him.

Year 2021, Seoul Techno High

“Hey! What happened? I heard there’s a commotion in the principal’s office?” Charles said while running towards us.

“Are you crying?” he added, pertaining to Yuri who I didn’t notice is now crying hard.

“What happened? Did Mr. Joo told you to fuck off?” Charles stated.

“No. Mr. Joo was fired, he was reassigned to another high school.” I simply said.

“That’s good! Why the hell are you crying?” Charles then removes Yuri’s hands covering her small face.

“I-I don’t know” she replied.

“Let's just head back now to the classroom. I’ll tell you everything” I said.

I tell Charles and Nelly everything, including the embarrassing moment that I have made.

“Really? I didn’t have any idea that Denise is like that, but did she really cheat on the exam?” Nelly asked.

“I guess, she didn’t. Given that she has been a consistent honor student. I doubt that she’ll cheat. Maybe because Mr. Joo just wants to push her to her limits or to get rid of her.” Charles insinuated.

“But I can’t believe you burst out in the principal’s room and claim Mr. Joo of telling Denise to abort her child” Charles then laughed loudly, as if he’s mocking me.

I just covered my face to hide the embarrassment I feel inside.

“Let’s not talk about Denise,” Yuri said, which served as our signal to shut up.