08. Does this look like a prank?

The next day, while getting my notebook from the locker, I found a dead mouse the moment I opened it. Drops of blood dripped from it every few seconds. I let out a loud gasp and stepped back. The kids in the corridor snickered at me, somehow finding the situation amusing.

Is this how rich kids entertain themselves?

After barely cleaning the mess, I rushed to my next class which was of Mr. Park, our homeroom teacher.

"It's not even a week since you enrolled and you're already late?! You scholarship kids really don't value time...", Mr. Park expressed.

"But sir-"

"I don't need your excuses. You have one hour of detention today."

Without sparing me another glance he got back to teaching. I sighed before taking my seat. My bench was ruined. There were curses and scribble on it done with white chalk. This time I didn't bother the teacher because he was already annoyed at me and I quietly cleaned the desk with a handkerchief.

~~

School had finally ended but much to my discontent, I still had to attend an hour of detention because I was late for class after lunch. Today had been the most peaceful for me since Daejung didn't bother me but it seemed like the rest of my classmates were starting to pick on me again because I was an easy target for the rich. Judging by the way Daejung got away even after being late I thought that he wouldn't have to face any of Daejung's buddies for the rest of the day. And in fact, I was right to a certain extent.

Wishing to finish my homework I entered the detention room. There was only one student who looked like he was a couple of years older. The older boy was napping while I took a seat somewhere far from him but near the window. I opened my bag and took out my homework, determined to complete it within an hour. Soon the teacher arrived and there was near pin-drop silence in the room except for the older boy's snores.

~~

Time went slowly but soon the detention came to a halt and the teacher left the classroom. I packed his bag thinking about how he had to wait for nearly two hours for the bus. But my thoughts were soon cut short when he found the older student standing in front of me.

"Heyo! You're Junseo, right? From Daejung's class?", said the older sitting on my desk. His eyes were fox-like which caught the younger boy's attention. He gave off strong bad-boy vibes which made me anxious.

"Ye-yes...", I shuttered not knowing what else to say.

The older senior narrowed his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek as he hummed in response, "Hmm... I guess I'll see you around." He said before leaving me confused.

Eventually, I breathed a sigh of relief. I had thought that maybe reporting the incidents to the disciplinary council would somehow prove to be beneficial. So I rushed to meet the director responsible i.e Mr, Lee Jeong.

I knocked on the door and nervously waited to hear a faint 'come in' before entering the office.

"Good evening sir", I said timidly as I bowed to the elder.

"Ahh... You're the honor student, right? Please take a seat.", said Mr. Lee

"That's correct, Mr. Lee. My name is Choi Junseo."

"What brings you here Mr. Choi? What can I assist you with?"

Mr. Lee inclined his arms against the table as he grinned kindly at me.

"Sir, I'm not having any concerns with the lessons but the thing is... Some students are giving me a tough time for a while now...", I said trying to deny my want to run away.

"May I know who they are and what they have done?", Mr. Lee asked curiously.

"It's Hwang Daejung and his friends...", With that being said the conditions of the room suddenly got cold and dark. "Today, they put a dead mouse in my locker and-"

Mr. Lee cut him off saying, "They were probably pranking you and warming up to you." He had a creepy tight-lip smile, like somehow now he had transformed into a robot.

"But sir they bea-"

I was again cut off by the elder. "Maybe you're not yet used to this school. Give it some time okay? They are just playing around."

"Yes but-"

"If that's all you can leave Mr. Choi. It's already quite late."

Mr. Lee had left no room for further argument and I understood this as I stood up and bowed before taking off.

'Maybe he never hoped to help me... What do I even expect from the likes of these people? They're all corrupted and rotted to the core irrespective of their occupations... If you have the money you can even buy people in this society...' I thought as I walked to the bus stop with my expectancies crushed.