3: Joy? Ride...

Friday

Everyone was excited about tomorrow's acquaintance party. It was the topic of everyone and pictures from old parties started popping up like mushrooms.

"Mayi! Are you joining us this year?" Richard asked as he started yapping about it.

"Nope," she said plainly.

"Eh~~Why not?" he asked. This time Rie and Cecil entered the office... with Jun behind them.

"I wanna sleep the whole day tomorrow, " Mayi said as she looked at Richard. "Look at my under eyes. It's already turning dark. I look like a panda! And I just got back from a long break!"

"But your name is on the list. C'mon, you didn't go last time too!" Richard insisted. She was invited several times but she declined. It was still too painful for her.

"I'll think about it," Mayi replied but she has already decided not to go. She just went back to her seat to do some paper works.

"Mayi, the Idol Trainees have a request," Jun said as he stood in front of Mayi.

"What is it?" She asked him without looking at Jun.

"They want to have their classes on the rooftop, for privacy," he replied. Mayi looked at him and just nodded. The school's rooftop acts as a garden as well. it also has benches for the students who want to study in peace.

"Is that all?" she asked before pulling her phone out of her pocket, the caller ID showed 'President'

"Yeah," he said. Mayi stood up and nodded as she went out of the office.

Jun's face was full of emotion. He didn't know what to feel at the moment. Mayi's attitude towards him was very cold ever since he got there.

A few minutes later she got back with a disappointed look.

"What?" Shane asked.

"I really can't go tomorrow, sorry," Mayi replied as she went back to her seat and started picking up folders and papers from her table.

"WHAT??!! WHY?!" Richard replied in a child-like manner. He is a decent guy but his inner child is sometimes... stronger.

"President asked me to finish the Venture books ASAP," Mayi replied as she picked her bag and her laptop. It was her first week back and she already has a deadline.

"Where are you going?" Jun asked.

"Up," she replied plainly as she bade goodbye to them.

"What's up with her?" Alex asked as he stood from his chair.

"President gave her a book deadline," George said as he plopped into Mayi's chair.

"Well, I was really hoping she can make it to the party this year. Her last appearance was the send-off party last year." Alex said as he pulled George into the break room. Jun was shocked to hear this... so she took a break for two quarters? Why?

He stared at Mayi's table. Her desk was full of photos from her past students. He looked closer and saw that in the lower right corner was a photo of them. It was the last photo they took together. She was sitting on his lap and he was holding her in the waist. Her left arm wrapped around his broad shoulders as she was holding a cocktail on her right. They were sharing a toast and smiling at each other. If it was someone else they would be mistaken to be a couple.

How did they end up being so close to total strangers? He stared at the photo and didn't notice Rei looking at him from the conference room door.

"You know she liked you," Rei said as she went to her table. Jun was shocked by what Rei said but he didn't show it.

"We're just friends," Jun lied. He honestly likes her too.

"Hmmm..." Rie replied, her face disappointed at Jun's answer. However, Jun didn't notice as he went back to his office.

Meanwhile, Mayi is busy in the library which was just in front of the student lounge. The students were looking at her because it wasn't common to see teachers staying in the library.

"Teacher Mayi!" Jung Min said as he approached her.

"Hmmm? Yes, What is it?" she casually asked.

"Ah, I forgot to tell you that, I'm one of the Idol Trainees you will teach next week." He replied as he sat on the chair opposite of Mayi.

"Oh, really?." she said and gave the guy a smile.

"So are you coming tomorrow?" he asked as he placed his hands on his chin. Mayi didn't like to be disturbed but she didn't want to be rude to the student.

"Sorry, no. I have work to do, but I do hope that you enjoy the party," she enthusiastically said as she saw two men approach their table.

"That's sad, we wanted to have some bonding with you before we begin the class next week," Min said as he looked at the other guys sat with them.

She looked at them and they smiled at her warmly. She smiled back as they started to introduce themselves.

"Annyeong! I'm Kim San Hae." the next guy to Min said. His energy feels so high that Mayi could feel it pass around the table "I'm their Hyung (oldest). I know it's not obvious but I am old."

Mayi gave a small chuckle as San Hae scratched his neck of embarrassment. He looks way younger than what he claims to be.

"I'm Lee Jae Hyuk. Second oldest." The guy who sat next to Mayi said. He gave an aura of a playboy.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lee Mayi." she casually said. The two looked surprised. Jung Min just laughed.

"You're Korean?!" Jae Hyuk asked. Mayi nodded.

"Well.. half," she added as she smiled at their reaction. They looked at her and wanted to ask her a lot of questions but they stopped themselves because they saw that she is busy.

"Well teacher, we will see you on Monday!" The group then stood up and left her to do her stuff. She then continued reading the papers stacked in front of her.

Her phone vibrated right after the group left her table

[Calling: Jun]

She let it ring... she told herself not to pick up the phone.

[Why are you not picking up?]

[Are you really busy?]

[Hey!!!]

Then he called again. Mayi tried to ignore him but it seems Jun is persistent. In the end, she answered the call.

"What?" Mayi whispered as she silently went out the library.

[Where are you?]

"I'm outside the library? Do you need something?" she asked

[You keep on ignoring my calls]

"Uh.. duh busy?" Mayi couldn't help herself but be sarcastic.

[Busy...flirting with students?] He sounded mad.

"Flirting? Wow!" she couldn't believe she heard that come from him! Feeling annoyed she hung up. It's no point arguing with the guy because she knows he will just get mad and wouldn't listen.

.... The next day...

Everyone was excited! They all packed swimming clothes and were taking photos. There were 6 double-decker buses waiting for the students and teachers to enter. There are a total of 410 passengers. 70 teachers and the rest were the students and coordinators and staffs. This is the first time that a lot of people are going. Usually, the party-goers would be less than 300, but this time all the students went!

As they were boarding the buses, the headteacher realized that the new managers' names wasn't in the roster. She felt embarrassed but it was the bus's strict rule that they will only accept the names in the roster, no exceptions.

"I'm so sorry! I will call someone to drive you there okay? Sorry! Sorry!" the headteacher said to the managers apologetically. They were quite disappointed with this but felt happy when a car pulled up the school's driveway after a few minutes.

"HT (headteacher). What's the emergency?!" A girl popped her head out the driver side window. Mayi?! Students and teachers who were still boarding the bus were surprised to see her. They know she wouldn't be joining them but here she is!

"Mayi! I'm in a dilemma. The final print out of the names for the bus, the managers aren't included and you know how strict the bus company is." HT said as she looked pleadingly.

Mayi looked at the managers who were standing on the side and the buses that are not so packed. She knows the rule of course but... WHY CALL HER?! She didn't want to be rude so she just nodded. She is still wearing her home clothes because HT said it was urgent.

SHE CALLS THIS URGENT?!

"Thanks, Mayi! I owe you!" HT said as she signaled the buses to start the trip. The managers looked at Mayi.

"Get in!"