27th➳

Today was the last day I had to settle the fine or I'd be thrown behind bars. Since I wasn't a legal adult but was over the age 14, I would be put in juvenile, or I think that was what it was called. In my brain, I was still a child and most of the words freshmen knew were new to me. 

I sat in my seat in class, my leg shaking nervously as my mind fogged with thoughts. I knew that if other students ever took a glance at me and saw how quiet and distracted I was, they would have been shocked. I was rarely seen like this but if only they knew how much I actually suffered. Maybe then, things would have been different but really, who was I kidding? 

We humans are ugly creatures and we never stop judging, even if it's wrong to do. We're the fault in reality, society, this ugly reality. We're to blame, not anyone else but ourselves. But it doesn't really matter as long as you're happy, right?

I wish happiness existed. Not just like a phrase trailing behind an impossible cloud to catch but really existed. 

Joshua sat down in his seat next to me, muttering a quick good morning. His face told me that he was exhausted for whatever reason, there could be millions. When you're a rich kid, your schedules can be very different from normal kids in this school. 

"Nari, what's with the face?" Joshua asked, noticing me. 

I looked up and met his eyes. Playing dumb, I asked, "What face?"

Joshua poked my cheek, pressing his lips into a thin line. "Your face. It's not as playful these days. Like the colour from your face has gone."

Someone near us said, "It's for the better!"

I wanted to ignore them but the instinct deep inside me reacted. Slamming my fist against the table loudly, I got up from my seat in a rough manner as I craned my necks at the chatty boys who dared to open their mouths. I approached them with my hands tucked in the pocket of my jacket, trying to look intimidating towards them. 

"Mwo? Say it again," I challenged them, poking the side of their chest backward with my pointer finger. They looked towards the side, looking annoyed but didn't do anything about it. They looked arrogant, like they really were, then lifted their head to meet my eyes. "Wae? Can't say it now because I'm in front of your face?"

The guy stood up, making me look up at him because of our height difference. "Yah, Kwon Nari, mind your own business, huh? Why do you keep trying to cause trouble when no one asked you to?"

I let out a scoff, my head swinging to the side before I met his eyes once again. "Yah, you're one to talk. Who was the one who was listening to my conversation? Who was the one who added something to my conversation when he wasn't invited in the first place?" I poked him backwards against. "Why don't you listen to your own words and mind your own business?"

Even I couldn't see for sure, I could feel Joshua's proud smile behind me. I know there are so many people out in this horrid world who can't stick up for themselves, but when given the chance, they should try. They shouldn't be OK with something they're uncomfortable with in the first place. 

I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a look before I walked away. "Mind your own business next time." 

Once I was back in my seat, Joshua gave me a proud smile before whispering, "I wish I can be like you. Sticking up for yourself and everything. How are you so confident, Kwon Nari?"

I gave him a smile back and whispered, "The secret is to not be afraid of what people say or think about you. Your life should not be based on their judgments, don't you know? Be confident in everything you do because confidence is something you can lose in this world." 

Joshua gave me a thumbs up. "As expected from my Kwon Nari!"

I blushed in reply because I wasn't too used to being complimented. All my life, I've only received insults that anyone who has tried to throw me one, I've already heard repeatedly. Nothing was new. People who continue to insult and hate you don't deserve your attention because they're only jealous of you. They want you to stop, but why were they caring so much about you even if they hated you? There lies the mystery. 

The teacher then entered the class and everyone went quiet as lessons began. As usual, my mind was being filled with fairytales but what I found strange was the fact that I started to listen to what the teachers were saying and was able to ace the classwork our teacher gave us. Even Joshua didn't get the full mark. 

"Kwon Nari," the teacher suddenly called my name. 

I looked up. "Hmm?"

"See me after class. In the teachers' office. Okay?" the teacher whose name I still didn't know said to me before he picked up his books and left the class. 

I glanced at Joshua, asking him in a whisper, "Did I get into trouble without knowing it?"

Joshua rethought the events and shook his head. "No, I'm pretty sure you did nothing to get in trouble. You even did the classwork Mr. Im gave, which was a first. Heck, you even aced it. I don't think there's anything wrong you did today."

"Then why does the teacher want to see me?" I asked him. "It makes no sense, don't you think so?"

Joshua then held my hands together, giving me a face I couldn't decode. "Whatever happens, I'm right here."

I let out an unbelievable scoff before retreating my hands away from him, trying not to smile. "You're being cheesy again, Hong Jisoo."

"I can't help it. I never knew this side of me existed until I met you," Joshua said, shrugging. 

I slapped his shoulder, shuddering. "Okay, Jisoo, stop, really. It's giving me goosebumps. I don't like you being like this."

"Really?" Joshua grinned. "You're the reason my life is so bright! Without you, I'm a world without sunshine!"

I pushed him away. "Stop, gosh! Goosebumps, Jisoo. Goosebumps are rising."

"I should savour this moment. Nari is getting goosebumps from me saying all these things." Joshua then threw a wink at my direction. "Are you even flattered now, Kwon Nari?"

"Stop." I threw him a warning look. "Stop or I'll send a shoe flying to you. Wait 'til then, Hong Jisoo. You'll have a red mark on your face!"

Joshua chuckled and sat back in his chair leisurely. "I know you love me either way."

"Hmm? You saying something, Hong Jisoo? I can't hear you over the Peter Pan bird call," I told him playfully, imitating Peter Pan's bird call. "If only pixie dust existed in this world. I wanted to fly."

"Well, I know a type of magic that exists in this world," Joshua said. 

"Really?" I was excited yet again. I couldn't help it. That kid part of me still hasn't died, I'm glad. "What type of magic?"

Joshua pulled me closer in to him and grinned. "The magic feeling of love."

♥

I was busily rearranging the candies in their shelves. The kids that recently came in were so rowdy and such trouble makers that they kept messing up the stocks until everything was everywhere. The entire shelf was a mess, so here I was, crouched in the second aisle, rearranging the candies. 

Oh, I just realized that I didn't go to meet Mr. Im after classes. Whatever, it wasn't like it was anything important. To him, I'm pretty sure I was his least favourite student. I was always dozing off in his class and he got fed up with me. Maybe he wanted to give me a punishment again. 

As I arranged them, I started singing children songs such as Three Little Bears and the crocodile song. I couldn't remember the title of it, but it was a song about crocodiles. 

"Appa gom eun dong dong hae," I sang while rearranging them, smiling to myself, "eomma gom eun nalsinhae. Aegi gom eun neomu giyowo. Eusseuk eusseuk, jalhanda."

Joshua suddenly made an appearance, leaning against the shelf. "Are you singing a children song, Kwon Nari?"

I looked up and saw him smiling at me, like he was still amazed that he was dating a girl like me. I smiled back a big grin and nodded. "I don't know a lot of Kpop songs or the latest ones but I really really like children's songs. Don't you like it too?"

Joshua shrugged. "I've grown out of it already. But did you know that your voice is really nice, Nari? You have a talent right there."

"Really? I never really thought I had the talent of singing. Doesn't everyone sing the same way? Don't they all sound the same?" I asked him. 

"No. Your voice is unique. It's beautiful. What do I do, Nari? I'm falling for you even more," Joshua said, faking a gasp. 

I rolled my eyes at him with a smile as I continued to sing and rearrange them. Joshua went back to working as the cashier once customers set foot into the convenient store. The more I rearranged, the more my mind encircled the thought that has been bothering me. 

Today's the last day. 

Either I settle the fine today or end up in jail tomorrow. There was no other choice anymore. I had to make a decision now or I'll suffer three years in jail. Being talked behind my back by my classmates is one thing but going to jail is another thing. 

I let a heavy sigh leave my mouth as I continued to rearrange the packets of candies into their designated shelves. I couldn't run away even if I wanted to. I wouldn't risk that. There was only one way out of this, I believe. And that was to ask Jiae for help and agreeing to her condition. 

But I couldn't do it. I was hesitating between doing it and disagreeing to it. I didn't want to go to jail nor did I want to work under Jiae as a maid. But comparing both of them, which one seemed worst? Obviously, going to jail. Because even as a kid, I was scared of going to jail. 

Once my shift ended, I went to the back room to grab my bag and my jacket before leaving the store. But before I could set my foot out of the place, Joshua stopped me by standing in front of the double glass doors. 

I looked up at his face. "What's wrong, Jisoo?"

"Today's the last day," he said, surprising me and catching my attention. 

"Last day?" I tried acting dumb, testing the waters. As long as he didn't know about Jiae and I's meeting, I would be fine. "What are you talking about, Hong Jisoo?"

"Your fine," Joshua said in a whisper, minding the few ears that were in the convenient store as well. "I can help you, Nari. I can pitch in some money from my bank account and help you pay it off. I want you to live in ease, Kwon Nari."

"Jisoo, I've told you—"

"I know, you don't want me spending all my money on you but you're in trouble. I have to help you when you're in trouble like this," Joshua protested. 

"No, Jisoo. Don't do this. I'll find my own way, please just stop paying off everything for me like this. You've helped me enough, don't you know that?" There was another reason why I didn't want him to help me in this one. I didn't want him to get hurt if something happened to us in the future. If he hated me in the future, he would have hold such a big grudge against me if he paid off my fine like this. "I'm going home now. Trust me, I'll find a way. Okay?"

Joshua seemed to look reluctant on letting me go but eventually stepped away from the door, giving path to exit the store. He gave me a smile before greeting me goodbye. After greeting him back a goodbye, I left the store. 

My feet were heavy while I was walking home. Eventually, I stopped in the middle of the walkway, fishing out my phone from my pocket and dialing a number, bringing the phone up to my ear. I waited for the call to get through. 

"Yeobosaeyo?" a voice answered on the other line, making my heart race.

I bit my lower lip and finally asked, "Where are you right now?"

"Kwon Nari?"

"Yes. It's me."

"Mmm. I expected it to be. Meet me at my house. You know where it is, right? See you then." Then the line got cut. 

♥

I approached the huge mansion in front of me, staring at its grandness. It wasn't like this was the first time I've been here. It was just my first time being here while it was quiet and wasn't filled with people with high profiles. 

I tapped the recent number I had on my phone and pulled it up to my ear. Once the call went through, I said, "I'm outside the gate right now." Then I ended the call, putting it back into my jacket. 

The gates then opened and a man stood there. He was an elderly man, probably in his fifties, and he escorted me into the mansion. He was really kind. Said his name was Mr. Kang. 

"Ms. Jiae is waiting in the living room of the mansion. A maid will escort you there. I'll be going back to my post now." Mr. Kang bowed to me and I did the same before I rang the doorbell of the two gigantic oak doors.

The door opened, revealing a maid in front of the door. She looked younger, probably in her late thirties and she wore a smile on her face. She escorted me to the living room with endless politeness. 

"Ms. Jiae is right in there. I will be with you up until here." The maid bowed and walked away, leaving me alone in the wide and huge hallway. 

I sucked in a deep breath before entering the living room. I saw Jiae sitting there comfortably in one of the wide sofas, reading up a magazine while sipping a cup of hot tea. She looked up and saw me for a quick second before she commanded, "Sit down."

I had no choice but to follow her instructions and took a seat across her. The only thing that separated the both of us was the coffee table between us. I didn't think I had the right to talk, so I kept quiet. 

"So, you've decided to ask for my help? I'm guessing that's why you're here," Jiae said, a grin forming behind that magazine of hers. 

"Yes," I squeaked, lowering my head. I was disappointed that I had chosen this path but there was no other choice anymore. I really didn't want to go to jail. 

"Good choice," Jiae said. "Jisoo will be home soon. Let's make this quick. I pay for your fine, and you start working for me. Did I mention you have to live here too? I have a few rules I'd like to get over with you, but we don't have the time right now. For now, just go home and I'll talk to you about it tomorrow. Does that sound fine?"

I nodded in reply, following what she was saying.

"Now before we get this over with, I need you to get on your knees and beg me to pay for your fine."

My head snapped up, not expecting that she wanted me to beg on my knees. "Nae? But that wasn't part of the—"

Jiae cut me off, "Do you want me to pay for your fine or not? When I tell you to do something, you better do it! You need to learn that because you're going to be my maid starting tomorrow. Now, beg on your knees."

At this point, I've already sold my soul to Jiae. Like she had claimed the right of me. Crying on the insides, I closed my eyes and got on my knees to beg in front of her. 

~Author's Notes~

We're about to get into the middle of the book, Kimichies! I'm excited! Remember that surprise story I kept talking about? Well, that's going to have to wait for now because I'm going to enjoy writing this book! hehe~ I hope you'll enjoy the future chapters that I've already thought about ^^ 

xoxo

Byun Sang Kyung