I arrived at my house and headed straight to my bedroom. Without hesitation, I tossed my bag onto the floor and leaped onto the bed. As I lay there, I couldn't help but reflect on how utterly annoying today had been.  I was about to sleep when-

"Yeha, go take a shower and coms down to eat snacks." I heard my mom shouting.

Ugh, seriously?! I was literally just about to drift off! My bed was cozy, my blankets were warm, and my pillow was perfect.

"Mom, can't it wait? Like, 30 minutes?!" I shouted back, hoping she'd understand.

But, of course, she didn't.

"Yeha, hurry up! Your favorite snacks are ready!" she yelled back.

And, let's just ignore the part where my mom was nagging me for my own benefit. I mean, she wanted me to fetch some snacks, but my sluggish self just didn't feel like moving. Unfortunately, I had to comply because we can't really deny our moms, can we?

I rolled out of bed, my cozy nap vibes ruined. Time to trade my comfy PJs for a shower and snacks.

What's the snack situation, though? I hope it's worth sacrificing my beauty sleep!

I dragged myself to the shower, still half-asleep.

This better be good.

I swiftly grabbed my clothes and dove into the shower. Fifteen minutes might seem quick to some, but trust me, it's lightning speed for me - I'm usually a 30-35 minute shower queen!

There's just something about the warm water and quiet solitude that melts all my stress away. It's my me-time, where I unwind and find my inner zen.

Plus, it's the perfect opportunity to give my skin some TLC. I broke out the good stuff - facial cleanser, exfoliating scrub, and moisturizer. My skincare routine is my happy place.

As I massaged the conditioner into my hair, I felt my worries rinsing down the drain. Ah, rejuvenation!

Ready to tackle snacks and whatever else Mom has planned.

"I've got this, I'm a rockstar!" I pep-talked myself, trying to shake off the dread. Now that I was freshly showered and somewhat refreshed, it was time to face Mom – and recount the epic battle between me and the Professor.

Ugh, just thinking about it made me anxious. How do I explain this to her? Especially without being dramatic.

"Okay, self, stay calm. You're an adult (kind of). You've got logic on your side. Go!" I coached myself.

Taking a deep breath, I headed downstairs to face mom's inevitable questions.

What's Mom's reaction going to be?

I seriously needed some time to process.

In just a matter of seconds, I finally mustered up the courage to speak my mind. "I had a heated argument with our Korean professor after lunch," I confessed.

"왜? How?" She asked me that in one single breathe. (Why?)

"He was furious with me because of my poor grades from last year, and he made it clear that he didn't want a repeat performance this year. To make matters worse, he decided to publicly berate me in front of the entire school. I couldn't bear it any longer, so I exploded, saying, 'If you truly care so much, why don't you just give me good grades?'," Needless to say, my outburst only fueled his anger like 'The Winnebago Man', and he punished me by banishing me from the classroom for the entire period.

"Ya, What Professor said is right, eotteoke (how can it not be)? He's responsible for your studies and future, that's what we pay him for! You must listen to your teacher, he wants the best for you."

She gently scolded, trying to drill some sense into my brain.

"Don't be so sensitive, jjondeuk (darling). Your professor's words are for your own good. You should focus on studying hard and making us proud. Now, come eat some kimchi-jeon and mandu, you must be hungry." She continued.

"Yeah, let's start eating." my mom spoke trying to change the particular topic.

"No, I don't want kimchi-jeon and mandu!" I replied, I wasn't in the mood for it.

I settled into my room, craving some serious downtime. Mom's banana milk and sweet potatoes had hit the spot, but my heart still felt heavy. That's when I saw it - the framed picture on my dresser. It was like a portal to happier times.

The photo showed us laughing, surrounded by lush green grass and majestic mountains. I remembered that day like it was yesterday. Jamie and I were chasing each other, while Jesper, Seon Ho, and Dohyun watched with goofy grins. Why did things have to change?

We used to be inseparable, our days overflowing with inside jokes and spontaneous adventures. What happened? Who or what drove us apart?

I stared at the picture, nostalgia washing over me. My mind swirled with questions and what-ifs.

Later i again went to my room and started hearing some song.

And didn't even realise that I was asleep.