Chapter 1
12 years ago
"Yuri, are you excited for you first day of preschool?” My dad’s girlfriend Miyuki asked me.
“Of course! I’m going to make a lot of new friends and I will have a lot of fun everyday!” I smiled at her as she dropped me of by my preschool.
I said goodbye to Miyuki as I entered the unfamiliar space. There was already a lot of kids sitting in a circle on the floor of the colorful classroom. The blue and yellow walls were covered by paintings the teacher had received from previous students, there was also a big bookshelf filled with children’s books. There was a few desks in the back of the spacious room while there was toys, card games and other things the kids could play with in the front of the room.
As I stood in the doorway all of the kids’ faces turned to me as I inspected everyone of them. There was mostly girls sitting on the floor but also a few boys. One little boy in particular caught my eyes, he had a boxy smile as he spoke to his friend.
“What’s your name sweetie?” The teacher asked as she looked at me with kind eyes.
“My name is Yuri" I exclaimed happily.
Ms. Joon then took out a list, she wrote something on it before she looked up at me once again.
“It’s nice to meet you Yuri" she smiled at me.
“It’s nice to meet you too ms. Joon” I said as I bowed slightly sitting down in the circle. I was convinced that I would have a great time at this place. Little did I know that my time at Liaoning elementary school would be anything but pleasant.
9 years ago
Things weren’t going terrible at school. I was now in third grade and I had made two great friends Kwon So Ah and Shin Ara. They were closer to each other but I didn’t really mind. I got along with everyone in my class except one particular boy named Kim Taehyung. He always picked on me in front of the other kids and made everyone laugh at me, he was very mean.
“So Ah! Ara!” I yelled as I ran towards the said girls.
“A-annyeong” Kwon So Ah smiled at me even though it was obvious that it was forced.
“Where are you guys going?” I smiled at them.
“Ehmm... We’re going to the-” So Ah started but Ara was quick to interrupt her.
“Shhh! Don’t tell her So Ah. She’s just going to want to go with us” she whispered loud enough for me to hear.
“We’re not going anywhere particular” Ara said with an annoyed look on her face.
“Oh... can I play with you?” I then smiled widely at them.
“Uhmm, I don’t know...” Kwon So Ah mumbled before she grabbed Ara’s hand and walked away from me.
3 months later
“Should we ask Yuri if she want to go with us?” So Ah whispered to Ara. I was hiding behind a tree as I was listening to the girls conversation.
“No, why would we?” Ara scoffed. “She’s just annoying, she talks way too much and she’s weird” she then added.
“But-” So Ah started.
“No ‘but’s’ So Ah! Do you want her to ruin our last day together? You’re changing schools tomorrow, remember?” Ara objected.
“Okay” So Ah pouted before she linked arms with Ara. “Now let’s go and eat some ice cream” she smiled.
They then left leaving me all alone behind the tree. They have been doing this for months now. Leaving me behind, hiding during breaks and avoiding me after school. A soft sob left my mouth as my tiny hands cupped my cheeks.
“Why are they doing this to me?” I cried to myself knowing no one could hear me- “why does everyone hate me?” -but I was wrong. One boy named Taehyung had heard it all.
