chapter 1

School (noun)An institution for educating students.•••According to me, school is more like an institution for punishing students to become sleep deprived.For almost 16 years of life, school has been really important and hectic to everyone of us. School is where we learn to cram things and become very competitive with grades and our abilities,hoping that one day ,we could get into a university.I wake up at five o'clock in the morning to get ready for school. Read and prepare my notes at eight a.m. ,and by nine o'clock,the school starts. Then,by five p.m. ,the school finally ends. It is a repeating process ever since high school.Wait,there's more to it now, it doesn't end here because, after that , we go to prep or night school where we get ready for university examinations. So, regularly, I would be lucky, to be all tucked into my bed at two o'clock in the morning.Entering university is such a big deal here, in Korea and it's not that easy. Hell, it's not easy at all. That's why, while in high school, we try our best to get the highest marks just so we could get in.If it wasn't for my mom, I already would have given up. Both my parents are in medical field. My mom is a doctor while my dad is a neuro-surgeon. They have been the ones who kept on encouraging me to be a doctor. For them, I'll be a doctor one day to make them feel proud of me.But it won't happen if I keep on lazing around.“ Park San Dara" ,the teacher calls out ,making me get up from my lazy slumber. “ You are sleeping in class again."I forced a smile as I notice every single one of the students is staring at me, including the ones I don't even talk alot.“ I'm sorry, I didn't have enough sleep last night becau-"“ It's only the first month of your last semester before graduating."she cuts me off, not letting me finish my sentence.“ And you want to be a doctor you say? Well, good luck on that."The whole room bursted out laughing. Laughs filled the whole room over and over again like a noise echoing in my ears. I take my seat back down, opening my notebook. I start pretending to write ,hoping everyone's gazes would leave me alone. Why in this world people cannot mind their own businesses?Luckily, the teacher started talking again, taking everyone's attention away from me.“ It's okay Dee. I know you've been sleeping late these days cuz your studying for upcoming exams." Yuri pats my back, smiling slightly and then leaning down to talk to me. “ You know how she can be,right? She just wants what's best for us." I give her a slight nod and then we both divert our attention to the teacher.Yuri is my best friend since the first year of high school. And,to be honest , I don't know why she keeps on hanging out with me. She's smart, pretty, fit and very popular among boys, even the girls too. And on the contrary, here am I , nerdy and introvert.“ I'm really, really sleepy.", I admit yawning as muffled as I can.I hear her giggle making me look at her from the corner of my eye. “ What?", I ask.“ She just needs to announce what our course project is, then we can leave."Course projects are hell for me. No, course projects are death of me. Fir every course or subject that you have, there is a project that is going to be assigned to you and you should be working on it throughout the whole duration of the course.I always laze around and try to get my assignments done because I keep on thinking that I still have a plenty of time to finish them ,but seriously, time flies by so fast that when it's the time to submit the projects, you'll find me completing them a day before the due date.The teacher stands up from her desk and struts towards the middle of the board,her heels clicking through the marble floor of the room.DREAMShe wrote in big letters. She turns around to face us, looking at every single one of us which I believe that are as confused as much as I am. “ That's your course project." , the he teacher says throwing the left over piece of chalk in her table. She leans her back against the board, still looking at us.“ Any Questions??"“ Yeah..",the girl behind me raised her hand, while everyone draws their attention towards her.“ What the hell are we supposed to do with a single word written there?"“ Well.." Students turn their heads once again to the teacher. “ That's your problem."Chatters and whispers filled the whole room while I exchange glances with Yuri.“ Who can tell me what class is this again?",the teacher asks but no-one seems to hear her except for me and Yuri.“ ENOUGH!" ,she shouts making every single student in the class stay still and zipping their mouths shut. She continues,“ I teach preparation class. I'm here to teach what you guys are supposed to prepare for what's out there. Whats out the High- school."“ I need you guys to produce something that has a connection with the word dream for your course project that you'll be submitting the end of the school year."“ So, we can make anything? " The boy in the front asks.“ Even just a simple definition from dictionary printed on a piece of paper?"The loom fills with laughter  while the teacher's face became more serious.“ Sure ,go ahead.", the teacher piped.“ And I'll make sure to give you the lowest grade possible." “ Students! It's a very simple project. If I see that you guys had worked hard and took this seriously, I'll give you guys best marks."“ I don't know what to do.", Yuri whispers to me while looking at the teacher in attempt for her not to notice us.“ Me too.", I replied,my eyes glued to the five- lettered word written infront of us.DREAM“. Since I'm a very kind and generous teacher, you can work with one of your classmates.", the teacher continues making everyone cheer in excitement.“ Thank goodness,we can work together. Fighting!!",Yuri says punching her fist upwards in air out of excitement.“ But.", the teacher says making everyone quiet in the room. ‘‘ You'll be partnered with someone I'll choose for you from chit system."Here we go.Sounds of disappointed students filled the room. The teacher takes out her planning notebook where she had all our names written.Then she took out a container which I believe that had chits of names of students. She then starts calling out names,while Yuri looks apologetically at me. She knows that she's my only friend and it would be hella difficult for me to work with someone I don't know as I'm a complete introvert.I rested my cheek against the desk, looking at the floor. I don't even care who will I get partnered with. I just hope that it's a person who's hardworking and serious about the project. Or maybe someone smart.Or maybe someone talented.Anything. Someone who can produce and create something with the word DREAM.“ San Dara Park", the teacher calls my name as I straighten myself in my seat right away. She then takes out a folder paper from the container and opens it ." You'll be partners with Min Yoongi."•••