Chapter Text
"And suddenly you know:
It's time to start something new
and trust the magic of new beginnings."
Meister Eckhart
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A girl stopped in her tracks as she placed one foot next to the other, in what was a relatively new pair of sneakers she had rewarded herself with her first pay from her part time gig. Her hands gripped the fabric she was hugging close to her chest, her laptop enclosed within.
Excitedly yet with a tinge of nervousness, Yein exclaimed in a whisper, "I'm finally here!"
Yonsei University. Her dream school since the first time she heard about it when she was eight. As ridiculous as it sounds, it was the school she had strived for since then.
"Are you really leaving?" the then eight year old her questioned with a frown.
Lifting his hand only so slightly because she was barely half his height, he ruffled her hair and smiled gently, "if you work hard, you can go to college in Seoul too!"
All she could do was to look down with a pout, dejected that he was going far away.
Now at the age of twenty, Yein was here at the entrance of her dream school, a naive smile plastered on her face, all ready to take on whatever that may come her way. Hurriedly, she headed to her first lecture in which she quite easily found her way for she had studied the layout of the school inside out and had memorised it by heart.
Entering the lecture theatre, she noticed that half the cohort had reached. They must be just as excited as I am. Sliding into one of the seats in the fifth row at the corner, she began taking out the books required for the class.
Soon, the theatre filled up and the professor began his teaching. Ten minutes into the lesson, the side door creaked open and two boys entered huffing and puffing.
"Oh wow, Jeon Jungkook, Kim Taehyung. I'm surprised you're in my class again. But not surprised that you're late," Professor Kang clicked his tongue and shook his head. Using his fingers to gesture them to take a seat, he returned to the blackboard.
The two boys quickly found seats, which happened to be right in front of Yein. As they settled down, she narrowed her eyes at them with slight distaste. Late on the first day of school. She shook her head.
To make matters more annoying, hushed whispers could be heard behind from girls who were evidently more excited about the two boys rather than the class that was going on for they said things like 'oh my god it's Jungkook', 'Taehyung is so darn hot', and 'I'm so glad they're in this lecture'.
Why do you girls even go to school for? She mentally rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to the professor and the lesson.
//
Giving her back a good stretch, Yein looked around accomplished. She had finally finished unpacking her things in her new hostel room. It was a little small but sufficient and with the extra fluffy pillows she had brought along, it felt cosy enough.
Just need to take a shower and do some readings for tomorrow's lectures. Picking out her pajamas, which was simply an oversized tee and a pair of slacks, she took her basket of toiletries, draped her towel over her shoulder and headed out to the common bathroom.
She liked that despite the numerous rooms on each floor, they were well ventilated and the common bathroom located on the same level was especially large. For girls, it's definitely a plus.
With her wet hair bundled up in her towel, Yein trod towards her room and right when she tapped her card to her room, she heard the door next to hers click open.
Turning her head upon instinct, she saw a tall girl with long reddish hair coming out and was struck by how pretty she looked. Inevitably making eye contact, the girl immediately broke into a wide grin and walked over.
"Hello! Looks like you're my new neighbour!" she chuckled. "I'm Sujeong. Ryu Sujeong!"
"Ah!" Yein, with her hands full of her items, fumbled to free one and as she shook hands, she answered, "I'm Yein. Jung Yein."
"First year?"
"Yes, I am a first year! How about you?"
"I'm a second year."
Yein wasn't really surprised to find out that the girl in front of her was a second year because of her confidence but she also couldn't really believe that the girl was older since she looked youthful.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry sunbaenim. That you have to see me in such a state," she pointed at her bundled up hair.
Bursting out in laughter, Sujeong shook her head. "It's totally alright. I do that too."
The exchange was interrupted by a phone call and upon seeing who the caller was, Sujeong turned to Yein with the same smile she first gave. "I'm sorry Yein, I've got to go."
"Sure, please go ahead."
"See you around!"
Closing the door, Yein opened her laptop and quickly got to work.
//
"Oh! Yein!"
Yein raised her head from her lunch and saw Sujeong standing in front of the table with a tray in hand. There was another girl with her who was quite much shorter but her face was bright and kind.
"Can we join you?"
"Ah sure sunbaenim, have a seat!"
Chuckling, Sujeong sat across Yein and her friend helped herself to the seat beside. "You can drop the sunbaenim, Yein. I'm not a sucker for seniority."
Yein nodded her head in response.
"By the way, this is Jiyeon," Sujeong gestured towards her friend.
Flashing an elegant smile, Jiyeon introduced, "hello, I'm Kim Jiyeon. You must be Yein."
Eyes widening slightly, Yein wondered why Sujeong told Jiyeon about her since she didn't think their meeting was anything special; she was just another freshman on campus.
"Are you going for the block orientation this weekend?" asked Sujeong.
Yein shook her head, "I wasn't planning to so I didn't sign up."
"Aw, but you should! Sujeong and I are in the planning committee!" Jiyeon said with a slight whine in her voice.
It wasn't that Yein disliked orientations; she did like meeting and mingling with people. But she had heard of the crazy things seniors made the freshmen do and she didn't want to be part of any of that. Thinking to herself that if someone sweet like Sujeong and Jiyeon were part of the committee, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
Changing her mind, Yein turned to her seniors with a smile, "alright, I guess I shall go then."
//
The weekends soon arrived and Yein struggled to get out of bed at seven thirty since the orientation was slated to start at eight. Who the heck plans orientation to start so early in the morning?!
She eventually dragged herself out and got ready in twenty minutes. Throwing on a pair of washed-out jeggings and a loose white top, she slung over her black crossbody bag, squeezed her feet into her sneakers and grabbed her cap as she left.
Upon entering the hall, she was surprised to be greeted by a bustling community. She could easily identify the freshmen from the seniors for the latter were all wearing the same blue sweater. Evidently, the blue was more in number. Because it's way too early. Bet some freshmen are still asleep.
"Yein!! Over here!" Sujeong was waving from the registration booth. Jiyeon, who was organising some papers, looked up and waved as well.
"You woke up on time huh," Sujeong said as Yein approached their table.
Feigning a yawn, Yein shook her head, "I had a hard time."
"It's okay because you're in for a great time!" Sujeong winked as she handed over a new sweater to Yein as a welcome gift from the block. "You're in group three!"
Signalling okay, Yein set out to find her group.
Let's hope this is fun.