"Father! Do you know where my beauty basket is? The one with the bows on it?"
"Yona dear, you know I don't keep track of that stuff."
I retreat back to my room with a sigh. I've looked everywhere for that basket. Today of all days, and I can't find that big basket! The first day of school after the short Summer break. I need that basket, for I will be an incoming Sophomore, my tenth year to be exact. I'm excited for this year, not only because I won't make the same rookie mistakes I did as a Freshmen, but because I will be best friends with a Senior. I, Yona Hiryuu, am best friends with the infamous Hak. We have been best friends for as long as I can remember. We've been neighbors since birth, and we've spent the majority of our childhood together. He was always there to look after me, and I was always there cheering him on when he needed me. We make a pretty good duo if I do say so myself, but of course we have our 'moments'.
"Yo Princess, my minivan doesn't have all day you know."
Speak of the devil.
"Hak! Haven't I told you to knock?"
I look over to my bedroom door to find it... Empty?
"Nope, try again."
Hearing his voice again I turn over to my windowsill.
"HAK I TOLD YOU TO NOT CLIMB MY HOUSE."
"Oh please Juliet. Your acting like I haven't climbed your house before... Oh wait I have."
Before I could hit him in the head with one of my various stuffed animals, he jumps down with a coherent thud. Running over to my window I look over to see if he is okay, for the thousandth time in my life. Of course he is okay, and he is already loading people into his minivan. Every time I think about Hak driving a minivan I smile. He intentionally got that minivan so he could drive his family and friends around. I know he really wants a motorcycle, but as of now he is the mother of four, five counting me.
"Yona! We are ready for school! Look at my cool backpack!"
"I'll come down in a minute Tae-Yeon! I just have to say goodbye to my father!"
Well, I guess I have to forget that basket for today. Rushing to get my backpack on I quickly look at the mirror just to make sure nothing was out of place. Of course my hair didn't work with me like usual, but my outfit consisting of a cute pink blouse and simple white shorts was enough for the first day. I smile at myself, and I proceeded to the stairs. I past all my childhood photos. A lot had Hak in them, but my favorites are the ones with my mother and father. My father looks so much happier with my mother by his side.
"Yona, don't forget that your Uncle and cousin Soo-Won will be visiting sometime when you come home from school."
I grab a piece of toast that father had put in for me, probably knowing that I'll be late once again. I blush at the mention of Soo-Won.
"Of course I won't forget! Bye father!"
I run out the door, the light blinding me for a second. Once I could see Hak's minivan I rush to my usual seat, the shotgun. Now that we are all ready to go, we just have to pick up Yoon and we'll be ready.
"Princess, does everyone have their seat belts on?"
Hak was busy with something on his phone, so I look behind me to see the party this year. Tae-Woo and Han-Dae both had their seat belts on, and they were both looking at the movie that was playing in the back. They will be Juniors this year. Then there is Tae-Yeon, who didn't have his seat belt on.
"Tae-Yeon, could you put your seat belt on?"
"I wanted to show you my backpack! See? It's a turtle shell!"
He proudly holds up his tiny green backpack. It already has stickers all over it. I can see in Hak's handwriting his name, along Hak's phone number on one of the straps.
"Very cool! I'm actually pretty jealous. I just have a purple backpack."
"But its pretty like your eyes! It suits you."
Gosh how much I want to hug this kid right now.
"Princess, I texted Yoon. You should also get your seat belt on you little rebel."
Looking down I realize I forgot to put mine on. I quickly put the buckle into place and take down the visor to check my reflection.
"You know, if you keep frowning like that you will develop wrinkles."
Squinting at myself I punch Hak in the arm.
"Hak, just drive."
After many turns we arrive at Yoon's house. Yoon was already outside waiting, but of course he was checking up on his garden. Yoon will be an incoming Freshmen, and I'm very determined to show him the ropes of high school. I recently took him shopping, so he will be on top of his game today. Before I could call out to Yoon, Hak beat me to the punch.
"Yoon, we saved you a seat in the middle so you wouldn't have to deal with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Idiot."
A pair of angry remarks from Tae-Woo and Han-Dae could be heard in the back, but I was too busy admiring Yoon's garden. He's really interested in medical plants, but he also grows flowers on the side and sells those at local markets. He plans on making a vegetable patch sometime soon.
"Thanks Thunder Beast. Here have an apple."
As always Yoon had food on him. I know for a fact that Hak didn't eat anything this morning since he was complaining on the way here that it took forever to get the trio out of bed. The most he probably had was toast. So as expected Hak grabbed the apple and stuffed it in his mouth. Hearing a muffled thanks, we head off to Tae-Yeon's Elementary school. This year Tae-Yeon will be in first grade, and I can see him in the visor mirror that he is ecstatic. The closer we got to the school the more 'jumpy' Tae-Yeon got. We all pull up into the school's parking lot and Tae-Yeon already is unbuckling his seat belt. I take the time to look away from my mirror and look over at Hak who is giving a weird expression.
"Hak? Are you okay?"
Hak snaps out of his current facial expression and gives me his usual smirk.
"Nothing. He's just the exact opposite of me when I was going into first grade."
Tae-Yeon waves us goodbye and we all head to our final destination. Kouka High School. Hak's minivan pulls into the huge high school parking lot, and like a bull in an antique shop people notice. Hak can easily be counted as one of the popular people, but he only hangs around me for some reason. I've told him countless times to make friends, but that usually just ends with him talking to someone for five minutes and him returning to me. His excuse is that he must protect me from the dangers of the world and that he doesn't have time for other friends. Well Hak, I'm very determined this year, and I will have you make more friends!
"Earth to Princess, we have arrived at your funeral. You may now exit the vehicle and walk into your doom."
Oh right, he's right here next to me. Now is my chance for a lecture.
"Hak! This year you will make friends! I believe that you can do it!"
"I'm not the social type. Besides, I only need my Princess here to bake cookies with me on the weekends. What more do I need?"
"How about after school clubs, late night parties, relationships?"
"This might come to be a surprise to you Princess, but those are all extras. I don't need those in my life. Besides, my grades and people close to me come first. That takes up all my time alone."
Hak opens up his door, and as always people rush up to him. They are like moths while Hak is a bright light. Now its not like its the whole school, but this many people shouldn't be surrounding a minivan. He ignores all of them and comes around to my side to open up my door. He's done this since Elementary school, and I'll admit that I like the gesture every time. Though my first year here last year wasn't the greatest because of how Hak treats me. I've received death threats from many girls, and even a few guys because of Hak and I's friendship. He ended my constant bullying when he personally talked to everyone in the school to stop.
"Um Yona? Does this happen everyday?"
Hak and I look over our shoulders to see Yoon looking terrified. It seems like Tae-Woo and Han-Dae already left the van.
"Oh yeah, that happens a lot. You'll eventually get used to it."
"But why does this happen? Thunder Beast can't be that popular."
Hak puts on a smug grin. I feel Hak's ego rising.
"Well when you're as good looking as me, it just comes naturally."
"If Thunder Beast is popular because of his looks, I must be the Queen of England."
I hold back my giggling fit and Hak just stands there with a dumbfounded look. I feel like this is going to be a good year.
I seen someone on Tumblr saying that they wanted a high school AU of this series, so why not? Of course since I set myself up for this I'll update whenever I can. Suggestions and advice are welcomed!