Chapter 2
Kim Ryeowook. An individual with no memory. A person with a cute appearance. Formal. Shy. What else could I say about him?
I've avoided him for a week. I didn't want to get near him. How stupid was I? Pushing aside problems isn't going to solve anything. Every day, I would walk into homeroom with him sitting behind me. I won't lay my eyes on him. But whenever I peeked at his face, those same dark brown eyes would drag up all my long buried emotions. In my life, there was only one person who understood me. The one who has completely forgotten about me, Ryeowook.
When he left for treatment, I took up the violin. I never cared for anything else, and poured all of my loneliness into that instrument. Then, I loved it. But once Ryeowook came back, looking at my violin was a dreadful thing. How can someone change my life so much? I detested him for it.
When I sat down on my desk, and turned to face him and prepared for my introduction.
"Hey, um..." What should I say? I ask myself, "You probably don't remem- I mean, know me. My name is Henry Lau. I'm the one who fainted last week from health problems..." and mental problems, I might add.
"Oh," Ryeowook smiles. His voice is soft and like music. His eyes are warm and endearing, "I'm Ryeowook. Nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you..." I respond. C'mon, Henry. Tell him. Just tell him something, "Um... If you need help, I can show you around the school." I stammered. Ryeowook smiled.
"Sure!" He replies, "I always wanted to ask someone where the library's at. I've wanted to ask someone for a week."
"I can take you there after class. I don't think I have any important classes afterwards."
"S-Sure..."
"Hey, Henry..." Zhou Mi calls from next to me, trying to get my attention, "What's up? You don't seem like the one who would strike up a conversation with a newcomer." Ugh! Bad timing! "Why the sudden interest?"
I reluctantly took my eyes away from a now sulked faced Ryeowook, "Hey. I do what I want, 'kay? None of your business," I threw at him sharply.
Zhou Mi was shocked. After what I had said, I regretted snapping at him like that. Just because Zhou Mi spoke the truth doesn't mean I had to use harsh words. English class starts, I convinced myself that I didn't seem to care, regardless. In this class, I've never felt so lonely. We didn't talk to each other, didn't pass notes, or laugh at the teacher when he made mistakes. This was the first time since Ryeowook left that I felt lonely. I never admitted it, but I really needed Zhou Mi. I glanced swiftly at him, then at Ryeowook, and I realized how much damage I have done in just 10 minutes. If only I had done something better...
"Mr. Lau?"
No answer...
"Mr. Lau!"
"... Yes?" I blurred out in a daze.
"Would you care to answer that last question?" The teacher examined disapprovingly.
"Apathetic," I heard someone whisper under his breath.
Having no other choice because I did not even hear the question, I answered, "Apathetic."
"Very good," The teacher accepted curiously, "That is exactly Holden's behavior in this part of the novel."
I searched for the one who whispered, and I met Ryeowook's subtle wink when I looked his way. Apparently, I felt a source of gratitude wash over me. Zhou Mi coughed softly in disapproval. I knew the reason why too. Usually, I would have answered that question with "I don't care" or "Ask someone else", but instead I took Ryeowook's answer. That was when I began to wonder, who is giving me the greatest pressure?