What was I doing, antagonizing people on my very first day? Being sarcastic wasn't really how I usually behaved. In my head, sure, but not out loud, however, something pushed me to talk to the queen bee of the class, at least that is who I assumed Lee Bo Na to be. I guess I had too much to do with adults running my life and treating me like a property that her threats were so childish and amusing. I hadn't felt amused in so long.

However I had no intention of being bullied. In my previous school, children stayed away from me, but it seemed that rich kids were intent on making my life miserable. I had to think of a way to make them stop and forget about me, but I had no clue how.

The cafeteria incident wasn't the last, soon after I would come to school to find insults written all over my locker and desk. If I left a book on my desk, I would find it torn apart. Once a girl tried to trip me on the stairs, but I had become more vigilant when it came to physical bullying. I would always steer away from people and make sure there are no risks of me tripping. Then I avoided the cafeteria altogether. I asked the cooks at home to pack lunch for me and I would eat it in a secluded part of the garden at school.

I found that spot by accident one day and it took my breath away. There were old and big tree offering a welcoming shadow next to a fountain that made such a soothing sound in the otherwise complete quiet. It seemed that nobody went there so it became my favorite spot in the whole school and where I spent most of my time outside class.

Her inability to break me drove Bo Na into more anger and she kept sending thinly veiled insults my way whenever she saw me, but I learned long ago to tune out much more hurtful words. I was used to them.

Over all, I felt like I always did, empty. I was like a shell, nothing held interest to me, nothing angered me. I wanted so badly to feel, but I didn't know how. I felt like I was looking at people living their lives through a glass wall. I could see them, hear them but they could neither see nor hear me. They were happy together and I was forever unhappy alone. But no one cared.

Soon enough came the time for the first school trip. I didn't want to go but my grandfather surprisingly called me to his study and told me to go. When I asked him for the reason he said: "These informal settings are the best ways to forge alliances with your classmates as they are heirs to their parents and might be of use to us in the future." I wanted to tell him that that would never happen because everybody at school hated me but I didn't think he'd change his mind so I left to pack wondering how I would spend 2 days and two nights with classmates from hell.

We were supposed to travel by bus to a small town by the beach and from there spend the time on a cruise ship anchored there partying. Of course students could have driven there in their own cars but the principal insisted in the bus to strengthen friendship bonds or something of the like. None of that mattered to me. I was planning to sleep the whole drive and then spend my time walking around the town. I did't feel like partying and I didn't think I would be welcome anyways.

I was among the first to get on the bus so at least I was able to pick a good seat: the corner seat in the very last row. I pulled my phone, put on my earphones and let my gaze roam around. Zoning out became sort of my thing since I was a kid. My mind would wander not thinking about anything in particular. Just floating, no sadness and no worrying.

For once, the rest of the group left me alone and I was grateful for the reprieve as I sat watching the scenery go by. Soon enough we left Seoul and its tall buildings and took the highway and then we drove past several towns getting smaller and smaller till we reached our destination. The town in which we were staying was adorable in its simplicity and so warm and welcoming. The first stop was the inn in which we were staying. Well not really staying as much as leaving luggage before boarding the yacht as most people would be spending the night on the boat.

The girl sharing my room left shortly after dumping her suitcase so I went about unpacking my stuff and getting comfortable. I dressed down in denim shorts and a sleeveless white shirt before coming down for lunch. The inn owners were an elderly couple who were extremely happy to have such rich and influential people in their establishment so they went all out. The food was delicious, and the home made drinks refreshing. I was distractedly eating and looking through the window when I felt all eyes on me. I sighed thinking "Not again!". Raising my eyes and looking around trying to determine the source, I wasn't really surprised to see that it was Lee Bo Na. I raised my eyebrow questioningly at her and she smirked :"We were just thinking that you had to pay for the trip that we allowed you to take with us. You will wash all the dishes! We already asked the inn keepers to leave for the afternoon promising to clean everything. You wouldn't want to disappoint the old couple now would you?" When I didn't reply she said "You weren't really thinking to come with us on the boat, were you? We don't want you there, do we guys?" I heard snickering all around me but I focused on Bo Na and smiled "I have no intention of going on the boat nor partying with you, so rest easy!"

"Good, let's leave everyone." And then they all left. Walking by me most of them were laughing, one guy that I remember was called Kim Tan didn't spare me a look and another who was the tallest and meanest looked of the group just smirked at me evilly before walking out.

I left the in myself paying no heed to Bo Na's instructions, she didn't really think that I was going to clean out after her. Walking on the beach I reached and old couple walking by holding hands and I saw that they were the couple from the Inn. I heard the woman say "That was very sweet of the young people to offer to clean up. I was dreading the dishes." She laughed softly.

"You know I would help", her husband said.

"I know dear but we are not as young as we used to be."

They continued walking in silence and I stopped walking. I felt so bad for them for the mess left. True it was not my responsibility but the old woman was so relieved and happy, I couldn't imagine her expression if she went back and saw that the promise she was given wasn't kept. After all, what did I have to do? It wasn't like I was invited nor interested in the other students fun.

I headed back to the inn and took stock of the situation. So many plates, bowels, utensils! so much mess! I pulled my hair from its usual ponytail into a high bun and got to work humming to the music I put on speaker.

I must have been at it for hours because the sun was close to setting by the time I was done, but the place was looking pristine. I felt a small smile tug at my lips. Stretching, I decided to continue the walk on the beach that I interrupted earlier.

There were less people now which made me appreciate the view even more. I loved these walks, I felt so free and the happiest I have been when doing them. The sea was infinite in front of my eyes. The waves breaking at my feet, the sun shying away and painting the horizon with its glow. Everything was perfect.

I suppose I was very tired from tidying up the inn so I couldn't remember when my eyes closed and I dozed off. However when I opened my eyes the night already fell and I woke to the sound of some snickering. I thought it was one of my classmates again but upon looking up I saw three young men who seemed local and they were too close for my comfort. They seemed drunk. One of them said: "Are you lost little lady? Do you need some help?"

I knew that ignoring them wouldn't work, nor would I be able to outrun them so I replied "No thank you, I am just heading back!"

"Oh,come now, it's still early! how about you keep us company?", one of the other two said extending his hand to me

I steeped further back and looked around to see if anyone was coming our way and could help me. I was starting to feel relieved when I saw two people closing in but it was short lived as they were Choi Young Do and Kim Tan and they completely ignored me.

I was really starting to get scared but tried not to show it. Looking back at the 3 men surrounding me I said: "Please back off and let me go."

"And why would we want to do that?"

"Because I will get you in serious trouble if you don't."

They started laughing and the first guy said "Such big words from a tiny girl. No one would be able to help you sweetheart. Even if you yell no one would come."

"Then you better hope you kill me, because if you don't, I will unleash an army of lawyers on your tails and they won't rest till you spend the rest of your lives in jail. You do not know who you are messing with. So I suggest you back off right now. I have memorized your faces and it must not be hard for people to recognize your descriptions in such a little town. If you do anything to me, my lawyers will find you. Trust me!"

It was all false bravado as I could barely distinguish their faces in my fear and I was pretty sure that grandfather would much rather bury the whole story than put these thugs on trial and attract negative publicity. But they didn't need to know that. However they must have seen my resolve on my face and thought that I wouldn't be worth the hassle that I threatened to be so muttering curses they backed off and left.

I didn't waste a moment in running back to the inn. I ran and ran and ran till I thought all breath left my body but I didn't stop. Reaching it, I extended my hand to the knob to open the door but I started shaking so hard I couldn't. Soon my whole body started shaking and I felt myself collapsing before being pulled up by a pair of arms.