17. Bad News

Somin, Mia, and Teho

After a pleasantly quiet lunch break, Somin found out about the mandatory weekend retreat. There was a gathering of students in front of the "Announcements" wall in the foyer. The various calls to action inviting students to join university clubs, selling supplies, offering tutoring, and accommodation ads made space for a big poster printed on a shiny paper. All the departments were going on a weekend trip. It was supposed to help freshmen students get to know the seniors better—to create a friendly atmosphere.

And probably drink a lot. Somin worried.

Somin panicked as vivid pictures from high school gatherings came alive.

Drinking. Throwing up. Alcohol poisoning.

She had to push the memories back, yet again.

...

I should find a therapist.

Somin breathed through the rush of stress, touching the tips of her fingers one by one.

"This physical touch can ground you when you feel the stress is rising, Ms. Lee. It can redirect you from your usual habit," she thought back to what Dr. Jansen had said.

Gently acknowledging her triggers.

Cholsu will for sure be there, I don't want to go.

...

"Ya, Somin-ah, what's up with that face?" there the deep voice went again.

Somin turned back to see Teho standing next to Mia, playing subtly with her hair. This gentle gesture solidified Mia as his pick in the eyes of others, standing around. The elegant dancer enjoyed his interest with a sort of hard-to-get demeanor. Somin found it interesting that the girls in his entourage kept a distance, like predators keeping eyes on their prey.

Why can't I stomach him? Somin wondered.

Cause he's a fucking liar that's why, obviously. Somin's judgment was as prevalent as ever.

A sting of doubt arose at having such a prejudice.

"Is that shit mandatory?" Somin pointed to a poster exclaiming;

"Let's make art together! Annual art retreat."

"Can you tell me, why are you so vulgar?" the gorgeous boy questioned her.

"Can you explain to me, why are you such a prick?" she barked back, trying to keep her voice low.

"Let's be nice, right guys, please?" Mia said, "I have to get going, class is in need of my godly talents." Somin nodded and Teho smiled.

Mia smacked him playfully on the shoulder, "Behave! Both of you," and made a gesture that she would be watching them.

The curious boy slowly moved towards Somin, while the crowd surrounding them thinned.

"One."

He put one finger in front of her face, lightly brushing against her tiny nose and whispered so no one else could hear.

"Yes, it is mandatory. But hey, maybe if you try to be a bit nicer you can find some poor guy to help you get laid. It would only do you good, loosening up that temper of yours," Teho snickered, having a full look at her attire.

She's hiding. Yesterday she wore a see-through blouse. He noticed.

The rest of the few surrounding students turned heads with interest at them. Drama was the most interesting thing in school anyway.

"Two."

He added a second finger to his gesture and playfully brush against her nose again.

"You'll see me much more around your flat so get used to my prickliness, pink hair."

It was so quick he couldn't even blink.

A "slap" hit him hard and the sound resonated in his ears.

Some tiny girl snapped a short video just as Somin's hand landed and started typing on her phone, having sensed the tension building to that moment. Once her finger hit the send button others' heads went to their phones immediately, all chiming in the school group chat, commenting on this unusual occurrence.

"I'm not playing your stupid games. Don't you dare," Somin hissed, realizing that there were too many eyes, but it was already too late.

Teho touched his sore cheek.

"That had some power, I must say," he said cockily.

Masking the fact that his mood dropped drastically with his joking tone. Another first and more than a little bit humiliating with the fixed gazes standing around.

She really meant it. He caught a glimpse of something else though.

...

What got into me? Did the breakup break my brain too?

Somin panicked, being physical was never an outlet for her. She hadn't slapped Cholsu when he had said far worse words to her doe eyes. It felt like all of her "holding back" manifested here and now, like Teho's hurtful words had broken down all barriers.

Calm down, alright. Somin chanted.

...

"It's a coping mechanism. Think about the safe way to let the stress go," she heard Dr. Jansen say.

...

I shouldn't behave like this.

Did he ask for it tho? Her pressure rose.

I should have known better.

Somin concluded, disappointed in herself.

...

The crowd let out a soft woo and dispersed while the excited photographer felt the vibrations of notifications on his phone.

Teho was rubbing his cheek some more, staring intrigued at Somin's eyes. Trying to find a reason why she did this to him. And behave still unbothered to the surrounding eyes, not making a big deal out of it for both of their sakes.

Maybe it's some kind of emotion-filled outlet.

She's too comfortable with "hating me" like she needs someone to vent. Teho though.

Knowing that feeling all too well himself he wondered. I've never been the target before.

"Stop gazing," she whispered and went away more calmly.

...

😳 Author's corner 😊

😡 Have you ever become physical with someone who pissed you off? 😡

...

🎨Illustrations of each chapter are available on my Wattpad acc, AO3 acc -klubickoArt🎨