My family took the news in a much different way than I had expected.
My brother was jumping up and down, screaming about how popular he will be at school now that his sister is part of Royals High.
My mother was in tears, sobbing happily as she showered me with hugs and kisses.
Even my father was glassy-eyed, telling me how proud he was to have me as a daughter.
It was a scene straight out of the movie.
My mother insisted on ordering pastries from the local bakery to celebrate and my dad couldn't wait to tell all his friends about how proud I was.
I understood they were happy, but they were also a little deluded.
Even as I told them about the fees and everything extra that was required, which was not covered by my scholarship, they still encouraged me and told me not to worry about a thing.
How could I not?
They had some money saved up that could be put to good use here. There were renovations needed at the restaurant, we needed a proper working washing machine, and my brother had his entire education left.
There was just too much that already needed to be done and I couldn't add to their expenses.
I couldn't spend all my savings right now either because I would need it for college.
However, all my worries were just buzzing to their ears because my mother ordered us pastries for dessert and my father opened up a bottle of home-brewed wine that he kept for special occasions.
The pastry was good but the taste felt bland with the heavy burden of the expense on my shoulder.
My parents called San's parents after dessert even though I told them it was late. They wanted to get in touch with San's dad as soon as possible so that I could ask him all my doubts.
San's dad congratulated me but I didn't get to talk to him much because both my parent took the phone away from me, and asked him about all the requirements for the school while encouraging me to get in touch with San.
I didn't tell them that I already had the conversation with San.
I wanted them to feel like they were the first to know.
Maybe because this was one of the few times in my life, I could make them proud of me.
Just that thought made my heart constrict a little too painfully but I knew that I was right.
I could never have my parents encourage me or be proud of me with the line of career I wanted to choose, so with this, maybe they would be happy, for at least a little while.
Even after San's dad appeased my parents and my worries about the extra fees, I tried to make them understand the cost that would affect us as a family if I were to go to Royals High.
But who was listening?
Both my parents repeatedly told me not to worry about any of it and just focus on my studies and perform well at my new school.
They promised they'd take care of everything.
The worry in their eyes was masked by the brilliance of their smile as they held my hand and told me everything was going to be all right.
And that is how I ended up here, today.
At the uniform fitting boutique that San told me about.
This school couldn't have a normal uniform fitting shop. It has to be this high-end boutique at the upper end of the city.
I look around the pavement, people of all ages going about, doing their own work, minding their own business.
Everyone was in their best attire.
At least that's what it looked like to me.
San had warned me about the area and how posh it was so here I was standing in my best white shirt and black jeans with my brown jacket on top.
I look at my reflection in the pristine glass of the boutique.
I looked comical.
I looked ridiculous compared to the people here.
What was I thinking?
This was never a good idea, to begin with. And I definitely shouldn't have come here alone and asked San to meet me here. He should have come with me.
I text San again with shaky hands, the nerves getting the better of me.
He was supposed to be here.
He was supposed to help me.
Where the hell was this kid?
Three girls giggle and snicker as they come out of the boutique, in Royal High's uniform, carrying big bags.
One girl makes eye contact with me and I look away.
I hear them whisper and snicker before moving away.
I know they are not talking about me.
I am still invisible, maximum a fly on the wall for them. They don't take notice of me but my inferiority complex kicks in and makes me feel like I am being scrutinized.
Sorry.
Have to resubmit the essay to my homeroom teacher.
It is going to take me another two hours to get there.
I am really sorry.
Go in without me.
I'll make it up to you later.
Love ya - San.
A series of messages flood my kakao.
I stare at the messages for a good minute before letting out a brutal groan. He did not just ditch me.
Oh I was going to kill him.
I was so going to kill him.
Our friendship was dead.
I don't know him anymore.
I let out another groan and a few pedestrians give me a look of despair. I shrink more into the large jacket.
San was going to pay for it.
I didn't want to come here today but he forced me to and now he was a no-show.
That asshole.
I will surely end my friendship with him.
Ugh.
I look up at the signboard of the shop.
The board is ivory with a maroon lining on the borders. The Royals High monograph sits in the middle and something is written underneath it most probably in french. Very minimalist.
Even the signboard looks elegant.
I take a deep breath in and a deep breath out.
It is now or never.
I don't think I will be able to bring myself to come here again.
Might as well just get it over with.
Just as I am standing in the middle of the pavement, gathering the courage to step a foot inside the shop a pole of a man walks by, unintentionally shoving me to the side.
Me being me, I lose my balance and end up on my butt on the sidewalk.
Rude much.
"Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't see you there" a sweet voice speaks and a hand is extended.
I don't hesitate to grab it as it helps me to stand up.
I was already sticking out like a sore thumb here.
I wanted to embarrass myself as minimum as possible and that involved spending as less time as possible sprawled out on the pavement like a frog.
Although the man is wearing the same uniform as Royals High, he too was not wearing a blazer but a leather jacket similar to... I jump back a little, afraid that weirdo followed me here.
Did the dumpster boy really follow me?
I was right about him being dangerous.
I search my jeans pocket for my keys, ready to use them as a weapon if needed.
The boy is just as startled by my actions as he stares at me with bewilderment.
That is when I notice his face. Well, what's visible of it, anyway.
The guy is wearing a white ball cap and a white mask. I can only see a few strands of black hair peeking through the cap and only his eyes are visible.
And they definitely don't look like the eyes of that creep from last night.
His eyes hold a softness to them which was definitely not the case with Yeonjun.
Yeonjun's eyes were smaller, more slit-like, like a snake, or maybe a fox? And they held a dangerous spark to them.
He had that aura of a loose cannon. You didn't know what that boy was gonna do.
Whereas this guy standing in front of me had slightly rounder and bigger eyes, similar to a fish? No, a bunny?
Although that may also be because he was startled by my actions.
Even so, his eyes held a sense of kindness that was such a contrast to the coldness I witnessed in Yeonjun last night.
Why was I still thinking about Yeonjun?
I look at the boy in front of me. He blinked rapidly as he stared at me, waiting for me to say something.
Oh right.
"It's okay. I should be the one to apologize. I shouldn't have stood here blocking people's way anyway. I should get going" I mumble out and avoid eye contact.
I speed walk past the boy with kind eyes and enter the shop.