1.2 Tensions are high at Hector Park High

"Are you ready?" Naledi Moon, my ever lovely mother, steps out of the car with the big smile she has been wearing during our entire trip. She is so excited for my first day in Hector Park High, the Korean-American school they're making me attend now. I can't say I feel the same. Hector Park High. More like Hell Park High.

"No," I answer. Mom sighs and tries to brush an escaped tendril of hair from my face. I jerk away.

"Now, darling. I thought we agreed that this was for the best. You'd be safer and will have more prospects here. It's a good school. There's no use fighting about it, really." she continues rather distractedly, rummaging for something inside her bag.

I glare at her, "What? Because you're the Mom and I am just the child, I can't do anything about it? I have to give in to your every whim?"

Mom looks at me for a second to think it over. "Well, yeah." She answers, slightly lifting one shoulder. I give an exaggerated gasp, and she smiles. "Now, come on, honey. Don't be over-dramatic."

I scoff at her, knowing I have no choice. It sounds preposterous when you think about it, but I have to transfer to this school if I were to be Arnold Moon's stepdaughter. Apparently, I won't be safe attending a public school anymore. Grudgingly, I stomp my way towards the school entrance, my filthy boots sullying the pristine pavement leading to the building. I smirk to myself in satisfaction.

"Have a nice day, sweetie! Don't frown too much, okay?" Mom calls out to me, all the way from the parking lot. I roll my eyes at her again, waving her off.

Students blatantly stare at me in curiosity as I step inside the building. I don't pay them any attention. Mom would've smacked me in the head until I smiled at them, correcting whatever horrible first impression they had of me. But she's not here anymore, and I can't begin to care. Making friends in a school that I didn't want to attend in the first place is the last thing on my mind.

As I work my head to come up with a plan of escape, I bump into someone so forcefully, I find myself on the floor. "Great," I mutter, wincing at the pain in my butt. I wouldn't be surprised if that produced a bruise.

"Dude. Watch where you're going," I complain as I brush myself up, shooting the person an annoyed look. The first thing I notice is his height. Tall and well-groomed. He has a handsome face, the kind that gets published in magazines. But it's his eyes that catch my attention, as they're studying my face intently, trying to figure something out. I return the gaze, my head tilting a bit. He also seems vaguely familiar to me. Our eyes widen in recognition almost at the same time.

"Hey! I know you." He speaks first, face lighting up. Shoot. This can't be happening. It's the guy from the 7/11, the owner of the wallet I snatched.

"I'm sure you do," I reply, deciding to play it cool. I turn away from him, hoping I don't seem like I'm in a hurry. But the guy is quick, and he catches my arm easily.

"You're the girl who stole my wallet." He says. I look at his face. He's looking at me half in awe and half in what can only pass as tightly-concealed anger.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I deny, shrugging away from his hold. There are only a few things that I'm good at, and lying happens to be one of them.

"Dave, have you seen Br--" a voice says behind the guy. Woah. Did it suddenly just get hot in here? This new arrival just might be the prettiest boy I've ever seen.

"Hot and unavailable." the guy, Dave (David?), says to me with a disapproving look. He must have caught me ogling his friend. I blink in surprise at his statement. What, is Kier his boyfriend or something?

I turn my attention back to David, putting a hand on my chest. "Ouch. Well, there goes my chance." I tell him mockingly.

"What are you guys talking about? What's going on?" asks Hot Guy, now beside Dave. But he receives no answer as David and I are still busy sizing each other up. Not knowing what to do, Hot Guy gives me a hesitant smile and offers his hand. "The name's Kier. You are?"

"Never mind that," David says, grabbing his companion's arm. "Class is about to start. We better go." he starts to leave with Kier, stopping midway to give me another hard look.

"We're not done here." He tells me, obviously trying to intimidate. I just raise my eyebrows at him. There is a beat before he half-drags Kier towards the hallways.

"Ow. Hyung." Kier complains, but David does not let up. I narrow my eyes at their backs. He seems really pissed about the wallet. Either that or Kier must be a boyfriend that he always has to keep away from eager girls. Or it could be both. In any case, it's unfortunate for him. I am not one to be shaken up. A thief never, ever tells. And I am not after Kier at all. I'm just dying to figure out a way to get out of here soon.

***

"So...this is your locker." Arianne Lee, the girl assigned to show me around school, gestures into the third locker door to our right. I let out an exhausted sigh. We've been walking down the hallways for what seems like forever. I don't understand why I ever thought of school buildings to be of the same layout. I am starting to think Hell Park High is more like the RAF Mount Pleasant than a high school.

Arianne neatly tucks her bright red hair in her ear and glances at the watch on her wrist, restless. My eyes turn heavenwards. Apparently, she's the school's Vice President. So, she's busy as hell. She clearly has problems cutting a meeting short, though.

"I can handle it from here, Arianne. Thanks for all your help." I tell her, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

Her eyes light up, "Are you sure? I'm so sorry, did it seem like I was in a hurry?" Arianne sheepishly asks.

"Hmm..yeah, kind of," I reply.

Ari laughs, surprising me. "I like you, Dina. You're quite perceptive. Just like me! Call me Ari, will you?" she says, offering her hand as if we're meeting for the first time again.

I blink at her request. I don't know what to say, so I nod and shake her hand. Ari gives me another smile, "See ya!" she says before bouncing on her feet and disappearing into a corner. Great. So, that was my welcome committee for Hector Park High. This year is definitely going to be a blast.