HUMBLE

The dismissal bell rang through the halls, and the students packed their items up, ushering through the hallways towards the doorways. Choi Yeonjun was hoping for just a few more moments to study before leaving. His finals were approaching quickly, and he needed every minute he could get in order to ace them. His parents made that clear to him, pressing him with high standards and expectations. He wasn't one that liked letting people down, especially his family, even if they do that to him every day.

A pair of hands were set on the desk in front of him, and he looked up to meet the eyes of Soobin, a friend of his who shared the same second period class. They have been friends since elementary school, and went everywhere together up until recently, when Yeonjun began his preparations for graduation.

"Hey there!" Soobin said with a toothy grin, the smile spreading to Yeonjun, who returned a soft tilt back. "Overheard Kai and Beomgyu talking about going out tonight, you coming with? We're gonna go hit up that abandoned train station by the salon on Sixth," he said quietly, leaning closer, "They raided the craft store of all their spray paints, we can have some fun with that."

Yeonjun cracked a smile, and a quiet chuckle came out, looking away for a few seconds to make up his mind. "Sure, count me in. It's better than sitting at home all day with my dad lecturing me on chemistry," his reply was met with a happy, beaming smile.

"Neat! We can all go grab lunch in an hour and make our way there, sound good?" questioned Soobin. Yeonjun nodded, pulling his phone out to message his parents.

"If my parents ask you, say we were at a study hall," Yeonjun murmured, eyes not coming off the phone.

"Don't worry, I'll let them know!" Soobin turned on his heel, heading out. Yeonjun took that as his cue to head out as well, packing the books up and slinging his bag over his shoulder. The sound of his shoes on the cheap tiling echoed through the room, and he flicked the lights out, pulling the door closed behind him.

High school hallways are a free-for-all. Yeonjun was quick to adapt to this, it's like a madhouse. There's a lot about high school that he learned quickly as a freshman. Bathrooms are off-limits except during class time, if you go in during class swaps or before and after school, be prepared for the weird kids. As for the classrooms, those are crawling with preppy kids. The theater? You're better off being sacrificed to the stoners in the parking lot than to spend a moment with the kids in this theater class. The band room is the forbidden area. Many dare to enter, and very few come out. The hallways are the only area that's open to the vast majority… And that's the issue.

Pushing past the masses of weebs, bullies, jocks, and that one gross couple always sucking at each others' faces every passing moment of the day, he finally reached the school exit. Even outside was crawling with cliques, some large, and some with just two people.

Yeonjun didn't fit in with any group, he was what the people would call the average student. He wasn't a goth, or a jock. He wasn't preppy, wasn't a downer. He was just Yeonjun, plain old Yeonjun. He had many acquaintances in many places, but very few friends. He wasn't known for anything great, and was never approached by anyone.

Unlike other kids who would mooch rides off their friends, or ones who drove themselves, he didn't enjoy the mechanical route home. Living nearby was a benefit to Yeonjun, giving him time to enjoy himself before placing himself into his home where he can barely breathe. It was a fifteen minute walk to his house, twenty if he had any grievances with his parents. The sun never shined too hot, and the winters never got too cold to cause him to ride a car. He always had an umbrella, and never batted an eye in the snow.

There were the rare occasions where he would grab a snack from the gas station across the road, and eat it on his trip home. The woman running the place knew him since he was a toddler, and used to babysit him and Soobin. She was an elderly woman, in her mid-sixties, with no family. Yeonjun always called her Mama, and would talk to her about home struggles. She was the only comfort he had in his life, and that store was his safe haven from the world.

He looked at the store from the sidewalk, and decided it would be best to get home to let his parents know he was leaving. He still had to get out of uniform, and get a spare change of clothes in case of paint getting on him. Growing up with strict parents, he's become the ultimate liar, painting gray lies. He would be telling his parents he was going to study with Soobin, which he is going with Soobin, but the location is wrong. His parents wouldn't approve of his friendship with Kai, Beomgyu, and Taehyun. They see the new youth as troublesome, and don't think they're good for Yeonjun.

He just couldn't wait to leave this godforsaken town, and live his own life, even if it meant disowning his family for his own happiness. This town was enough for him, but he wanted more. He wanted freedom from it all.

The door to his house creaked as he pushed it open. The halls were lit up, and the house smelled of the lemongrass and sage candles his mother had in the living room. He went up the stairs to his room, pushing the door open. His haven, his bedroom, the only privacy he gets in this house. He tossed his bag on his bed, pulling out his phone to check the time. Half an hour until the meeting time. Yeonjun hurried himself down the stairs, and into the kitchen, meeting his parents sitting at the table.

"Mom, I'm going to study hall with Soobin tonight, might not get home until later, I'll need the spare key," Yeonjun said, grabbing a glass and filling it with water. His mother looked over and gave a nod. Setting the glass on the counter, he made his way to his room to prepare.

His main goal was to get away with this, so he didn't have to deal with the repercussions. He dumped out his books, hiding them under his blankets, and replacing them with ragged clothes. He pulled the zipper shut on his backpack, and made his way out, grabbing the spare key from the hanger and pocketing it.