Bianca never expected that her second day of school would be about love. To Bianca, first love, a crush, or any fandom over anything and anyone was only a moment in their life. Yet she didn’t expect that she would experience a crush that had been suddenly discontinued for a long time. And this guy had probably forgotten about her.
It was while Bianca was waiting in line for lunch. She stuffed her hands in her pockets. But she could not find her lunch money. Bianca became frantic.
“What the heck,” she said, softly, “I thought I put it in my pockets!”
Bianca thought the worst: she believed that she had forgotten her lunch money at home! Bianca groaned and was clearly frustrated. Bahiyyih could relate. But she was not there today. She was in the Music Club. That was another thing that Independance Academy hosted as well. Clubs!
When Bianca got out of line, she slowly walked back to the tables. It was enough to attract the attention of Jake Shim, a boy of seventeen. He then saw the familiar face of Bianca. Suddenly, there was a flashback.
He saw himself back to thirteen-years-old. He too remembered the days when Bianca would get into trouble a lot with the school rival to Independence Academy. He then saw Bianca with the pink fancy hair ties. But it was neither the hair or body type that he liked. Not even the way she talked. It was between her complexion and her innocence that she kept. He wanted to protect her so much!
But she was in the sixth grade and he was already in the eighth grade. It was impossible for them to fall in love and date already. There was no place for love or crushes to fall into place. It was always looked down upon in most schools of South Korea.
But in Independence Academy, it was a place where relationships bloom. It was so westernized that the school’s board had decided to do the same for other schools. They saw how happy the students were in classes and at break or lunch and even when they came out from school. But alas, not all of the schools agreed to this.
They thought you have to get them to study if they want to succeed and they think that they are lazy! Then there was a fight and it almost caused Seoul International Junior High to close down. But they didn’t.
A thirteen-year-old Jake then walked up to the young not-yet twelve-year-old Bianca. He wanted to follow the rules. But then again, he wanted to break them at the same time. He did not want to get into any trouble. And Bianca too.
“You’re Bianca, right?” he asked.
“I am not going to ever talk to anyone that would be happy with these stupid rules! We have rights, you know! And certainly, we have opinions!”
Jake stuttered. He then tried to answer Bianca’s state in sentence. But because she was so angry with the rules he struggled. He understood how she felt.
“I know how you feel,” he stuttered, “I hate them too. But what are we to do about it?”
“We can’t control them. Secretly, we can go against them. But you saw what happened to me the other day. You ratted me out.”
“I didn’t want anyone to get suspicious. Everyday it’s like a competition. But if that’s the way you feel about it, then I won’t judge you.”
“Thank you!” said Bianca, “I appreciate the fact that no one else but you and I go against the stupidity of the rules that no one really wants to follow.”
“I will be right behind you!”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Jake woke up from his flashback and saw the sad Bianca sitting alone. He then went up to buy her lunch. But then, Bianca noticed Jake passing by her. At first, she did not seem to recognize him. But then, as he turned around, Bianca saw his beautiful complexion, the way that his face was shaped. Instantly, she fell in love. But for some reason, she felt confused.
I haven’t had a crush since I was twelve, she thought, But, the thing is, it’s nearly impossible with love.
Bianca was not only happy, but confused. Still, she ignored her feelings. And then, as she was walking out, that was when Jake secretly placed her lunch on the same spot where she was sitting, with a little note.
Quickly, Bianca noticed and walked back to the table. The note said:
"Terribly sorry you forgot the money. It’s sometimes easy to forget. Again, I am so sorry."
Inside, Bianca rejoiced. After eating her lunch, it was time for everyone to get back to class. She then walked by the boy that bought her lunch. Jake noticed. Suddenly, he felt this feeling that was quite rare for a boy his age to feel. He smiled.
“So beautiful!” he muttered aloud.
But Bianca heard this exact phrase. It startled her so much that she looked everywhere to find where the gentle voice was coming from. And then, it became quieter when most of the students walked into their classes.
Suddenly, Bianca heard a sigh. At that time, she was terrified. She then looked all around to find the voice again.
But just when she was about to walk into Mr. Joon’s class, Jake sighed and said softly, “How beautiful!”
Bianca turned around to find Jake standing right behind her.
“What was that?” she asked.
Jake stammered and then said, “Oh…uh…never mind, it was nothing.”
Bianca, suspicious, then walked to class. But Jake felt his nerves soften. But he seemingly had that very feeling tucked in the back of his head. Jake was deeply in love with Bianca.
It was at least one week into the new school year.
And then, Bahiyyih pounced on Bianca, shouting, “Guess what, guess what, guess what!!”
“What!” Bianca asked in horror.
“Clubs are going to be announced today! And at the end of the year is the Photo Club Contest! You have to join! It’s going to be fun!”
“But what would I take a picture of?”
“Our leader Sunghoon said that we have to use our inspiration to get a good picture. I’m sure you’re smart enough to do so.”
“I’ll think about it, then.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Photography Club, thought Bianca, I remember taking that club last year during homeschooling! I know how to work a camera and everything!
She then found a pen next to the sign-up sheet in the hallway and wrote down her name. To think about it, Bianca had always wanted to be in a club that she always loved learning about!
One day, she went out to the mini tourist shop down from Myeongdong Street. She then looked all around for a Camera Obscura, which is one of the types of cameras that is required for the club.
Bianca returned home and had her camera in hand. Mother then noticed her daughter coming home.
Confused, she asked, “What is with the new camera?”
Startled, Bianca rushed down the stairs. She knew that Mother would ask her about the camera anyways. But how was she going to tell her that she joined Photography Club?
“I joined their photography club,” said Bianca, “You remember me joining a club like that, don’t you?”
Mother smiled, “Of course I do,” she said, “You were not yet fourteen, right?”
“I was already in Freshman year,” replied Bianca, “I wanted to study visual arts and maybe become a writer when I’m older.”
“It seems to me that you are pretty passionate about these kinds of things. When does the first meeting begin?”
“Next Wednesday. Right now, they have to set up everything for the Club Fair. When the students advertise their clubs. I can tell at least most of them will be the most popular.”
Bianca could not wait for next Wednesday. But then, when she woke up the next morning, she heard the sound of Bahiyyih talking to Mother down stairs. Quietly, she put on her school uniform and went downstairs. Bahiyyih then stood up and hugged Bianca tightly. For some reason, Bianca felt quite uncomfortable.
“I guess we are walking to school?” she asked as she felt the tension in Bahiyyih’s strength.
“Nope,” said Bahiyyih, “I’ve got something much better!”
Bahiyyih took Bianca outside. In front of both of them, there was a pink motor scooter on their driveway. Bianca was frozen!
What the heck!
“Like it?” asked Bahiyyih.
Bianca struggled to answer. It wasn’t because she was scared. It was because of the way that Bahiyyih knew the route and that she had to ride a motor scooter to arrive here.
Bianca then said, “It’s wonderful!” and then looked at Bahiyyih with an astonished expression.
Before they casted off, “You might have to wear a helmet,” said Mother.
“Don’t worry,” said Bahiyyih, “We will make it to school. Besides, I know what to do on motor scooters.”
“I don’t think she is joking.” added Bianca.
They were off. But Bahiyyih drove more than the average speed limit. Bianca then felt another tension up her nerves.
“Bahiyyih! Too fast! Hit the brakes!” Bianca yelled.
But Bahiyyih could not slow down. They were riding in an open intersection. Any car would have hit them and there would have been a terrible accident!
“I can’t slow down very well,” replied Bahiyyih, “I can only go at this speed. I know it’s uncomfortable. But try to hold on to something.”
Indeed Bianca did. She held on tight to Bahiyyih’s back. Though she was a freshman, Bahiyyih was mature and quite for her age. Bianca, however, still thinks that she was still twelve.
When they arrived at Independence Academy, they noticed that they were not late. They were on time.
“School officially begins at 9:00 in the morning. It is 8:30 now.” said Bahiyyih.
“How old are you?” asked Bianca, petrified.
“Fourteen. Why?”
“You are going to be in the biggest trouble ever!”
“Not going to lie, everyone thinks I’m a senior here, in this school. Even at the DMV! It’s hard when you’re a kid, treated like an adult.”
“I can tell it’s frustrating!”
“And worst of all, my big brother Huening Kai thinks I’m such a baby! Not only that, he even baby-talks me! It’s so insulting!”
“Okay.”
The Club Fair began! The students were allowed to choose at least two to four clubs. The following list contains the clubs that were set up for this year:
Art
Creative Writing
Music
Photography
Math
World Languages
American and Korean Sign Language (AKSL)
Government
History
Singing (Sub-unit to Art and Music)
Bahiyyih then said, “I know you signed up for me and Jungwon’s photography club! Don’t you worry. I’m sure you have other interests.”
Bianca shook her head.
“Of course not. I’ve always been excited about the visual arts.”
“Have you really?”
“Yup! It’s always been my favorite subject. I’ve even taken a few classes in homeschooling. So I have a bit of experience in me.”
Bahiyyih gave Bianca a resume.
“We begin meetings this Wednesday. If you have to do something on that day, then hand it in by Friday!”
Bianca nodded.
After school, Bahiyyih dropped off Bianca.
“I will not ever forget about Wednesday, I will make it!” said Bianca.
They then parted ways and Bianca returned home to fill her resume.
Mother visited Bianca’s room. Bianca herself was filling the last page of her resume.
“I see you are filling up something for school,” she said, “Is it for a club or organization?”
“It’s for Photography Club!” said Bianca, “Bahiyyih is the President and Yang Jungwon is Vice President.”
“When does it begin?”
“This Wednesday. I have to give it to Bahiyyih by then. It wouldn’t dare be a problem if I had to join at least one club.”
When Bianca finished filling her resume, she put it in the folder of her notebook and put it back in her backpack. She then gave a kiss to Mother.
“I’m having a great year, so far,” she said, “It seems to me that Independence Academy was the best school for me.”