Chapter 6 Quick departure
On getting close to the school, the big metal gate was locked tight. The giant "CLOSED FOR INVESTIGATION" sign was seen at the gate,Through the side of the gate, I could see teachers moving around the security room.
There was no point standing there. I turned to leave.
"Jina!
It was Jan, giving me her usual small smile.
‘ Jan, you still here?’ I asked.
‘ Yes, Jina. I left earlier but came back to pick something. And I heard school will recall us in a few days.’
The rumors spread faster,some said he died because he failed a paper,others said he has been acting strange. Some even said that he was always on his own,
All lies.
I went back to that same spots they found him replaying the memory in my head how his body was hanging from that old tree,
Before noon, the school assembly bell rang again and all students were ordered to be silent for morning announcements on the speaker..
"Due to the sudden death of one of our students," the voice of a woman was heard,”and for the sake of everyone's safety, the school will be closing immediately. All students are to return home. Resumption date will be communicated after thorough…investigations."
Investigations?I almost laughed.
What investigation?
The school didn't even wait for Hae's body to be taken down before they started calling it "suicide.
Students speaks in confusion. Some were happy an unexpected break. While Some were confused.
I left the hall, feeling the world heavy around me. Jan had left without even saying goodbye. Everyone was rushing, packing,calling home.
I packed my bag, my hands shaking every time I thought of Hae's face.
zipped my bag and took one last look around the room…Before I left, I sent a quick message to my mom:
“Mom, I'm coming home. I'll explain when I get there”
I walked out of the room and out of the school…
My mom arrived earlier,I guess because she knew and heard what happened at the school,she parked her car in front of the school gate as She rushed to me, pulling me into her arms before I could even say a word.
"Jina! Oh my, what happened? I've been worried sick!"
But I couldn't speak.i didn't even know where to start.i just stood there, letting her hug me tightly.We left the school, and the entire road home felt like a blur to me.My body was in the car, but my mind was still under that tree, staring at Hae.
I dropped my bag and walked straight to my room without a word.
Locking my door behind…The pain hit me hard…Is not physical pain,but the kind that made you feel like you are the reason for someone’s death…
My phone vibrated and it was Mom calling me for lunch. I ignored it. But she knew me too well. Moments later, she opened my door, carrying a tray.
Jina," she said softly, walking to me. "You need to eat something."
"Mum… I'm not hungry.She sighed, placed the tray on my table, then sat beside me.
‘Sweetheart, I know you are hurting. I know this is too much for you. But you need to calm down. The school said he had problems with his papers, and that he has been depressed for a long time."
"No,No, Mum. He wasn't depressed. He didn't look depressed yesterday. He was scared,yes…but not definitely depressed…”
Her eyes widened. "Yesterday? You saw him yesterday?
The guilt came back again on me
"Yes, Mum… I saw him. I am probably the last person he talked to before he died.
My mom froze. "What did he tell you?
He wanted to tell me something. Something about her sister yen who supposed to be my roommate and Eunwoo… and also about the school. But I told him to wait till the weekend.
Oh Jina… she said, pulling me into her arms.It's not your fault. You didn't know. You tried your best to protect him,’
No I didn't ' I cried,i didn't listen. And now he's gone. What if someone else was there and What if someone heard us?
Jina, stop."Her voice calm,
This is not your fault."
Mom stood up, tapped my back, and said gently, "Eat a little, okay? Later we'll go out for fresh air.
She closed the door and left.
How was I supposed to eat when all I saw was Hae's lifeless eyes?
Looking around I noticed my mother has left,I think I need to go back to the school may be I could find a clue,any thing at all,right now desperation is all that is in my mind and I can’t stop..
My heart started beating fast. I looked at the window. I left through the door, Mom would stop me.But the window…
I put on my black cap, tied my shoe,and grabbed my phone.I pushed my window open, climbed out, and landed softly on the ground….
