Ten

"Page 135, section four." Mrs. Jang's voice was dull and boring as she named the textbook we were to open. It was Monday, and that meant tons of paperwork and textbooks and nagging teachers.

"Testing is only a week away. Studying is crucial." Mrs. Jang scanned the class with the scary grey eyes of hers. The class groaned.

I fought back a sigh, looking down at my open textbook. So many more words...I wondered how someone could enjoy school.

To me, it was absolute torture.

"You'll be studying today. Use your time well." Her voice was stern and I knew she meant every word.

"Come on, let's go to the library." Eunwoo jumped from his seat as the class was dismissed. I hurried after him.

"Yah wait up." Jangmin called behind us, earning a scolding from Mrs Jang for running in the halls.

"Sorry Jangmin." I smiled and slowed down, "I guess I was too excited to get out the classroom."

"Me too. Midterms always seem to ruin the mood." Eunwoo had his hands in his pants pockets, looking glum.

"What?! You're the number two in the school! Midterms should be easy, right?" I watched his expression change from boredom to disagreement.

"It's not like I have powers or anything Soohyun, midterms are hard for everyone."

"I suppose."

"Watch it Eunwoo, Soohyun might pull ahead of you. She's second in the class already!" Jangmin's bragging voice made me happy. It felt nice to have someone cheering you on.

"As if." Eunwoo huffed. I laughed and pushed past him into the library,

"Watch out Cha Eunwoo, I'm coming for first place!" I aimed finger guns at him before turning away. I could hear probably a dozen people shushing me but I couldn't care less. I was glad to be away from the cramped classroom and Mrs Jang.

I decided to pick out a novel to read in my spare time, since reading fiction was something I'd loved to do ever since I had learned to read. I ran my finger along the books, undecided. Movement from the aisle across my shelf distracted me. Baeksoon was reaching on her tiptoes, struggling to reach a book above her fingers.

"Oh, Baek-" I stopped from hurrying to help her when who should appear but the very tall Moonbin. He stepped up to Baeksoon,

"Need some help?" It didn't take any effort for him to reach up and fetch the book. I could practically hear Baeksoon's speeding heartbeat and grinned at both their blushing cheeks as they stared at each other.

"What are you doing?" Someone whispered suddenly behind me, causing me to jump and nearly smack them across the room. I stared at the student in front of me, too startled to say anything. Rocky??

"Whoa, are you okay?" He waved a book in front of my face, breaking me from my stare.

"Uh... um, yes! I'm fine." I turned away in embarrassment.

"I know a good studying spot." He rocked back on his heels, several books in his hands. I blinked at him,

"Um... really?" I felt my heart thumping in my chest. Half of me wanted to turn tail and run the other half wanted to follow Rocky anywhere.

"Want me to show you?" He smiled. That smile. The one where his eyes squinted and his perfect white teeth showed. I found it difficult to even breathe.

"S..sure."

He smiled again.

I held my books tight against me, trying hard to keep from panicking as we walked side by side in the hall.

"I heard you like music." He glanced at me, causing me to freeze. I pointed to myself,

"Me?"

He laughed,"I saw you in the music room with Eunwoo." Glancing at me for a moment, he gave me a curious look then looked away, continuing to walk. I followed slowly,He had seen me with Eunwoo in the music room?What had he been doing?

"Uh, yeah; I love music." I caught up to him, "But where are we going?"

"There's a place I go when I want to listen to music and study." He turned suddenly, pushing open the stairway door. I frowned at him, Rocky used the roof too?

He looked over his shoulder, holding open the door,"Aren't you coming?" He smiled and I shook myself out of my thoughts, nodding quickly. Outside on the roof the sky was a bright blue and the air was quiet and still. Birds twittered in the treetops. I took a long breath, always happy to be outdoors.

"I used to come up here with Eunwoo all the time." Rocky commented as he strode to the edge of the building.

"Really? You and Eunwoo?"

"Yep. We were really close back then." Something flickered in his eyes that I couldn't read. Then he turned and smiled at me, startling me.

"Things happened."

I watched him as he walked over to an old CD player and switched it on. Immediately a upbeat song began to play. I folded my arms, thinking. What had happened between Minhyuk and Eunwoo? Did they fight? Why did they fight?

"Do you have much to work on?" I realized I was staring at the ground and looked up; finding myself face to face with Rocky. I nearly fell backwards.

"N..no. Hardly anything." I stuttered, taking a step back. Rocky smiled,

"Want me to show you something cool?"

"What do you me-" suddenly he broke out into dance, his body moving to the music, each move unique and impressive. I found myself staring. Sanha had said Rocky could dance, but wow, he really could dance! It was amazing to watch. He ended the dance with a ballet spin, then stood sweating and panting. His hair was messy and he still had that smile on his face. I clapped for him,

"Wow! You're amazing at dancing."

Rocky rubbed the back of his neck with a timid smile,

"I'm still learning. I come up here a lot to practice. It's my dream to become a Kpop idol." He wiped the sweat from his brow and sat down on an upturned bucket.

I sat down next to him, holding my books in my lap.

"It's hard, but I really want to make it come true." He played with his hands in his lap, looking sort of embarrassed at admitting that.

I watched him silently. I had always thought Rocky's biggest passion was basketball. Now I'd seen this other side of him. This other side, one where he tried his best, cried when he failed, sweat each day away to fulfill a dream. There was so much I didn't know about him.

"Do you have a dream?" He startled me with his question, causing me to freeze in thought. A dream? I'd never really thought of it. Back in Seoul I just wanted to grow up and have a good home and family. I wanted to live in Seoul; with all the familiar sights and smells. But now, that was gone. What was my dream now? To survive every day? To keep good grades?

"It's alright, you don't have to tell me." Rocky broke me from my thoughts,

"We're still young and figuring it out. Don't feel too pressured." I felt my cheeks warm at his words and smile. Maybe one day I would find my dream...

"My mother always told me when I feel like giving up, to just keep standing. Pushing forward. Her words helped me a lot." I looked over at the boy beside me, watching his face turn sad and his eyes catch a faraway look.

"Your mother is very wise." I said, resting my chin on my hands. Minhyuk smiled lightly, his lips curving only in the slightest,

"She was." I realized it then. Minhyuk didn't have a mother either. His mother was gone, just like mine. I blinked at the ground, feelings crashing over me. Just like me, he felt the loss of someone so close.

"We should probably get back to class." Rocky let out a sigh and jumped to his feet. I stood up slowly, thoughts still tumbling in my head. He smiled and dusted off his jeans,

"Thanks for coming up with me, it's nice to have someone to talk to for once."

"Yeah, no problem. I enjoyed watching your dance. Keep working hard, I'm sure you'll reach your goal someday."

Rocky's smile widened at my words and he nodded happily. My mind was still elsewhere as we gathered our textbooks to go downstairs. Eunwoo and Rocky were friends. Rocky had a mother that had left him. And... Rocky chose to tell me this?

"Oh yeah, is Jangmin okay?" His question surprised me and I nodded slowly,

"He's fine. Why?"

"Oh.. just. He disappeared that day and I wondered.." he started rubbing the back of his neck again. I smiled,

"He's okay. Thanks for asking."

I returned to the library after seeing Rocky off to his class. I was still wondering why Rocky had asked me about Jangmin. Had he known something I didn't? What was it that Jangmin was still hiding from me?

"Yah Soohyun! Are you crazy? We've been looking for you everywhere!! Where did you go?" Baeksoon was all questions. My friends looked offended for leaving without telling them. I sighed,

"I'm sorry everyone."

Eunwoo met my eyes, looking worried,

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I just went to study." Mentioning the talk with Rocky on the roof would propose a dozen more problems. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to recollect myself. There was one thought that kept returning and I kept pushing away.

If Rocky took me all the way up to the roof to show me his biggest dream and his worries,

Does it mean I have a chance?