Chapter 8: My Brother and My Teacher

There were pictures on the desk. Pictures of me. Me when I was on the TV show. Me hiding my face on the talk show. Me at the bowling tournament.

"Wanting to become famous is not a bad thing at all. In fact, I think everyone had a moment in their life when they wanted to be in the spotlight."

Then a book slid over to my side of the desk. It was the book of school regulations. There was a section highlighted that read: "Any unexcused absences will not be tolerated and if the student is found to have committed such actions, the student is liable to be expelled from this academy."

"Although we support all of our student's dreams. We can not condone actions that would discredit both our academy and also you as a student whilst you are still a student here."

I looked up at the person who slid the book across the table. It was my teacher and I am sitting at the counseling office with my brother.

"But... That would ruin my life, Teach!" I complained. Because being expelled from high school would automatically stop me from being able to enroll into university. "Besides, I am done with all the classes and exams!"

"I am sure a normal public high school would have allowed you to graduate without any complaints. But our academy has standards to uphold and if a student aims to discredit our institution, we would need to take corrective measures to ensure that no damage comes to the reputation of the academy." My homeroom teacher glared at me. My brother, sweating, grabbed the school regulations off the desk and started flipping through the pages.

I, on the other hand, started to blank out. How will my life end up being expelled from high school? Would I have a normal life? Can I have a normal life? My anxiety is compounding every second.

"So all we want is to see your..." teacher continued but my brother interrupted by sliding the regulations back to the teacher. He pointed out a portion of the regulations that read:

"This academy aims to give our student's access to interdisciplinary education and broadening their understanding of the world. If a student has a project(s) that exceeds the limitations of the academic curriculum. The student may undertake them under the advice and consent of their homeroom teacher. But the student must provide evidence showing that this project expands their knowledge of the world."

Then my brother waved his arms around furiously to communicate.

"Yes, theoretically. That can be true and you can certainly argue that." Teacher had a disapproving frown on her face.

My brother continued to wave his hand around.

"But this would only apply if the student applied for this and got permission beforehand." Teacher countered.

My brother countered with his own elegant motions.

"Yes, you are correct, it only requires advice and consent. So theoretically, that would work. But still Minji would need to prove her academic improvements somehow but it can not just be a regular test or a report." The teacher responded.

My brother flapped his hands around.

"Oh my..." Teacher looked shocked.

My brother flapped his hands arounds even more.

"I mean, that would be evident enough. But would that be alright?" Teacher looked concerned.

My brother flapped his hands and then pounded his chest as if to say. "I got this."

"I mean if you are sure... I have no reason to disagree with that proposal." The teacher looked satisfied. My brother wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"So you are going to take an exam with questions from the previous College Scholastic Aptitude Test that we make and pass it with a higher score than the one you took recently to prove your academic prowess." The teacher announced.

I froze...

"What?" I asked in shock.

"That is what your brother just told me that you are going to do to prove that all these absences were for academic purposes." Teacher had a disapproving frown on her face again.

My brain flashed back to the months of preparation for the College Scholastic Aptitude Test.

"Wh....en.... Next year? Next semester?" I stuttered.

"That makes no sense. Next week." Teacher put her foot down.

I looked at my brother who gave me a thumbs up.

Anger swelled up inside me as the reality of the situation settled in...

I glared at my irresponsible brother. "Don't give me a thumbs up you dumbass brother!"