36 Too Early For School (2/2)

Unfortunately, it was too early and the classrooms were still locked.

The hallways were dimly-lit, adding to the creepy effect. Yeo Ri cautiously made her way to the teacher's office. However, it seemed like her luck was bad. The teacher's office was also still locked since it was too early.

”Student, what are you doing here?”

”Kyaak—!” Yeo Ri shrieked at the sudden sound of someone else's voice. She turned around to face the possible ghost, only to be met with a security guard carrying a torchlight and a keyring full of keys.

”U-uncle Guard!” Seeing the somewhat familiar face, Yeo Ri patted her chest, trying to calm her thundering heartbeat.

”Oh? If it isn't Lee Cheonsa!” The security guard uncle widened his eyes in recognition.  She wore a face mask but other than that, her figure matched the girl in his memories. ”What brings you here so early? Had your phone taken away during class or something?” The uncle joked around. He was familiar with Yeo Ri, seeing as she was one of the relatively famous students of the school. He remembered her quite well since a bunch of boys liked to gather around at the gates whenever she passed by.

”Uncle...” Yeo Ri glowered at his joke. However, he was the elder so she still politely greeted him. ”I arrived at school a bit too early today so I was thinking about waiting at the teacher's office until the classrooms open. But it seems like the office is still locked too.”

”Oh, the office? Just wait a bit. Uncle'll open it right now,” The security guard raised his keys to show the girl. After fumbling for the right one, he unlocked the door to the teacher's office easily. He had just started making his morning rounds when he stumbled upon Yeo Ri. Usually, he was the one in charge of unlocking the rooms before everybody arrives.

”Thank you, Uncle,” Yeo Ri properly thanked the man with a bow.

”Don't mention it, student,” the security guard smiled, thinking that Yeo Ri was raised well. She was so polite. The security guard switched on the power and cranked up the heater. ”You can go and sit at the lounge over there,” the security guard says, pointing at the lounging area for the teachers.

”Is that fine...?” Yeo Ri hesitantly headed towards the area. She had never ventured this deep into the teacher's office so she was nervous.

”Yeah, it's fine. I'm sure the teachers wouldn't mind it!” The guard laughed. Seeing her nervous appearance made her seem so lovely and cute that he couldn't help but want to tease her.

”Then, thank you, uncle,” Yeo Ri bobbed her head again, expressing her thanks.

The security guard bade her farewell, excusing himself to continue with his job.

Yeo Ri was left alone in the lounge, just waiting for the sky to brighten.