The Progress

Minhyuk Park

This day literally couldn't get worse. It started out pretty normal. I woke up, silently ate breakfast with my family as a cloud of their disappointment hung above my head before hiding in my bedroom and pretending that I didn't exist. To think a month ago I was jumping out of school windows to get out of class early. I rested my head on the paperwork that had piled up on my desk. Who gives a flying fuck about stocks?

This summer is going to be shit. Albeit it was my rash decisions that put me in this predicament, I was still annoyed about it.

Knock Knock

I got up from my desk, opening the door to see my brother, Minseok.

"Father wants to clear all of the trophies out." I sighed, knowing that this moment was coming, but still trying to avoid it. One simple mistake and my parents decided all my trophies were getting packed away and probably sold. I followed my older brother to what was affectionately called "The Golden Hall", mostly because anything that was less than 1st place had been hidden away from skeptical eyes. Quietly, I pulled the first trophy off the shelf as Minseok placed an empty box at my feet.

20XX State Championships Youth 14 Winner (Foil)

It was from a few years ago, but I still felt the rush of excitement and adrenaline as I held it. Carefully, I placed in the box, followed by the next one. By the time I had gotten through half a dozen, nostalgia had transformed into anger. How could they turn on me just like this? Gripping the trophies so hard my knuckles turned white, I could only gaze angrily at the opposing wall with my brother's trophies where he calmly inspected each of them. Oh, get off your high fucking horse.

I began throwing the trophies, no longer caring about their condition or importance. Anger was overwhelming me. Fuck all of you. Minseok, of course, watched it all happen just like he had a week ago.

"FUCK YOU!" I aimed the object in my hand at his head as I threw it. It fell short, shattering against the floor. The glass on the floor instantly told me what had fallen. A family picture from last year overseas, I'm not sure why it was there. It had nothing to do with winning.

"Minhyuk, I'm not tolerating this behavior. Or your language, for that matter." I tensed up at the voice as it carried down the hall. Mother. With her blonde hair and pale skin, no one would have ever guessed she was half Korean.

"Yes ma'am." Hanging my head, I tried to avoid her piercing gaze.

"Your father wants you." What does he want? As I walked towards his office, I could hear my mother muttering in Russian. Can't say it to my face, huh?

As I approached the glass door, I made a halfhearted attempt at judging his mood. Why do I bother? I can feel his dissatisfaction all the way over here. I pushed open the door, pausing at the entrance.

"Come in." Quietly, I sat down in the chair across from his massive desk. My stomach grumbled as I patiently waited for my father. After what must've been half an hour, the man finally looked up.

"Pack your bags." I opened my mouth as if to retort but quickly shut it upon seeing his freezing glare. This was A) the most he had said to me in months besides talking about how much of a failure I was and B) confusing as fuck. We don't go on vacations together anymore unless, of course, father was finally going through with his threat to kick me out into the streets. One look at his stern expression, dark eyes matching his slow to gray hair, informed me that I should leave right now or face consequences. I bowed my head, hastily making my exit.

As it turned out, I was being sent to a camp for junior delinquents of families who didn't want to deal with scandals, so it could've been worse. If only Nick had kept his mouth shut about our 'adventures', then I wouldn't have to deal with this shitty trip. My father flat out refused to take me, I reckon that he couldn't stand being in the same space as me for hours on end. Instead, I had the honor of driving, hands gripping the wheel tightly as my brother muttered out directions. Obviously, I was grounded from driving, but I suppose my brother felt bad enough about me having to leave. Oh my god, I missed my car so much. Usually, father would have someone drive us around, but my recent successes overseas had warranted him buying me a car. Nevermind the fact that Minseok had gotten his own car as soon as he turned sixteen.