Him.

aubrey

Rei sits right next to me at Trigonometry, and it takes everything for me to resist watching her every movement - from her pursed lips to her narrowed eyes.

She hasn't talked to me this entire day, I recall, counting through every time that I came within her range.

Ms. Choi pushes thin glasses up her nose, and I can see bits of her cakey concealer clumped on the frame. She wears a lacey red dress and dark blue leggings - the classic teacher wear.

Despite Rei's personality around me, she's usually very quiet - rarely raising her hand in classes.

I steal glances at her paper, noticing that she's scribbling a sketch on the top right corner.

Don't be suspicious, I tell my self. Don't be suspicious.

But Rei knows me too well, catching my eye and raising an eyebrow - a question.

I let out a small sigh of relief, realizing we're in good terms now. Ms. Choi raises her voice, and I snap up to see what all the commotion is.

Ms. Choi takes off her glasses and heaves a sigh larger than my love for Jaerin. 

"I'm going to be honest with you guys," she says, a frustrated look crossing her face. "You are my least favorite class. I handed these notes out 30 minutes ago, but not one - not even one -  has started it.

She shakes her head in exasperation, muttering to herself.

Aubrey, the class president and student council manager, tucks her short strawberry blond hair behind her ears and raises her hand tall.

I wince as the light from the ceiling reflects of her shining white nails.

"Ms. Choi, I did the notes," she grins proudly, holding up a piece of paper that looks like chicken scratch.

Regardless, Ms. Choi nods in approval, giving her a few claps. "Well done Aubrey. Thank you for doing what the rest of your class couldn't."

I glance at Rei and flare my eyes at her, and she rolls her eyes in agreement.

She imitates Aubrey, making a strange face, and I can't help but let out a small giggle - then quickly cover my mouth.

It made me almost forget about our fight.

Almost.

—

Jaerin and I talk at lunch - this time about the tragic Mac and Cheese that the school serves.

Soorin glances at me and gives me a sappy grin the entire time, and I wish that lunch could be forever.

Suddenly, a lunch lady taps on my shoulder, a tuft of pale hair poking out of her net. 

She wears bright Marilyn Monroe lipstick and thin eyeliner around her hazel eyes. I scan the cafeteria and see that no one is watching me as intently as Jaerin and Soorin are.

"Are you Eunbi?" her voice is cocooned in a heavy german accent, but I can still hear a hint of British.

I nod shyly, contemplating every bad thing I have done since day one.

"Ah, well, the office would like to inform you that you've been selected for the High School Volunteer Club!"