Whispers Of The Unseen

Chapter 18 - Haerin's POV: Stunt Puller

As the school day neared its end, I found myself fidgeting in anticipation. After the lollipop stunt, I couldn't help but wonder what Minji's reaction would be. I wheeled through the crowded hallways, my mind racing with thoughts of her.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of classes. I headed straight for Minji's classroom, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. I knocked on the door, and she opened it with a raised eyebrow.

"Haerin, what brings you here?" she asked, her tone a curious blend of annoyance and intrigue.

I held up a small bag, my lips curling into a mischievous grin. "I brought you something," I said, my voice dripping with playful innocence.

Minji's brow furrowed as she took the bag from me. She opened it and peered inside, her eyes widening in surprise. "Skittles?"

I nodded, still grinning. "You know, just a little treat to match your candy-themed expectations."

She shook her head with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You never fail to surprise me, Haerin."

I leaned in closer, a gleam in my eye. "I figured I'd repay the favor for the lollipop incident."

Minji sighed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Alright, you win this round."

I chuckled triumphantly. "Looks like we're even now."

As I turned to leave, she called out after me, "But don't think this means you can keep getting away with everything."

I glanced back over my shoulder, winking at her. "Oh, Minji, you underestimate me. Getting away with things is my specialty."

With that, I glided away, leaving her standing there with a mixture of frustration and amusement on her face. As I rolled down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I might not always get what I want, but I sure knew how to keep things interesting.

As I glided out of the school, the atmosphere was still filled with the lingering presence of students in the parking lot. My wheels carried me toward the gate, but suddenly, I was sent crashing to the ground as someone tripped me. Laughter erupted around me, and I winced as I felt a stinging pain on my knee. Damn these short skirts.

I turned onto my back, my gaze fixing on the instigator of my fall—Claire. My irritation flared up as I noticed the plaster on her temple. "What? Can't handle the cost of being a freak?" she taunted with a mocking grin.

I dusted off my clothes and got back on my feet, locking eyes with her. "Hello to you too, Claire. How's the forehead?" I retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. The onlookers started to gather, drawn by the spectacle.

A smirk played on Claire's lips as she glanced around, the crowd growing. "Great. How's your mother?" Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and anger. How did she know about my mother's situation—about her being sick?

My expression hardened, and a dangerous glint entered my eyes. "How about I knock some sense into you? It seemed as if that book wasn't enough vocabulary for you," I shot back, my words laced with a fierce determination. The crowd reacted with a mix of amused gasps and anticipatory whispers, creating an electric tension in the air.

Claire's face twisted with anger, her composure faltering in the face of my challenge. The collective buzz of the onlookers grew louder, "oohs" and whispers circulating like wildfire. The tension was palpable, and it was clear that this confrontation was far from over.

I clicked my wheels into my shoes, feeling the solid ground beneath me as I prepared to face Claire. "Is this your revenge?" I questioned, my tone a mixture of curiosity and challenge. Claire scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Revenge? You could've killed me. This is a warning," she whispered, drawing close to me.

I raised an eyebrow, gazing at her intently. "You think that highly of me?" I countered, leaning in slightly. Her sudden shriek caught me off guard. "That freak just tried to kiss me!" she exclaimed, causing a ripple of reactions from the crowd. A smirk tugged at my lips. "Really? You'd think I'd kiss you?" I shot back, turning toward the bystanders who were now watching us closely. "You think that lowly of me?" I added, eliciting chuckles and reactions from the onlookers.

However, before I could fully relish the moment, a yell from behind and a sharp force against the back of my head sent a jolt of pain through me. I stumbled slightly, feeling a bit dizzy. The crowd's reactions grew more intense, with some of them pulling out their phones to capture the unfolding scene.

I quickly turned around, my gaze locking onto Claire. She was breathing heavily, her anger palpable. Stepping closer, I narrowed my eyes at her, my own frustration mingling with the pain in my head. The tension between us was thick, and it was clear that things were escalating beyond control.

"That hurt so good," I remark, a mix of pain and adrenaline coursing through me. Claire furrows her brows, clearly surprised by my reaction. Seizing the opportunity, I charge at her while she's momentarily stunned. Swiftly, I brush past her and deliver a kick to her back, causing her to stumble forward. Without hesitation, I pounce on her, straddling her back, and grasp a handful of her hair, yanking her head up.

She wriggles beneath me, trying to free herself from my hold. Leaning in close, my lips almost brushing against her ear, I hiss, "Couldn't sue me, could you, Claire? Let me guess, not enough proof. Well, here's a little something for you: you can spy on me and Professor Minji all you want. I know it turns you on. But you can't do a damn thing about it now, with no memory."

As cameras surround us, capturing the scene, I offer them a mocking smile. But my satisfaction isn't complete yet. With a calculated move, I slam her face into the concrete, the impact echoing through the air. The message is clear – I won't tolerate her attempts to intimidate or control me any longer.

Walking away from the scene, my heart is still racing. The cameras are capturing everything, and I hear people murmuring about what just happened. I quickly look back, seeing Claire on the ground, bloodied and defeated.

As I keep walking, my mind is all over the place. What did I just do? Was it the right move? Part of me feels good about finally standing up for myself, taking control.

I can't help but think about Professor Minji. Did she see it all? What's she gonna think of me now? I know I shouldn't care so much, but there's something about her that gets to me.

After a while, I find a quiet spot and sit on a bench. I try to catch my breath and calm down. Today was intense, making me feel strong but also exposed. But this is just the start. I won't let Claire or anyone else decide who I am or what I do.

I take out my phone and send a quick text to Professor Minji: "Hey, are you around?" I wait anxiously for her response, my heart fluttering with anticipation. Whatever comes next, I'm ready to face it head-on.