i won't share you / purinz

the next day

Chaewon's parents are asleep when she arrives home and she slips into her room unnoticed, making up a story the next morning about studying late with Sakura, and she's sure that everything has resolved itself smoothly until she arrives at school. It's not that she isn't used to guys staring at her. Chaewon knows she's a pretty girl, and high school guys can be pitifully lacking in tact. But now, it feels like every guy is staring at her. Girls, too, are snickering at her, whispering behind their hands when she passes by. Could rumors about her and Hajoon spread that fast? And if they did, is it really such a big deal? Maybe it's her straight-laced reputation, she muses. Or maybe it's because the student population has seen Yunjin sulking around like a deflated balloon and put two and two together.

Chaewon catches sight of the younger girl in the hallway before first period, wearing flower-shaped plastic sunglasses and a miserable expression which clashes terribly with her cheerful choice of accessory. Yunjin doesn't even notice Chaewon passing by, too lost in her own anguish, like a puppy that's been scolded and mopes around with its tail between its legs.

All day, Chaewon dreads the prospect of facing Yunjin in English class. What if Yunjin tries to talk to her? What if Yunjin shows up with a gallon of milk this time? Or a live cow? It's nightmare fuel, and yet, the alternative seems almost worse. What if Yunjin doesn't try to talk to her? It's too overwhelming, everything changing so suddenly. Losing not only whatever hand-touching, heart-fluttering thing she'd had going on with Yunjin but also regular old Yunjin on the same day. As many times as she had brushed the younger girl off or criticized her fuckboy tendencies, Chaewon had never doubted that Yunjin adored her. She'd always been so sure that Yunjin would do anything she asked, that she'd drop everything to help if Chaewon ever needed her. Turns out, she isn't all that special in Yunjin's eyes. Turns out, as long as there's a small girl with bangs under her it doesn't matter to Yunjin which one it is.

But when Chaewon walks into Ms. Park's class, Yunjin isn't there. And Yunjin doesn't come. The bell rings and the seat behind her is empty, and maybe Yunjin's hangover really was so bad that she gave up on the flower-shaped sunglasses and went home, but Chaewon's willing to bet it has more to do with their conversation the night before. She doesn't know if she should be relieved or if this is just prolonging all of her anxiety until she sees Yunjin on Monday. Or maybe Yunjin has had the sense to switch schools and make this easier for both of them.

Unable to face Yuri, Chaewon decides to cancel her mathletes meeting and takes the long way around the school after dismissal to avoid all of the stares. As she approaches a turn, she hears voices muttering around the corner. She assumes it's just some of the stoner kids who like to smoke behind the school, but she stops when she hears her name in a voice she's sure she recognizes.

"Aw, come on," says Hajoon's voice, "You're not mad because Chaewon put out for me, are you?"

Chaewon presses closer to the wall and inches forward to better hear the conversation.

"I'm not mad about that," says another quite familiar voice, "I just don't think you should talk about her like...like she's a piece of meat or something."

"Aw, Yunny," Hajoon teases, "Standing up for your girl? Hate to break it to you, man, but your girl's a slut that fucks on the first date." It takes all of Chaewon's self control to stay hidden rather than storm out and kick him in the balls. Hajoon had seemed so mild the night before. That's the last time she lets Sakura set her up with anyone.

"Don't call her that." There's an edge in Yunjin's voice that even Chaewon can hear, but Hajoon just keeps talking.

"All the guys say shit like that," says Hajoon, "You're just not used to it 'cause you're not in our locker room."