criminal love; jungwon

1

Jungwon trudged into the classroom, eyes downcast and steps hesitant. He was late again. As soon as he reached his desk, the familiar sight greeted him—words scribbled in permanent marker, harsh and unforgiving. “Freak.” “Betrayer.” The words burned into his mind, but he didn’t react. He couldn’t.

A loud chuckle echoed from behind him. “Oh, look who’s finally here,” Chahyeon sneered, leaning against the desk beside him. Jungwon clenched his fists, but kept his head down. Defending himself never worked, and deep down, a voice whispered that he deserved it.

Chahyeon circled him like a predator. “Did you like my little gift? Thought it might make you feel special.” His friends laughed on cue, their voices blending into the background noise Jungwon had grown accustomed to.

The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Chahyeon gave Jungwon one last shove before retreating to his seat. Jungwon exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders as the teacher entered, a rare smile on her face.

“Class, we have a new student today,” she announced. Jungwon barely lifted his head until he heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind her. A girl. She stepped into view, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.

She was striking. Her uniform crisp, her posture straight, yet there was an air of quiet confidence about her. Jungwon’s eyes narrowed. She was too perfect, too composed. His mind jumped to a conclusion: another bully. Someone like Chahyeon.

“This is Cha Nanhee,” the teacher said. “Please welcome her warmly.” She turned to Jungwon. “Jungwon, you’ll show her around today.”

His heart sank. He shook his head instinctively, but the teacher didn’t notice—or chose to ignore it. Nanhee gave a small bow to the class and then to him, her eyes locking onto his for a split second.

“Take a seat, Nanhee,” the teacher gestured to the empty spot beside Jungwon.

She slid into the chair next to him, her movements graceful but unassuming. Jungwon kept his gaze forward, pretending she wasn’t there.

The day dragged on, each class blurring into the next. Yet, he was acutely aware of Nanhee’s presence. She followed him from class to class, quiet but observant. Every now and then, he caught her glancing at him, as if expecting something.

At lunch, she finally spoke. “Aren’t you supposed to show me around?”

Her voice was soft but firm. Jungwon didn’t answer. He didn’t want to be responsible for anyone, especially not someone like her. The more distance he kept, the better.

Nanhee frowned but didn’t push. She sat next to him anyway, unbothered by the silence.

Chahyeon, ever opportunistic, sauntered over. “New girl, huh?” His smile was anything but friendly. “Bet you didn’t know you got stuck with our class freak.”

Nanhee’s eyes darted to Jungwon, then back to Chahyeon. “Is that so?” she said, her tone unreadable.

Chahyeon leaned in closer. “Better watch yourself, Nanhee. Jungwon’s got a... reputation.”

Jungwon’s jaw tightened, but he stayed silent. Nanhee, however, didn’t flinch. “I can handle myself,” she said simply.

Chahyeon laughed, though it lacked humor. “We’ll see about that.” He shot Jungwon a glare before walking away.

Nanhee turned to Jungwon. “Is he always like that?”

Jungwon shrugged, his gaze fixed on the table. “Don’t get involved,” he muttered.

She studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

The rest of the day passed in a similar fashion. Nanhee followed, Jungwon ignored, and Chahyeon loomed. But something about Nanhee’s presence felt different. She didn’t push, didn’t pry, yet she didn’t back down either.

As the final bell rang, Jungwon gathered his things quickly, hoping to escape unnoticed. Nanhee, however, matched his pace.

“Jungwon,” she called out as they exited the classroom.

He paused, not turning around.

“Thanks for... not helping today,” she said with a small smile. It wasn’t sarcastic, just oddly sincere.

Jungwon blinked, unsure how to respond. Before he could say anything, she walked off, leaving him standing in the hallway, confused but strangely intrigued.

For the first time in a long while, someone had seen him—not as a freak or a target, but just as Jungwon. And that unsettled him more than anything Chahyeon could ever do.