My gentle bully

Her True Color or Maybe?

To prepare for her second day, Haerin woke early, brushing her teeth, washing her face, and enjoying a warm bath.  Afterward, she went downstairs and ate breakfast, a meal prepared by her mother.

"Wow, this is delicious, Mom!" she exclaimed.

"Thank you, sweetie," her mother replied. "So, how was school? Did you make any friends?"

"No," Haerin answered. "I don't want any friends."

Her mother's brow furrowed. "But why, sweetie?  Life's too short to be alone."

"I'm just not interested," Haerin insisted.

Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?  Someone called me yesterday."

Haerin's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?  Who?"

"Danielle," her mother said. "Is she your friend?  You didn't mention her."

Haerin laughed nervously.  "Umm, yeah, she's a new friend. I… I forgot to mention her."

"Wow, I didn't know you were making friends!" her mother exclaimed. "That's wonderful, sweetie. You won't be alone this year. And she's pretty, too. Treat her well."

"Yeah, I will… or maybe," Haerin mumbled, uncertainty coloring her words.

Haerin biked to school, quickly stowing her things in her locker before heading to class.  As she walked, a tap on her shoulder made her turn to see Danielle.

"Where's my assignment?" Danielle demanded.

"Here," Haerin replied, handing it over. "Don't bother me again."

"I didn't say it was a one-time request," Danielle countered.

"Seriously?" Haerin exclaimed.

"Yeah, stupid," Danielle said. "And I won't stop until I'm satisfied."

"Fine," Haerin sighed. "What is it?"

"Meet me later at the oak tree," Danielle instructed.

"Okay," Haerin said. "Seriously, when will this end?"

"Just bear with it," Danielle replied curtly.

"May I go now?" Haerin asked.

"Yeah," Danielle said.  "And remember this, or else…" she trailed off menacingly.

"Yes, Master," Haerin muttered sarcastically.

"Wait," Danielle said. "I didn't know you were so talkative, stupid."

"For your information," Danielle continued, "I'm an introvert, not shy. Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I'm deaf."

"So you haven't changed much," Danielle observed.

"What do you mean?" Haerin asked, confused.

"You don't know me," Danielle said. "You don't know what I can do."

"You mean… like a stalker?" Haerin asked, a tremor in her voice.

"Oh! You caught me," Danielle said, a chilling smile spreading across her face. "I could be a killer.  I could kill you instantly. But don't worry, I won't… if you behave."

Haerin, visibly nervous, simply nodded.

"May I go now?" Haerin asked timidly.

"You can go, stupid," Danielle dismissed her.

"And you? Aren't you going to class?" Haerin asked.

Danielle's cold voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh, how cute.  You're worried about me?"

"Huh! No," Haerin denied, but Danielle's grin widened.

"No need to deny it, stupid. It's obvious," Danielle said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Fine," Haerin conceded. "But let's go to class together."

"And why should I?" Danielle challenged.

"Aren't you worried about your grades?" Haerin asked.

Danielle's irritation flared. "So what? And you're not in a position to ask, fool. Remember, I'm only here for my requests."

"Sorry," Haerin mumbled.

"It's fine," Danielle said, softening slightly. "But meet me after class."

"Okay," Haerin replied, looking down.

Haerin entered the classroom and took her seat.  As their teacher lectured, Haerin's thoughts drifted.  When would this torment end?  Yet, she couldn't help but think about Danielle.  Maybe Danielle's actions stemmed from her being a good girl who couldn't express her feelings.  Whatever the reason, Haerin couldn't shake the strange feeling that she wanted to be friends with Danielle, despite everything.

The afternoon session ended, and students streamed out. Haerin hurried to meet Danielle at the oak tree.  She arrived to find the spot empty.  She waited, hour after hour, growing bored and frustrated.  Just as she was about to leave, Danielle called down from above.

"Hey, fool," Danielle said.

"Oh! There you are," Haerin exclaimed. "How did you get up there? Are you a monkey or something?"

"I was waiting for you," Danielle replied, "but you were down there the whole time."

"Oh, sorry," Danielle said. "I fell asleep and didn't notice you."

"Hurry up and get down here," Haerin said, "and tell me what you need. I'm tired and want to go home."

"Okay," Danielle said, descending. "Same as yesterday."

"Oh, it's just a discussion. No one else," Danielle clarified.

"Really?" Haerin asked skeptically.

"Yeah," Danielle confirmed. "You can go home now."

"And you?" Haerin asked.

"I'm staying here a while," Danielle replied.

"Why?" Haerin pressed.

"It's none of your business," Danielle retorted.

"Sorry," Haerin apologized. "I'll go now."

"Yeah, take care, dummy," Danielle said.

"You too," Haerin replied.

As Haerin walked home, she felt a strange unease.  Danielle was constantly on her mind. Was she worried about Danielle?  It felt odd, considering her usual detachment. Why was she worried about this bully?  She groaned inwardly.

Returning to school, Haerin headed for the oak tree, hoping to find Danielle.  She was disappointed to find the spot empty.  It was getting dark, nearing 5:00 PM.  As she started to leave, Danielle called out.

"What are you doing here, Haerin?"

Startled, Haerin composed herself, trying to appear calm. "I left my phone at school," she lied.

"Hmm, and why are you still here?" Danielle asked. "Aren't you supposed to go home after getting your phone? Why are you behind the school?"

"Umm, sorry," Haerin stammered. "I was worried about you."  A pause, then, "Wait, did you just call my name?"

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "Why would I want to call you 'stupid' again?"

A small smile touched Haerin's lips. "No, but… thanks. I liked it."

"And why?" Danielle pressed.

"Because you called me by my name," Haerin explained softly.

"Seriously? You're happy just because of that?" Danielle asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, why not?" Haerin replied, her smile widening slightly.

"You're weird," Danielle commented, a hint of something akin to amusement in her tone.

"Let's be friends," Haerin blurted out.

Danielle's expression hardened. "You don't know what you're saying, Haerin."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Haerin asked, confused.

Danielle's voice turned cold. "Don't think I'm easily tricked. I don't need friends. I'm only here when I need you."

"But why?" Haerin persisted.

Danielle's tone was chilling. "Seriously, in this world, whether you have friends or not, there's nothing you can do if you fall into my trap. Don't ever try to be friends with me, or I will kill you."

Haerin looked down, shamefaced. "Sorry," she whispered.

"Go home now," Danielle said, her voice softening slightly.

"Yes, okay," Haerin replied, turning to leave.

Haerin walked home, frustrated with herself for her impulsive friendship offer.  Her self-reproach fueled her pace, and she didn't see the stone until it was too late.  She tripped, her ankle twisting violently.  Pain shot through her, and she crumpled to the ground, unable to stand.  Tears welled in her eyes as she waited, alone and helpless, in the growing darkness.

Minutes stretched into an eternity.  Then, a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"Why are you still crying, Haerin? You're a grown-up girl now," Danielle said.

"What are you doing here?" Haerin snapped, irritated.

"You need help," Danielle stated simply.

"There's no need," Haerin retorted. "And I'm not asking you for help after what you said earlier."

"Come on," Danielle said, "I'll carry you."

"Didn't you hear me? I don't need help!" Haerin insisted.  Before she could finish, Danielle scooped her up in a bridal carry.

"Hey! Put me down!" Haerin exclaimed, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Are you sure?" Danielle asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Yeah!" Haerin insisted.

"Fine," Danielle said, "but you need help, so I'm giving it to you."

"Put me down!" Haerin repeated, her voice rising in frustration.

Danielle held her gaze for a long moment, causing Haerin to look away, shy under her intense stare.  Danielle sighed. "Are you sure?" she asked again.

"Yes," Haerin mumbled.

Danielle carefully lowered her to the ground.  Haerin attempted to walk, but stumbled, nearly falling.  Danielle caught her instantly.

"Are you okay?" Danielle asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm okay," Haerin said. "So stop following me."

"No, I'm staying," Danielle said firmly.

"Why? Do you want to bully me again?" Haerin challenged.

Danielle cleared her throat. "Yeah… I mean, I care about you."

Haerin was taken aback.  "Why? Because of a request? You know you're mean! Why are you here?  I want to rest, I'm tired! Why are you making me suffer?"

"So what!" Danielle retorted. "I'm not leaving you, even if you force me to."

"Why?" Haerin repeated, bewildered.

"Because I care," Danielle said softly.

Haerin was stunned. Was she dreaming?  This bully… cared? What was this feeling?  Was she actually affected by Danielle's unexpected kindness?

"Fine," Haerin said. "You're stubborn. Stay as long as you want."

"Thanks, kitty," Danielle grinned.

"You're giving me a nickname now?" Haerin teased.

"Why? Don't you like it?" Danielle asked.

"After you treated me like nothing earlier?  No need," Haerin pouted.

Danielle chuckled. "So you want me to treat you like a princess, then?"

"Huh! No, I didn't say that!" Haerin protested, surprised.

"Then what do you mean?" Danielle asked playfully.

"I just want to be your friend," Haerin confessed. "But you keep rejecting it, so never mind."

Danielle giggled. "You're funny, Haerin. Asking a bully to be your friend… it's ridiculous."

Haerin frowned. "I'm just asking, okay? If you don't want to, fine."

But Danielle stood, offering her back. "Hop on."

"Huh?" Haerin was taken aback.

"I'll carry you," Danielle explained.

"But no need to…" Haerin started to protest.

"It's an order, Haerin," Danielle said firmly but gently.

Nervous but relieved, Haerin climbed onto Danielle's back.

"Where's your home, Haerin?" Danielle asked as she began to walk.

"It's near the convenience store," Haerin replied.

"So it's near the school," Danielle observed.

"Yeah," Haerin agreed.

"Are you comfortable?" Danielle asked.

"On what?" Haerin questioned.

"That I'm carrying you," Danielle clarified.

"Yeah, thank you," Haerin said. "This is the first time I've ridden on someone's back!"

Danielle laughed. "So you're the meanie now. Don't worry, I'll teach you properly tomorrow."

"No, sorry," Haerin apologized.

"Just kidding, kitty," Danielle said softly.

They arrived at Haerin's house. Danielle knocked, and Haerin's mother opened the door, her face etched with worry.

"Oh, sweetie, where have you been?" her mother exclaimed.

"I broke my ankle, Mom," Haerin explained. "It's a good thing Danielle was there to carry me."

Haerin's mother turned to Danielle, relief washing over her features. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter. You don't know how worried I was! And she's my only child; I love her so much!"

"No problem, ma'am," Danielle replied. "May I go now?"

"Wait," Haerin's mother said. "We're having dinner. Please join us."

"No, it's fine," Danielle demurred.

"Nonsense, you're a pretty girl. Don't be shy," Haerin's mother insisted.

"Mom, don't force her; you're making her uncomfortable," Haerin protested.

Haerin's mother pouted. "But sweetie…"

Danielle smiled. "How can I say no to that face?  I'll join you for dinner."

"Huh! Are you sure?" Haerin asked, surprised.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Danielle replied, winking at Haerin.

Over dinner, Haerin's mother asked Danielle her name.

"It's Danielle, ma'am, but you can call me Dani," she said.

"Dani, sweetie, can you please look after my little one at school?" Haerin's mother asked.

Danielle looked surprised but responded immediately. "Yes, I will."

"Thank you," Haerin's mother said. "She's only content being alone, so it's good she has a friend like you.  Even with her attitude, please take care of her."

Danielle smiled warmly at Haerin's mother. "I will. You love your child very much. I'm a little jealous, but don't worry, I'll do my best to take care of her."  Then, she looked at Haerin and smiled.

"Thank you," Haerin's mother said again.

"You're welcome," Danielle replied.

A soft whisper escaped Danielle's lips.  "If only…"

- Simp San 😉