End of beginning?[Hwang Hyunjin]

Cafeteria.

Grace's POV
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The music class went by just on the edge. It was so overwhelming, goodness. I could feel their stares the whole period. Although they were sitting way behind me but they are eight. EIGHT. And all of them are loud. All talking, I think even the teacher could've comprehended it if she didn't have such weak ears.
But I tried to distract myself by talking to Soobin. The others i.e. Taehyun, Kai and Gyu were also sitting around.

Next, I had psychology in which I could actually focus a little because only Felix and Han were in that class with me provided they were sitting quite far away from me.
Now it's lunch time.

I took my stuff, put them back in my locker and started going to the cafeteria. Hopefully I find Yeonjun there. I don't know how I managed to keep up three periods with them, and I also don't know how long I will be able to. Now it is starting to hit me that they are actually here.

The people I resented the most in my life. The two-faced ones who left me at my lowest, and now that I'm on a high peak they are back. The worst part is they are so oblivious, I'm starting to hate them again. Did I ever even stop?

My mind is reminding me all the memories. I can't even plaster a smile right now. I have low mental energy but I feel like screaming. Screaming out so loud and letting it all out for once. I wish there were no people around me.
I wish I was all alone for once. Everything was going well until they came back...
I sighed, entering the cafeteria.

I don't see anyone I know.
Except one.

She's waving at me right now while I just give her a tired look. If I knew she had the same class I could've just followed her without having to befriend her.

She's running towards me now and I don't have any energy to react.

"Hey Grace!!! I was waiting for you!!!! What took you so long?" Lia linked our arms again. I just shrugged, having no energy at all. Then she just smiled and started dragging me to the food lounge.
We both picked up trays and started serving ourselves with food.
"You know I never had an urge to cling on a new student before." There she starts with the yapping.
"Then why am I an exception? You should be ignoring me too." I said with cold tone.
"I don't know I'm just attracted to you." I gave her a...disgusted look.
"I mean who would save someone from those mean bullies while being new. What if you had gotten caught and punished for violence?" I thought of her point and started wondering too. Getting punished didn't struck my mind once while hitting those girls.
"You don't seem like a bad-girl who likes to get in trouble. You just must be really kind!" She said while giggling.
"And I want a kind and strong friend."
"That's...humanity. That doesn't particularly mean that I might be kind too." I said and rolled my eyes.

"Your act is not working on me." She giggled. God someone take her away from me. I would want to talk but I hate people who starts to yap on the first meet.

I took a table and she sat in front of me. The entrance is visible to my sight. I'll just look for Yeonjun. Where the heck is he? I haven't seen him since morning.
I sighed, took a bite of my sandwich and then instantly choked on it.

When I saw people entering. Stray kids entered and saw me, choking on my food. I turned my face down quickly as Lia passed me water.
"Are you okay? Drink drink."
Okay? I wish.
They all went to the food lounge to get their food. I put down the glass of water and held my forehead for a second, absorbing the tension.
I took a few deep breaths before eating my lunch again while Lia's still happily yapping.
"You know you're already quite famous among the new students." She said while chewing her cheeseburger.