Love In Convenience

1. First Encounter and Worst Encounter

HANNI'S POV:

The teacher's voice echoed through the classroom, sharp and unrelenting. His words blended into the background as the sound of whispers and muffled laughter filled the air. Students cast sideways glances, pretending to listen while stifling their amusement. My ears burned, but my gaze stayed locked on her—the girl sitting just a few feet away with a smug, triumphant smirk plastered across her face.

My jaw clenched as I struggled to keep my emotions in check. That smirk. It made my blood boil. I slid my tongue across the inside of my cheek in irritation, fighting the overwhelming urge to march over and wipe that look off her face with my fist.

"This was your biggest mistake, Kang Haerin," I muttered under my breath.

EARLIER:3rd Person POV:

The train was packed, bodies pressed together so tightly that breathing itself felt like a chore. Kang Haerin gripped the handrail above her head, her knuckles whitening with the effort of keeping herself steady amidst the jostling crowd. She wasn't used to this chaos. Back in the serene countryside of North Busan, where her home sat nestled in peace, life was never this suffocating.

But peace wasn't an option anymore. ADOR All-Girls High School in Seoul had offered her a scholarship, a lifeline her family desperately needed. She had no choice but to leave behind the quiet simplicity of her village.

Though she'd planned to avoid her aunt's house entirely, circumstances forced her to spend the night there. Her aunt was notorious for her hostility, a woman who made her disdain for guests no secret. But Haerin was looking forward to meeting her cousin Hyein. Unlike her mother, Hyein was a bright, kind girl who never failed to make others laugh.

The train screeched to a stop. Haerin exhaled in relief as she stepped out, but her journey wasn't over yet. Another twenty minutes by bus brought her to the doorstep of her aunt's home. When she finally arrived, a pair of warm arms encircled her in a tight embrace.

"Haerin! You're finally here!" Hyein exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.

Haerin's tense shoulders relaxed as a small smile broke across her face.

Inside the house, the atmosphere shifted. Haerin's aunt sat in the living room, her sharp eyes watching Haerin like a hawk as she chopped vegetables. Her movements were brisk, almost aggressive, and the air was thick with unspoken tension. Haerin sat on the edge of the couch, her bag still clutched tightly in her lap, feeling like an unwelcome guest in her own family's home.

"So," her aunt began, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "how long do you plan on staying? Just tonight, I hope?"

Hyein shot her mother a look, quickly interjecting. "Mom, I think I'll just take Haerin to my room now." She grabbed Haerin's hand, pulling her up the stairs before her mother could say anything else.

But as they reached the top of the stairs, her aunt called out one last jab, her tone still sickly sweet. "Don't unpack too much, dear. You'll be leaving tomorrow, remember?"

Haerin didn't respond, but her stomach churned with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Hyein tightened her grip on Haerin's hand and sighed.

"Don't mind her. She's always like that," Hyein muttered, her voice apologetic.

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The rooftop was her sanctuary, her escape from the monotony of classrooms and lectures. A cool breeze ruffled her hair as she sat cross-legged on the ledge, earbuds plugged in, letting Alaina Castillo's Pocket Locket drown out the world. It was peaceful—until her attention was drawn to a commotion below.