Dear "J" | Sim Jake

Chapter 4

The next morning, I took sluggish footsteps to class, my mind filled with a lot of thoughts that weighed me down. The memory of yesterday's encounter replayed in my head, making it hard to focus on anything else. I pushed open the door to the classroom, hoping to blend into the background as usual.

But as soon as I walked in, my gaze locked with someone else's. Jake. My heart skipped a beat, and a rush of nerves flooded through me. He stood near the back of the room, looking as composed as ever, his expression unreadable. The events of yesterday flashed between us in an instant, but I quickly looked away, my face warming with embarrassment.

I let my eyes wander across the room, desperate for a distraction, and they landed on one of our classmates, Eugene. She was standing next to Jake, engaged in what seemed like a casual conversation. Her cheerful voice and bright smile contrasted sharply with the storm of thoughts in my head.

When she noticed me, she smiled warmly, a simple, friendly gesture that cut through the tension I’d been feeling. I managed to smile back, though it felt a bit forced, and made my way to my desk.

As I sat down, I tried to push Jake out of my mind, but the fleeting eye contact we’d shared lingered in my thoughts. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking—if he even remembered what happened yesterday or if it was just another forgettable moment for him.

But as I unpacked my books and settled into my seat, I reminded myself that I couldn’t dwell on it. There was a whole day ahead, and I needed to focus on that, not on what had already passed.

The teacher entered the room, and the chatter that had filled the classroom fell into a respectful silence. Everyone quickly took their seats, and the lesson began. For the rest of the class, the teacher lectured on various topics, the sound of his voice blending into the background as my mind continued to drift.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the lecture, the teacher looked up from his notes. “So, what have you all thought?” he said, his tone shifting to something more casual. “Who will be our class president and vice president?”

A murmur of whispers swept through the classroom. The topic of class elections always sparked a buzz, as everyone began discussing potential candidates and making their own predictions.

I glanced around, catching snippets of conversation. Some students were already campaigning for their favorites, while others seemed more focused on who would be the least problematic. Eugene, sitting next to me, leaned in slightly, her voice low but enthusiastic.

“Do you have anyone in mind?” she asked with a curious smile.

I shook my head, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden shift in focus. “Not really,” I replied. “I haven’t thought much about it.”

Eugene nodded, her eyes sparkling with interest.

“You know, Jiwon,” she said, her tone casual but earnest, “I think you’d make a great class president.”

Her words hung in the air for a moment before the room fell silent. Every head turned in my direction, and I felt my face flush with heat. Jake, who had been quietly observing, now looked up with a curious expression, adding to the weight of the moment.