Fighter || Lookism x Reader

10

A couple of days had passed since you returned home, and today was your first day back at school. As the familiar brick building came into view, a knot of anxiety tightened in your stomach. School wasn't exactly the place you'd been itching to return to.

"(Y/N)?" a voice called from behind, breaking your thoughts. You turned to see Daniel jogging up to you, his usual bright smile plastered across his face.

"Hey, Daniel!" you greeted back, hoping your nerves weren't too obvious.

"Where have you been?" he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

"Uh, family stuff," you said, trying to sound casual. "My parents just left to visit my grandmother. She's been feeling a bit under the weather." That last part was true, at least. Your parents had rushed off after hearing the news.

"Oh, I hope she gets better soon," Daniel said kindly. You mumbled a quick thanks as you walked into the classroom together.

Taking your seat next to Zack, you braced yourself. He didn't even look your way. Ah, the silent treatment. You'd kind of been expecting it after ignoring him for almost two weeks. Still, it stung a little. You turned to make small talk with Zoe and Mira, repeating the same half-baked excuse you'd given Daniel.

Zack kept his gaze fixed on the front of the room, his jaw clenched tight. But from the corner of his eye, he stole a glance your way. He couldn't help it—he'd been thinking about you ever since you disappeared. He told himself it was just concern for a friend, but there was something more. Every time he looked at you, there was this tension in his chest, this strange pull he couldn't explain.

He shook it off as Namsoo stumbled into the classroom, looking like he'd lost a fight with a moving truck. His face was a mess of bruises, and the entire class stared at him, jaws practically on the floor. He shuffled over to Zack, eyes glued to the ground.

"They stole the money," Namsoo mumbled.

Zack's face hardened with disbelief. "All of it?" he asked.

Namsoo just nodded, looking like a kicked puppy. Zack sighed, feeling the weight of leadership pressing down on him. He was about to snap, but something stopped him.

"You must've been scared," Zack muttered, his voice unusually soft.

You blinked, confused by his sudden burst of kindness. This wasn't the Zack you were used to. "Should've gone myself," Zack added, scratching his head. You couldn't help but smile a little.

Yui, eager for attention, swooped in like a hawk on its prey. "Zack, what's going on?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

Zack forced a smile at her. "Oh, Yui. Hi."

You rolled your eyes as Yui glanced your way. "I kept Zack company while you were gone. Hope you don't mind," she said, clearly fishing for drama.

You chuckled. "I really don't," you replied with a grin, watching her expression falter.

Zack heard your laugh and, for a moment, something twisted in his chest. It wasn't the same annoyance he usually felt when Yui pulled this stuff. It was... different. He didn't know why, but seeing you laugh at the failed attempt Yui made to make you feel jealous, he hated it.

Class continued, but Zack couldn't focus. Every now and then, he snuck glances at you. He told himself he was just making sure you were okay after being gone so long, but that wasn't the full story. There was a strange, restless feeling gnawing at him. He pushed it down, trying to focus on the mess with Namsoo and Yui's overly complicated scam recovery plan, but it lingered.

By the end of classes, Zack and his friends headed out, leaving you behind with Mira. "Hey (Y/N), want to come with me to Gian Station? There's a bookstore I've been meaning to check out," Mira asked averting eye contact.