𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣-•-𝔾𝕠 𝕂𝕪𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕁𝕦𝕟

i

The school bus was buzzing with excitement as it rolled down thle road towards the youth centre. The air was filled with a mixture of chatter, laughter and the occasional squeal of delight. Some students leaned over seats to talk to their friends, sharing snacks and jokes, while others were deep in conversation of the fun they would have at the youth centre. A few were sprawled out, attemoting to find some sleep despite the noise, their heads bopping with the bumps in the road.

In the midst of this lively crowd sat Yoon Chaemin, she sat quietly among them her eyes watching the game unfold with a joyful curiosity. Despite her friends encouragement for her to join in, she politely declined, content to just observe.

She noticed Lee Yoon Seo looking at the class president, Kim Jun Hee. She smiled knowing how the girl was head over heals for the class president. Kim So mi, the vice president of the class has had a crush on Jun Hee from last year. She was sneakily clicking his pictures and showing it to her friends asking how can he look so handsome even while sleeping.

A few rows ahead, sat Go Kyung Jun, the school's notorious bully and chaemin's ex. He was leaning against the seat, attempting to catch some sleep, but the noisy game of 'Mafia' was starting to get on his nerves. He shifted in his seat, grumbling under his breath as bursts of laughter and playful accusations interrupted his attempts to sleep. He couldn't help but occasionally glance back at the group, catching a glimpse of Chaemin's smiling face. Even tho he tried to act indifferent, a pang of longing hit him everytime he saw her, reminding of the feelings he still had for her.

"They are so fucking noisy" Kyung Jun said out loud enough for the guy beside him to hear. Shin Seungbin, after hearing this he got up and hit Jin Da Beom and Joowon's back of the head and turned towards Kim Jinha and tild him to make them shut up. "Hey! Shut up Kyung Jun is sleeping" he said, making the whole bus go quiet for a while.

Chaemin watching this couldn't help but blurt out the word 'jerks' making a face. She knows they are known throughout the school for their aggressive behaviour and their desire to dominate others. She has seen how they like to assert their power, often cornering weaker students in the hallways or at the back of the schoolyard. Their approach is always the same: intimidating with harsh words, mocking others’ insecurities, and, sometimes, using physical threats to ensure they get their way.

When the bus finally pulled up to the youth centre, the students eagerly disembarked buzzing with excitement. As everyone began unloading their bags and started to head inside the building, Chaemin noticed Ahn Na Hee struggling with the boxes and when she was about to go help her Jang Hyun Ho, the athlete carried away the boxes from her. There was still a box or two left so she decided to take it inside. Without a second thought she carried those boxes tho it was way heavier than  she expected it to be she still carried it.

Kyung Jun, still feeling grumpy from the bus ride, came outside yawning. While he was stretching his body he turned his head a little to the right and saw Chaemin carrying those heavy boxes, his annoyance turning into concern. He knew how she was — always putting others first, always willing to help out, even if it was more than she could handle. It was one of the  things that used to drive him crazy when they were together. He had always wanted her to take care of herself more, to stop sacrificing her comfort for the sake of others.

Seeing her struggle with the boxes now, his protective instincts flared up. He watched as she juggled the weight of the boxes, her small frame bending slightly over the load. A mixture of frustration and affection washed over him. He couldn't help but feel compelled to do something.

Without thinking too much about it, Kyung Jun stepped forward, his footsteps quickening as he reached her. "Hey" he called out, his voice gruff but with an underlying concern. "Let me take those." Chaemin looked up surprised to see him, "It's okay, I've got this" she replied gently. But the bully was already reaching for the boxes, his strong hands easily taking the weight from her "Don't be stubborn. Can't have u struggling after a long trip."