Hate to Love you

Another Year, Same Rivalry? -1

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror one last time, feeling just presentable enough before heading out. "Bye, Mom!" I called over my shoulder, hastily shoving a piece of toast into my mouth and fumbling with my shoes in one hand. I grabbed my lilac-colored bike and sped toward school.

"Hey, Y/N!" a familiar voice called from behind. I turned to see my best friend, Park Soya, running up to me.

"Why are you so late?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

"Late? Seriously? It's only 6:45 a.m., and school doesn't even start until 7:30. We're here before the building's even open," she groaned, clearly unimpressed.

I straightened up, adopting a tone far too serious for such an early hour. "As the school captain, it's my responsibility to ensure the students maintain punctuality and discipline."

So-ya groaned again, stomping her feet like a child throwing a tantrum. "Ugh, not again! I'm so tired. I hate school."

I shot her a knowing look. "It's not the school's fault you stayed up all night reading. Besides, school's great. You get to learn new things every day."

So ya sighed, defeated. "Okay, fine. It's my fault. The book was just too good to put down. But I woke up this early only because *you* insisted. Honestly, I wish we had another week before school started."

The school gates creaked open, and a stream of students filtered in alongside us. So-ya groaned, gesturing toward the empty courtyard. "See? I told you, even the teachers aren't here yet," she complained, her voice dripping with irritation.

I shot her a patient look. "It's the first day of our *last* year. You could at least show up on time for once. You're never going to have another first day of school again." Glancing at my watch, I added, "Now that we've wasted enough time, can we please go to class?" 

 I grabbed So-ya's hand, pulling her along as we headed to class. As we stepped inside, I paused, taking in the space. "Whoa, our new classroom looks bigger than last year's, doesn't it?" I remarked, wandering across the room, my eyes scanning every corner.

"Yeah, but it's still the same old faces," she replied, slumping into the first seat, right next to where I'd dropped my bag. "The same people we've seen year after year."

I shook my head, leaning against a desk. "I think we might have a few new students this year. But there's one person I hope transferred out."

"Jimin, right?" she said, her voice instantly lighting up with excitement. She knew all too well how much I despised him. "Yeah, I really hope he left school. If he's back again, I swear it'll be nothing but a headache," I muttered, already feeling the irritation bubbling up.

"I know, right?" So-ya chimed in, rolling her eyes. "Last year, he even stole food from my lunchbox! Ugh, I hate that guy and his annoying group of friends."

I shook my head, trying to brush off the thought. "Whatever. I need to head to the staffroom and pick up the student name list and our new syllabus."

So-ya groaned dramatically, dragging her feet as she followed me. "Not you going all *head girl* mode again," she complained. "Why do I even hang out with you?" 

After gathering the updated syllabus and a stack of notes, I returned to class with So-ya, my arms weighed down by a heavy bundle of files. As we stepped through the door, we were greeted by the familiar sight of last year's classmates scattered around the room.

"So predictable... it's all the same faces from last year," So-ya groaned, her voice thick with boredom. "Ugh, I seriously have zero motivation to come to school. I mean, I can't even find a decent class crush in this bunch," she added, rolling her eyes in exaggerated annoyance.