Why She Matters

Secrets and Surprises

Haerin's POV

It's been a week since the school started, and everything seems normal. But I can't deny it anymore. I'm starting to like Ms. Marsh even more each day. The way she teaches, how she acts, even when she's firm, there's something about her that draws me in.

I also wonder what her soft side is like. There's something about the way she carries herself that makes me curious. She's always so composed and strict in class, but I saw glimpses of a different side during that car ride and when we texted last week. It made me wonder if there's more to her than what everyone sees.

It's Sunday today, and I'm getting ready to hang out with Hyein and Minji at the mall. We planned a shopping day, and I figured it's a good distraction from all the thoughts swirling in my head about Ms. Marsh.

As I pull on my jacket and glance at myself in the mirror, I try to shake off the feeling. Today's supposed to be about fun with my friends. No overthinking, just shopping and enjoying the day with Hyein and Minji.

While driving to the mall, I can't stop thinking about Ms. Marsh. Her smile, her presence it's like a constant loop in my mind, making me wonder if I'm losing my focus on everything else.

When I arrived at the mall, I headed straight to the coffee shop and settled in, eagerly awaiting Minji and Hyein. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the chatter of weekend shoppers. As I sipped my coffee, I couldn't help but glance at the door, hoping to spot my friends soon.

A few minutes later, Minji and Hyein arrived at the same time, laughing about something I couldn't catch. They spotted me and waved, their energy immediately lightening the mood. We exchanged quick hellos before setting off into the busy mall. The place was packed with people, but it felt nice to be out with them, the three of us moving in sync as we wandered past stores, chatting about random things.

As we passed by the fragrance shop, the scent of vanilla and florals caught my attention, and I decided to step inside. Minji and Hyein followed me in, both instantly picking up different perfumes to try. I sprayed a few testers onto those little paper strips, but nothing seemed to stick until I found one that was perfect  not too strong, with a subtle, clean finish. It reminded me of something familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. Maybe it was just the calm vibe it gave off, or maybe it was the way it made me think of Ms. Marsh and her understated elegance.

I smiled to myself as I made the purchase, tucking the small bottle into my bag. Hyein teased me, saying I looked too excited over perfume, and I just shrugged, pretending it wasn't a big deal. But in the back of my mind, I knew that scent would remind me of her.

After leaving the fragrance shop, we wandered around a bit more before I decided to stop by a store that sold caps. Yeah, a cap because I had a whole collection of them at home. It was kind of my thing. Minji and Hyein knew this too, and as soon as we walked in, they started picking out different styles and colors for me to try.

I browsed through the shelves, looking for something unique to add to my collection. There were so many choices, from simple black designs to ones with bold logos or patterns. After a bit of searching, I found one that stood out a sleek, navy blue cap with a minimal design. Perfect.

"Another one for the collection, huh?" Minji smirked as I brought it to the register.

"What can I say? I've got a soft spot for them," I replied with a grin, tossing the cap into the shopping bag.

With my new addition in hand, we continued exploring the mall, but my mind couldn't fully let go of the thoughts of Ms. Marsh. It was strange how even something like shopping could remind me of her.