Through Heesoo's Eyes

The Invisible Girl

The first day of the new school year at Hanseong Academy dawned crisp and bright, the March sun casting long shadows across the immaculate grounds. Behind a carefully manicured bush, a lone figure crouched, her dark eyes focused intently on the small screen of a well-worn camcorder.

Ban Heesoo adjusted her lens, zooming in on the stream of students flowing through the ornate main gates. Designer bags swung from slender arms, expensive watches glinted in the morning light, and not a hair was out of place on the perfectly coiffed heads of Hanseong's elite.

"Another year in paradise," Heesoo murmured sarcastically to herself, her voice barely audible over the excited chatter of returning students. She panned her camera slowly, capturing the subtle hierarchies already reasserting themselves in the first moments of the new term.

Near the center of the courtyard, a group of five girls stood in a loose circle, their laughter carrying across the quad. Heesoo zoomed in, studying their faces one by one through her viewfinder.

Kim Minji, the undisputed queen of the "populars," tossed her long, perfectly straight hair over one shoulder as she regaled her friends with what was undoubtedly a thrilling tale of her winter exploits. To her right, Hanni Pham nodded along, her eyes never leaving Minji's face – the very picture of a loyal second-in-command.

Heesoo's camera drifted to the others: Danielle Marsh, her bright smile and animated gestures a stark contrast to the cool composure of her friends; Kang Haerin, whose effortlessly chic outfit would no doubt be copied by half the school by week's end; and finally, Lee Hyein, the youngest of the group, practically bouncing with excited energy as she soaked in every word.

"The fab five," Heesoo narrated quietly, her tone a mixture of longing and disdain. "Adored by all, envied by most, and completely untouchable."

A commotion near the gates drew Heesoo's attention. She swung her camera around, zooming out to capture the cause of the disturbance. The crowd of students parted like the Red Sea, making way for the true apex predator of Hanseong Academy's ecosystem.

Jang Yeonjin strode through the gates, her cold beauty radiating an aura of untouchable superiority. At her side, towering over her petite frame, walked Park Jinwoo, captain of the basketball team and Yeonjin's arm candy of choice.

Heesoo zoomed in on Yeonjin's face, capturing the slight curl of her lip as she surveyed her domain. "And here we have Hanseong's very own ice queen," Heesoo whispered. "Ruler of all she surveys, and nightmare fuel for anyone who dares to cross her."

As if sensing the invisible attention, Yeonjin's head turned sharply in Heesoo's direction. For a heart-stopping moment, Heesoo feared she'd been spotted. But Yeonjin's gaze swept past her hiding spot without pausing, and Heesoo let out a shaky breath.

"Close call," she muttered, her heart still racing. "But then again, why would she notice me? Nobody ever does."

The first bell rang, its clear tone cutting through the morning chatter. As students began to file into the imposing main building, Heesoo remained hidden, her camera still rolling.

"Welcome to Hanseong Academy," she narrated, her voice taking on a mock-cheerful tone. "Where the rich get richer, the popular get more followers, and the invisible..." She turned the camera on herself for the first time, her small, heart-shaped face filling the frame. "Well, we just try to survive another year."

With a sigh, Heesoo clicked off her camcorder and emerged from her hiding spot. She slung her worn backpack over one shoulder, the weight of her camera a comforting presence inside. As she merged into the crowd of students, no one spared her a second glance. No one noticed as she was jostled and pushed, struggling to maintain her footing in the rush to get inside.

In a sea of designer labels and carefully curated appearances, Heesoo was a ghost, drifting unnoticed through the halls of Hanseong Academy. But as she clutched her camcorder close, a small, determined smile played at the corners of her mouth.

This year would be different. This year, she would make them see her. One way or another, Heesoo was going to get their attention.