SAVED

HEARTBREAK WEDNESDAY

The next morning dawned with a chilly nip in the air, hinting at the winter my dad had warned about. I pulled on the new blazer with a sense of determination. It was like wearing a piece of armor to face the dragon.

As I approached the school gates, I spotted Mina, her breath puffing out in little clouds. She grinned when she saw me. "Looking sharp!" she said, her eyes lingering on the blazer.

"Dad bought it for me," I replied, feeling a flicker of warmth.

Mina's eyes grew wide. "It looks great on you," she said with a knowing smile. "And it's perfect for the weather."

The two of us walked into the school, the warmth of the blazer a stark contrast to the coldness that had settled in my chest overnight. I couldn't help but feel like I was walking into a battle I hadn't prepared for, my heart racing with every step.

Mina's eyes searched mine as we made our way to our first class, her curiosity about the letter palpable. "Did you hear anything?" she asked, her voice low.

I shook my head, the weight of my secret heavier than ever. "No, not yet."

Mina's smile faltered, but she nodded. "It's okay. You'll know when the time is right."

But as the day dragged on, the weight of the unspoken words grew heavier. I couldn't focus on my classes, my mind a whirlwind of 'what ifs'. What if she laughed at me? What if she reported me? What if she felt the same way?

Finally, the bell for Miss Kim's class chimed, and I made my way to the room. The room was already half-filled when I arrived, and I took my seat, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Mina slipped in and sat beside me, her eyes searching my face. "How are you holding up?" she whispered.

My cheeks burned. "I don't know," I confessed, my voice barely audible above the rustling of notebooks and shuffling of feet. "I can't stop thinking about it."

Mina gave my arm a comforting squeeze. "It'll be fine," she assured me. "Whatever happens, I'm here for you."

The minutes ticked by, and the class grew restless. Miss Kim was never late. Her punctuality was as much a part of her as her love for poetry. I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for the moment she would walk in and everything would either fall apart or come together.

As the clock inched closer to the end of the period, the whispers grew louder. Students exchange puzzled glances. Was she okay? Did something happen? The anticipation was almost unbearable, like waiting for a storm that never breaks.

Mina leaned in, her voice hushed. "Do you think she found the letter?"

My stomach twisted into a tight knot. "I don't know," I murmured. "But something's up."

The door creaked open, and Miss Kim stepped into the room, her eyes scanning the sea of faces. She looked tired, with dark circles beneath her eyes and her smile forced. My heart sank. Had she read the letter? Was she upset?

The class grew quiet as she took her seat at the front of the room, her usual energy replaced by a solemn stillness. She began the lesson, her voice lacking its usual melody, and I found myself unable to concentrate on the words she spoke. Each word was like a knife, cutting through my facade.

As the class dragged on, I felt like I was watching the world from behind a pane of glass. The other students, their whispers and giggles, all of it was muffled and distant. My thoughts raced, trying to piece together what she might be feeling, what she might think.

Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. The class erupted into the usual cacophony of books slamming shut and chairs scraping against the floor. But Miss Kim's voice cut through the din like a knife. "Jisoo, can you stay behind for a moment?" she called out, her eyes meeting mine with a seriousness that made my stomach flip.

Mina gave me a questioning look, but I could only nod, my throat dry. The room emptied, and the door clicked shut, leaving us in a tense silence. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning my face as she leaned against the desk. "I found a letter in my bag this morning," she began, her voice soft but firm. "It was beautifully written. Did you write it?"

I felt my cheeks flush hot as I nodded. "Yes," I whispered, unable to look at her directly. "I had to tell you."

Miss Kim's gaze was unwavering, a mix of surprise and something I couldn't quite read. She picked up the letter from her desk, her fingers brushing against the paper lightly. "Your feelings are... intense," she said, her voice measured. "I appreciate the sentiment, but you know this isn't appropriate."

My eyes snapped to hers, searching for any hint of reciprocity, but all I found was a gentle sadness. "I know," I whispered, the weight of reality settling on my shoulders. "I just... I needed you to know how much you mean to me."

Miss Kim sighed, the warmth of her breath mixing with the stale classroom air. "Jisoo, you're an amazing student," she said, her voice gentle. "But as your teacher, I have to maintain professional boundaries." She paused, her eyes searching my face. "Do you understand?"

I nodded, feeling the finality of her words like a door closing in my face. "I do," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Miss Kim studied me for a moment, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. "It's important that you know, I care about you too," she continued, her voice a little softer. "But it has to stay that way—as a teacher and student."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, nodding again. "I understand," I murmured, the words feeling like a betrayal to my heart. But I knew she was right.

Miss Kim's eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in her gaze—sympathy, perhaps, or something deeper. But she blinked, and the moment was gone. "I hope you do," she said firmly. "This conversation doesn't change how much I believe in you, or how much I enjoy having you in my class. But it's important for us to maintain our roles."

I nodded again, feeling the finality of her words like a cold hand around my heart. "I won't let it affect my schoolwork," I promised, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Miss Kim gave a small smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Thank you, Jisoo. That means a lot to me." She paused, then added, "And I'm always here to talk, if you need to talk about, anything."

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