𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 - 𝘚. 𝘑𝘢𝘦𝘺𝘶𝘯

Partners and Projects

The announcement was unexpected. Their English teacher had just spent the last ten minutes handing out project assignments, a routine part of the semester Jake hadn't paid much attention to until now. She called out names with little fanfare, pairing students based on "balance," she said—whatever that meant. And just as Jake started to zone out, she spoke again:

"Jake, Ningning, Sunoo and Yeri—you're a group."

The words barely registered at first. It was only when Jake felt Sunoo jab him in the side, grinning like he'd won the lottery, that he realized the significance of the pairing. Yeri, the quiet girl who'd somehow caught his attention the minute he'd seen her playing piano, was now his project partner. He tried to keep his expression neutral, but his stomach twisted with a mix of excitement and dread.

As they gathered in the corner to discuss the project, Sunoo couldn't resist making things interesting. "So, Jake, remember that mysterious 'package girl' you've been talking about?" he whispered, just loud enough for Ningning to hear and Yeri to remain oblivious.

Jake shot him a warning look, muttering, "Knock it off, Sunoo."

Sunoo just shrugged, looking far too pleased with himself. "Sure, sure. Just saying—it must be destiny or something."

Ignoring him, Jake glanced over at Yeri, who was carefully organizing her notebooks. She hadn't said much since they'd been assigned together, and he wondered if she was uncomfortable working with a mostly unfamiliar group. He'd seen her around school before-well he always tried looking for her. She was always tucked quietly at the back of class, with barely anyone calling her name between periods.

Ningning seemed to pick up on it too. "Hey, Yeri," she said with an easy smile, trying to make conversation. "So, do you like group projects? I can be kind of a control freak, just as a warning."

Yeri's lips curved up slightly. "No, it's fine. I'm... used to working alone, honestly. I don't really talk to anyone."

"Oh, I get that," Ningning replied, nodding understandingly. "But you know, it's way more fun when there's someone else to blame when things go wrong." She winked, trying to make Yeri laugh, and Jake noticed the way Yeri's shoulders seemed to relax, just a little.

Jake felt a pang of guilt. She really didn't have many friends here. Not like Sunoo, who seemed to know everyone and somehow got along with them all. Even he, as reserved as he tried to be, wasn't quite as isolated as Yeri. He glanced at her again, wondering how she must feel about all this—especially since she didn't seem to notice the looks Jake kept (not so discreetly) sneaking her way.

When they all decided to meet up at a café to start working, Jake felt his nerves kick up again. It was one thing to sit in a classroom and another to be out together, in a more relaxed setting. But he tried to act normal, brushing off Sunoo's quiet snickers and Ningning's knowing glances, doing his best to ignore the racing thoughts in his head.

"See you guys at the café later," Sunoo said, nudging Jake as they left the room. "Better bring your best game. I hear the mysterious package girl has high standards."

Jake shoved him away, but Sunoo's laughter echoed in his ears.