Chapter 4

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The next day, Mae's stomach twisted with unease, the previous encounter replaying in her mind like a broken record, her heart quickening with each step. She walked down the hallway, clutching her books, eyes fixed on the ground as she tried, and failed, to push the memory away.

"Mae, wait up!" a familiar voice broke through her thoughts, making her glance up. Minji hurried over, a bright smile on her face as she stopped in front of her.

"Good morning, Mae," she greeted warmly, patting Mae's shoulder.

Mae returned a small smile. "Morning, Minji."

Minji's smile softened as she looked at her. "You look a little off. Are you feeling okay? You're all flushed." Her hand went up to Mae's forehead, checking for a fever.

She gently brushed Minji's hand away, a reassuring smile on her lips. "I'm fine, just a rough night. I didn't get much sleep."

Minji tilted her head, studying Mae before nodding. "If you say so." Looping her arm around Mae's shoulder, she steered her forward. "So, anything interesting happened yesterday?"

Mae shook her head quickly, choosing to keep yesterday's strange encounter to herself. "Not really," she murmured.

Minji shrugged. "Boring, huh? Anyway, what's your first class?"

"History," Mae replied as they rounded a corner.

Just then, Minji's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, letting out a small sigh before silencing it. "Alright, I've got to run. Meet you for lunch?"

"Sure," Mae replied with a nod.

With a quick wave, Minji walked off, already talking into her phone as she disappeared around the corner. Mae watched her go, then headed to her classroom, settling into her seat and waiting for class to start. Soon, students began trickling in, and the lecture got underway.

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Time passed, and Mae was gradually settling into her schedule and lectures. When the bell rang, signaling the end of her fourth class, it was finally time for lunch. Mae packed her bag quietly, her stomach rumbling-a reminder that she hadn't eaten breakfast.

Stepping out of the classroom, she moved slowly, her quiet footsteps blending into the background hum of students chatting around her.

Her heart began to beat faster as she neared the cafeteria. She took a steadying breath, clutching her backpack a little tighter.

Taking another deep breath to calm herself, she stepped inside, scanning the room for Minji. Students glanced at her as she passed, adding to her discomfort.

Not seeing Minji anywhere, Mae quickly ducked out of the cafeteria, her brows knitting together as she pulled out her phone. She typed a quick message to Minji: "Hey, are you around? I'm at the cafeteria."

Finding a quieter spot in the hallway, Mae let out a small sigh, trying to settle her nerves. Her phone buzzed with an instant reply: "Sorry, Mae. Can't make it-I'm out with a friend. Catch you later?"

Mae sighed again, typing a quick "Alright, no worries!" before slipping her phone back into her bag. Glancing around the empty hallway, she took out her lunch, feeling a bit disappointed but relieved to avoid the noisy crowd.

Mae drifted through the hallway, feeling the growing ache in her head as hunger clawed at her. Her body felt heavy, and each step seemed to take a little more out of her.

She scanned the empty corridors, searching for a quiet spot to have her lunch, hoping to ease the gnawing feeling inside. Then, she caught sight of a classroom, one of the only places left that might be empty at this hour, and paused.

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