"She's it."
What? What's that? I noticed some girls who were sitting at the back of the room get up and move towards me.
They came closer and closer. "Wha-what are you doing? Stop this immediately!"
The girls laughed in an exaggerated manner. Fear paralysed me. My legs started to shake. The gang advanced upon me. I waited for the impact of a punch or a kick.
Closing my eyes, I turned my head away from them.
Suddenly, I felt a body stand in front of me. I opened my eyes. Standing in front of me was a tall boy.
"Jaz, stop it. This is childish." he said. His voice was really deep. I stared up at the guy in awe.
"Why are you taking her side? You never get involved in this kind of stuff." Jaz whinged in a high pitched voice.
"Well im interfering today so just stop it." he firmly replied.
She folded her arms and stomped her foot in anger. Piercing me with her deathly glare, she gestured to her gang of girls to leave me alone.
Relief surged through me. I stared at my savior with respect.
He started to walk away. I watched his backside.
Clearing my head, I took a breath and smiled at Jaz. "See you in class!" I started to turn away when she gripped my arm and pulled me towards her. "This isn't over yet, Hyejung. I'm warning you."
Shrugging my shoulders, I grabbed Jini's hand and walked away.
The cafeteria was silent no more. Explosions of conversations sounded out. Frustrated, Jaz sat down at her table, watching me walk away.
"I'll be back soon. I just need to do something." I assured Jini. "Don't worry, we're in a classroom. They can't harm you here." Jini smiled weakly and nodded her head.
Chasing after my hero, I reached out to grab his hand. He moved it away, causing me to lose balance.
I tripped and landed in his arms. Heat burned up my cheeks. I looked down at the ground in shame.
"Thanks for before. If it wasn't for you, I wouldv'e been beaten into pulp." I smiled sweetly, still staring at the floor.
I didn't dare look at him. I was afraid that he would be the most handsome person, and I would fall in love with him. I stifled a grin at this thought.
"Hyejung..." he sighed. "Do you not remember me?"
That voice...
"Hyejung! Come here!" he called to me, opening his arms wide. "Give me a cuddle hm?" he blinked his eyes multiple times in attempt to be cute.
I laughed and pinched his cheeks. Pulling me forward, I landed on top of him. Giggling, I struggled to get off him but he already had his arms wrapped around me.
"Let me go!" I hit his shoulder lightly.
"No! Let's lie like this for a while." he closed his eyes.
Sighing with content, I rested my body on his, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. That night we fell asleep like that.
"Taehyung?!" I gasped and looked directly at him. "It's you?!"
My heart started to flutter as I faced my first love. He looked the same...not really...he became more handsome...and taller.
He stretched his mouth into a smile. "How have you been?" he asked with a hint of sadness.
"Missing you everyday..." I murmered softly, unable to meet his eyes.
"You haven't changed much have you?" he smiled.
"Yeah...you too."
Butterflies zoomed around in my stomach. "Did you help me just then coz you recognised me?" I asked.
"Yeah...I couldn't believe my eyes."
"Who wouldv'e known...we meet again. I thought we wouldn't ever be able to mee-"
"What are you two doing?" An annoying voice rang out in the corridor. "Are you flirting with my boyfriend? Do you want to die?!" she shrieked, rushing towards Taehyung to clutch at his arm.
Taehyung shifted uncomfortably, biting on his lip lightly. "Nothing was happening....babe...." he said the last word in an awkward tone.
"Let's go babe. Leave this loser alone." she babbled on, not noticing the strange atmosphere. I held in a laugh.
Taehyung obviously had no interest in her. But why is he acting like he does?
I headed back to the classroom. Jaz was already seated on the seat behind me. Glaring up at me as I passed, I flashed her a big smile. She hissed angrily.
Looking around the classroom, I spotted Taehyung in the far corner of the room. He was already staring at me. Lifting an arm up, he waved slightly.
"Yah! Han Jini! Why are you so annoying?" Jaz pushed Jini's head forward. Angry at her actions, I grasped her wrist, forcing her to stop the abuse. "Stop it." I said with gritted teeth.
Laughing, she shook her hand out of my grip and stood up slowly. Leaning forward, she placed her mouth next to my ear. "You better not mess with man. I saw you flirting with him. I'll tortue your friend each time you flirt."
With that, she blew at my ear and smiled successfully. She slumped back into her seat, twirling strands of hair on her finger, tangling it in her hoop earrings.
I put my arms around Jini. She was shaking in fear. "Why do you live in fear? Stand up to them." I whispered to her. She shook her head. "I deserve this."
Anger boiled up inside of me. "No you don't. What did you do that made you worthy of this shit?"
She remained silent. "I'll tell you one day." she said firmly, tightening her lips. I sighed and made a mental note that I would ask her later on.
For the rest of the lesson, Jaz kept tapping my shoulder and annoying me. Jini sat frozen as she came closer.
Finally, I couldn't stand it no longer. "What do you want?" I said out loud, ensuring my voice was strong. She stared back at me, batting her eyelashes until it was almost a blur of black.
I could see her brain working fast. She probably couldn't come up with a solution of avoiding getting in trouble.
"Jasmine Yi, go stand at the door and lift your arms up." the teacher demanded.
Getting up to receive her punishment at the door, she kicked my desk table hard.
"I hate you."
