The soft murmur of students and the rustling of papers filled the air in the school library, a haven of peace amidst the chaos of high school life. Sophia sat at her usual spot by the window, her biology textbook spread open in front of her. The warm afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow on her caramel skin.
Across from her, Ji-hyun scribbled furiously in her notebook, doodling tiny hearts around the name Min-jae Oppa.
“Unnie,” Ji-hyun huffed, tossing her pen down. “How can you focus on animals all the time? Don’t you ever get bored?”
Sophia glanced up with a small smile. “Never. Animals are easier to understand than people.”
Ji-hyun giggled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Well, maybe if you stopped ignoring Min-jae-oppa, you’d understand people better.”
Sophia’s cheeks flushed. “Don’t start with that again. I’m here to study, not to entertain your fantasies.”
“Fantasies?” Ji-hyun gasped dramatically. “Oppa is not a fantasy. He’s real, he’s perfect, and he’s totally into you!”
Sophia rolled her eyes, trying to focus on her textbook, but Ji-hyun’s teasing laughter made it impossible.
---
Later that day, during biology class, Sophia felt an odd sensation—a faint hum at the base of her neck, like a warning.
She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Min-jae, who was sitting at the back of the class. He was watching her, his gaze intense and unsettling.
“Unnie, are you okay?” Ji-hyun whispered, her pencil frozen mid-air.
Sophia nodded quickly, brushing off the unease. “I’m fine. Just tired.”
But she wasn’t fine. There was something about Min-jae that felt… wrong.
---
The school courtyard buzzed with energy as students gathered during lunch.
Sophia and Ji-hyun sat under their favorite tree, sharing a box of tteokbokki.
“Look who it is,” a shrill voice called.
Sophia looked up to see Su-jin, the queen bee of Ji-hyun’s grade, strutting toward them with her posse. Su-jin’s sharp features were twisted into a smug smile.
“Well, if it isn’t the foreigner and her pet,” Su-jin sneered.
“Leave us alone, Su-jin,” Ji-hyun snapped, her small fists clenching.
Su-jin ignored her, focusing on Sophia.
“You don’t belong here. You think just because you’re pretty and mysterious, people like Min-jae-oppa will care about you? You’re nothing but a—”
“Enough,” Sophia said, her voice calm but firm. She stood, her tall frame towering over Su-jin. “You’ve had your fun. Now leave.”
° Min--jae?°
Su-jin faltered for a moment, but her pride wouldn’t let her back down.
“Don’t think this is over,” she spat before storming off.
Ji-hyun grabbed Sophia’s arm, her eyes wide. “Unnie, you were so cool!”
Sophia smiled faintly. “She’ll be back.”
° I've totally changed a lot°
---
That evening, Sophia returned to the library, seeking solace among the books.
YOU ARE READING
SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness reigns, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are shattered by her aunt's cruelty. But when she's drawn into the mysterious world of enigmatic Mr. Lee - a powerful figure rumored to be "more th...
