---
The morning sun streamed through the classroom windows, casting golden streaks over the rows of desks. Sophia sat in her usual spot by the window, her sharp gaze flickering between the teacher and her notebook.
Her flawless posture, sculpted figure, and undeniable beauty often turned heads, but her intimidating aura kept most people at bay.
Meanwhile, Ji-hyun, her bubbly first-year classmate and Mr. Lee’s younger sister, was busy waving at her from the other side of the courtyard.
Despite their age gap, Ji-hyun’s energy had a way of sneaking under Sophia’s cool exterior, often coaxing a smile or laugh out of her.
---
During English class, the teacher announced a group reading assignment. Sophia sighed when her group was revealed—she’d been paired with Min-jae. Once her reading partner and confidant, Min-jae’s recent behavior had turned unsettling.
As they sat across from each other, he slid a copy of the assigned text toward her, his crimson eyes lingering on her face.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
Sophia didn’t look up. “I’ve been busy.”
Min-jae leaned closer, the faint scent of his cologne making her pulse quicken. “We used to talk about books for hours. What happened to us, Sophia?”
She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Maybe you should ask yourself that.”
Min-jae’s lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’ve changed, you know. You’ve become… stronger.”
Sophia returned to her book, her voice calm but firm. “People change, Min-jae. Maybe it’s time you did, too.”
---
During lunch, Sophia sat under a tree in the courtyard, enjoying the crisp air. Ji-hyun bounded over with her lunch tray, plopping down beside her.
“Unnie! You won’t believe what happened in class!” Ji-hyun said, barely pausing for breath.
Sophia smiled. “What now, Ji-hyun?”
Before Ji-hyun could answer, Su-jin and her posse appeared, their snide laughter cutting through the quiet.
“Well, if it isn’t the mysterious beauty,” Su-jin sneered, her arms crossed. “Always too good to sit with the rest of us, huh?”
Sophia looked up, her expression calm but piercing. “If you have something to say, Su-jin, just say it.”
Su-jin hesitated, her bravado faltering under Sophia’s icy gaze.
“Don’t think we don’t see you flaunting yourself around here,” she snapped, though her voice wavered. “Min-jae-oppa doesn’t belong to you.”
Sophia stood slowly, her height and poise making Su-jin shrink back. Her voice was steady, but her words cut like a blade.
“I don’t belong to anyone, and neither does he. If you have a problem, maybe you should look in the mirror instead of pointing fingers.”
The courtyard fell silent, all eyes on Su-jin, who flushed red before scurrying away.
Ji-hyun gawked at Sophia, her eyes wide with admiration.
“Unnie, that was amazing!” she said, practically bouncing in place.
Sophia sighed, sitting back down. “I didn’t want to scare her, but she needed to hear it.”
Ji-hyun grinned. “Well, you definitely won’t have to deal with her for a while. Now, can we finally work on your chopstick skills? I’m embarrassed for you.”
---
Back in their dorm that evening, Ji-hyun dragged Sophia to the common area, armed with bowls of rice and chopsticks.
“Okay, unnie, watch carefully,” Ji-hyun said, demonstrating with exaggerated precision. “Hold it like this. No, no, not like that! You’re stabbing the rice!”
Sophia laughed, her frustration melting under Ji-hyun’s enthusiasm. “I don’t see why I can’t just use a fork.”
Ji-hyun gasped dramatically. “A fork? In Korea? That’s cultural treason, unnie!”
Sophia chuckled, shaking her head. “Fine, fine. Teach me your ways, oh great master of chopsticks.”
---
Nightfall
Later that night, after Ji-hyun had fallen asleep, Sophia sat by the dorm window, lost in thought.
The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, highlighting the delicate curve of her jaw and her striking silhouette.
A sudden knock on the window startled her. She turned to find Lucius leaning casually against the sill, his eyes glinting with mischief.
“You really should lock your windows,” he said, slipping inside with ease.
Sophia crossed her arms, her heart racing. “What are you doing here?”
Lucius smirked, his gaze sweeping over her. “Checking on you. I heard about your little confrontation today.”
“I handled it,” she said, her tone cool.
“Clearly,” he replied, stepping closer. “But you’re drawing too much attention, Sophia. You need to be more careful.”
Her breath hitched as he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch sent a jolt of warmth through her, and she hated how easily he unsettled her.
“Why do you care so much?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lucius’s expression softened, a rare vulnerability flickering in his eyes. “Because I see what you can’t. You’re stronger than you think, Sophia. But strength attracts danger.”
For a moment, the world seemed to still as his hand lingered by her face. Then, just as quickly, he stepped back, his smirk returning.
“Get some rest,” he said, heading for the window. “Tomorrow’s going to be… interesting.”
Before she could respond, he disappeared into the night, leaving her heart racing and her thoughts in turmoil.
---
The Next Morning
Ji-hyun, ever the morning person, shook Sophia awake with a gleeful grin.
“Unnie, wake up! We’re going to be late!”
Sophia groaned but got up, feeling the weight of the day ahead. As they walked to school, Ji-hyun chattered away about a surprise activity planned for their classes.
“Apparently, we’re doing a cooking lesson together,” Ji-hyun said, bouncing on her toes.
“Cooking?” Sophia repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Why do I feel like this is going to be a disaster?”
“Don’t worry, unnie,” Ji-hyun said with a teasing grin. “I’ll make sure you don’t embarrass yourself too much.”
Sophia laughed, swatting her playfully as they entered the school gates, ready to face whatever the day—and Lucius—had in store.
YOU ARE READING
SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness whispers secrets and power knows no bounds, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are crushed by the cruel betrayal of her own blood. Sold into an unforgiving fate, she finds herself in the eni...
