---
The morning sun broke over the school campus, casting a golden glow across the courtyard as the chatter of students filled the air.
It was exam day, and the tension was palpable. Grade 12 students, like Sophia, were especially on edge, while the younger grades treated the day like an adventure, bustling with nervous energy and stolen moments of laughter.
Sophia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the stack of flashcards Ji-hyun had forced on her the night before. Across the room, Ji-hyun rummaged through her bag, a lollipop hanging lazily from her mouth.
“You ready?” Ji-hyun chirped, her voice muffled by the candy.
Sophia let out a dramatic sigh. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Biology’s first, right?”
Ji-hyun nodded with a grin. “Yup. Dissecting frogs in the lab has prepared you for this moment. All those hours of staring into slimy little eyeballs.”
Sophia shot her a playful glare. “You’re lucky you’re in grade 10. Your exams are child’s play compared to this.”
Ji-hyun laughed, grabbing her blazer from the chair. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t faint when the invigilator walks in.”
Sophia rolled her eyes, stuffing her notes into her bag. “I’ll survive.”
As they made their way to the dining hall for breakfast, Sophia’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled softly at the sight of a message from Rose.
“Good luck, Soph. You’ve got this. Can’t wait for the holidays so we can catch up. Alex says hi, and don’t forget, you’re stronger than all of them combined. Love you, sis.”
Sophia’s heart warmed at the thought of Rose. Her best friend had been her anchor during the darkest times of her life, and though they were miles apart now, their bond remained unbreakable. I’ll get through this, Sophia thought. For both of us.
I thought I won't hear from you Rose
---
The Exam.
The hall buzzed with subdued murmurs as students shuffled to their seats. Sophia found herself seated near the back, the towering windows letting in streams of sunlight that did little to calm her nerves. She tapped her pencil against the desk, her mind racing.
“Psst, nervous?” a voice drawled beside her.
She turned to see Min-jae slouched in the seat next to hers, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. He twirled a pen between his fingers, looking far too relaxed for someone about to take a major exam.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed. “This isn’t your class.”
Min-jae smirked, leaning closer. “Let’s just say I pulled a few strings. Wouldn’t miss the chance to wish my favorite girl good luck.”
Sophia groaned, trying to ignore the way her heart skipped at the proximity. “You’re unbelievable.”
“True,” he whispered, his voice low and teasing. “But I make your day more interesting, don’t I?”
Before Sophia could retort, the invigilator’s voice boomed across the hall, calling for silence. Min-jae straightened with a wink, leaving Sophia fuming.
---
The exam started, and for a while, Sophia managed to focus. But halfway through, the air around her began to shift.
A strange chill crept through the room, and the lights flickered. Sophia glanced around, her pulse quickening. No one else seemed to notice, their heads buried in their papers.
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...
