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Author POV
Iseul walked into her university—a place that never once made her feel invited. The halls buzzed with life, students weaving past each other, laughter echoing off the walls, but to her, it all sounded distant. Like noise underwater. She clutched her books tighter to her chest, head lowered, careful not to meet anyone’s eyes.
She hated crowded places, especially because certain people always lurked nearby—waiting for a new reason to make her life miserable.
Right on cue, a sharp, mocking voice rang out behind her.
“Oh look, it’s our little doll,” Nayeon sneered.
Her perfectly manicured fingers brushed Iseul’s shoulder as she stepped ahead, forcing her to freeze in place like prey caught under a predator’s gaze.
Iseul’s fingers tensed around the worn covers of her books. Don’t react. Don’t give her the satisfaction.
But her body betrayed her—just a slight flinch.
Nayeon. Distant cousin by blood, eternal enemy by choice. Fed lies and poison by her parents since childhood, Nayeon had decided long ago that Iseul’s existence itself was an offense.
Iseul kept her gaze glued to the floor, her heart pounding in humiliation. Why couldn’t she ever say something back? Why was she always this weak?
The sharp click of heels brought Nayeon back into view, flanked by her usual entourage of glittering, cruel girls.
“Why do you always walk like you’re afraid of something?” Nayeon teased, tilting her head with a fake, sugary smile. “Oh wait—don’t tell me you’re scared of your own cousins?”
Iseul stiffened. That hit too close to home.
“Wow,” one of the girls giggled. “That’s kind of pathetic, don’t you think?”
“But you can’t really blame anyone else, right, Iseul?” another one chimed in. “You’re just so… weird. Of course everyone hates you.”
Nayeon gave a dramatic sigh. “Maybe that’s why her cousins don’t like her. They probably just don’t want to catch her loser disease.”
The words didn’t hurt anymore—not really. They were just… heavy. Like layers of wet clothes on a freezing day. And no matter how many times she tried to shake them off, they stuck.
Iseul clenched her fists, nails digging crescents into her palms. Just endure it. Just keep walking.
But before Nayeon could push it further, a sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.
“That’s enough.”
The girls turned. Iseul finally released the breath she’d been holding like a lifeline.
It was Haneul—her only real friend.
Unlike the polished, cruel crowd in front of them, Haneul stood in worn jeans and a hoodie, but confidence hung around her like armor. She crossed her arms, steady and unafraid.
“Relax, we were just joking,” Nayeon drawled, clearly annoyed by the interruption.
“Yeah?” Haneul raised a brow. “Then go joke somewhere else.”
Click. Tongue against teeth. Annoyed eye-roll. “Whatever,” Nayeon huffed, spinning on her heel. “Come on, girls.”
Their laughter faded behind them, but it left an echo in Iseul’s chest.
“You okay?” Haneul asked gently.
Iseul nodded, forcing a tiny smile. “Yeah… I’m used to it.”
And that was the worst part. She shouldn’t have to be used to it.
But what terrified her more than Nayeon and her little pack of snakes…
…was the fact that in just a few hours, she would have to face the people who scared her more than anyone else in this world.
Her uncles.
"Why don't you complain about her to principal. I am.telling you iseul if my father was this rich i would have been bully not getting bullied " Haneul huffed .
"Because I am loser and loser don't bully and why do.you think principal will believe me. I don't have any solid proof and what if my family found out-"
"Iseul..stop!!! Breath! would ya?"
At her shout iseul finally realised she was again blabbering. She took a deep breath her shoulders hunched slightly.
"And why do you think noone would believe you. Your parents specially your father love you so much, he basically raised you like a princess so why you still stuck with those doubts." Haneul scolded but iseul could only look down.
She didn't choose these doubts or insecurities. She has tried many times to talk to her parents about it but her hands would sweat bucket and she would not be able to say a word.
She flinched when Haneul put a hand on her shoulder. " Hey calm down.. i am sorry." Haneul said softly .
"No it's not your fault. It is mine" iseul mumbled despite knowing it was not her fault. But old habits die hard.
"Can we go to class. Its getting hot outside" iseul try to get an excuse but Haneul knew better her social anxiety was kicking again.
While walking back to class her thoughts drifted back to her uncles. She was terrified to say least.
As she entered in class getting on her regular seat. The class buzzing with usual energy. But only haneul was her friend.
"Okay class!"
Her expression turned pale as she didn't dare to look up. The professor Mr Chad . The most dirtiest professor to exist.
His grin widened looking at his favourite toy , iseul. The grey hairs doesn't hide his pervert thought about her. But he was good at manipulation. Whenever any girl becomes his Target he manipulate other students and staff in making them think he is just getting close to her out of kindness.
"Iseul, you should sit infront " his yellow tooth grin make her wanted to cry right now.
"Mr Chad is really kind he always try to her her get into conversation but look she is still trying to ignore him . What a spoilt brat!" One of her classmates taunted when she didn't got up.
"What else do you expect from someone like her who live in luxury of her father. Her mother married a rich man afterall for a reason " teh other classmate said.
She wanted to refute to fight back her hand turning into fist under table. As a tear slip down her eyes.
" enough class!! You all know she is introvert. " professor Chad said as if he is not one of reason why she stay away from everyone. She knew fighting back will only give him more positive points so she got up and moved to front of class.
She looked up her eyes filling with tears as he put his hand on her shoulder for a little too long with a creepy grin. As class started she tried to focus on her study trying to ignore him.
"Iseul meet me in my office after class. I need you to talk to me about your conversation skills. You need to open up to others " professor Chad said smirking fooling others. But iseul knew better what he plans.
As soon as class ended she ran out to parking lot and called her father to pick her up. Her hands shaking badly in fear. She keep looking around afraid if professor saw her by chance.
She wiped the tears that fall down her eyes. Her father would be there soon she can't take risk on him getting suspicious. She imidiatly took out her glasses and put to hide her eyes.
As soon as her father's car pulled up she imidiatly got in breathing in relief. Her father ingrossed in important call give her a smile and head pat as driver pulled up car.
