They're Made of Glass | SEVENTEEN

15 | sorry I love you

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"Don't be afraid." Mingyu's voice echoed off the walls, shattering the silence between us. I glanced up to see the beginnings of a smile pulling at his cheeks. "She can smell fear."

"Do you know what she wants to see me for?" I sighed while completely disregarding his earlier attempt to break the ice. There weren't that many enemies of the Helpful Student's Service Club save for Hansol and Jihoon and even then, it was more of a one-sided thing fueled by Principal Cho's obvious hatred towards Hoshi than actual contempt. But the fact still remained that other than those three people, there was one person that everyone in the club seemed to hate.

And that person was standing right in front of me.

Mingyu's smile smoothed out into a slight frown as his shoulders rose and fell with a simple shrug in response to my earlier question.

Like a balloon pricked by a needle, my attitude seemed to make Mingyu deflate. His shoulders slumped slightly, head hanging low, back slightly bent forward in a way that reminded me of a turtle sinking back into its shell. Biting my lip, I felt a slight tug of regret pull at my heart. It's like he was a totally different guy now. Opening my mouth, the beginnings of an apology had already begun to form when the door to Principal Cho's office swung open. The same smell of lemon-scented floor polish filled my nostrils, making my eyes sting as I stood in the presence of a seemingly calm Principal Cho.

She didn't say a word. Without even a glance of acknowledgement towards Mingyu, she raised one finger to beckon me in then turned and walked back into the depths of her office. I glanced at Mingyu, unsure of whether or not she was motioning to him as well since the woman was way too vague for her own good. He shook his head and gave me an almost sympathetic smile. The message was clear.

You're on your own now.

I swallowed nervously before heading inside the lizard queen's lair. Seated at her desk, she wore an unreadable expression. I felt a chill run down my spine as I closed the door behind me, the sinking feeling of being completely and utterly trapped settling deep in my gut.

"Have a seat, Miss Eunji."

I sat.

"Let's waste no time here and get right to it." She sighed, taking off her eyeglasses and setting them off to the side. "I didn't bring you here to speak about what happened in the halls just now with Miss Hyemi. No, Miss Eunji, you're here today because I thought I made myself very clear when I requested that you stay away from Kwon Soonyoung at the very beginning of your year here." She said.

Of all people to blame this on, she was blaming Hoshi? I almost fell out of my chair in shock. "Pardon?"

"Fighting in the halls, violating school rules, and disrupting the very peace and balance of this school? Why it seems as though that my initial warning fell on deaf ears." She continued, eyes hard and cold. "Eunji, I have been very lenient with you and your reckless behavior these past few months. However, I can no longer overlook these faults of yours. I had hoped that maybe my son would've been able to keep you at bay, but it seems Soonyoung has had too much influence on him and you."

"Have you called Inha."

"Not yet. That depends on how willing you are to cooperate with me." She said. "I have no intention of calling your guardian if you agree help...distance Soonyoung from anyone he may corrupt. He and his sister are the children of a very well respected politician who has made generous donations to our school numerous times. It would come across as an insult if I were to expel his son. That is why I am in need of your assistance. Because I cannot just did this school of Soonyoung's influence, I'll need you to do it for me. For example, anyone in that little club of his are in need of relocation."