edge ; knj

xi

eleven

Haeun made her usual pig noses when I entered the debate room the following day. She was sitting in the back with the rest of the varsity girls. "Rematch!" one of them yelled. I ignored them.

I had won the debate yesterday, 2-1; my friend's voted for me, Haeun's friend voted for her. Still, her arguments played over and over inside my head.

1.) Taeran does the majority of the research, writing, prep, making me a talking head
2.) I may be well-known on campus, but that does not equate to being well-liked
3.) I am unethical and a manipulator

And what exactly did she know about my college application?
I wondered where Tae was; I didn't see him in the room. There was a couple things I wanted to clear up with him. I took out my phone and began typing

namjoon: i know you can't talk to me but can you text?
taeran: not sure
namjoon: do you really think you did all the work?
taeran: somewhat
namjoon: we were a team
taeran: we were a team during the debates. i did all the research
namjoon: not all
taeran: most
namjoon: if it bothered you, why didn't you ever say something
taeran: i did
namjoon: never heard it
taeran: exactly
namjoon: can we just talk?
taeran: kisun will leave me if i talk to you
namjoon: one question then
taeran: what?
namjoon: did you put up the flyers?
taeran: fuck
namjoon: did you?

I was startled to find Taeran standing right next to me. I wondered how long he had been standing there.

"You really are a Dinky Dick if you think I'd do that to you," he said. He looked wounded. "Clearly, you don't think much of me. Maybe you never did. Bro, we're over. Have a good life."

I was about to make my way over to him but before I could even make it halfway across the room, there was a crackle over the PA system. Everyone was still as the principal's voice came on. "Attention students, I am pleased to announce that Senior of the Year has been selected." I took a deep breath. "Three committees met in secret, and after much debate, we have come to a decision."

The room fell quiet as everyone glanced at me. I pretended not to see them. Okay, I told myself. This was it. The culmination of my four years at this high school. Win this and prove superior to Jiwon. Win this and make my parents happy.

"The honor of our school's most coveted award goes to. . ."