Both Sides of You

Chapter 4

"Class, remember what I told you last week? It is now time to change your seats!" Mrs. Kwon, their homeroom-slash-Mathematics teacher, announced happily to the class.

The class started chattering loudly, their loud squeals and banter echoed through the entire room. Many of them were discussing with each other, hoping that they would either retain their old seating arrangement or move to a new one with their best friend or eye candy. Before the noise could get any louder and disturb the other classes, Mrs. Kwon calmed everyone down before explaining her marvelous plan.

"This time round, we will be doing something different. Since you guys are always complaining that I am terrible at chosing seats for you all, we are going to draw lots. According to the the table plan shown via the visualizer, you will be in charge of choosing your seating arrangement!" Mrs. Kwon shook the box filled with lots while the class half-groaned and half-cheered.

JaeHee could not care less; all she hoped was that she could get a corner seat. A seat away from attention, just being the wallflower she wanted to.

"But of course, if the arrangement is disruptive to the whole class, I will rearrange that pair. Now, lets get to business!"

There was already a crowd of students pushing and shoving each other, wanting a higher chance of picking the seat they liked. Due to all the commotion, JaeHee ended up being one of the last to draw a lot.

But as if her prayers had been answered, she ended up having a seat at the far left corner of the classroom, away from everyone. Satisfied, she sat down and looked out of the window, not caring who would sit beside her. As long as he or she does not pick on me... Who am I kidding, almost half of this school is against me.

She was in the midst of daydreaming when she heard a chair screeched beside her.

"Hi"

JaeHee turned to the voice, shocked that someone actually talked to her. Her eyes got wider when she realised that it was Park Jimin, one of the popular kids, that spoke to her. There was a small tug on Jimin's lips, seeing her reaction. Cute

Instead of saying anything, JaeHee just gave a slight nod before looking at the window again.

Seeing her curt reaction, Jimin pouted unconsciously before tapping her again.

When she turned to him for the second time, Jimin gave her an eyesmile before saying, "I will be your classmate for the next semester, please take care of me. I hope that we get along well!"

"Same here," Jaehee said distractedly before redirecting her attention to where she was looking at previously.

Little did Jaehee know, Jimin was fanboying internally.

Oh my god! She talked to me—

"Mrs. Kwon, I don't think Jimin should sit beside JaeHee."

Jimin immediately turned towards the voice, eyes narrowing and brows curving into a deep frown.

The one who spoke up was a notorious admirer of Jimin, Song Minah. When she saw Jimin looking towards her direction, she sent a wink to him, thinking that she was helping him out of hell.

Oh god, what did I ever do to you? Stop ruining my happiness.

"And why is that so, Miss Song? I don't see any problem here. Both JaeHee and Jimin are good students who are competent in their work and are completely fine by themselves. But as for you, Miss Song, you pay more attention to yourself first. I don't think you have the means to be caring so much about them when you are already at the lower percentile. If they have any problem, they will come and look for me by themselves with a valid reason."

At what Mrs. Kwon said, Minah's face was entirely red, lowered down in embarrassment. The whole class erupted in laughter.

Yes! Mrs. Kwon, this is why you are my favourite teacher!!

When Jimin turned to look at JaeHee's reaction, a pout decorated his face again as he was disappointed at the lack of reaction from her. Her head was supported by her hand as she looked in front of her, in which a book laid open.

Unknowingly, Jimin adopted the same position; instead, he was staring at her burying in her world. He knew that staring is rude but he could not help but look at her. Maybe, it was the way her brows furrowed up slightly before relaxing when reading different highlights of the book. Or was it the way she pushed up her glasses and tug her hair behind her ears every now and then. Perhaps, it was because of the way she fidgets from time to time— rubbing her fingers against the corner of the page, twirling a few loose strands of hair or biting her lips in concentration.

Was it fascination? Or was it admiration? He could not differentiate anymore.

~~~~~~~

JaeHee's POV

Since young, I am used to being stared at for my whole life. Being one of those 'special' kids, stares are common from a day-to-day basis. Perhaps, it was the reason why I could read people based on their stares.

In a school setting, stares are often of anger, disgust, mockery and hate, especially from my 'oh-so-lovely' classmates.

But when i subtly looked at my seatmate, I was astonished by his stares. His eyes held so much curiosity and even hints of fascination. No one had looked at me that way, as if I was worthy of something.

With those pure, positive emotions swimming in his eyes, I could not bear to ask him to look away. So instead of confronting him about it, I refocused my attention back onto my book, blurring everything around me.

A/N: Finally! After so long, I've finally updated this story!! I am so sorry for the very late update, life has been a bit rough lately 😅 

But nonetheless, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and hopefully, the next won't be long :)