innocent love

Begin 1.3

While walking to class, you quietly listen to the loud murmurs of the students in the hallways. Most of them say "he's finally back" and "be careful". Are they talking about the principal? you wonder to yourself.
When you finally reached Room 202, you cocked your head to the side. All of your classmates were outside, peering into classroom through the doorway and windows. You spot Eunwoo biting his nails nervously and walk up to him.

"Is the principal in our classroom?" you questioned. He stopped chewing his fingers and shook his head. "It's Moonbin."

"Whose Moonbin again?"

"Suzy! He's our school bully! You could get hurt!" Eunwoo exclaimed.

"We could all get hurt," Sohyun said bluntly, "but he seems pretty harmless in that position."

"Position?" you ask. You imagined a Chun Li's fighting stance in the game Street Fighter.

"He's sleeping for goodness sake!" she cried out. You peered into the doorway to find the boy named 'Moonbin' resting in his arms on his desk. You couldn't see his face because he was facing the opposite side.

"Is he my deskmate?" you wonder aloud. It's clear to see that he's sitting right next to your table in the back row.

"Well," Eunwoo explained, "your original seat partner wanted to sit closer to his girlfriend. Because Moonbin never shows up, he just replaced his seat with Moonbin's." Eunwoo glared at Rocky who blushed and turned away, rubbing his neck out of embarrassment.

"The safest solution is..." Rocky paused. "... is to just avoid eye contact with him. No interaction means no fight, right?"

A while later, Teacher Um dashed to the classroom only to find all his students outside. He walked into the classroom and quickly walked back out. Moonbin is here? he mouthed toward his wide-eyed students. They nodded their heads and looked back inside. He made hand gestures to follow him inside the class. It felt like Mission Impossible when he tiptoed inside, followed by a long line of 23 frightened students. Why is he scared? you thought, recalling the bold Ms. Eunji from the day before. Once everyone was in their seats, he carefully wrote "QUIET STUDY PERIOD" on the blackboard and the homework below. Half the students stayed in the classroom and the other half, including Eunwoo, exited to hang out at the basketball court. Because you were uninvited to join them, you opened your textbook and went to work.

After 10 minutes or so, Moonbin silently rose from his nap.

Remembering Rocky's advice, you pretended to be engrossed in your math problems. You could sense him staring at you through the corner of your eye so you "casually" used your left arm to shield your eye, resting your left elbow on the desk. Moonbin swatted your hand away.

"Yah! Are you the new student, Suzy?" he asked, poking your arm. A few students turned their heads around to the back of the classroom where the two of you were.

"My name is Suzy."

"I'm Moonbin. Do you know who I am now?" You turned your face toward him and gaped. The boy crying yesterday, you thought, was him?

"You're Moonbin?" You asked out loud. Is he really a mean person?

"No, I'm Suzy." We laughed, waking Teacher Um up from his sleep. "Of course, I'm Moonbin!"

"Woah!" You giggled. "You should smile more. People are going to think you're scary."

"But what if I actually am?" He looked around. "Where did the rest of the class go?"

You pointed to the window on his left. He looked out to the court below and mumbled to himself.

"One day, I will be able to play with them." Moonbin seems so nice and friendly once you get to know him. Why he's called the school bully?

=== EUNWOO'S POINT OF VIEW ===

Although it's only been two days since I first met her, I felt interested in Suzy. I thought, what could go wrong? and *BAM* God sent Moonbin to class. I've already seen what Moonbin could do to someone, the memory still fresh in my mind. I'm not going to let Moonbin hurt another person again.

After playing basketball, I go to press some milk at the vending machine. Suzy must be lonely in the classroom without Rocky and Sohyun. Maybe we could go on dates like they do.
I look at the options. Which one should I buy for Suzy? What if people think I like her? Do I like her? It's only been two days. I'll just say I was considerate. Yeah, considerate. But what does she like?

"Eunwoo hyung!" I whip my head around to find Sanha. Thank the Lord it's Sanha.

"Oh! Sanha! How are you?"

"I'm good. Whatcha doing?"

"I'm buying milk before heading to class. Do you know which one your sister likes?"

Sanha put his hand on his chest and said, "Awww! You're so nice to buy one for her."

I felt my face get a bit hot. "So... which one is it?"

Sanha winked at me. "I think strawberry." I buy a plain one for myself and a strawberry one. Instantly, Sanha snatches Suzy's drink and laughed an evil laugh. (WUAHAHA)

"Yah! Sanha! Give that back!" I try to take it back but he already opened it.

"Suzy likes chocolate milk!" He starts to run away, yelling, "Thanks for the drink, hyung!"

Sanha seems quite smart so maybe Suzy is smart, too. Later, I'll invite her for the study group after school. Maybe she'll be interested in me after a few days studying together. I start smiling at myself once I reach the second floor. But when I reached the doorway, my smile turned into a frown and I stopped walking. Moonbin is making her laugh. They're both smiling at each other. Why is she so happy? Hasn't she heard the rumors? Doesn't she understand how dangerous he is?

"Eunwoo! Are you okay?" asked one of my classmates.
I faced them and nodded. The only thing I was thinking about was Moonbin and Suzy. Will Suzy be alright?