Bump, Set, Kick?

Chapter 7

Ryujin's Perspective
5 years ago

"Hey Soomin-unnie, wait up!" 6th grade Ryujin runs over to the older girl.

Soomin turns around and gives a bright smile at the shorter, semi- plump girl. "Oh, hey! Ryujinnie, welcome to middle school."

Ryujin stops in front of Soomin and her guy friend and tries to catch her breath.

"Haha, are you okay Ryujinnie? Do you need water?" Soomin giggles at the tired girl and soothingly pats her back.

Ryujin smiles as she looks up, "it's ok, running has never been my strong suit is all."

"Pshh, this is middle school, kid. If you can't pass P.E, then you're gonna be a loser that everyone is gonna pick on," the guy next to Soomin smirks.

"Hey! Don't say that, Mino (a/n: literally a name I just made up)! Don't listen to him, Ryujinnie. You won't get picked on as long as I'm here!" Soomin says with a finger check mark under her chin.

Soomin then proceeds to playfully shove the boy and hug Ryujin from the side, as if protecting her.

"No one is gonna bully my Ryujinnie!" Soomin finishes.

Ryujin's heart beats continuously at the close proximity. At the time, Ryujin's only worry was to make sure not to fail P.E.

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2 months later (still 5 years ago btw)

"Soomin! Let's go! The party ain't gonna wait for us!"

"Hold on, I'll be right there!" Soomin yells back to her group of friends sitting in their car.

"Where are you going, unnie?" Ryujin asks Soomin with a slightly dejected look.

"Hey, I'm sorry Ryujinnie. But there's this party going on hosted by the 8th graders, and my friends managed to get us in. We can play Mario Kart next weekend!"

"Oh, ok..." Ryujin says quietly as Soomin runs off at the honk of the car.

"Why are you at the fat kid's house anyways?" Ryujin hears one of the boys say as Soomin gets in the car.

The slightly chubby girl walks back to her house, not wanting to hear the response. Once she goes up to her room, Ryujin immediately looks at the mirror.

"Am I actually that fat?" She pinches the skin on her stomach. She then raises both hands and squeezes her cheeks. "Should I start losing weight? But Soomin says my cheeks are adorable!"

"Ryujin, dear. I made your favorite, mocha bread, for you and Soomin," Ryujin's mom says after she knocks on her door.

Ryujin immediately puts her hands down and says "oh, Soomin- unnie just left. She had other plans for today."

"Oh? But aren't Saturdays your designated Mario Kart days with each other?" Ryujin's mom inquires.

"Yeah, but it's ok. She's a 7th grader, which means she needs to hang out with the cool older kids," Ryujin replies.

"Hmm, well I think 6th graders are cool too. They must be so brave, being new to the whole school and everything," her mom says with a smile.

"Mom! Stop teasing!"

"Haha, ok, dear. I guess there's more bread for you then!"

Ryujin's mom leaves the tray of bread on her desk as she takes her leave. Happy at the sight of mocha bread, Ryujin quickly grabs a piece. Just before she takes a big bite of the bread, Ryujin puts it back down.