"Today, I'm going to find out everything about those guys, and then we'll start our mission," Serena said in a firm tone, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she and Anna walked through the crowded hallway.
Anna rolled her eyes. "And what exactly is our mission?" she asked, completely clueless.
"Mission: date the hottest boys in our college since it's our senior year," Serena replied with a shrug, her grin widening.
Anna froze. She turned slightly to face Serena. "I'm not interested in dating anyone, so you can do whatever you want," she said, patting Serena's shoulder before heading to the classroom.
Her mind tangled with thoughts about the previous night's incident—the hymn and how she had wandered toward the forest without even realizing it. Everything felt strange, and the memory left her uneasy. Her head throbbed with pain, and her confusion only deepened.
"Could that hymn connect to the murders happening in town?" Anna wondered. She remembered Ryan telling her about the woman who had died—her child had claimed she'd heard music before her death.
Anna sighed heavily and shook away the troubling thoughts. "I need to focus on studying," she told herself. Just as she entered the classroom, Jimin appeared from the back and tapped her shoulder.
"Someone looks upset," Jimin said as he walked alongside Anna toward their seats.
Anna's face lit up like spring flowers. She felt a spark inside her. Seeing Jimin in the morning made her both excited and nervous. "I'm okay... I'm absolutely fine," she denied, though a part of her wanted to confide in him, hoping he could be someone she could rely on.
Jimin smirked, slipping his hands into his pockets as he stood in front of her. "You're bad at lying. I can tell something's bothering you," he insisted, fully aware that he had upset her the night before.
Despite his ability to read her emotions, Jimin wanted to hear Anna's thoughts. It gave him a sense of satisfaction, knowing his charm was beginning to work on her.
Anna hesitated, her heart pounding loudly. She felt weak under Jimin's gaze. His eyes held a mischievous glint—playful yet intense—and they seemed to see right through her.
Jimin chewed his lower lip, a small habit that made her even more flustered. The heavy silence between them buzzed with unspoken tension. Her hands trembled slightly, and her mind raced, struggling to find the right words. How could she think clearly when he looked at her like that? His presence overwhelmed her, filling her with both excitement and uncertainty.
"It's nothing, I... I promise... I'm okay," she stammered.
Jimin raised his brows, refusing to let it slide. "I'm a great listener," he said, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You can talk to me about anything." With those words, Jimin winked at her and returned to his seat, leaving Anna even more confused.
Anna watched Jimin as he settled into his seat. She wasn't sure if she could trust him, but something about the way he looked at her made her feel like he might actually understand. For now, she kept her thoughts to herself, but Jimin's words lingered in her mind.
\---
After history class, Anna had two separate classes: Shakespeare Studies, and Postcolonial Literature. These were her favorite subjects, as Anna aspired to be a writer. But today, she couldn't concentrate. All she could think about was seeing Jimin in her art class. Anna had never felt this way about anyone before, but Jimin ignited something inside her. For a moment, she wished she could be as bold as her sister.
"What would Serena do in this situation?" she wondered. "Serena would probably try to get closer to the guy she likes, and she'd succeed without a doubt." Anna had always admired her sister. Serena was bold, beautiful, and effortlessly commanded attention.
"If I ever get attention from anyone, it's only from bullies," Anna muttered to herself. She chuckled softly, stuffed her books into her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and headed out of the classroom.
As Anna stepped into the hallway and turned right after passing a few classrooms, she bumped into Jennifer, the popular girl in college and Lucas's girlfriend. Jennifer stood with her arms crossed, a smirk on her face. Her two friends flanked her, grinning as if they were about to enjoy a show.
Jennifer and her friends were the kind of girls who craved attention—so much so that they would go to any lengths to get it. Anna was an easy target for Jennifer, an ordinary girl with no strong social standing.
"Watch where you're going, loser," Jennifer said, her voice sharp and mocking. "Or are you too busy daydreaming about your little crush? Whoever that stupid guy is," she added, cackling as she twirled a strand of her hair and chewed bubble gum.
Anna froze, feeling a wave of disgust. Jennifer reminded her of every stereotypical blonde girl in Disney dramas—wannabe princesses who were too shallow to be relatable. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She tried to step around them, but Jennifer moved to block her path.
"What's the matter? Can't even talk now?" Jennifer sneered. Her friends giggled, clearly enjoying the moment.
Anna clenched her fists. "Yeah, good for you. Laugh with her like she pays your rent," she thought, unable to hide her annoyance.
Anna knew she wasn't confrontational. She had no intention of ending up in the disciplinary office or getting expelled in her final year. So, for the past few months, she had tolerated Jennifer's toxic behavior.
"Leave me alone," Anna said coldly.
Jennifer laughed. "Aw, look at her. So shy, so weak. No wonder no one likes you."
Anna's eyes stung with tears. Anger surged through her, but she refused to let it show. She tried to push past Jennifer again, but Jennifer shoved her back. "Where do you think you're going? We're not done here."
Just then, Jimin appeared, walking toward her from the stairs. "I was waiting for you, Anna. You remember we had to talk," he said.
Anna felt a wave of relief as Jimin approached. His presence instantly shifted the energy in the hallway. Jennifer and her friends froze, their smirks fading as they turned to look at him.
Jimin's calm yet confident demeanor demanded attention. He stopped beside Anna, his oceanic blue eyes locking onto Jennifer's with an intensity that made her take a small step back.
"Is there a problem here?" Jimin asked, his voice steady but carrying a subtle edge. He didn't raise his voice, but the authority in his tone was unmistakable.
Jennifer hesitated, her confidence wavering under his gaze. She glanced at her friends, who suddenly found the floor more interesting than continuing their teasing.
"No problem," Jennifer muttered, her voice losing its earlier sharpness. She crossed her arms tightly, trying to regain some composure. "We were just leaving."
Jimin didn't respond. He tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable, as if daring her to say more. Jennifer huffed, clearly annoyed but unwilling to push further. She shot Anna one last glare before turning on her heel and walking away, her friends trailing behind her like shadows.
Anna let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Her heart still raced, but now it was more from Jimin's sudden appearance than Jennifer's bullying. She looked up at him, her cheeks still flushed. "Thanks," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Jimin shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Don't mention it. People like her thrive on attention. The best thing you can do is not give it to them." He paused, studying her face for a moment. "You okay?"
Anna nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure if she was fine. Relief, gratitude, and something else she couldn't quite name tangled her emotions. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… tired of dealing with her," she said.
Jimin's smile widened slightly. "Well, if she bothers you again, let me know. I've got your back," he said casually, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. His words sent a warmth spreading through Anna's chest.
"Thanks," she said again, this time with a small smile of her own. "I appreciate it."
Jimin nodded, then glanced down the hallway. "Come on, let's get to class. I'll walk with you." He gestured for her to go ahead, and Anna fell into step beside him.
As they walked, she noticed how effortlessly he commanded the space around him. People glanced at him as they passed, some whispering to each other, but Jimin didn't seem to notice—or if he did, he didn't care.
Anna's mind was still spinning, but for the first time that day, she felt a little less alone. Maybe, just maybe, Jimin was someone she could trust after all.