Chapter 4
I walked into the classroom.
Laughter died instantly.
Not a single voice spoke.
Then I noticed it.
Phones.
Raised. Recording.
My heart sank.
I walked toward my seat
Or what used to be my seat.
The chair was flipped upside down.
My bag lay open on the floor, books scattered everywhere.
On the desk… a piece of paper.
Written in red ink.
*Poor people aren't allowed here.*
My fingers trembled as I picked it up. I quietly gathered my books and fixed my bag.
I stood up and faced them.
"Who the hell wrote that?" someone asked, laughing.
"Probably Eunwoo," another voice joked.
"My poor, poor wet kitten," Hyunjin laughed loudly.
Don't say anything.
Don't react.
If you want to survive this school, stay quiet.
I clenched the strap of my bag so tightly it burned into my palm.
They surrounded me, forming a circle.
Phones pushed close to my face.
"Ohhh… Winter," Lisa mocked. "Why can't you just leave our little baby alone?"
Winter stood up.
The same girl.
She walked toward me slowly, joining the circle.
"This school isn't meant for people like you."
Suddenly
"What the hell are you doing?!"
A voice thundered from the door.
Everyone turned.
He stood there.
Short hair brushing his forehead. Full pink lips. Dark eyes sharp and serious.
Cute but dangerous.
He slid his phone into his pocket and walked toward us.
Who is this now?
Another one of them?
"Get the f*** away from her."
"J-Jimin?" someone whispered.
Phones disappeared instantly.
As he stepped forward, the circle split in two.
He reached for my hand.
His touch was gentle.
"Come," he said.
He pulled me out of them.
Out of the room noise.
Out of the humiliation.
We stopped at a quiet café nearby.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly.
"Y-Yeah," I nodded. "I'm fine."
"Yeah…" he murmured.
He pulled off his jacket, about to place it over me then paused.
Our eyes met.
I took the jacket from his hand.
Without looking at him, I slipped off my wet shirt and wore the designer jacket instead.
He turned away immediately, respecting my space.
"Thank you," I said quietly, walking past him.
He hurried after me.
"Care for a coffee?" he asked, standing there in just his singlet.
I shook my head.
And walked faster.