"Winter."
Jimin called out.
The necklace dangled from his finger.
Her eyes widened.
"My necklace!" she screamed, rushing forward and snatching it from him.
Jimin frowned.
"Doesn't she deserve an apology?" he asked calmly.
Winter ignored him completely. She shoved the necklace into her bag as if nothing had happened.
I bent down to pack my books.
Yoongi quietly helped me, handing them over one by one.
Just then, Mr. Kim entered the class.
The room settled instantly.
Phones disappeared like magic.
"Everyone," he said firmly, "go to the P.E. class."
Chairs scraped the floor as we stood.
"What are we doing there?" I whispered, walking between Yoongi and Jimin.
"Sports, obviously," Jimin said jokingly.
I hit his shoulder lightly.
P.E. CLASS
The P.E. hall was huge.
A wide court stretched before us.
The teacher threw down sportswear.
"Change."
Minutes later, we were all dressed in blue joggers and white T-shirts.
Peeeeeeee!
The whistle echoed.
Everyone ran to line up. No one dared to stroll.
"The game is simple," the teacher announced.
"You get four balls.
Hit your opponent and they're out.
Miss and you're out."
"Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" we chorused.
THE GAME
Teams were chosen by cards.
My heart skipped when I saw my partner.
Yoongi.
Jimin wasn't playing he stood at the side, already cheering.
"Go! Go! Go!" he shouted.
Our opponents were Winter and Eun-woo.
Another team was Lisa and Hyunjin.
The whistle blew.
Balls flew everywhere.
Suddenly
Thud.
A ball hit my stomach.
"Ooooh!" the crowd gasped.
Winter.
She smiled smugly.
Yoongi hadn't been hit once.
Every ball seemed aimed at me.
"Hey!" someone shouted.
"Aim fairly!"
Then suddenly
balls flew toward Yoongi.
His friends joined in, firing shots at him.
"We need a plan," I whispered, gripping the ball.
Winter walked forward confidently.
"Okay," I said softly.
"You attack your enemies. I'll attack mine."
Yoongi nodded.
I stepped forward.
Held my breath.
And threw.
The ball flew straight
Smack.
Right at Winter's face.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, falling back.
Gasps filled the hall.
Another throw.
Lisa out.
Another.
Eun-woo out.
"YEAHHHH!" Jimin screamed, jumping.
The whistle blew.
Game over.
I stood there, breathing hard.
For the first time
I smiled.
AFTER THE GAME
We sat on the floor, drinking water Jimin handed out.
"Nice," he grinned.
"Maybe I'll hire you as my bodyguard."
I laughed.
He was still stupid but comforting.
Winter and her friends had already left.
The hall felt strangely peaceful.
I hadn't felt this happy since I transferred to this school.
I stood up
Suddenly
A cold hand wrapped around my waist.
My breath caught.