I woke to the jarring blare of my alarm.
“Uhhhhhhhggg!” I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. Today was the day I’d dreaded since summer began: the first day of school. Normally, I’d be excited, but today felt different. It wasn’t just the first day of my senior year; it was my first day at a new school.
For seventeen years, I’d lived a peaceful life in Busan, South Korea. I had friends, a comfortable school presence, and most importantly, Eunji and Hyunjin. They were twins, and our similar appearances often led people to mistake us for triplets. Beyond our looks, our parents were best friends; we’d practically grown up as siblings.
Sadly, my comfortable life had been uprooted. My father’s company had flourished, prompting him to move headquarters to Seoul. My parents moved immediately, and I was allowed to finish the school year in Busan. Eunji and Hyunjin’s parents offered to let me stay until graduation, but my father insisted I move sooner. I’d fought it, but eventually succumbed to his decision.
After what felt like an eternity staring at my ceiling, wishing for a painless disappearance, I finally forced myself out of bed. I applied my usual light makeup and dressed for the day. With every ounce of willpower, I dragged myself downstairs, dreading whatever lay ahead.
I sighed as my driver arrived.
“I’m leaving for school,” I announced, hoping for a response. It was futile, of course. No one in this house ever paid attention to me. Why had I been forced to move here if I was going to be ignored anyway?
The family butler opened the car door for me.
“Have a wonderful first day, Miss Y/N,” he said.
“Thank you, Mr. Park,” I replied, offering a small smile. He was only doing his job, but it was more than nothing.
I texted Eunji and Hyunjin on the way to school.
**Group Chat**
**Me:** Heyyy!!!
**Eunji:** Good morning beautiful ^.^ Are you on your way?
**Me:** Yes, but I’m so nervous ㅠㅠ
**Hyunjin:** Why would you be nervous?! You were basically the Queen of school! Someone as beautiful as you will make friends in no time.
**Me:** UwU
**Me:** Hyunjin, do you really think so ????????
**Hyunjin:** Ofc !!!!! No one is prettier than my sister.
**Eunji:** Do you forget that *I’m* your real sister ._.
**Hyunjin:** .........
**Hyunjin:** Sometimes I forget you even exist.
**Eunji:** ????????????
**Eunji:** Anyways… On the bright side, now that you’re in Seoul, you might find your prince again!!!!!!!!
**Me:** Like that would ever happen. This city is huge. And even if we met, what are the chances we’d recognize each other? I was seven, he was ten when he moved.
**Eunji:** Because you don’t forget your first love just like that!!! I have faith you’ll meet again, fall in love, get married, and let me be the godmother of your children ????
**Hyunjin:** Prince my butt. Y/N doesn’t need a man! She’s a strong, independent woman, okay ????
**Eunji:** Hyunjin, can you please exit the chat now ???? And while you’re at it, go take a walk off a cliff.
**Hyunjin:** Hahaha, so funny!!! You’re a comedian ????????????????????????
**Me:** *Sees the twins arguing again*
**Me:** *Exits Chat*
**Eunji:** Okay, sorry Y/N ????
**Hyunjin:** We won’t argue anymore!!!
**Me:** Ok ???? But I really have to go. I just arrived at school!!
**Hyunjin:** Good luck, sis!!!!!!
**Eunji:** Y/N Fighting ????????
Stepping out of the car, I took in my new school. It was enormous—at least four levels high. I walked towards the entrance, searching for the main office, when I collided with someone.
I tumbled to the ground, landing hard on my rear. My eyes met those of a tan-skinned boy. He knelt beside me, picking up the map I’d dropped. He stared at me with a blank expression.
“You must be new,” he stated, looking at the map.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurted out. “I was looking for the Main Office, and I—”
He extended his hand, and looked back at me.
I grasped his hand as he began to help me up.
“Thank you,” I said, a little too quickly.
Before I could fully stand, he released my hand, sending me tumbling back down.
I watched as he and everyone in the hallway burst into laughter. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“Next time, watch where you’re going,” he sneered, crumpling my map and throwing it at my face before turning away.
Why, you little asshole!
I clenched my fists, suppressing my anger. I couldn’t afford to get in trouble on the first day.
“Don’t pay attention to him,” a voice said. A girl helped me up. “My name is Kim Yeri, but you can call me Yeri.” She smiled brightly.
“I’m Lee Y/N.”
“What a pretty name,” she said, wrapping her arm around mine. “I’ll take you to the main office.”
I nodded, offering a weak smile as she led the way.
“Are you a first year?” she asked, trying to make conversation.
I shook my head. “I’m a senior.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You look too young to be a senior.”
I was amused by her comment. She was tiny herself, but I knew she was also a senior by the textbook she carried.
She must’ve noticed my reaction.
“Yes, I know I’m small too, but you have such an innocent baby face.”
“Thank you… I think,” I giggled awkwardly.
“Um, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” She smiled brightly.
“Who was that boy earlier?”
“Ohh.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s just this school’s most hated person.”
“Hated?” I asked, intrigued.
“Yes… well, even though everyone hates him, he’s also super popular.”
“How does that work?”
“Because of his friends. They’re the school’s most attractive guys, but unlike him, they aren’t total jerks. Honestly, if he didn’t have such a nasty attitude, he wouldn’t be so bad himself.”
“I see…” If he had such a bad personality, how did he have friends and still manage to be so popular?
“But don’t worry about him,” Yeri said, pulling me back to the present. “Just avoid him, and you’ll have no trouble.”
“What happens if I don’t?” I asked curiously.
“He’ll make sure to turn your life into a living hell,” she stated coldly. “Rumor has it a girl from another school once confessed to him, and he pushed her away, telling her he’d never date someone as ugly as her. The girl disappeared, but came back a year later after getting plastic surgery all over her body and face. She confessed again, and he rejected her, laughed at her, and said he found her even *more* repulsive. She disappeared again, but this time she’s plotting her revenge.”
I shuddered. What was in the water here in Seoul? This type of craziness didn’t happen back in Busan.
“Oh, look, we’re here,” Yeri said, holding the door open for me.
“Thank you,” I bowed to her for her kindness.
“No need to thank me. I hope to see you at lunch.” She waved before turning away.