“What did you do to get Haechan to notice you?” Wendy asked, picking at her lunch. We sat crammed around a table in the crowded cafeteria.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused. Her question felt accusatory.
“Haechan doesn’t just mess with anyone. He chooses his targets carefully.”
“You must have done something *really* bad to earn his attention,” Joy added, her tone laced with morbid curiosity.
“I didn’t *do* anything,” I defended myself, feeling my cheeks flush. “I don’t even know *who* he is, honestly.” I muttered the last part under my breath.
“Just avoid him,” Yeri warned, her voice low. “You don’t want to become his next victim.”
“No,” I sighed, pushing my untouched food around my tray.
The other girls quickly shifted the conversation, gossiping amongst themselves. I felt like an outsider, a new face in a tight-knit group. They were best friends, and I was just… there.
A wave of loneliness washed over me. I needed to escape, to be physically alone for a moment. It felt absurd, even to myself. *Does that even make sense?*
I didn’t get far before I collided with something hard – someone. The cafeteria’s usual din died instantly, replaced by a suffocating silence. Every eye turned toward us.
“I’m so sorry,” I stammered, refusing to look up.
Slowly, my gaze met Haechan’s. His eyes were furious, blazing with anger. My lunch tray had spilled, splattering him with soggy rice and kimchi. It was an understatement to say he was furious.
“Is this some kind of payback!” He yelled, his voice echoing in the stunned silence. “Do you really think you can challenge me?”
I shuddered, fear tightening my chest. I averted my gaze, bracing for whatever he would do.
“Hyung, calm down,” a softer voice intervened.
“No! This bitch actually thinks she can test me.” Before I could react, Haechan grabbed my arm and shoved me to the ground.
“Come on, Haechan, she’s just a girl,” another boy with dark hair pleaded.
Tears welled in my eyes. I’d never felt so small, so powerless.
The boy who’d helped me up earlier – the one with green hair from this morning – offered a hand.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
“Are you guys her friends or *hers*?” Haechan snarled, turning on the boy.
“You better watch yourself, midget, because after today, I’m going to make your life a living hell.”
The words ripped through me. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down my face, and I bolted, running until I reached the sanctuary of a restroom stall.
I locked myself inside, sobbing until lunch was over. I skipped my fifth class, too overwhelmed to face another lecture. I forced myself to attend my final class, History, arriving minutes late.
“Since this is your first day at this school, I’ll let you off with a warning,” Ms. Kim said sternly. “But don’t be late again.”
“Yes, Ms. Kim,” I mumbled, mortified.
“There’s only one seat left in the back. Please take it.”
I hurried to the back of the room, stopping short when I saw who was sitting next to the empty seat.
“Is there a problem, Y/N?” Ms. Kim asked, her gaze sharp.
It was Haechan.
“No, Ms. Kim,” I responded, forcing a smile and sliding into the seat.
“Well, it seems destiny has a plan for you,” Haechan said, his voice dripping with malice. “Why else would you keep showing up in my path?”
“I’d almost say you have a doomed fate,” he added, his tone unsettling.
I ignored him, staring straight ahead.
“Hey, Y/N, do you like strawberry milk?”
I finally turned, confused. Haechan was holding a carton of strawberry milk, dangling it over my head.
Before I could move, he dumped the cold liquid over my head.
“Ya!” I yelled, the milk soaking my hair.
The class erupted in laughter.
“Lee Haechan!” Ms. Kim roared. “Go to the principal’s office immediately.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged, walking out casually.
I cried again, feeling the cold milk run down my shirt.
“Y/N, you may be excused to wash up,” Ms. Kim said, her voice softening.
I fled the classroom, running to the restroom. I ripped off my uniform shirt and scrubbed at the stain furiously.
When the shirt was damp enough, I sat in a stall and waited for it to dry.
I couldn’t take it. If the first day was this bad, how would I survive the rest of the year? I broke down again, sobbing uncontrollably.
Then, I heard familiar voices enter the restroom.
“Did you hear Haechan’s in the principal’s office because of that bitch?”
It was the girls from lunch. I hadn’t bothered to learn their names, so I mentally labeled them Bitch 1, 2, and 3.
“Poor Haechan.”
“But if Haechan’s in the principal’s office, his older brother might pick him up, right?”
“Omo, you’re right!” The girls giggled.
“Aigoo, his brother is so handsome. I hope he comes to pick up Haechan.”
“I wish he hadn’t graduated. He was the hottest senior when we were freshmen.”
“We should go see if he comes.”
“Hurry, girls, let’s go.”
Their footsteps faded away.
And they had the nerve to call *me* a hoe?
It was only the first day, and I was already getting bullied. How was I going to survive the rest of the year?
“Come on, Y/N, get a hold of yourself,” I muttered, trying to rally my spirits.
“Do you want to spend your senior year in fear, or do you want it to be the best year of your life? If you don’t want to be treated like a little bitch, you can’t keep acting like one.”
I didn’t know what had given me the sudden surge of confidence, but it felt good.
I quickly put my shirt back on and marched toward the principal’s office. I wouldn’t let anyone bully me, not now. Not ever.
“Ya! Lee Haechan!” I yelled at the boy slumped on a bench outside the office.
“What do you want?” He rolled his eyes and stood up.
I grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him close.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Students rushed past us, whispering and staring.
“Look, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but let me tell you, I’m not someone you can mess with. I’ve been nice all day, but I’m over it. People here might be scared of you, but I’m not. Challenge accepted, Lee Haechan. From today forward, I promise to make your life a living hell.”
To my surprise, he didn’t argue. He didn’t even look angry. Instead, his face flushed slightly.
I pulled his shirt collar tighter.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I demanded.
“Well, um…” He cleared his throat, lowering his gaze. “Well, what?”
“Your shirt is completely see-through.”
I followed his gaze and saw the white fabric clinging to my skin.
“You pervert!” I slapped him so hard he fell to the ground.
A murmur of gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.
I crossed my arms over my chest and lowered my head in embarrassment. I wanted to disappear.
“Y/N?……Lee Y/N?” A deep voice called out.
I turned and saw a towering figure standing before me.
“Do I know you?” I asked, confused.
“Is that really you?” The man asked again.
“Yes, it’s me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “And who are you?”
“It’s me…Chanyeol Oppa.”