The Nerd (In Progress)

-2-

"Iseul, come down for breakfast Birthday Girl!"

Happy birthday to me.

"Coming!"

Today I will be seventeen at 4:21 pm. I made the extra effort of looking cute for my birthday.

Maybe people will notice me. Maybe Jisung will notice me.

When I go down I see an array of
appetizing breakfast foods and my mouth waters. Pancakes, muffins, orange juice, crispy bacon.

"Mom this looks delicious thank you." I showed a teethy smile.

"Of course my sweetie! Happy seventeen!"

She held her hands together beaming a wide smile and beckoned me to sit down.

"Well, dig in!"

I couldn't help but smile at her excited state.

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"Uhhhg"

I held my belly as I walked to class. I think I ate too much. That's when I felt the trickle. Oh no no no. I better not be late. Thankfully, I brought supplies.

I fixed the situation in the bathroom and stepped out to look in the mirror and found a zit on my face. Damn hormones.

"Not fair.", I whispered.

I hastily smeared concealer on the spot wanting to keep my flawless makeup flawless. Good enough. I smiled to myself in the mirror and went about my going to class.

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Kimchi bowl for lunch. I turn towards Wonyoung wrapping her arms around Jisung's waist and watch her giggle. He flinches away from her slightly which makes me ever so confused.

There's a pang of jealousy in my chest. Stupid me to ever get my hopes up. Wonyoung makes eye contact with me and hops up to peck his lips.

What the hell is wrong with you? Why do you think I care? I make sure she's looking before I rudely laugh at her and go back to eating.

My heart drops as I watch a group of people walk to where I'm sitting, see me and leave. Am I that bad? I stare at my food suddenly not hungry.

Movement in the corner of my eye grabs my attention. Wonyoung. Walking towards me. Go back to your boy. My heart is pounding. Is it
because I laughed at her? Petty little shit.

"Heyyy."

Go fuck yourselfff.

"Hi."

There's a crowd staring. I'm nervous. If there was a Teleport to Anywhere but Here button I'd punch it so hard.

"That's it? Come on cheer up Iseul." She shoots me the fakest smile.

"Umm... Oh why hello Ms. Princess! How has today been treating you?!" I use the meanest, bitchiest high pitch I love you voice I could muster.

A glint of surprise flashes in her eyes. Then she dares to laugh at me.

"Aww I've been great! Up until I talked to you. Thanks for asking!"

I break out in a nervous sweat.

"No problem!"

I subconsciously wipe the sweat off my cheek.

"Well I just wanted to say happy birthday to-" I look down at the note in my lunchbox my mom wrote for me. 'Happy birthday to my big girl!'.

"-wait, oh my god, is that a zit!"