✓ PLOT TWIST | JUNGWON

16 - Unwritten Script

We walk in silence until we reach the school's familiar gates. Students are running from place to place, checking things up one last time before the festival starts. The energy feels almost contagious. The school grounds are transformed for the festival, with colorful banners fluttering in the breeze and food stalls lined up like a miniature street fair. The smell of popcorn and cotton candy fills the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and upbeat music from a nearby stage.

"Man, I can't wait to see your future boyfriend play on stage. I heard him once during the Jeju trip and I have to admit, he's born to be on stage." 

"Sunoo is not my boyfriend," I laugh, shaking my head. 

"Yet," She counters, raising an eyebrow playfully. "But you never know. Today could be the start of something great." I simply shrug at her words, deciding to just let her fantasize about potential scenarios that still feel like a nonexistent future. With everything going on with Jungwon, I don't think a love life is in the cards right now. My emotions are too tangled, my thoughts too scattered. 

However, when I spot Sunoo across the place, my heart tells me I'm just a dumb liar. There he is, surrounded by his friends, laughing and joking, his eyes sparkling with excitement. My stomach does a flip-flop as I take in his appearance. He looks effortlessly cool, his casual outfit somehow making him look even more attractive. I clear my throat and look away, trying to play it cool. But deep down, I know I'm a total mess.

"I have to meet Ms. Choi for the student council thing," I tell Areum who just squints her eyes and nods, making me roll my eyes at her. "Come on, you know I'm taking this seriously."

"Yeah, and it's what's making me wonder, how did Juri, the girl who would never raise her hand in class, suddenly become interested in the student council?" She teases, a playful smirk on her lips. "I mean, it's not a big of a deal, but it's still questionable. You said it's to make Sunoo jealous but he apparently likes you back so there's no reason for that. You never do anything without it benefiting you, so what is that you're getting out of this?" 

"Four hundred million and a bunch of political power," I reply, deadpan while I walk away. "I'm planning on running the world from the student council room."

"You don't just join the student council for a boy!" I hear her say and chuckle, showing her my middle finger. Oh, you do join this student council for a boy, just not the one you think. 

I walk inside the empty corridors, almost feeling like it's summer break already. Not one single student is in sight and the classrooms look like abandoned ghost towns. It's strangely quiet, almost eerie. The only sound is the echo of my footsteps. I find Ms. Choi's office, the door slightly ajar, and I'm about to knock and step inside when Minjoon's voice makes me freeze. "I'd like to apply for the scholarship."

My heart drops to the deepest pit of my stomach and I fear the the worst. §The story I've written is indeed unfolding before my eyes and no matter how much I try to interrupt and make things right, I cannot change the words that are already set in motion. I stand motionless, my breath hitching as I listen to Minjoon's voice from behind the door. The tone is calm and resolute, but the words themselves are like a punch to the gut. This is not the conversation I wanted to overhear. Not now, not ever.

"Oh," I hear Ms. Choi say before she clears her throat. "A scholarship application?"

"Yes," Minjoon replies firmly. "I've looked into the requirements, and I meet all of them. If anyone deserves this scholarship, I believe it's me. It's my third year being the president of the student council."

"Well, you certainly have the grades and extracurriculars to support your application. But I can't help but wonder why. Not to mention that you've been showing interest in other options only the week before. Is there a specific reason behind your decision to apply for this scholarship?"

"I want to..." Minjoon hesitates for a moment and I dread hearing his next words. Please. No. "I want to leave this town and attend a university far away. This scholarship could be my ticket to start fresh somewhere else, away from all the expectations and pressures here. It's not just about the financial aid—it's about a new beginning. I need a change of scenery to truly pursue my goals and to escape some of the constraints that have been holding me back."

"I see," Ms. Choi takes a moment to absorb Minjoon's words. "It sounds like this scholarship represents more than just a financial opportunity for you. It's a chance to redefine your future and explore new possibilities. You've always been interested in art school, and I guess you're right; a change of environment could be exactly what you need to thrive."

My heart sinks as I listen to their conversation. It's like watching a movie where you know the ending, but you can't do anything to change the plot. I turn on my heels and walk away as fast as I can, not trusting myself to speak with Ms. Choi after what I just heard. I need to check something. I need to ask Jungwon if he told Minjoon anything. I need to try and change the future even though I know I can't. I need to—

"Juri?" My name, spoken in a voice I don't recognize, makes me stop in my tracks. I turn around to face whoever called and the sight of Haneul standing across the hallway almost makes me drop my jaw. What is she doing here? And why does she know my name? 

I watch as she walks to me, dressed in jeans and a black top that somehow looks effortlessly stylish on her. "Yes?"

"I'm Haneul. Same year as you," She extends her hand and I hesitantly take it, wondering where this conversation would lead us to. "I heard a lot about you from Jungwon." There it is, the mention of his name, and I feel anxiety tightening in my chest. The cause of Jungwon's impending heartbreak is standing right before me, and I can't do anything to stop it. This time, I'm not the writer. I'm a character, trapped in a plot I can no longer control. "You two are friends?"

I force a smile, but it's thin and fragile. "I guess." But are we really friends? And if not, then what are we? 

"I see," Haneul nods, her expression almost unreadable, but I've written her and I know what she's probably thinking. It's a battle of wits, a silent duel between the author and the character. A duel I'm destined to lose. "You see, I like him. A lot, actually. And I hope you stop seeing him because it makes me uncomfortable."

The words hit me like a cold shower. I feel the blood draining from my face, leaving me pale and exposed. "I'm not sure I get—"

"You like Sunoo, right?" She's still holding my hand, squeezing it ever so slightly as the corners of her lips curve into a smirk. I pull my hand away, feeling the sting of her grip lingering on my skin. Her smirk widens, a hint of something almost predatory in her eyes. "You're so transparent. But here's the thing, you leave Jungwon alone and your sweet little crush won't end up with broken limbs. You know, he's a good guy but he has quite some enemies around. Last time it was a banner accidentally falling off the ladder, but next time, he might end up in an unfortunate accident if someone were to push him too hard."

My stomach twists into knots, a cold sweat breaking out on my skin. It wasn't an accident. Gosh, it wasn't. My mind races, desperate to remember if I've written anything about this but nothing comes to mind. It's not in the story, and yet, it feels like the ink is already dry, the pages already turned.