The Pull || Sullbae

01. New Girl

JYP High.

Bae breathed in the crisp spring air as she stepped through the gates, sunlight glinting off the tall glass windows of the building. New school, same routine. By now, she was used to being the new girl—sometimes more than once a year.

At least it was her senior year. One year. She just had to survive one year here. Easy.

That confidence lasted about three minutes.

The moment she stepped inside, Bae regretted skipping orientation. Instead of blending in, she stood out immediately, pausing in the middle of the hallway with no sense of direction and far too many eyes around her. Students passed by in pristine uniforms, moving with purpose, clearly familiar with every turn and staircase. No one paid her much attention but that somehow made it worse.

Bae had always known her sense of direction was terrible. Still, she hadn’t expected to end up walking in circles.

Eventually, by sheer luck, she found the administration office. She let out a quiet laugh, brushing her short hair back as it clung to her face. After receiving her locker number, schedule, and a handful of pamphlets she knew she wouldn’t read, she hurried back into the halls. Classes would start soon.

She barely made it three steps before colliding with someone.

“Oh—!”

A pair of glasses clattered to the floor. Bae immediately crouched down, picking them up as the other girl stumbled.

“Oh my, are you okay?” Bae asked, offering a hand.

The girl nodded, slightly flustered as she dusted off her uniform before taking her glasses back. When she looked up, Bae noticed her soft, catlike features framed by long black hair that fell all the way to her waist. She seemed kind and approachable enough that Bae spoke without thinking.

“Hi, I’m new here. I’m Bae Jinsol, but everyone just calls me Bae,” she said, holding out her hand.

The girl hesitated for a brief moment before accepting the handshake.
“I’m Jang Kyujin,” she said with a gentle smile.

Bae found herself smiling back.

“Kyujin, I’ll be honest—I’m completely lost.”

Kyujin chuckled. “That’s not a problem. I’ll show you around.”

They walked through the hallways together, Kyujin pointing out classrooms and shortcuts with ease. It turned out they were both seniors and shared several classes. The coincidence felt almost too convenient.

“Oh, your locker’s here,” Kyujin said, stopping near a row of lockers. “Mine’s just over there.”

Bae smiled, relieved. Kyujin already felt like the kind of person who made new places easier.

“Jang Kyujin!”

A voice echoed down the hallway.

Both girls turned. A blonde girl rushed toward them, her expression bordering on panic.

“Lily?” Kyujin asked as she reached them.

Bae watched the interaction curiously.

“Haewon is running for president,” Lily blurted out, barely catching her breath.

Kyujin groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. Bae raised an eyebrow, now officially intrigued.

“Who’s Haewon?” she asked, making her presence known.

Lily turned to her. “And you are…?”

“Oh—she’s Bae,” Kyujin said with a chuckle. “She’s new.”