...
Minjeong was staring at Jimin, admiring her features. Jimin noticed and glanced at her back, "What? Do you have a crush on me?" She teased. "That's not... Unnie!" Minjeong groans in annoyance. Jimin liked to tease Minjeong for her reactions, her cute reactions. While Minjeong went on explaining that she doesn't like her, Jimin just teased again "Have you fallen in love with me?".
"Unnie!" "I'm just kidding, Minjeongie."
Present
It was Monday all over again. Like the usual, Jimin arrived at school and got the compliments from students. Her latest shooting had blown up. Many came to her with bouquets, chocolates or anything, like it was Valentine's Day. Jimin just accepted the free gifts since she felt guilty for them spending their money on her. Anyhow, as she arrived at her locker... the first thing she sees is a piece of invitation sticking out. She opened her locker and numerous confession letters that fell to the floor. Jimin sighed since she had to clean it up due to it all scattered on the floor. Though, she noticed a name on one of the confession letters, Na Jae-Min. She knew him since elementary school, though they were just friends and nothing more. They'd often be prom king and queen, pressured by other students to date, rumours about them getting married although they're still seventeen.
"Karina-Unnie!" Jimin hears the familiar voice, she turned her attention towards the voice and saw Ningning, Aeri and Yeonjun walking towards her. "Seems like you won't have to worry about marriage anytime soon." Yeonjun joked. Jimin didn't expect Yeonjun to come to her, especially joking with her since the last time they saw each other... Jimin embarrassed him in a football match. "Nice to see you again, Yeonjun." Jimin said with a cold gaze but shifted her direction towards the pile of love letters on the ground. "I really do appreciate the kindness and support from my fans, but it gets really crazy sometimes..." She sighed softly and picked up the letters scattered all over the floor.
"You're definitely not getting married." Yeonjun said playfully again.
"Shut up." Aeri and Jimin spoke in a cold tone towards him.
Though Aeri only did it for fun since Yeonjun and her are childhood friends. They are known for taking care of each other and back up one another.
For Yeonjun and Jimin, they are known for debating with each other. Jimin hated his guts since he likes playing pranks. Unfortunately, he targeted the wrong victim and got made fun of for the whole semester. That was two years ago.
They all walked together down the hallway. Until Ningning felt someone jumping behind her, wrapping their arms around her neck. Of course, the other three looked at who it was and was getting to throw any punches. It was only Yeji. "Yeji-Unnie!" Ningning exclaims and returned the hug. The three of them sighed in relief. "Gosh, Yeji. You almost gave them a heart attack." Ryujin joined in, placing her hand on Jimin's shoulder which made her startled. "Where the fuck did you guys even come from?!" Yeonjun questioned in a weirded out tone. "Calm your balls." Yeji gave a playfully smack on the head on Yeonjun. The Japanese pinched both Yeji and Yeonjun's cheeks, "Stop swearing. It doesn't make you look cool."
"I am cool." Yeonjun tried making a joke but failed miserably, only making Aeri pinching his cheek harder.
Yeji couldn't handle the pain. "I'm not, I'm not!"
Aeri released Yeji but still pinching Yeonjun.
KARINA'S POV
As we all were chatting and walking down the hallway, the bell rings. That's when the chaos starts. Whenever the bell rings... and the halls are crowded, it's a whole apocalypse. "Shit." I said under my breath. One started running, then two, then four, then eight, then all of them. Bumping and getting pushed. This was every nightmare for every student. Even the jocks get pushed to the ground due to the students pushing each other. Oh, lunch is even worse. Let's not talk about that.
Finally, arrived at my homeroom. I sat down at my seat and Aeri sat down beside me. The class starts as usual. It was boring and still early in the morning, I tend to space out.
"Karina-Unnie!" I watched Minjeong would run down the stairs but still holding the railing in case she falls. "Slow down. What's up?" I asked as she wore her winter jacket on and her beanie. "Let's go to the library, I need to buy new books."
"Books? You just got here two days ago. Besides... I'm only buying the list of mom gave me."
Minjeong zipped up her jacket. "Great! Let's go." She grabbed my hand and opened the door. I smiled softly. Though, I felt something much different.
This time,
My heart is racing.
We've held hands before.
Then why am I feeling like this?
I snapped back to reality and noticed the teacher repeating my name multiple times. I looked at Aeri and looked back towards my book, asking her which page. She showed me and I stood up to read. "Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes and considers both macroscopic and microscopic information. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. The five main disciplines of chemistry are physical chemistry, organic chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry." I sat back down.
...
Periods after periods, dramas after dramas. It was finally lunch. The time where we can relax and enjoy our teenage life instead of studying until 8pm. Well, not relaxed yet. Me and my friends are running like we're in a marathon, trying to reach to the first line. Though... We didn't reach in time. There were already more than twenty people in this line which is a pain. We all just went to the vending machine to grab a drink and took a seat. "Ahh... I really hope that the food won't run out, today's menu is delicious." Aeri groaned in annoyance. "I miss eating radish kimchi." Yeonjun joined in. All of my friends are miserable.
Suddenly, someone tapped me on my shoulder. I thought it was just some random fan which I really wasn't in a mood to have a conversation with. I turned my head with furrowed eyebrows and it was
Jaemin. He had a bag which we knew it contained food and signalled us to follow him. Jaemin had always been nice towards everyone, though not many notices that and focuses on his wealth and looks instead. We followed him and arrived at the bleachers, we all sat down and he gave each of us a sandwich that contains in the bag. "You're the best, Jaemin." Yeonjun talked with his mouth full. "Shut up and eat first. you're spitting all over the place." Karina chuckled while giving him a punch on the shoulder, "Ow!" He responds as he laugh. We were all enjoying our time as we chatted.
"You know there has been some rumours about this... new rich girl from Busan. You guys got any info on her? Specifically asking the QOG (Queen Of Gossips)." Jaemin lifted his head up from his sandwich which he was eating. "Ask Karina." I choked on my drink, was i hearing Aeri right? Everyone turned their head towards me except for Aeri and Ningning. "Uh..." I muttered as I looked at Aeri, I wasn't sure what to say.
"Well?" Ryujin asked, she seemed quite interested.
All of them were listening to me.
"She's uh..." I spoke as I glanced away.
"Oh come on. We just want to know who she is."
Jaemin chuckled.
"Well, she's Kim Minjeong."
"Kim Minjeong?!" The three exclaimed as their jaws dropped, though Yeonjun seemed confused.
"You mean THE Kim Minjeong goes to our school?" Yeji asks to get confirmation. Me, Aeri and Ningning nodded.
"What the actual..." Ryujin stopped mid sentence since she was hesitant what Aeri would do to her. I mean the last time she swore, her locker was decorated with unicorns which obviously got her to be the laughingstock for a few days.
Yeonjun still seemed unsurprised. "Who's Kim Minjeong? Is she famous or something?"
We all remained quiet for a moment and laughed at Yeonjun. We thought he was joking.
"Seriously? YOU don't know Kim Minjeong?" Jaemin pointed at Yeonjun. We kept laughing at him.
"Dude, I seriously don't understand what's so funny. Come on." Yeonjun was obviously getting annoyed. Though he got a smack behind his head, it was Hyunjin. Yeji's twin brother.
Hyunjin and Yeonjun had some... rough times back in the days. "Ouch, what the fuck?" Yeonjun rubbed his head but ended up getting another smack from Aeri, "Gosh... can't you just take one day without swearing?"
Hyunjin laughed at Yeonjun. Though, he got a smack on the head aswell from Yeji. I couldn't help but let out a quiet giggle with Ningning.
I continued to answer Yeonjun's question "She's a really talented girl from a wealthy family, though she's from Busan and just moved." I tried to make it short. Yeonjun let out a "Ohhhh" as in a way to show he gets it.
Ryujin pulled out her phone and showed Yeonjun, Minjeong's Instagram with almost a million followers. "She doesn't post often, so it's easy to see her past posts." Ryujin showed Minjeong's first post, it was a picture of a huge library which me and Minjeong used to go when I visited her at Busan. "She's cute." Yeonjun leans closer towards Ryujin's phone as she scrolled down Minjeong's pictures.
I scoffed as I glanced away, "Like she ever wants you.". I had my disgust face on. "Well, at least I got a chance with her. I'm a man of looks you know?" Yeonjun chuckled which made everyone laugh except for me. I wasn't taking his jokes lightly anymore. I was...
Jealous.
I questioned myself multiple times,
These past few years...
Do I have romantic interest for Kim Minjeong?