[Sim Himchan]

I don't know what Jake is up to; what's certain is that he's getting weirder ideas than usual. What brought him to such a state of distress is something I have no idea of, especially because he hates the thought of having to share his personal matters with anyone else, especially the vipers at Grand Ridge.

This is why I have to go to work earlier than usual today. He told me just a couple hours ago that he has some unattended business to sort out; he also added that he needs my help for that. But why me? I'm close to him, but this is something only a relative could be trusted on.

I guess he sees me as family. This, of course, doesn't sit well with Kari and the other snakes. They target people, like me and Jake, who refuse to stick to the status quo. If it means granting fair treatment to only a handful of students and using their privilege to get away with everything, though, I don't want to be part of it. Where is integrity?

Anyway, that's not something you sort out in a matter of minutes. One day or another, Kari will have to face her conscience and realize she has to change her ways if she wants to reach stability.

***

I run through Kari's file at Jake's request. He, who has been at Grand Ridge for twelve years as a teacher, thinks that I, a rookie compared to him, can spot her weaknesses better than he could all this time. I can't believe he trusts me over something that big.

The first five pages only consist of her history here. It doesn't seem she's appreciated a lot. Many students over the years slammed her tendency to nitpick if someone pointed out a mistake or she was simply in a bad mood.

"Jake, should I skip to page 6?" I ask.

"Yeah, go ahead. Things get even more interesting by page 8, though," he advises. I'm curious, but I must be careful. If I stumble upon the wrong piece of information or, worse, get caught, I'm grilled.

I read through pages 6 to 7, but only find her learning program. Jake is right. Things get juicy from page 8 and onwards. There's a letter attached on it. I read it, trying hard to keep myself from laughing. "That newbie, Himchan Sim, is hot, I have to admit it. But he runs his mouth a little too much for my liking. I must play hard to get to capture his attention. Hopefully, he'll realize I'm the one who has the upper hand."

I wonder if this is a joke or not. I have to talk to her honestly about it. Maybe it's just the result of a bet she lost, or maybe... No, that's impossible. She can't be attracted by me, not even physically. I've got to test her. I carefully extract the letter from the file, fold it and stuff it in the rear pocket of my jeans.

I'm about to read even more when I hear footsteps. The janitors must be here already. I rush to place Kari's file back to its place and quietly leave the teachers' room with Jake and a good excuse in case anyone asks questions.

***

Classes might be over, but my issues with Kari aren't. We still have a matter to settle. I still have her ridiculous letter, as well as a lot of questions about her date plan. It'd better not be a trick of hers, or things will turn ugly.

Of course, she blocks my way to the exit. I don't think the school is a good place to discuss our troubles. What if nosy students catch us and spread our secrets on social media? To what extent should they be liable for violating our privacy?

This, of course, doesn't seem to be Kari's concern. She grins at me in a scary way, which makes me retreat. She, however, grabs my right arm to stop me. "No running, Himchan. No hiding, either. Remember what we talked Friday night."

Oh, no. That. She hasn't forgotten. Too bad I can't go back in time to reject that absurd offer. I'd rather have her get me dismissed than play Cupid for her.

Since I don't want her to have the upper hand, I extract the letter from my pocket and read it aloud. Kari is bloody furious. She must be realizing that I stole it from her file. It's not like I'm doing much, I'm just giving a dose of her own medicine.

"Himchan! Please stop it!" I ignore her desperate plea and finish reading. Only when I'm done, I hand it to her with a grin.

She sobs. "You... You're a heartless jerk, Sim, you know perfectly!" What does she mean? Is she trying to play with my feelings? It doesn't look like it works—she's ridiculing herself over a stupid piece of paper.

"Me? A jerk? Just because I put you out of your fucking misery. You should thank me on your knees instead."

She tears the letter apart and yells in my face. "Look what you made me do, Sim. Do you want to play? Fine. Let's play. I'm making the rules. I'm leading the game. I'll win. And you, loser, will go back to where you come from. Idiot!" Her words are filled with venomous contempt. She wants to make me believe she isn't as bad as everyone else makes her out to be.

No. She's worse. She's disgusting. She pretended to flirt to me only to see me lash out at her, so that she'd have an excuse to make me look even worse. No. That won't happen. I won't let her reign of terror continue at the expense of students.

I'll get this bitch sacked out, regardless of what it takes.

***

I block Kari on all social media and delete her number. I make sure she won't be able to contact me. If she wants to send me more threats, she'll have to do so face to face, in public. She's a horrible person and everyone knows, yet no-one has ever taken action to stop her.

I receive another call from Dad. He's among the last people I want to talk to right now. He doesn't understand why things between me and that witch are terrible, and it's for the better. I'm sure he and Mom will find ways to make me reason with her. To Hell with that!

"Hi, Dad, what do you want? I want to be alone."

My annoyance doesn't faze him one bit. Instead, he doubles down on his mischievous attitude. "Himchan, have you not slept enough lately?"

I snap at him. "No! And it's your fault, too."

"How is this my fault, son? It's not like I decided to change plans for that freaking exhibition. Anyway, I don't like when you talk like that." For some reason, he also starts to grow annoyed. I don't care. I'm done with always having to be dragged into other people's mess, only to be repaid shit.

"Listen, I-"

"If it's one of your intricate plans, forget it. Ask someone else. I've had enough." I hang up without letting Dad finish. It will be of no use, of course, since he'll bomb me with text messages as a way to make it up, or he'll tell Mom to call me and calm me down.

I turn my phone off. Fuck Dad. And, most importantly, fuck Kari Lane.