[Han Sara]

The idea of a transfer student joining our school just three months and a half before the dreaded Suneung, the end of cycle exam that can potentially shape our future, doesn't seem to excite many of my classmates. For me, however, it's another story.

Considering that I don't have a lot of friends and boys tend to bypass me completely, Jeong Byeonghee is a breath of fresh air for me. I can't wait to get to know him better. I can't wait for him to ask me about my interests. I have a feeling that the two of us will be friends quite soon.

Anyway, classes go on without anything worth my attention. They're so boring that I could fall asleep. No teacher addresses me at all, no-one calls me out for barely listening. The usual. I just can't wait to go back home.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the last class. However, I can't go back home just yet. A tiring study session awaits me. I hate that. I hate that I'm always breaking my back on books my myself. I hate that barely anyone lends me a hand. I hate that everyone refuses my help.

The only one who stands by me is Saehyeon. Too bad he's busy with the football team. The new tournament will start in a few days and he's expected to restart activities because he has recovered from his knee injury. In other words, I'm on my own.

Well, not really. I can try and convince Byeonghee. As the new student, he needs someone to guide him around—I'm the perfect pick for that purpose, anyway. I don't trust the rest of the class to be welcoming towards him.

Much to my surprise, he approaches me first. He greets me. "Hello, you must be the class president, right?" He can't be more wrong. I'm anything but class president material.

Still, I let out a giggle. "Haha, I'd like to be the class president one day. By the way, I'm Han Sara. Welcome to Duckyoung High School." I extend a hand, which he takes with the utmost grace, much to my surprise. I'm sure he expected a bow instead.

"Jeong Byeonghee. Pleased to meet you."

I burst into nervous laughter before I bow to him. He giggles in turn, confusing me more before he eventually does what I do. As we both return to a straight position, he asks me, "How do you feel here? I mean, you know this school a lot better than I do."

He's right, but that's obvious. It shouldn't have to be stated. Anyway, it's clear he's in dire need of guidance. He thinks I'm the one who can offer it. Who am I to say no to his subtle offer, by the way? I'd be a total fool if I refused to help him.

***

After this impromptu school tour, it's finally time to go home. To say I'm happy to have shown Byeonghee around every single room in the school—yeah, even the Principal's office, which is usually off limits—is an understatement.

He already looks forward to sneaking in the store room during study hours. Considering I've seen him as someone who seems quite demure on the outside, this is a surprise. You can never know people enough to realize what to expect from them.

I take a look at my watch. It's already midnight! I hope to find a spot at the combini before it's too late. I don't think Mom and Dad have left anything over from their dinner. I need to leave school earlier, otherwise I'll have trouble keeping up this routine.

The moment I head to the bus stop, I feel something tapping on my shoulder. Believing it's just caused by the wind, I shrug and ignore it. However, the tapping becomes more and more insistent, to the point that I have to turn.

As much as I wish it were Byeonghee, it isn't him, unfortunately, but Bora. "Hey unnie, what are you up to?"

"This is the question I should ask you! Why are you still here? You're supposed to be at home. It's midnight!" My voice has turned to a shriek, which Bora takes as a sign that she's gonna be in huge trouble unless she gives me a clear explanation.

"Well... I was busy rehearsing for the school play!" Oh, the play. I forgot. I'm so caught up with my own studies—and preparation for the dreaded Suneung—that I have to be reminded that I have a family. For some reason, however, Bora doesn't seem to be bothered by my lack of involvement.

She, instead, turns quickly to a new topic. "On another note, I've heard there's a new student at your class... Please tell me he's handsome, at least." How does she know about Byeonghee? And, most importantly, why does she care? He's off limits for her, anyway.

I lie to her so that she stays quiet. "He's nothing special, actually. It's not like girls will line up for him." Bora lets out a disappointed sigh, after which the conversation slowly dies down. We wait for our bus and return home without saying one more word.

At a certain point, my sister falls asleep, which forces me to tap her shoulder to wake her up. "Our stop is the next one, don't sleep here." I warn her, but she groans because I've just interrupted her drift to Dreamland. I mean, sleeping on the bus isn't comfortable...

***

It's Byeonghee's second day at Duckyoung; however, it already seems like he's been here since the start of high school. For some reason, I already feel comfortable around him. This is not something I can say around most of my other classmates. Many of them think I'm stupid or not interesting enough to be their friend.

One clear example of this is Oh Lira. She's probably the most hateful type I've encountered so far. She never has a good word for anyone who isn't worth of being part of her close knit cycle. She claims "girl power" and finds most boys repugnant. She lives off prejudice and generalization.

She usually stays on her own and, when she associates to anyone else, she does so for ulterior motives. She claims she has friends, but they're actually just minions who follow her with no critical thinking and will be ditched as soon as they're no longer useful to her narration.

As much as I hate talking about Lira, I have to deal with her right now. The moment she sees me with Byeonghee, she seethes. "Already trying to butter up the new guy, Sara. How desperate can you be?" Instead of going on full rage mode with an outburst, she keeps her tone down to a hiss.

This, however, doesn't make her more tolerable. Since I don't want to make a scene in front of Byeonghee, I quietly leave Lira behind, while he follows me soon after. As he catches up to me, he asks, "Is she the cause of your troubles?"

He has perfectly hit the head of the nail. Lira is trouble. I don't want him to be caught in her mess. I just want him to enjoy what's left of this school year and be by his side.