As the familiar melody of my ringtone echoed through the break room, I swiftly reached for my phone, excitement coursing through me. Across from me, Yunjin sat, cradling her favorite cup of coffee in her hands, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Is it Jongyun?" she inquired, her voice laced with anticipation. I could only manage a nod in response, my attention fixated on the message displayed on my screen.

"Songjae? Hello, Songjae? Song! Dude!" Yunjin's voice snapped me out of my reverie as she waved her hand in front of my face, breaking the spell Jongyun's name had cast over me. Blinking, I refocused my gaze on her, her concerned expression drawing me back to reality.

"What's on your mind, man? You seem lost in your thoughts," Yunjin remarked, her brow furrowed in bemusement.

Shaking off the remnants of my distraction, I offered a small smile. "Oh, nothing," I replied, attempting to downplay the intensity of my preoccupation. But even as the words left my lips, Jongyun's image lingered in my mind, his infectious laughter echoing in my ears.

Yunjin let out a sigh, leaning back in her chair. "You're completely whipped, aren't you?" she teased, her tone tinged with amusement.

A soft chuckle escaped me as I ran a hand through my hair, unable to deny her observation. "Well... ever since I realized I liked him, he's been all I can think about," I admitted, the admission accompanied by a sheepish grin.

Yunjin rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, ugh. I've been waiting all my life to see a relationship like this, but when it's your own friends, it's just annoying," she quipped, though there was warmth in her tone.

"Hah... Jongyun," I murmured, the mere mention of his name eliciting a rush of fondness within me.

"Dude, Songjae, you better not get me fired with all this daydreaming," Yunjin warned, though her words held a hint of affectionate exasperation.

Lost in my thoughts once more, I barely registered Yunjin's continued banter as my mind remained ensnared by the memory of Jongyun's smile.

As the day drew to a close, anticipation bubbled within me like a pot nearing its boiling point. I couldn't wait to see Jongyun, to bask in the warmth of his presence and lose myself in his company. Hastily, I retrieved my overcoat and muffler from the coatrack, draping them around me with hurried fingers before snatching up my bag and darting towards the back door of the cafe. Behind me, Yunjin trailed, methodically turning the sign and double-checking the locks as she struggled to keep pace with my frenzied excitement.

My heart pounded with every step as I raced towards the gates of the library, the promise of Jongyun's smile propelling me forward. Yet, as always, fate seemed determined to intercede, and there he was-Sooyeong, a perpetual presence whenever I sought Jongyun's company. Despite the pang of annoyance that flickered within me, I managed to maintain my composure, masking my frustration beneath a veneer of calm as I approached the two figures seated around a small round table.

"Jongyun," I called out, standing behind him, my voice tinged with a mixture of relief and longing. His head turned at the sound, a radiant smile blossoming across his features as he rose to greet me.

"Songjae, you didn't have to come all the way here," he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

"But I missed you," I confessed, my own smile widening at the sight of him.

"I missed you too, silly," he chuckled, his words washing over me like a soothing balm, reaffirming the bond between us.

In that moment, enveloped by Jongyun's easy laughter and genuine affection, I felt a sense of security wash over me, dispelling any lingering doubts or frustrations. Glancing briefly at Sooyeong over Jongyun's shoulder, I offered a polite nod, acknowledging his presence with a curt greeting before turning my attention back to Jongyun.

Jongyun's voice filled the air with a gentle cadence as he launched into a lively monologue, his enthusiasm contagious. He regaled us with tales of his day, his eyes flickering between Yunjin and me, inviting us into his world with each animated gesture. And there was Sooyeong, sitting quietly beside Jongyun, a soft smile gracing his lips as he listened attentively to Jongyun's words.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation but I do acknowledge him for understanding this beautiful human being. That smile on his face, I recognise is all too well. Jongyun had a way of infusing mundane occurrences with a sense of wonder, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. As he recounted the release of the sequel to his favorite book, a spark of excitement danced in his eyes, igniting a similar fervor within me.

"And then," Jongyun continued, his voice rising with excitement, "this lady came in with like fourteen books and said she borrowed them all at the same time. I had to struggle to find the cards, gosh."

I nodded in understanding, empathizing with the chaos of a busy day at work. "You know, I know that customer-heavy feeling too well," Yunjin chimed in, her voice filled with empathy.

But as Jongyun's gaze swept over Sooyeong, who remained silent and detached from our conversation, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. Sooyeong seemed content to linger on the periphery, his presence a mere backdrop to Jongyun's effervescent energy.

However, in a display of his innate kindness, Jongyun suddenly spun around, his eyes alight with mischief as he gestured for Sooyeong to join us. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes about Jongyun's character-the innocent, caring nature that endeared him to all who knew him.

A sudden interruption shattered the tranquility. My phone vibrated insistently in my pocket, breaking the spell of contentment that Jongyun's presence had woven around me. Irritation prickled at my nerves as I fished the device from my jacket, begrudgingly answering the call.

"Hello?" I muttered, my tone laced with annoyance.

"This is Songjae, right?" The voice on the other end was unfamiliar, tinged with a hint of accusation.

"Yeah, it's me. Do I know you?" I responded, my brow furrowing in confusion.

"You forgot me? Wow. That's some audacity right there," the voice retorted, dripping with disdain.

"Excuse me? Who are you?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

The sudden tension drew the attention of Jongyun, Yunjin, and Sooyeong, their curious gazes fixed on me as I engaged in the terse exchange.

"Oh, you will know. I'm coming to your place," the caller declared before abruptly ending the call.

My frustration mounted as I stared at the now-silent screen, the implications of the mysterious call leaving me unsettled. With a frustrated sigh, I shoved the phone back into my pocket, my mind swirling with unanswered questions.

"Who was that?" Jongyun inquired, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow.

I shrugged, unable to offer any explanation. "I don't know. She says she'll be visiting me at home," I replied, my voice tinged with unease.

Without hesitation, Jongyun rose from his seat, determination etched across his features. "Let's go then," he declared, lifting his bag from the chair.

Yunjin bid farewell to Sooyeong, her expression mirroring my own apprehension, before joining us as we made our way out of the building and towards my home.

Stunned disbelief washed over me as I stood frozen in the doorway of my house, my heart pounding in my chest at the sight before me. Kim Sejeong, her face contorted with fury, stood like a tempest on the threshold, her presence casting a pall over the room. Jongyun and Yunjin, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion, hovered behind me.

Name: Kim Sejeong
Age: 20

Major: visual arts
College freshman

ABC University
Skills: body is bodying,
Makeup artist,
Crowd of friends,
Everyone knows her,
Hot girl prowess,
Gym fiend
Labels: beauty queen,
Picasso (by Choi Yunah, best friend),
College standard,
Status: single

"You dare try and mess me up?!" Sejeong's voice reverberated through the streets, each word laced with venom. At this moment I knew this conversation was not be made here, outside my house and so I walked in, the furious Sejeong and two confused souls following me inside.

We were all now standing my bedroom and it didn't take Sejeong a second to launch into a tirade against me.

I remained silent, my eyes locked with hers.

With a sudden, violent motion, Sejeong seized a glass of water from the nearby table, hurling it in my direction with all the force of her anger. The liquid splattered against me, drenching my clothes and sending the glass crashing to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand glittering shards.

"How dare you switch schools like that? I went around like a mad woman trying to find you, Songjae!" Sejeong's accusations flew like arrows, each one finding its mark with painful precision.

"Sejeong, it's not what you think-" I began, attempting to interject, but my words were drowned out by her furious retort.

"Shut up, Songjae. It's never what I think, isn't it?" she spat, her voice dripping with scorn.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice strained as I struggled to contain my rising temper, a desperate plea for understanding.

"Songjae Woo! You are the worst kind of person ever!" Sejeong's voice rose to a crescendo, her accusations ringing in my ears like a damning indictment. "You took away everything from me, you led me on, you made a joke of my feelings, and now you think you can enjoy your life like nothing happened? How dare you think of living a happy life, you bowl of jerk-"

"Hey! That's enough out of you!" Jongyun's voice cut through the tension, a firm rebuke to Sejeong's relentless onslaught.