YeongMi was having an uncharacteristically good day. Bora was nowhere to be seen, and it was sushi day. YeongMi was sure that nothing could ruin it. She had a certain energy to her, not seeming quite so venomous, even towards the people she didn't particularly care about. Teachers were spared of her usual counter-comments, and students were spared of being caught in the crossfire. Yes, today was good. 

Don't speak too soon.

As she walked the halls to get lunch, hand in hand with Namjoon, something caught her eye. A new student? For whatever reason, she just had to take a closer look. Messy blond hair falling in curls just above his shoulders, a lean, toned body clear through his messy uniform. Something was vaguely familiar about him, some foreboding unease unsettled her stomach. Yet she was sure she wouldn't have associated with such a type in quite a long time - and as he turned around - those familiar blue eyes, perpetually glinting in trouble, a lopsided smile, a chipped tooth that was barely noticeable.

~ "Come on Seth, are you scared? I've done it a thousand times!" A younger YeongMi stood in the small crowd of rowdy school kids, standing on the garage of Markus Finn's second home. About a foot away, a large pool stood, neglected by house staff. This was clear, based on the the discoloration of the pool floor and gunk clogging up the filter. A drowned squirrel was floating rather sadly in one corner. Said squirrel was the reason they were daring the most squeamish member of the group to jump in. 

"If you do it, YeongMi will finally kiss you!" The high-pitched voice of Markus' younger brother called out through the window of his room, as he wasn't allowed to hang out with his older brother and his friends. 

YeongMi snorted, throwing a used cigarette in his direction. "How about if he does it, I kick your ass instead of his!" 

A chuckle, and a few more teasing comments, and YeongMi got a sinister smirk, looking to Markus before both of them pushed the much skinnier Seth off the roof. He did a messy back flip before his face smacked into the diving board and went still. A small amount of blood was obvious in the chlorine water, and YeongMi swore before jumping in and pulling the dazed boy out of the pool while someone called 911. Funnily enough, she had actually kissed him after that. ~

  How could she forget? She was the reason it was chipped, after all. The colour drained from her face, body freezing.

Her sudden stop was interrupted by a tug at her hand, still joined with Namjoon's. She smiled, though it was strained, and turned to Namjoon. As he turned, questioning, she spoke hastily. "Can you get our food? I need to check on something, I'll meet you at the table." She pulled her hand free and patted his shoulder, a gentle shove in the direction of the canteen. He seemed confused, but obeyed, and YeongMi crossed her arms around her chest. What was Seth Waters doing here? Last she'd seen him, she was running away in the U.S. while sirens blared in the distance.

The unwelcome boy finished speaking to the administrations office lady, and his eyes caught hers. His lips pulled into the usual mischievous smirk, something that once upon a time had her knees weak. He lifted a hand, fingers curling in a wave, and she frowned, eyes narrowing at him. She couldn't figure out why the hell he was here. He started walking towards her, and she wanted to run, every part of her screamed run, yet she was frozen in place. "Long time no see, Mi," he said, his voice a lot deeper than it once was. It had been years, after all. "Look at you, how is it possible for you to have gotten any sexier?"

"What are you doing here?" She asked, leaning back when he reached out to touch her, her hands balling into fists. This was trouble, and she didn't want trouble this year. She couldn't afford it.

"Come on, Mi? Didn't you miss me?" He crooned, cornering her against the wall. "You know, after abandoning me and literally fleeing the country while I got stuck with the blame. Not cool, but I have a few ideas on how you can make it up to me~"

She simply lifted a knee in threat, and he stopped leaning forward. She was a lot more assertive than she once was. Of course, as there was a time she'd loved him and followed him blindly. That wasn't the case anymore, clearly, and he'd just have to get used to that. "No. Leave me alone. I don't know you," she grumbled, shoving his arm out of the way and stalking off.

She didn't get far before Bora's claws wrapped around her wrist, pulling her around. "Why were you talking to him, freak? Don't you have Namjoon to run along to? Or are you truly so slutty you'll claim multiple guys?"

"Call me 'your mom'."

"Wh - what?" Bora was confused, letting go of YeongMi and stepping back a bit. "What are you on about? Why would I?"

"Because I regret your birth." Brief regret shot through YeongMi, and she was reminded of her own mother's words, but she did her best to swallow it back, reminding herself that she was supposed to be heartless. After all, if Bora was to call her a bitch, it might as well be true.

And it was better this way. This way, nobody would want to get to now YeongMi better, and she wouldn't have to go through another trial of getting close to people and being hurt by it. True, in the most recent case, it had worked out, but that was one good case amongst dozens of ruined dreams. And there was still time for everything to go horribly wrong. The return of Seth was reminding her of exactly that. Toxicity rose up in her, and she walked away without another word. A single look behind showed Bora leaning up to whisper in Seth's ear while his eyes held a steady gaze directly into hers. 

(( a/n
Oh my god its been so long im so sorry but i had a random burst of inspiration and decided to take advantage of it as its the first time since i last updated probably that writers block isnt a plague for me. Lets hope it stays away 😂