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IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TEST, and y/n was a whirlwind of nerves, endlessly pacing around her room. She had just finished a comforting meal prepared by her mother, but even that hadn't settled her. Her mind was racing, tangled up in worries—not just about the test, but about everything else too, including Kwon. Their argument had left a lingering tension, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she might have pushed him away for good. Part of her wanted to chalk it up to his attitude, to forget about tutoring him and focus on someone who might actually appreciate her help.

But another part... well, that part wasn't just about the extra credits.

She didn't want to admit it, even to herself, but her reasons for reaching out to him again and again went deeper than any academic obligation. Her thoughts felt too messy, too confusing to sort out alone. So here she was, facetiming Aisha, revising notes and talking about their days.  Once she felt somewhat confident, she settled onto her bed, finally willing to confess her true worries, hoping that her friend's perspective might bring some clarity.

Y/n chuckled, though it was half-hearted as Aisha teased her about overstressing about the test. "You know me too well." She lay back against her pillow, letting out a sigh. "I've gone over the material like a hundred times, but my brain just keeps going in circles. And then there's... other stuff."

Aisha's eyebrow shot up. "Other stuff? Like what?"

Y/n hesitated, then sighed. "Remember Kelly? The girl who seemed like she was about to be your next bully, so you struck first and befriended her instead..."

"Yeah, Kels. What about her?" The girl tilted her head, waiting for her friend to continue.

"Well, something similar happened between me and uh, Yoo-mi." She mumbled, not sure how to explain the situation exactly.

Aisha's expression turned serious, nodding. "Yeah, I remember Yoo-mi. You mentioned her last year like she was your in-school bestie or something. So, what happened?"

Y/n took a deep breath. "I thought we were friends. I told her all about my life, even the stuff back in Encino. She seemed interested in everything—where I'd been, who I knew. But it turned out, she just wanted gossip. I finally figured out what kind of person she was when she started spreading rumors about this girl in our class who got pregnant..."

Aisha's eyes widened, listening intently as her friend continued.

t/w: mentions of teen pr3gn4ncy, 1nc3st, harmful rumors, extreme bully1ng.

"It was awful. This girl—her name was Sun-hee—she was already going through so much." Her voice wavered a little. "Her clothes started getting baggier, and she was really quiet, kept to herself. People noticed she was seeing the school nurse a lot, and Yoo-mi decided to stick her nose in. She found out somehow, and instead of keeping it to herself, she spread the cruelest rumors you could imagine." y/n pinched her nose bridge. "She told everyone it was incest, that her father or brother was involved." her voice shook with anger. "It was like watching a horror movie unfold. Sun-hee couldn't even show her face around school after that. Some people said she'd moved to live with her grandmother to raise the child. Others said she'd... you know."

end of t/w...

Aisha's face darkened, and her voice came out cold. "That bitch is literal poison, y/n! And you were friends with her?"

"Not anymore," y/n replied firmly. "I was still new when all this happened. Like less than a month." She clarified. "When I found out what she was doing, I confronted her. I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. I told her off, and that was it. She turned on me after that—spreading rumors, bullying, all of it. I thought I could handle it, you know? West Valley taught me to keep my head down and stay strong. But... it's been worse lately. It's not just words anymore."

Aisha clenched her jaw. "y/n/n, you don't have to put up with that. Bullying is one thing, but if she's getting physical... I don't want to scare you, but once that line is crossed, there's no telling how far it'll go."

The girl nodded, but her face was resolute. "I know, Aish. But I left all that behind. I can't afford to fight back. I can't risk getting in trouble again."

Aisha's face softened, though her expression still held concern. "I get it. But just... be careful, okay? Try reporting her if you don't want to retaliate, but I think we both know how well that goes..." She sighed. "If it gets any worse, I will actually hop on a plane and give that Yoo-mi girl a wedgie she'll never forget."

Y/n laughed, remembering their freshman year. "You'd really fly to all the way to Seoul just to pull a Yasmin?"

"In a heartbeat," Aisha replied with a grin. "Anything for you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Aisha gently added, "And y/n... don't let this stuff get under your skin. You're not alone. And if you ever need someone to remind you of that, just call me."

"I love you." y/n pouted, genuinely touched. 

"I know."

They shared a few more laughs, and Aisha squeezed her hand through the screen, face softening. "Just remember, y/n/n, you've got people who care about you. Like that weirdo you share lunch with but never really spoke to... that chemistry lab partner of yours, or maybe even Kwon. Sometimes it's the people you least expect."

Y/n sighed at the mention of Kwon. "Yeah, but he's been a nightmare to deal with. I mean, I get it—I was way too harsh. But I've tried apologizing, and he just dodges me. I'm starting to think he doesn't want to be tutored anymore."

Aisha gave a low whistle, a smirk forming on her face. "I mean, in all fairness, you did call him Korea's biggest red flag."

The girl groaned, covering her face with her hands. "And a 'psychotic asshole,' too."

Aisha burst out laughing. "Oh, my god, you savage! No wonder he's ghosting you you. Why'd you even go that hard?"

Y/n sighed. "I don't know. He just gets under my skin like no one else. I don't know why I care so much, but... maybe I went too far." She let her hand fall to her side. "I mean, I know what it's like to be judged unfairly, and I just threw all this crap at him. It's been gnawing at me."

Aisha's laughter died down, replaced by a more understanding tone. "Look, I get it. And if I'm being honest, you've got a temper. Sometimes you're all fight, no filter." She gave y/n a knowing look. "But if you think you crossed a line, maybe just... take it easy on yourself and give him some time. He's probably not used to anyone standing up to him."

"I guess..." y/n mumbles, unconvinced. "I just hope he gets back to me quickly so that I at least have some idea where I stand, you know. Like am I still his tutor or did he quit?" Aisha gave her a long, skeptical look. "Why are you looking at me like that."

"It's not just about the tutoring, is it?" Questioned Aisha bluntly.

Y/n immediately straightened, her eyes narrowing. "What are you insinuating?"

Aisha smirked. "Oh, come on. You've been all over him. If I didn't know you better, I'd say you've got a little crush."

Y/n rolled her eyes, though her cheeks felt hot. "A crush? On him? Are you out of your mind?" She scoffed. "He's an absolute mess! And besides, I've got enough on my plate without him being a distraction."

Aisha laughed, holding up her hands in surrender. "Hey, hey, calm down, tiger. I'm just saying—people don't usually spend this much mental energy on people they don't like. Maybe it's more complicated than that."

Y/n slumped back into her pillow, muttering, "Whatever. He's probably just doing his own thing anyway." But Aisha's words were stuck in her head, and she hated how much they made sense.

They talked a little longer, until a yawn interrupted Aisha mid-sentence. She checked her clock, eyebrows rising. "Oh my god, it's four in the morning here. You've kept me up, girl!"

Y/n cringed, realizing the time difference. "Fuck- I didn't mean to keep you up... I'm so sorry!"

Aisha waved it off with a sleepy smile. "Please, I'd stay up all night for you. That's what friends are for. Just take care of yourself, alright? You've got this.'"

"Thanks, Aish..." y/n said softly, genuinely touched. "Good night."

"Good night to you too. Now, get some rest, or you'll be dead on your feet tomorrow." Aisha blew her a kiss before ending the call.

Y/n felt a surprising calm wash over her. She was ready to face the next day, to finally let go of the nerves... Of course, that resolve crumbled around 2 a.m., when she found herself sucked into an endless loop of TikToks, her 'early night' plan falling apart spectacularly.

But at least she had a good laugh before she passed out...

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