Waking up to a new day, she quickly took her bath, hair falling on her shoulder as she got ready for school, crossing her rucksack on her shoulder dashed out of the room.
"Never expected you out so early sweetie." Ann said grabbing her purse.
"This is already 7:30am, I'm late." She said hurrying out of the room, while her mum smiled at her excitement.
"I guess my Mother's daughter's tour worked as expected." She mumbled following her out.
The taxi came to a stop just in front of the school building. She hesitantly opened the car door but halted on her way out, embracing her mum tight to Ann's surprise.
"Thank you mum." She said with clenched teeth.
"Anything for you darling." Ann said disengaging the hug.
"Now, run along Alex, you're damn late." Ann said placing a kiss on her forehead as she watched her daughter exit.
"Can we?" Ann asked the driver who nodded as the car engine zoomed off.
* * *
The class was lively as usual when she came in. She sighted Da-Eun who burst into laughter alongside with her 2 friends as she walked past them.
"Here is the nightmare." Da-Eun added while they burst into another round of laughter.
Avoiding the sarcastic comments, she walks over to her seat while Ja-Young welcomes her with a warm smile.
"You're late." She noted.
"The teacher is not yet here Young, don't make me look lazy." She said hanging her bag on her chair, dropping the book on the table.
"As if you're not." Ja-Young replied, making both burst into laughter.
"Hey." Lee-Kwang interrupted grabbing a chair to sit on.
"Hi." Alex waved.
"I wonder why you're here now that she is." Ja-Young asked rolling her eyes.
"Oh Lord." Kwang exclaimed beneath her breath.
"He just loves being around me, I guess." Alex said smiling
"You got the point Alex, I just like to be around you more than her." He replied making Ja-Young hit her forehead in exasperation.
"Just get to the point." Ja-Young taunted.
"I don't know the reason why you choose to be cruel, but I just want to be a friend, to be sincere." He said.
"Friends huh?" Ja-Young scoff.
"To both of you." Lee-Kwang said when suddenly a presence came into the class causing a huge awareness. Baek Hyeon came into the class with an earpiece plugged into his ear, his cologne filling the class as he walked over to his seat.
"Cool right?" Ja-Young asked Alex raising an eyebrow, in an attempt to piss Lee-Kwang off.
"You think so?" Alex asked.
"Yes. What did you say Lee-Kwang." Ja-Young asked.
"I think whatever you're thinking, have a beautiful day." He said walking away.
"What was that for?" Alex asked, raising her brow.
"I don't like him around." She said.
"Why? Because she and your idol aren't good together?" Alex asked rashly.
"Come on Alex. I don't just feel comfortable around him." She added while the class quickly maintained order as Mrs. Park set in.
"Submit your phones." She commanded, dropping the usual box on the table.
They did as they were told as students scurried forward to hand over phones.
"Alex." Mrs. Park called looking at her expectantly, as she quickly ticked it inside her stockings.
"I don't have any with me." She said, while Ja-Young muffled her laughter , knowing pretty well what she just did.
"I guess." Mrs. Park replied getting to work.
Her heart was stumping and beating hard against the wall of her chest, hoping that maybe, just maybe she won't get caught up in her mischievous act.
As Mrs. Park begins her lesson, Alex can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her.
But just as she's settling in, she notices Baek Hyeon glancing at her from across the room. Their eyes meet, and Alex feels a jolt of electricity run through her body.
She quickly looks away, trying to focus on the lesson. But she can't shake off the feeling that Baek Hyeon is still watching her.
As the class progresses, Alex finds herself growing more and more restless. She can't concentrate on the lesson, and her mind keeps wandering back to Baek Hyeon.
Suddenly, she hears a whisper behind in her ear. "Hey, Alex. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Alex turns to see Lee-Kwang leaning in close, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"What is it, Kwang?" she whispers back, trying to keep her voice down.
"I just wanted to say that I know what you did," he says, his voice low and conspiratorial. "And I think it's kind of cool."
"Why won't you just focus on your business there." Ja-Young pointed out in a whisper.
"Whatever Ja-Young, this isn't your business." He replied pissed off.
Alex's heart skips a beat as she realizes what Lee-Kwang is talking about.
"What are you talking about, Kwang?" she asks, trying to play dumb.
"Don't play coy with me, Alex," Lee-Kwang says with a grin. "I know you hid your phone in your stockings. That's some next-level sneaky right there."
Alex's face turns bright red as she realizes she's been caught.
"Shh, Kwang! Not so loud!" Ja-Young whispers urgently, trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
But it's too late. Mrs. Park has already noticed the commotion and is now walking towards them, a stern look on her face.
"Alex, Lee-Kwang, Ja-Young, what's going on here?" she asks, her voice firm but amused.
The trio exchange a nervous glance, both of them knowing they're in trouble.
"I was just, uh, asking Alex about the homework," Lee-Kwang says, trying to cover for them.
Mrs. Park raises an eyebrow. "The homework? In whispers? With giggles?"
Alex, Ja-Young and Lee-Kwang exchange a nervous glance. They know they've been caught.
"Okay, fine," Alex says, sighing. "We were just messing around. But it's not a big deal, Mrs. Park. Really."
Mrs. Park smiles wryly.
"I'm afraid it is a big deal, Alex. You know the rules about phones in class. And hiding it in your stockings? That's just creative."
The class erupts in laughter, and Alex's face turns bright red. She knows she's in trouble.
"Alright, alright," Mrs. Park says, holding up her hand. "Let's settle down. Alex, Ja-Young and Lee-Kwang, you three can stay after class and write a reflection essay on why phone rules are important."
Alex groans inwardly. She knows she's in for a long day.
As the class continues, Alex can't help but feel a sense of unease. She knows she's in trouble, and she's not sure how to get out of it.
"His fault." Ja-Young accused in a whisper.
"If you wouldn't have poked nose, non of this would have happened." Kwang retorted back.
"We should think of what to write guys." Alex said, not in for their accusations.
"I would be waiting." Mrs. Park said as the bell chimes exiting the classroom.
Lee-Kwang stood up almost immediately as his friends approached him with a basketball.
"You should come watch us play." Lee-Kwang suggested hurrying away before she can reply.
"I was planning on watching today as well." Ja-Young said, grabbing Alex by the arms, while she take a slight last glance at Baek Hyeon who was focused on his phone.
* * *
They got to the basketball court, students were already seated expectantly while the players got ready for the game. Alex caught a glimpse of Lee-Kwang before taking a seat on the third row, he was smouldering the ball in his hands.
"I hope he don't forget the assignment he called upon us." Alex said to Ja-Young who chuckles lightly.
"I don't care. I just want to be done with mine." She claimed.
Just almost immediately, Da-Eun and her two friends stride in walking towards the front row instead.
As Da-Eun and her friends approach, the group of students in the front row look up at them with a mix of fear and resentment. Da-Eun's friends, Ji-Hyun and Ah-Rim, stand on either side of her, their eyes scanning the group with a sense of entitlement.
"Move to the next row," Da-Eun says, her voice firm and commanding. "We're sitting here."
The students in the front row hesitate for a moment, but then they reluctantly get up and move to the next row. Da-Eun and her friends take their seats, with Da-Eun sitting in the middle.
"Thanks, guys," Da-Eun says, smiling sweetly at the students who moved. "We appreciate it."
Ji-Hyun and Ah-Rim nod in agreement, their faces expressionless. They're used to getting their way, and they don't see anything wrong with bossing others around.
As the teams starts the game, Da-Eun pulls out her phone setting the video on the field. Ji-Her friends did same, their eyes fixed on their screens as they cheered on.
The students in the next row cast nervous glances at Da-Eun and her friends, but they don't dare say anything. They know better than to cross the queen bee and her minions.
But one student in the back row catches Da-Eun's eye. It's Alex, the new girl who transferred to their school last week. Alex is staring at Da-Eun with a look of disdain, her eyes flashing with defiance.
Da-Eun raises an eyebrow, intrigued. She's not used to people challenging her authority, and she's curious to see what Alex will do next.
"Ji-Hyun, Ah-Rim, look," Da-Eun says, nodding towards Alex. "We have a rebel in our midst."
Ji-Hyun and Ah-Rim turn to look at Alex, their faces cold and unyielding. "Yeah, let's keep an eye on her," Ji-Hyun says. "She looks like trouble."
Da-Eun smiles, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I'm shaking with fear."
"You should quit glaring at her." Ja-Young said, making her lower her gaze.
Da-Eun felt victorious as she watched Alex look away focusing back on the game.
Lee-Kwang and Baek Hyeon weren't left out from the fuse.
They played like all their strength depends on it.
"Both are good." Alex commended cheering the two team.
"You can do it Lee-Kwang!" Alex cheered along with other students, clapping her palms in support as she watched them dunk the ball into the net effortlessly. The other teammates weren't so bad after all. But from all that has happened so far, Alex now knows who the real boss in this game was. Baek Hyeon.
"Aren't we eating lunch?" Alex asked.
"I would after this game." Ja-Young said, focusing all her attention on Min-Jun.
"Oh... I see." Alex teased, nudging her.
"Now you do?" Ja-Young replied, blood rising to her cheeks.
"Where's Ha-Eun." Alex asked.
"Probably eating." She replied.
The game went on until it finally came to an end with Lee-Kwang team coming up as winner.
"You thought you're so good." Baek asked trying to catch his breath.
"I think so." Lee replied with a smirk playing on in his lips.
"What's going on." Alex asked in a whisper.
"Everyone knew they hold grudges." Ja-Young replied. "Let's go." She added, walking out with Alex behind her holding onto her blazer on her arms.
"You think so." Baek said amidst chuckle, pissed off.
"Let's go Baek." Min-Jun cme in between shoving Baek away.
* * *
"I met this guy yesterday when I went out with mum." Alex started as they took a seat.
"Really? What was he like?" Ja-Young asked placing the tray of food on the table.
"Handsome." Alex snapped.
"As handsome as Baek? Or Lee-Kwang?" Ja-Young asked raising a brow.
"To be sincere, I can't compare. Wait a minute... So you actually find Lee-Kwang handsome!" She asked amused.
"Maybe." She replied rolling ng her eyes. "About the guy." Ja-Young snapped,taking them back to their discussion.
"Yes. He was cute, and guess what?" Alex asked in excitement.
"He loves music." She added.
"Wow... He's just your ideal type of guy, what do you think?" Ja-Young asked.
"I don't think so." Alex replied taking the last scoop of rice.
"I'll go drop this." She added, hurriedly walking towards the counter, while Da-Eun crossed her foot on her path, making her crash on the floor with the remainings of food splattering on the floor.
Ja-Young gasped , while others let out a loud laughter that echoes in the hall.