She was on the floor, dreading to look up as she bit her lower lips in anger. When she saw a foot beneath her, making her more embarrassed.
"Are you okay?" A familiar, yet rare voice asked with concern.
"I'm fine." Alex said, ashamed to even take a glance at the good Samaritan and pick the tray.
Da-Eun's smirk was wider than Alex had ever seen it. "Looks like you could use some better balance there, clumsy."
Alex shot up from the floor, fury replacing her initial humiliation.
"Clumsy? You literally plowed through me like a human bowling ball!"
Da-Eun scoffed. "Maybe you shouldn't have been blocking the hallway then, short stack."
"You should apologize to Da-Eun." The voice said again defensively which prompted Alex to take a glimpse of her defender.
The air crackled with tension as she stared at him in shock.
"Hyeon?" She muttered , eye widened as she looked away.
"You can't just come to that conclusion Baek Hyeon, you saw what happened and I was sure not at fault." Da-Eun said innocently vacating her seat.
"You damn liar!" Alex accused, charging forward but was held by Baek.
"Keep it cool Alex." Ja-Young, the ever peace maker said. "We should clean up this mess." She added.
"Before that, I'll like to see Da-Eun apologize." He said.
Without another word, Da-Eun walked out of the cafeteria with her friends striding behind.
"I hope he's not trying to get back at me." Alex thought, still finding it difficult to shove off the fact that Baek Hyeon came to her rescue.
Seething, Alex grabbed a fistful of napkins while glared at Da-Eun's exiting figure, who returned the look with a smug indifference before getting out of sight. The animosity between them was about to boil over.
The tension in the cafeteria hung thick enough to cut with a knife.
Alex cast a nervous glance at Hyeon, his presence and unexpected wrinkle in the situation.
Was he just being kind, or was there something more to his intervention?
Ja-Young's voice, laced with forced cheer, cut through the silence. "Alright Alex, let's just clean up this mess and move on, okay?"
As they began picking up the scattered food, Alex stole another look at Hyeon. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes held a dark glint that sent shivers down her spine. This wasn't just about the spilled rice anymore.
While the students are finally going down on their meal and forgetting the drama that just unfolds, though leaving some surprised on how Baek Hyeon suddenly became part of the picture.
"Thank you... Baek." Alex said, head bowed.
"You don't have to." He replied walking out of the cafeteria, alone this time.
"Why would he do that? There must be more to this." Alex thought releasing a deep sigh.
* * *
"Here comes the lazy souls." Kwang commented as he watched them came into the office.
"Whatever." Alex said, taking a seat.
"So, serious fella, have you started yet?" Ja-Young asked bringing it out a note.
"Maybe, because all I have to write is with me up here." He said, touching his temple.
"Of what use is it, when you've not hit down anything meaningful." Ja-Young retorted.
Alex was silent for a while, obviously deep in thought.
"Still thinking of what happened there?" Ja-Young asked nudging her.
"Maybe." She replied.
"I heard what happened. And I advice you should be careful around them." Lee advised.
They sat at their desks, scribbling away on their essays about phone rules. The tension from the earlier incident with Da-Eun still lingered, but she was trying to focus on the task at hand.
"I don't get why we have to write an essay about phone rules," Lee-Kwang said, his pen tapping impatiently on the desk. "It's not like it's going to make a difference."
"Mrs. Park wants us to reflect on why phone rules are important," Ja-Young replied, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Maybe if we write something good, she'll ease up on the rules."
"I doubt it," Alex said, her eyes rolling. "But I guess it's worth a try, but right now, something in me wants to give it up."
As they wrote, Alex couldn't help but steal glances at Lee-Kwang, who was sitting across from her. She was still trying to process what had happened earlier with Baek Hyeon. Why had he intervened on her behalf? And what did he mean by his cryptic comment about not being at fault?
"Hey, Alex, you okay?" Ja-Young asked, noticing her friend's distraction. "You seem a bit spaced out."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Alex replied, shaking her head.
Lee-Kwang looked up from his essay, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I heard Baek Hyeon was there to spice things up."
"Don't be so judgemental." Ja-Young said, obviously agitated.
Alex hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Lee-Kwang's friendly demeanor put her at ease. "He just said I wasn't at fault," she replied quietly.
Lee-Kwang scoffed, just as expected.
"And you think he said something nice worth thinking of huh?" He replied, making Alex sigh.
"Maybe I was wrong about him." Alex muttered.
"Just be careful. I know them more than you do." He said.
"She don't have to be careful around Baek, everyone wants to be around him, including you." Ja-Young said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lee asked, pissed off by her comment this time.
Noticing the sudden outburst, Alex decided to chip in.
"Thanks for looking out for me Lee." Alex said, while Lee nodded.
"Hey, no problem, Alex," Lee-Kwang said, his expression softening. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."
Ja-Young rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Lee-Kwang's just trying to protect you from Baek Hyeon's charms," she teased.
Alex blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. "I can handle myself, thanks," she said, trying to sound confident.
Lee-Kwang raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then why are you still thinking about what he said?"
Alex hesitated, realizing she had been caught off guard. "I...I just want to understand why he intervened, that's all," she stammered.
Ja-Young leaned in, her voice conspiratorial. "Maybe he's got a thing for you, Alex," she whispered.
Alex's eyes widened in shock. "What? No way! Not after the past" she protested, her face growing hot.
Alex shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know what to think anymore," she admitted.
"He's always been so distant and mysterious. I'm not sure why he intervened today."
Ja-Young nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe he's trying to make amends or something. But yeah, it's hard to trust someone who's been so aloof."
Lee-Kwang snorted. "Trust him? No way. He's got an agenda, mark my words."
Alex nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm not going to let my guard down around him."
Ja-Young patted her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, Alex. We'll figure it out together. Now, let's focus on finishing this essay before Mrs. Park come breathing down our necks."
The bell shrilled, signaling the end of the period. Alex shoved her notebook shut, the lingering image of Baek Hyeon's cryptic remark clouding her thoughts.
Was he hinting at something more than just defending a classmate?
"Ready to face the hangry wrath of Mrs. Park?" Ja-Young teased, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Alex managed a weak smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They navigated the crowded hallway, the murmur of students replacing the scratch of pens on paper. As they rounded a corner, Alex froze. Da-Eun stood a few feet ahead with her two friends, her posse flanking her like menacing shadows. Their eyes locked, and a spark of defiance ignited in Alex's chest.
Da-Eun smirked. "Well, well, well. Look who decided to join the living."
Alex squared her shoulders, her voice surprisingly steady. "Move. I need to get to class."
Da-Eun's smirk faltered for a brief moment, replaced by a flicker of something akin to surprise. Then, she recovered, her eyes hardening.
"Not before you apologize for bumping into me earlier, sweetie."
"You were the one who plowed through me like a bowling ball," Alex retorted, her pulse quickening.
Ja-Young nudged Alex, her voice laced with worry. "Maybe we should just..."
The hallway echoed with a deep, familiar voice.
"That's enough, Da-Eun."
All heads swiveled towards the source. Leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, stood none other than Lee-Kwang and his group. His usual playful demeanor was replaced by a steely glint in his eyes.
Jin-Hyu's eyes narrowed. "This doesn't concern you, Lee-Kwang."
Lee-Kwang uncrossed his arms, taking a slow, measured step towards them.
"Actually, it does. Alex is my friend, and I won't tolerate you bullying her."
The air crackled with tension. This unexpected intervention from Lee-Kwang left Alex speechless.
A beat of stunned silence followed Lee-Kwang's declaration. Da-Eun's posse exchanged confused glances, the air of bravado momentarily dispelled.
Alex stared at Lee-Kwang, her mind a whirlwind of questions. Was this some kind of elaborate prank, or was he genuinely sticking his neck out for her?
Da-Eun, however, recovered quickly. A cruel smile twisted her lips.
"Lee-Kwang, playing knight in shining armor for the clumsy freshman? How cute."
"Don't make light of this, Da-Eun," Lee-Kwang warned, his voice low and dangerous. "This isn't about popularity or some schoolyard game."
"The truth isn't quite what you portray, is it?" Lee-Kwang countered, his gaze unwavering.
Da-Eun's composure faltered for a split second, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her eyes. But quickly, she masked it with renewed defiance.
"What are you talking about?"
Lee-Kwang took another step forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"I saw what happened. The shove, the spilled tray. Don't think I didn't notice."
Da-Eun's face drained of color. She darted a panicked glance at her friends, who seemed equally bewildered. The facade of bravado had crumbled, leaving only a cornered vulnerability.
Alex, still processing the situation, felt a surge of mixed emotions.
Lee-Kwang's revelation was a turning point, exposing the truth behind the cafeteria incident.
As Da-Eun sputtered for a retort, the hallway door flew open, and a booming voice cut through the tension. "What's all this commotion? Detention for everyone involved if this doesn't disperse immediately!"
It was Principal, his imposing figure radiating no-nonsense authority. The students scrambled away, Da-Eun shooting a final glare at Alex and Lee-Kwang before disappearing around the corner.
Lee-Kwang turned to Alex, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Looks like we dodged a bullet there."
Alex hesitated, unsure how to respond. Gratitude battled with suspicion in her mind.
"How did you came up with all that?"
Lee-Kwang shrugged, his gaze flickering away for a brief moment.
"That's why I have to tap information from them." he said casually referring to his friends.
But the weight in his voice hinted at something more.
The bell shrilled again, signaling the next class. Alex knew she needed answers, but the time for explanations had passed. With a lingering look at Lee-Kwang, she hurried towards her next class, the mystery of his motives swirling in her thoughts.
* * *
"Why did you stepped in for her just like that Baek." Min-Jun asked Baek Hyeon on their way home in the car.
"I just felt like Da-Eun was wrong this time." He replied.
"She is always wrong, we know that. I'm just confused how suddenly you decide to intervene." Min-Jun said not convinced.
"Trust me Min. I have my way whenever I want." Baek replied, a smirk on his face.
"Now I understand. Trying to get back at her?" Min-Jun guess.
"You don't expect what happened to slip away just like that, do you?" He asked, his eyes not giving a hint of what he really meant.
"No. But I think you should forget about it... She's an angel. Noticing the way she relate with others and me." Min-Jun points out.
"We'll see to that." Baek said, looking out of the window, thinking about nothing, but what his friend has just implied.
Maybe he's right. But first impression always matters, and she made a worst one. And that changes his thoughts about her.