Outside the School Gates
The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the school grounds. Yuna and I walk toward the school gates, our conversation lively with the excitement of the day ahead. Soonim, our energetic freshman friend, skips along beside us, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
"I heard there's a new dessert place opening up this weekend," Soonim says, her eyes sparkling. "They're supposed to have the best strawberry cheesecake ever!"
Yuna's eyes light up. "That sounds amazing! We've gotta check it out. I'm all in for trying new places."
I chuckle, feeling the energy from my friends. "Count me in! A new dessert spot sounds perfect. We could use a treat after this crazy week."
Soonim waves us goodbye as she heads toward the freshman building. "Gotta run to my first class! See you guys later!"
"Catch you later, Soonim!" Yuna and I call out in unison, watching as Soonim disappears around the corner, her cheerfulness leaving a bright trail in the morning air.
Inside the School Area
As Yuna and I walk toward the main building, the usual buzz of school life surrounds us. Students cluster in groups, chatting and laughing. Lockers slam shut with a loud clatter, and the distant hum of conversations mingles with the rhythm of footsteps. Everything seems normal, until I start to notice something off. Students are glancing my way, whispering to each other, and quickly turning their eyes when I look back.
"Yuna," I murmur, leaning closer so only she can hear, "why does it feel like everyone's staring at me?"
Yuna looks around, trying to catch what I'm talking about. "Maybe you've got something on your face? Or maybe people are just curious about something. You know, like new gossip."
I try checking my reflection in the nearest glass window but see nothing unusual. I shrug it off, thinking I'm just being paranoid. "Nah, it's probably nothing. Let's just get to class before we're late."
As we move through the hallway, the stares increase. I catch snippets of conversations mentioning my name. It's not just the usual attention I'm used to; it feels more intense and scrutinizing. It's unsettling, especially since I'm already accustomed to the constant attention from my popularity and the frequent proposals from boys.
Near the School Entrance
When we reach the entrance, I see them—the local bullies. They're loitering near the entrance, their eyes fixed on me with a disturbing intensity. My stomach twists with anxiety. Just when I thought things were calming down.
One of the bullies, a lanky guy with a smug grin, steps forward. "So, the rumors are true, huh? You really did take down a whole gang of bullies?"
I'm taken aback. "What rumors? I haven't heard anything about that," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. "I can't even fight."
The leader's smirk widens. "Oh, really? Because we heard you've got some serious skills."
Before I can respond, Joon-Soo arrives. He strolls toward us with his usual relaxed demeanor, a casual smile on his face. His presence seems to calm the tension slightly.
"What's up?" Joon-Soo asks, his tone laid-back. "Everything alright?"
The bullies look at him, momentarily thrown off by his calm demeanor. One of them tries to maintain their tough act but fails to sound convincing. "We're just having a chat with your classmate here. No need for you to get involved."
Yuna, stepping up with her usual cheeky attitude, interjects while sticking her tongue out. "Why don't you just leave us alone? We're not interested in whatever crap you're selling."
The bullies don't appreciate her attitude. One of them, with a sneer on his face, steps forward, raising his hand as if to slap Yuna. My heart races with fear—I don't want a fight, especially not with bullies who could even pick on the school's queen. Joon-Soo, sensing the tension, moves swiftly. He intercepts the bully's hand mid-air, stopping the slap before it can hit Yuna.
Joon-Soo's eyes lock with the bully's, his calm demeanor unchanged. "That's enough. Why don't you back off before things get ugly?"
The bullies, feeling challenged and thinking they have the advantage in numbers, start to get agitated. "Who do you think you are, stepping in like that?" the leader sneers, trying to sound tough despite the clear unease in his voice.
Joon-Soo's smile fades slightly, his tone becoming more serious. "I'm just someone who doesn't like seeing idiots pick on people who don't deserve it. So, unless you want this to turn into something worse, I suggest you leave."
The bullies exchange looks of frustration. One of them, clearly frustrated and eager to prove something, says, "Forget this. We're gonna take him down. He's alone, and we're plenty."
The bullies, convinced they can take Joon-Soo, decide to attack. They move in a coordinated effort, trying to overwhelm him with their numbers.
Joon-Soo remains calm as the bullies charge at him. He steps into their attack with fluid, controlled movements. One of the bullies lunges at him, but Joon-Soo sidesteps effortlessly, using the bully's momentum to spin him around and send him crashing into another one.
Another bully swings a punch, but Joon-Soo ducks, his movements smooth and precise. He counters with a quick jab that sends the attacker reeling back. The leader tries to catch him off guard with a wild swing, but Joon-Soo anticipates it, blocking the punch with a practiced ease. With a swift, fluid motion, he lands a punch to the leader's stomach, causing him to double over in pain.
The remaining bullies, seeing their leader falter, grow even more desperate. They try to swarm Joon-Soo from all sides, but he moves with a graceful agility that makes him almost untouchable. He uses their aggression against them, expertly deflecting their attacks and countering with quick, precise strikes.
The fight is over almost as quickly as it began. The bullies, now bruised and exhausted, retreat with angry, defeated grumbles. Joon-Soo stands there, his expression relaxed and unbothered, as if he's just been taking a casual stroll.
As the bullies slink away, Joon-Soo turns to me with that easy going smile of his. "You good?"
I'm still in shock. "Yeah, thanks. Didn't expect you to jump in like that."
Joon-Soo shrugs, his expression as relaxed as ever. "Just didn't want to see a bunch of idiots ganging up on a girl."
The fight and Joon-Soo's intervention quickly become the new topic of gossip. Rumors start circulating that I'm Joon-Soo's girlfriend, which is confusing and a bit infuriating. I didn't ask for any of this, and now I'm likely to become a target for his newfound enemies. I brace myself for more drama that I definitely didn't sign up for.
Inside the Classroom
The bell rings, signaling the start of homeroom. I'm still trying to make sense of everything that's happened. The classroom is filled with the usual noise of students settling in, but I'm lost in my thoughts. Ms. Kim, our homeroom teacher, steps up to the front of the class, a stack of papers in her hand.
"Alright, class," Ms. Kim announces, "it's time to start thinking about our next class president. I'll hand out the voting slips now."
She begins distributing the papers, and as they make their way around the room, a murmur of excitement spreads. When the papers reach me, I see that they're already filled out with my name. I try to suppress a sigh. This was bound to happen.
"Hey, Aerum!" one of my classmates, Jae-Hyun, calls out from the back of the room. "You're definitely going to be the next class president, right?"
I stand up, trying to make my position clear. "Guys, I really appreciate the support, but I'm not interested in being class president. It's a lot of responsibility. How about we vote for Si-Chung-ha instead? She'd be great for the role."
The class exchanges glances, some of them frowning in disappointment. "Come on, Aerum. You'd be perfect for the role," someone says.
I try to reason with them. "Seriously, you guys. I'm not cut out for this. Si-Chung-ha is really responsible and would do an awesome job. She's organized and always on top of things."
From the front of the room, Si-Chung-ha raises her hand, trying to interject. "I'm flattered, Aerum, but I think you'd make a great president."
"I really don't want the job," I insist. "I'd much rather see Si-Chung-ha in that role. She's got the skills and the dedication."
Despite my efforts, the class seems determined to vote for me. "Come on, Aerum. You're our queen. We want you as president," someone says.
I feel a pang of frustration. "Listen, I'm not good with all this responsibility. Si-Chung-ha is more suited for it. Please, just give her a chance."
The conversation continues, with classmates debating back and forth. Si-Chung-ha tries to calm things down. "Let's just vote for who we think will do the best job. If Aerum doesn't want it, we should respect that."
In the end, I decide to take a different approach. I gather all the votes that have been handed to me and walk up to Ms. Kim. "I'm going to pass all these votes to Si-Chung-ha. I really don't want to be class president."
Ms. Kim looks at me, surprised but understanding. "Well, if that's what you want, I suppose it's okay. Si-Chung-ha, you're our new class president."
Si-Chung-ha looks at me with a bright smile and says "Aerum I will do my best as the class prez even though I think you would be more suitable!"
The class erupts into applause. I sit back down, relieved that the discussion is finally over. I glance over at Joon-Soo, who's watching the entire scene with a detached curiosity.
Ms. Kim finally calls for quiet, drawing our attention back to her. "Alright, let's move on. We'll discuss the class trip now."
A collective murmur of excitement fills the room. "Yes! I heard we're going to that famous beach near Seoul!" Yuna exclaims, practically bouncing in her seat. "It's supposed to be awesome!"
I nod, feeling a bit more excited about the trip. "Yeah, I heard it's going to be a lot of fun."
Yuna leans over and whispers conspiratorially, "Hey, we should totally go shopping for new bikinis. I'm thinking we get something cute and stylish for the trip."
I raise an eyebrow. "Shopping for bikinis? You're seriously bringing that up now?"
Yuna's grin widens as she continues, "Yeah! And you know what? We should drag Joon-Soo with us. He can give us his opinion on our bikinis when we try them on in the dressing room."
Joon-Soo, who's been quietly listening, suddenly goes red. His cheeks flush with a bright pink color as he stammers, "Uh, w-wait, what? Me? Uh, I don't think that's a good idea…"
Yuna laughs, totally unfazed by his embarrassment. "Come on, Joon-Soo! It'll be fun. Besides, we could use a guy's perspective."
I cringe, feeling second-hand embarrassment as I watch Joon-Soo squirm in his seat. His flustered reaction is pretty amusing, but I can't believe Yuna's suggestion.
I give Yuna a playful but firm bonk on the head. "Seriously, Yuna? That's such a stupid idea. Let's just stick to shopping and leave the opinions to ourselves."
Joon-Soo, still blushing, nods vigorously. "Yeah, I think I'll pass on the dressing room opinions."
Yuna chuckles and shrugs. "Fine, fine. No dressing room critiques. But we're still going shopping!"
As the class settles down, Ms. Kim announces that we'll discuss the class trip details and finalize the plans. The excitement for the trip is palpable, and despite the chaos of the day, I'm looking forward to it.
Ms. Kim clasps her hands together, her voice clear as she continues explaining the details of the school trip. "As you know, we're going to Sokcho Beach. It's a beautiful location, not too far from Seoul, and perfect for our school outing. We've planned several activities for you—swimming, beach volleyball, and a group bonfire. Of course, there will be some free time for you to enjoy the area at your own pace."
Everyone starts buzzing with excitement, especially about the bonfire. I can already imagine Yuna going all out with some crazy idea during it.
Ms. Kim waits for the room to quiet down before continuing, "We'll be traveling by chartered bus. The trip will take around two hours, so pack accordingly. When it comes to room assignments—" She pauses for a moment, making direct eye contact with me. "Please remember that this is a school event, and we expect everyone to behave."
I shift in my seat. Oh no. She's looking right at me. She knows. She knows. The trouble Yuna and I bring without even trying is legendary.
Yuna nudges me and whispers, "She's totally talking about us."
"I know," I mutter back. We're not even trying, but somehow chaos always follows.
Ms. Kim clears her throat, eyes narrowing a little, before continuing. "Boys and girls will have separate rooms. Room assignments will be posted closer to the trip. So, no requests for changes, and no, you can't switch rooms once they're assigned."
Yuna raises her hand. "But, Ms. Kim, wouldn't it be more fun if we mixed the rooms up a little? Like, maybe Joon-Soo could stay in our room—with another guy, of course!"
I choke on my own breath. What is she saying?
Ms. Kim's face tightens, and she immediately responds, "Absolutely not. Boys and girls will not be sharing rooms under any circumstances."
Yuna just grins, ignoring the warning. She leans closer to me, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, wouldn't it be hilarious if Joon-Soo stayed in our room? We could mess with him so much! Plus, he's super quiet. It'd be like he's not even there."
I glance over at Joon-Soo, whose face is slowly turning redder by the second. His mouth opens like he's about to reject the idea, but Yuna keeps going, completely drowning him out. "We could bring snacks, and he could help us carry stuff. Think about it, Aerum! It'd be the perfect setup."
Joon-Soo finally tries to say something, but Yuna's not done. "Oh, and Aerum, I bet you'd love having him around. He'd probably be super helpful, right? Plus, with his height, he could hang stuff for us!"
I look at Joon-Soo, who's desperately trying to form words, but he's too flustered to get a single sentence out. His ears are bright red, and he looks like he's sinking into his seat, wishing for a way out.
I sigh. "Yuna, stop. Ms. Kim just said—"
"Don't worry about the details!" Yuna waves me off like the rules don't even exist.
I let out another sigh, but Yuna's in full mischief mode now, and I know there's no stopping her once she gets like this. Poor Joon-Soo looks like he's trying to find an escape route.
"Think about it," Yuna continues, her voice full of excitement. "Joon-Soo in our room! He could totally help with anything we need. And imagine all the stories we'll have afterward!"
Joon-Soo finally gets a word in, his voice quiet but firm. "I… I don't think that's a good idea…"
But Yuna steamrolls right over him, as if she didn't even hear. "We'll have so much fun! Aerum, you know it's a great plan, right?"
"Yuna," I say, my tone flat, "we are not breaking the rules just because you want to mess with Joon-Soo."
Yuna pouts at me but then leans in closer. "Fine, fine. But if we can't mix the rooms, we can still hang out with him during free time, right? I mean, it's a beach trip. It's practically a requirement that we all chill together."
Ms. Kim, who's clearly had enough of this conversation, interrupts again. "Yuna, you'll follow the rules like everyone else, and that includes staying in your assigned rooms. Boys in one, girls in the other. Understood?"
Yuna sighs dramatically but doesn't press the issue further, at least not out loud. Instead, she turns to me, whispering, "We'll figure something out."
I shake my head, pretending not to hear her. Joon-Soo, meanwhile, looks visibly relieved now that Yuna has finally let the whole idea drop—for now, at least. His face is still flushed, and he keeps glancing down at his desk like it might save him from further embarrassment.
"Okay, moving on," Ms. Kim continues, clearly wanting to regain control of the class. "Each room will have four students. We'll be assigning rooms by random draw, so no picking who you'll stay with. We want this trip to be a chance for everyone to bond, not just stick with your usual friends. And yes, that means no switching, no matter how much you beg."
There's a chorus of groans, mostly from the kids who were probably hoping to stay with their best friends. Yuna leans toward me again, whispering, "I'm rigging the draw. No way am I staying with someone boring."
I roll my eyes. "You're really something, Yuna."
She just grins at me like she's already plotting her next move.
Ms. Kim wraps up her explanation. "We'll be spending two nights at the resort, so pack accordingly. There'll be chaperones, of course, but we expect everyone to be responsible. I don't want to hear about any trouble, or this could be your last school trip."
Again, she's looking at me and Yuna. Great. Just perfect. It's like she's already expecting us to do something crazy.
Yuna catches Ms. Kim's glance and snickers. "Looks like we're the stars of the trip already, Aerum."
I groan internally. This is going to be a long weekend.
As Ms. Kim moves on to explain more of the itinerary, including a hike along the beach cliffs and a visit to the local fish market, I can't help but steal a glance at Joon-Soo. He's staring straight ahead, clearly still mortified by Yuna's suggestion, his hands fidgeting on his desk.
I don't get why she keeps dragging him into our chaos. And honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about him always being there—especially with all the rumors flying around about us.
Yuna nudges me one more time before Ms. Kim dismisses the class. "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything. We're going to have the best trip ever."
I don't doubt it. But somehow, I know that with Yuna involved, it's not going to go as smoothly as Ms. Kim hopes.
Ms. Kim pulls out a small box filled with slips of paper for the room assignments, her face serious. "Alright, everyone. One by one, you'll come up and draw your room number. Remember, no switching, no complaints. This is about teamwork and getting to know other students."
Yuna's already bouncing in her seat, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I lean toward her, narrowing my eyes. "Don't even think about it."
She just grins. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Sure you don't.
The class begins to take turns pulling their room assignments. Some students are cheering when they see who they're bunking with, others groan when they end up with people they barely know. My turn comes up, and I feel this small, sinking feeling in my stomach. I reach into the box, fingers brushing against the papers.
"Room five," I say aloud, showing my slip of paper.
Yuna steps up next, a huge smirk on her face. She practically dives into the box, pulling out her slip of paper with exaggerated flourish. "Oh, wow! What are the odds? Room five too!"
I stare at her, my eyes narrowing. "Really?"
She sticks her tongue out at me, clearly pleased with herself. "Guess we're just lucky, huh?"
I groan, shaking my head. She totally rigged this. But how?
My suspicion is confirmed when Si-Chung-ha steps up, drawing her slip. She stares at it blankly for a moment before saying, "Room five."
"Seriously?" I mutter. That's three of us in the same room—Yuna, me, and Si-Chung-ha.
Finally, another girl, Bora, steps up and draws the last slip. "Room five," she says, almost reluctantly. She doesn't look particularly thrilled about it, and honestly, neither am I. Si-Chung-ha is quiet, serious, and a bit on the shy side. Bora's chill but distant. That leaves me stuck with Yuna's chaos.
I glance over at Yuna again, and she's sitting there, smirking like a cat that just caught a mouse. I know she pulled something off. And then it hits me.
"Yuna…" I whisper harshly, leaning closer. "You swapped the slips, didn't you?"
Her grin widens. "Let's just say I have quick fingers. While Ms. Kim was busy explaining the rules, I may or may not have peeked into the box earlier and figured out where our room slips were."
I blink at her, half impressed and half annoyed. "You're impossible."
She shrugs innocently. "Hey, I'm just making sure we have the best trip ever. Plus, Si-Chung-ha and Bora aren't bad. They'll probably just do their own thing while we take over."
"You're ridiculous," I mutter, shaking my head. But deep down, I'm not really surprised. It's so Yuna to pull something like this.
After the room assignments, Yuna is practically glowing with excitement. Si-Chung-ha and Bora exchange glances, clearly unsure of what they've gotten into. I let out a small sigh, knowing this is going to be a long trip.
"So, now that we're officially roomies," Yuna starts, leaning in dramatically, "I think we should make a plan."
Si-Chung-ha raises an eyebrow. "Plan for what?"
"Duh, for our beach trip! We can't just show up looking boring." Yuna's grin widens. "We need new bikinis!"
The silence that follows is loud.
Si-Chung-ha looks mortified. "I'm good. I already have swimwear."
Bora crosses her arms, frowning. "Same here. Why waste money?"
I shoot Yuna a glare. "Not happening. Not. At. All."
But of course, Yuna is immune to common sense. She's already typing away on her phone, probably pulling up the nearest store. "Oh, come on! It'll be fun! We can all get matching swimsuits, and who knows, maybe we'll run into someone at the beach who appreciates our sense of style."
"I don't need new clothes to show up," I mutter. "And why are you always thinking about boys?"
She wiggles her eyebrows at me. "I wasn't talking about boys specifically, Aerum. But if the shoe fits…"
I roll my eyes, but before I can say anything, Yuna is already dragging us toward the door, and somehow, we're all on board.
Time Skip – At the Shop
The store we find is actually kind of cute. Light pastels, trendy clothes hanging neatly on racks, and a beachy vibe. Yuna practically skips inside, her eyes wide with excitement. I look around and sigh internally—there's no way we're leaving this place without buying something.
Somehow, despite all the protests, each of us ends up holding a couple of bikinis and trudging toward the dressing rooms. I glare at Yuna, who is grinning like she just won the lottery. How does she do this?
She grabs my wrist and drags me into one of the larger stalls, all without even asking. I'm flabbergasted. "Why are you in here with me? Go to your own!"
Yuna just shrugs nonchalantly. "Come on, we've changed in front of each other before. No biggie, right?"
I open my mouth to argue, but then I just huff and start changing. There's no use arguing with Yuna when she gets like this. The best I can do is just insult her in my head.
Seriously, she's like a child. Invasive, obnoxious, always in my space—ugh, why are we friends again? I think to myself, glaring at the wall as I pull on the bikini.
Once I've changed, I catch my reflection in the mirror. The bikini looks… well, not bad. It's simple, black, and more modest than the stuff Yuna picked out. She, on the other hand, chose something far flashier and bold. Of course, she's grinning like she owns the world, striking poses like a model.
"Wow, Aerum," Yuna says from behind me, leaning in way too close. "You look amazing."
Before I can respond, Yuna's hands suddenly wrap around me, grabbing my chest. I freeze.
"Your boobs are so perfect!" she exclaims, giving them a playful squeeze. "Big, firm, and they always sit in place. How do you do that?"
I'm shocked. "Yuna, what the—?"
But she's too busy gushing to notice the utter horror on my face. I want to scream, slap her hands away, something, but I'm so stunned I just stand there, staring at my reflection like, "Is this really happening?"
This girl is insane! Why do I let her get away with it? I think to myself.
Yuna finally lets go, turning back to the mirror to adjust her own top, completely unbothered. "Seriously, Aerum, I envy you. If I had your body, I'd never take this bikini off."
I stand there, still processing what just happened. "Why are we friends again?"
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the raging storm of emotions inside me. Yuna is just being Yuna… I remind myself, even though my patience is hanging by a thread. She's not weird about it or anything, she just… lacks boundaries.
"Yuna," I say slowly, turning to face her, "if you grab my boobs again, I will end you."
She blinks at me, then bursts out laughing. "Okay, okay, chill! I was just complimenting you. No need to get all violent."
I glare at her, trying to suppress a smile. "I'm serious."
She holds up her hands in mock surrender, still giggling. "Noted. I'll keep my hands to myself. But seriously, you look hot, Aerum. You're going to make some hearts race at the beach."
"Yeah, yeah," I mutter, shaking my head, but I can feel my cheeks warming up from the compliment. Yuna is ridiculous, but she does know how to boost my confidence… even if her methods are questionable.
We finish adjusting our bikinis, and once we step out of the dressing room, we find Si-Chung-ha and Bora waiting awkwardly. Si-Chung-ha is already wearing a more conservative one-piece swimsuit, and Bora is dressed in a simple tankini.
Yuna eyes their choices and sighs dramatically. "Come on, you two! Where's the fun? You can't show up to the beach looking like… like someone's mom!"
Si-Chung-ha frowns, clearly not impressed. "I'm comfortable, thank you very much."
Bora shrugs. "Same here. It's a beach, not a runway."
Yuna pouts, crossing her arms. "You guys are no fun."
"Some of us don't need to flaunt everything," I add, rolling my eyes at Yuna. "Not that you aren't flaunting everything right now."
She sticks out her tongue at me playfully. "Jealous?"
I'm about to fire back a snarky response when I catch a glance at Si-Chung-ha, who looks like she's considering bolting from the group. I clear my throat, trying to reel in the conversation. "Alright, let's just buy these and get out of here. We have more planning to do for the trip."
Si-Chung-ha nods in relief, and Bora seems thankful for the escape as well. Yuna, though still pouting, follows along as we head to the cashier.
After leaving the shop, we're back out on the streets, bags in hand. Yuna is still yammering on about how amazing we're all going to look at the beach, while Si-Chung-ha and Bora stay suspiciously quiet. I'm lost in my thoughts about how chaotic this trip is already shaping up to be.
"We should hit the beach early on the first day," Yuna suggests, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Get a good spot, soak up the sun… and maybe run into some cute guys while we're at it."
I give her a side-eye. "You've got one track mind, Yuna."
"Please," she scoffs. "It's a vacation! Who doesn't think about meeting a summer fling?"
"I don't," Si-Chung-ha says flatly.
"Yeah, same," Bora adds, chuckling under her breath. "I just want to enjoy the beach."
Yuna waves them off. "You'll change your mind once we get there. Trust me. The ocean air does something to people."
Oh, great. If Yuna's like this now, I can't imagine what she'll be like during the trip. I stifle a groan as we walk, wondering how I'm going to survive the insanity Yuna has planned for us all.
One thing's for sure—this beach trip is going to be anything but boring.
Chapter 6 end