Sometimes I dream a strange dream.
I'm standing in a place full of light, and all I hear are cheers—the kind that sets your soul on fire. A good fire.
When I look around, I see people smiling at me with the biggest grins. But when I reach out to them, they disappear, and I'm alone.
That's when I wake up.
"Kang Hye-jin. Nice to meet you."
The short introduction matched the new girl's appearance—small, quiet, and cold.
Scary, I thought, watching her dark eyes roam the class with an expression that clearly said it wasn't nice to meet us. Even from the back of the room, her presence was impossible to ignore. Though, I guess I was always easy to intimidate.
"Tell us a bit about yourself, Hye-jin," Mr. Lim said, adjusting his tiny glasses.
The class quieted in curiosity. I thought I heard her sigh, but maybe I imagined it.
"I transferred from Hyangwon Middle. I love to sleep. Nice to meet you all."
Her bow was slight. The class erupted in whispers.
"Hyangwon?"
"She's so small."
"Isn't that the fancy school in the city?"
"Why would she come here?"
"Wait, doesn't she look familiar…?"
I usually tune gossip out, but they had a point.
Seojeong wasn't a bad school, but compared to Hyangwon? It wasn't even close. Hyangwon students were rich, elite, and usually continued through its high school.
So why transfer here?
"Silence, everyone!" Mr. Lim finally snapped. "Is this any way to welcome a new student?"
He sighed. "There's a seat next to Ye-eun. Hye-jin, you can sit there."
My heart stopped.
Wait. That's my name. I stiffened as she looked right at me. My mouth went dry. She started walking.
It's okay. Just say hi. Be casual.
Up close, she was somehow even more intimidating. She dropped her duffel bag to the floor with a loud thud and slipped into the seat beside me.
I forced a bright smile. "Hi! Nice to meet you, I'm—"
She folded her arms on the desk, laid her head down, and immediately fell asleep.
I stared.
I guess she wasn't kidding about loving to sleep.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
***
My name is Seo Ye-eun.
And if you asked me what was special about me, I'd say… nothing. Except maybe my height.
I've always been tall, and always been the target of bullies because of it.
My brother calls me a Bully Magnet.
But beyond that? I'm boring. I'm tall, but that's all I have going for me. No talent. No skills. No sports.
My mom once told me there are two types of people in life: those who drift and those who soar.
I'm definitely a drifter.
Not by choice. But because no matter how hard I try, I've never found anything I'm good at.
Well, except being a Bully Magnet.
I try to ignore the bullies. Be the bigger person. Literally. But they still come after me.
That's why I switched schools.
I thought a fresh start would help.
I was wrong.
And Hee-Young never lets me forget it.
"I thought I told you I wanted Hotteok," she snarls, grabbing a chunk of my hair. "Why are you giving me Bungeo-ppang?!"
I wince, trying to pry her hands off. Her friends, Jin-Ae and Min-Ki, giggle behind her. Jin-Ae applies lip gloss. Min-Ki's playing a game on his phone.
"Hee-Young…" I whisper. "You're hurting me."
That only makes her laugh harder.
"Shut up, light pole."
Then she slams me into the lockers and grabs my collar.
"I told you not to talk to me, you ugly bitch."
Her perfect features twist in disgust, like just seeing me is ruining her day.
"Hee-Young," Jin-Ae whines. "Maybe she's the reason you have those stress pimples."
I blink.
What pimples? Hee-Young's skin is flawless. She probably hasn't had a blemish in her life.
"Ugh, I know," Hee-Young says, and before I can react, her fist slams into my stomach.
I double over in pain. She kicks me again.
And again.
I curl into a ball, trying not to cry as her foot drives into my ribs.
Around us, the cafeteria continues as if nothing is happening. No one intervenes. No one even looks.
I hate them more than the bullies—the ones who watch and do nothing, then pretend it isn't their fault.
I am so tired.
So tired.
Just as Hee-Young turns to laugh with her friends, I see the new girl stir.
Hye-jin sits up, clearly annoyed.
She opens her duffel bag and pulls out something battered and round.
A volleyball.
I don't have time to process what she's doing before she stands, pulls her arm back, and launches it.
The ball slices through the air and slams into Hee-Young's face.
She stumbles back, stunned.
"You're being loud," Hye-jin mutters, eyes half-lidded.
I blink, and everyone gasps.
I might have just found something to look forward to.