Rule number 1: Never trust Kim Winter.
Rule number 2: See rule number one.
But here I am... looking into her blue ocean eyes, while shaking her hand.
"Yu Jimin..." I said, as she beamed, showing off her set of pearly white teeth.
God... why do her hands feels so warm?
Winter retreats hers, so I immediately pulled back mine too. Too fast, probably, I could feel my cheeks burning. This is so weird.
She gave me this little bow, a polite one, "I will prove myself to you Jimin, thank you for giving me this chance."
Here she goes again with the 'prove myself' thing. Honestly, I'm starting to think that she was high. It was all happening too fast. I need a break.
I fumbled with my books, pretending to organize them in my bag. Anything to avoid her gaze. Anything to create some distance.
"Well..." I said, forcing a polite smile, "I should probably get going. I have... a lot of homework to do."
It was a lame excuse, but it was the best I could come up with on the spot. My heart was pounding, my palms were sweating, and I felt like I was trapped in some kind of alternate-Winter-Kim-ego.
"Oh..." Her face falling into... disappointment? "Okay. Maybe... let's talk... another time?"
Another time? There wasn't going to be another time. Not if I could help it. This was already way beyond my comfort zone.
"Yeah... maybe," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder and taking a step back. "I'll... see you around."
Before I could turn towards the exit, I heard her call out, a little louder that made those nearby students look our way.
"Wait, I heard you're having a little bit of a hard time with English. I can help you with that."
I closed my eyes shut as my bottom teeth sank on my lips. How did she know?
"What?"
"Well, I'm fluent in English, so if you have trouble with the subject, I can help you. I can tutor you... if you want." She smiled warmly.
That's... uh... how can I describe it... out of the world offer?
"Um... no thanks? I'm fine. I can handle it." I said quickly.
"Are you sure? I'm free after school, so if you change your mind-"
"No, really, I'm- I'm good. But thanks for the offer." If Yeji and Hyun heard about this, they'll gonna lost their minds.
I needed to get out of here, and fast. This was getting way too complicated.
"Okay. Well, if you ever need anything, just let me know." As if I will do that!
I nodded curtly, turned, and practically fled, my feet carrying me away from her as fast as I could without actually running. I could feel her eyes on my back, and it made my skin crawl.
What was wrong with me? Why was I so flustered? It was just Winter Kim, the girl who had made my life a living hell for the past months. I shouldn't be feeling shy. I should be feeling angry. Or scared. Or... something.
Am I losing it too?
As I hurried out of the library, I made a silent vow to myself: never, ever shake hands with Kim Winter again. And definitely, never look into her eyes. And absolutely never accept her help with anything.
The thing is, back in the gym, when I dramatically walked out in the middle of it, it was because... I needed to use the comfort room. All those stares and Winter almost kissing the floor, asking for my forgiveness made me too nervous. My stomach had twisted into knots, and the urge to throw up was overwhelming.
And my friends thinking I'm about to lashed out and cry burst into a fit of solid laughter in front of the ladies comfort room. After that, I told them to leave me alone for a while. I needed to think, so I decided to go to the library hoping to calm myself and maybe read some notes, but I didn't expect that Winter was there too.
Now, as I walked away, I couldn't help but replay the scene in my head. Winter Kim, offering to tutor me? It was absurd.
If this is some kind of those pranks she was pulling, I won't be surprise at all. It wouldn't be the first time.
BUT.
Something felt different this time.
Like...
Like these men in military uniform, running around with a bunch of students.
Wait... military?!
"One. Two. One. Two. One. Two." The officer in front commanded.
What the... What is going on?
I stopped dead in my tracks, staring in disbelief.
The schoolyard, usually filled with gossiping students and the occasional couple making out, had been transformed into some kind of boot camp.
Students in their P.E. uniforms were jogging in formation, led by stern-faced men in crisp military attire.
Was this some kind of school event I'd somehow missed? No, that couldn't be right. I would have heard about it. Besides, the atmosphere was too... intense. Too serious.
"What the hell is this?" I muttered under my breath, pulling out my phone to snap a picture.
"Hey! No phones!" One of the officers barked, striding towards me with an intimidating look. "Put that away, now!"
I reluctantly lowered my phone. This was getting weirder and weirder by the second.
"What's going on? Why are there soldiers here?"
The officer glared at me. "This is a new initiative to instill discipline and respect to all the students of Jasa-go High. It's for your own good."
Discipline? Respect? And why were they using soldiers to do it?
I glanced around, trying to gauge the reactions of the other students. Some looked terrified, others seemed strangely excited, and a few were just rolling their eyes.
Then I saw her, watching the military drills with a strange expression on her face. She was smiling. Not her usual, arrogant smirk, but a genuine, almost... nostalgic smile.
What did she know? And why did she look so... at home?
"Jimin! There you are!"
The student council president? Talking to me now? Wow.
Chan Xi practically skipped over to me. His eyes sparkling.
"Jimin, I just wanted to thank you." he said, grabbing my hands and squeezing them a little too tightly.
"W-what do you mean?" I pull back, getting uncomfortable with his touch.
"The new initiative! The military drills! It's all thanks to you, Jimin! Because of your bravery, your willingness to forgive, Principal Im finally agreed to implement the new disciplinary measures."
He beamed, his eyes nearly glowing. "The school bullying will completely vanish because of you, less student council head ache!"
What??
"What do you mean, it's because of me?"
I'm so lost.
"Can you see that girl over there? She talked it through our principal... for you."
For... me?