"Ms. Kim! Stop!" That was Changbin's voice, he's one of our classmate. I peak inside and saw Winter behind Giselle.
"I already warned you, Lee." Her eyes fixed on Felix who was still trying to get up." And now you want to assault Giselle too?!" She wanted to escape from her friend's grip but it also looked like the blonde's trying to control herself from doing something reckless.
"Winter, calm down... I'm fine..." Giselle pleaded.
While the other students were frozen in their place. Well, maybe because it was the first time that we saw this kind of situation: The girlfriend hit her boyfriend, while trying to protect their best friend?
Then out of nowhere, Mr. Jung appeared, rushing into the room.
Oh, we're not late. Perfect timing, actually.
"What is going on here?!" He scanned the room, his eyes wide with disbelief, clearly waiting for someone to step up and explain what happened. "Ms. Kim, Ms. Uchinaga, can you please enlighten me?"
All eyes turn to the two.
"It's complicated Mr. Jung... I-"
"Felix was on the floor, bleeding. I think this goes beyond 'complicated' Ms. Uchinaga." His eyes bouncing from Giselle to Felix that was now on his feet.
"It was my fault, Mr. Jung." Winter stepped in front of her red-head friend. " I know that violence isn't the proper way to solve a problem; however, these were different circumstances. He tried to get physical first. He was a man, and being a man doesn't give you a right to undermine a woman, let alone laid a hand on her." I saw how Winter's jaw clenched.
"I understand that you were trying to protect Giselle, Winter, but that doesn't excuse your actions. You can't just go around hitting people, no matter how justified you feel." Mr. Jang shook his head, but their was a hint of understanding in his eyes.
"Oh, so now you're playing the innocent victim?!"
Everyone flinched by Felix's sudden outburst.
"Don't act like you're some kind of saint! Everyone in this school knows what you really are - a bratty, entitled bitch who always gets her way!"
The room went silent. Even Mr. Jung seemed taken aback by what he just heard.
On the other hand, Winter's face paled.
"How dare you -" she began but our teacher cut her off.
"Felix! That's enough! You're only making things worse for yourself. Apologize to Winter, right now." Mr. Jang demanded but Felix just scoffed.
"Apologize? Why should I apologize? She's the one who hit me!"
"You laid a hand on Giselle first." Winter pointed on Giselle's neck, I gasped as I saw those visible handprint, now blossoming purple against her pale skin.
Mr. Jang whipped his head on Felix who was now panicking on his spot.
"No! I... I didn't mean to! We were just arguing, and things got heated, and I... I didn't realize I was holding her that tight!"
"He's lying." Winter spat. "You grabbed her neck. You were choking her." She's trying her best not to scream.
"I didn't mean to hurt her! I swear! I just wanted her to listen to me!" Felix insisted with his trembling voice. What a great actor.
"So you thought the best way to get her to listen was to choke her? Felix, I'm beyond disappointed in you. This is completely unacceptable." Mr. Jang turned to Giselle.
"Giselle, are you okay? Do you need to see the nurse?"
Giselle shook her head. "I... I'm okay, Mr. Jang, just... a little shaken up."
"Alright, Felix, you're going to the principal's office right now. I'll deal with you later. And Winter, you're coming with me. We need to talk about your anger issues."
As Mr. Jang led Felix and Winter out of the classroom, the other students stared at Giselle, who was now sitting on her desk, looking a bit traumatized.
I glanced at Ningning, who looked absolutely horrified. "Oh my god... did you see her neck? He actually choked her!" She whispered.
This was not a good impression for a new student, maybe after a few days, this girl would transfer to another school.
"Welcome to Jasa-go High."
~•~
Later that day, in the girl's changing room, while Yeji and I were fixing ourselves for our normal P.E. class, I was telling her the morning event that was still fresh on my mind.
"Wait, so let me get this straight. Felix actually choked Giselle? In front of everyone? And Winter just snapped and punched him?" She was looking at me in pure disbelief, I nodded.
"That's pretty much it. It was insane. I've never seen anything like it."
"But Winter? Punching someone, let alone her boyfriend?That's so out of character for her, she's usually so calm and collected. Well, I mean the new Winter." Yeji said, shaking her head, while tying her shoelaces.
"That's what made it so shocking. She completely lost it. I guess she really cares about Giselle." I said.
"Well, yeah, they're best friends. But still, choking someone? like that? it's crazy." Yeji said, finally tying her long hair up. This girl's so slow.
"And the worst part is, everyone saw it. Mr. Jung, the new student, everyone. It was so embarrassing, mostly for Felix."
"Speaking of the new student, what's her name again?" Yeji asked, tilting her head.
"Ningning, she seems nice. But I can't imagine what she must think of our school after seeing all that drama on her first day."
"
Poor girl... she probably thinks we're bunch of lunatics." She said, shaking her head.
Suddenly, a loud, piercing whistle cut through our conversation, making us both jump. It was Mr. Bang, our P.E. teacher, and that whistle meant one thing: time to get our asses moving.
"Shit, P.E.," Yeji groaned. "I completely forgot. I hate Mr. Bang. He's so strict."
"He's like a drill sergeant in disguise. But we gotta go. He'll kill us if we're late." I said, helping Yeji with her hair.
We hurried out of the changing room and onto the field.
Mr. Bang was already standing in the middle of the it, his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the students like a hawk. He was a tall, muscular man with a no-nonsense attitude. He was that kind of teacher who made you want to be invisible.
"Alright, girls, line up!" he barked, his voice booming across the field. "We're starting with warm-up laps. Let's go, move it, move it!"
"I hate him." I heard Yeji whispered, annoyed.
We quickly lined up with the rest of the class, trying to avoid Mr. Bang's gaze.
As we started running, I couldn't help but search for this blonde, blue eyed girl. And there, I saw her, sprinting like an athlete, leaving us behind. She was so fast, she looked like she was gliding across the field.
"Look at Winter," Yeji said, nudging me with her elbow. "She's running like she's trying to win an Olympic medal. What's her deal?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't know, maybe she's trying to burn off some of that anger."
I continued to gaze at the blonde, while still trying to keep up with the others. But then, suddenly, my foot caught on something, and I stumbled, my arms flailing wildly as I tried to regain my balance, but seconds later, my body slammed, face-plant onto the grass.
Mr. Bang's whistle can be heard in background.
"Yu Jimin, are you alright?" Mr. Bang asked, as I pull myself up.
Blood rushed on my cheeks, everyone's staring at me!
"I - I'm okay Mr. Bang, I just t-tripped." I mumbled, brushing the dirt on my shirt and face.
"Jimin! Are you okay?" It was Winter, who's now kneeling beside me while gasping for air, her blue eyes filled with worry.
I don't know, but it feels ten times more embarrassing now that she's looking at me like that.
"Ne... I - I'm just - just a little c-clumsy."
God... Jimin! Can you stop stuttering!
Winter's gaze searched my face, as if trying to determine if I was telling the truth. "Are you sure? You hit the ground pretty hard."
Before I could come up with something reasonable, or try and make myself like an idiot, Winter gently took my hand, helping me to my feet.
"Here, let me help you up. You don't look so good."
I allowed her to pull me up, feeling a little steadier with her support.
Mr. Bang cleared his throat, reminding us of his presence.
"Yu Jimin, you can sit on the bleachers for a while. Take a break and make sure you're not hurt. Winter, since you already finished your lap, you can accompany her."
I nodded, trying to put weight on my right foot, but a sharp pain shot up my leg. I winced, stumbling slightly. It felt like I had sprained my ankle.
"What's wrong?" Winter asked, her eyes were looking at me intently, which was making me feel uncomfortable.
"I - I think I sprained my ankle." I said, wincing again.
Winter crouched down, examining my foot. "Yeah, it looks a little swollen."
She looked up at me, as if trying to say something but too scared to say it.
"Um... maybe... maybe I could give you a piggyback ride to the clinic? If... if that's okay with you, of course. I mean, if you don't mind..."
My mind went into overdrive.
Okay, Jimin, don't panic. This is just a friendly gesture. She's just being nice. Don't make it weird.
But my heart was already pounding in my chest like crazy, and my brain was already making up a million different scenarios, each more embarrassing than the last.
What if I'm too heavy? What if I fall off? What if she can feel my heart racing?
"I'm fine... I don't wanna trouble you and - and the clinic's not that far." I tried standing up straight and walk but miserably failed.
"It's no trouble at all. Besides, you shouldn't put any weight on your ankle. Come on, it's the least I can do after... well, you know."
She gestured vaguely, referring to the whole racing incident. I guess she felt like she owed me one.
Okay, Jimin, just breathe. It's just a piggyback ride. It's not a big deal. You can do it.
Just as I was about to hop on Winter's back, Yeji's voice made me froze on the process.
"Hey! What's going on here?"
She was jogging towards us, her brow furrowed suspiciously.
"Jimin sprained her ankle. I was just about to give her a piggyback ride to the clinic." Winter explained.
Yeji's eyes widened. "A piggyback ride? From you? No way! You go back to the field, Winter. I got this."
Before either of us could protest, Yeji stepped in front of Winter and crouched down, her back facing me.
"Hop on, Jimin! I'm stronger than I look," she said, winking at me. "Besides, you know I'd never let you suffer like this."
I stared at Yeji, then at Winter, then back at Yeji.
"But-"
"No buts. Winter needs to get back to the field. I'm perfectly capable of carrying you to the clinic. Now come on, before Mr. Bang starts yelling at us."
And with that, she reached behind her and grabbed my hands, pulling me forward. Before I knew it, I was hoisted onto Yeji's back, my arms wrapped around her neck.
"Alright, hold on tight!" Yeji said, adjusting my weight. "Let's go get that ankle checked out!"
She started walking away, leaving Winter standing there with a look, that I can only describe as disappointment? Again?
But thanks to Yeji, I got spared for the awkward ride from Winter.
~•~
"Alright, Jimin-ah, if you're sure you're okay, you can get back to class. And try to be more careful next time." Ms. Cha, the school nurse hand me the extra ice pack. I nodded and thank her.
Yeji helped me to stand, carefully placing a crutch under my arm. It felt strange and awkward, but it was better than putting weight on my injured ankle.
We exited the clinic and I started hobbling down the hallway, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap of the crutch echoing around us. The hallway was bustling with students changing classes, and I couldn't help but feel bothered as they stared at me and the thing on my arm.
"So... that was quite an epic fall back there on the field, yea?" I knew she would tease me about it.
"Shut up Yeji-ah."
She chuckled, bumping me with her shoulder lightly. "Everyone has their clumsy moments. Besides, it was kind of funny to watch."
I groaned. I don't know if she's trying to comfort me or made fun of me.
"Oh, I'm sure everyone was thoroughly entertained," I said sarcastically. "Especially Winter. I bet she was laughing her head off before she rushed to my side."
"Actually..." She said, her tone turning serious, "I think she was genuinely worried. I saw the way she was looking at you. She seemed pretty concerned."
I just shrugged.
As we continue down the hallway, I tried to push a side the fact that Winter wanted to actually help me and her image while kneeling beside me.
I remembered the way she had gently examined my ankle, her touch surprisingly cautious and tender and the way her pale cheeks turned crimson when she asked me for a piggyride.
Suddenly, Yeji stop walking, her other hand blocking my way.
"Yeji-ah, stop teasing me."
Yeji didn't answer. She just stared intently at something in front of us, her eyes narrowed.
"Who's that girl beside Winter?" Yeji asked. I followed her gaze and my heart skipped a beat.
Standing near the end of the hallway, was Winter. And beside her was the new student, Ningning.
But it wasn't just that they were standing together. It was the way they were standing. Ningning's arm was draped casually around Winter's neck, their bodies pressed close together. They were talking animatedly, their faces inches apart, and I could practically hear Ningning's loud, bubbly laugh even from here.
"Jimin?"
I heard Yeji called. But I couldn't seem to tear my gaze away from the scene before me.
Why... why does my heart feel like it's clenching just by seeing this?