Giselle talked it through with me; she's going to apologize to Jimin and make things right. She even have the great idea to get Jimin gifts.
The two of them were talking - well, more like Giselle was doing the talking and Jimin was listening with that slightly dazed look she gets sometimes - while, Ryujin and I were discussing the suggestions I shared at the council meeting.
"That's a brilliant idea, Winter! We can have fun while we travel!" Ryujin exclaimed, clearly delighted. "Imagine, a school trip that's actually fun and not just some boring museum tour. We could hit up Busan, maybe even Jeju! The possibilities are endless!"
I chuckled, trying to suppress a smile. Ryujin was always so enthusiastic, it was infectious. "Right. And it's not just about having fun. We can tie it into our history or culture classes. Make it educational, you know, so the teachers don't kill us."
"Okay, okay, practicalities aside, let's talk logistics. How are we going to convince Principal Im to sign off on this? He's not exactly known for his adventurous spirit." Ryujin asked.
"That's where my charm comes in," I said, winking. "Just kidding. But seriously, I think if we present a well-researched proposal with clear educational objectives and a detailed budget, he'll be more likely to consider it. Plus, I'll bribe my Mom, she got connections. She knows Mr. Im's wife." I joked on last part, I'm not going to bribe Kim's Mom, she's too sweet for that.
Ryujin laughed. "Okay, now that's what I call strategic planning. So, what's the next step? Should we start drafting the proposal?" This kid's making me the brain of the whole council.
"Yup. I already have a rough outline. We can meet up after school with Chan and flesh it out. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can start planning our school trip." I said, grinning.
As Ryujin and I continued to brainstorm, I couldn't help but glance over at Giselle and Jimin. Giselle was practically beaming, and Jimin actually looked like she was smiling.
Maybe, things were finally starting to fall into place.
My eyes flicked back to Jimin, her eyes were soft, a little hesitant but she made me feel this strange sensation, I never felt anything like this before, not even on my teenage years as Winter Drew.
It was like a thousand butterflies had suddenly taken flight in my stomach, fluttering and tickling and making me feel lightheaded and dizzy.
I averted my gaze away back to Ryujin.
This feeling was interesting and terrifying all at once.
Just then, Giselle bounced over to us, her face glowing. "Okay, mission accomplished! I officially apologized to Jimin, and we're actually talking! It's still a work in progress, but we're getting there."
"Good for you - I mean, for us." I forgot that Kim's behind all those mess.
"That's great Gi!" Ryujin said giving her a high-five.
"Why don't we all grab some lunch together? My treat!" Giselle said.
"Actually, Gi, I was hoping I could steal Winter for a bit after lunch. We still need to hammer out some of those school trip details before Principal Im changes his mind. You know how he is." Ryujin interjected, giving me a pointed look.
"Oh, right. The proposal. I almost forgot. Don't worry, you can have her as long as you want, besides, I don't know what happened to that head of hers, suddenly forgetting about fashion wears then becoming the school's top academic student." She said, rolling her eyeballs at me.
We were about to walk away, when someone called me.
"Winter? Can we talk? Just for a minute?"
I turned to see Felix standing there, all clean, and fresh. He hates those sweats and drills.
Giselle stiffened beside me, "What do you want Felix?"
"Just to talk to Winter, alone." He said, his gaze fixed on me.
"Giselle, it's okay. I'll be fine. Just give us a few minutes. Ryujin, you can take her with you." I gave them a reassuring look.
I excused myself as Felix led the way.
He guided me through the crowded hallways, past the bustling cafeteria, and towards the quieter part of the school - the old music room, tucked away in a corner near the auditorium.
We stepped inside. This was my first time here, in this room. It was quite calming. Maybe I can turn this to one of my go-to place.
I turned to face him but before I could react, he reached out and pulled me close.
My breath caught in my throat. One moment, I was standing there, then the next thing I knew was my body slammed against his, while his arms were wrapping tightly around my waist.
"Felix, what are you doing?!"I yelled, I'm trying to push him but he just tightened his grip on me.
He didn't answer. Instead, he lowered his head and was about to kiss me, but my reflexes were much more faster than the adrenaline rush I was feeling.
I pushed us down, making him fall, with a solid thud underneath me. He groaned in pain, his grip loosening slightly and I grabbed the chance to elbowed his stomach.
He gasped, the air rushing out of his lungs, and his hold on me completely vanished. I scrambled to my feet, backing away from him.
"What the hell, Winter!?" he groaned, while clutching his stomach.
"Don't you ever do that again, Felix. Don't you ever touch me without my permission. What were you even thinking?" I calmly asked. This rage boiling inside of me is dangerously dangerous.
"I... I don't know. I just miss you, Winter. I miss us." He struggled to sit up. I shook my head.
"There is no 'us,' Felix. Not anymore. Not after you just tried to force yourself on me. I can't believe I ever thought you were a decent person."
I can't believe Kim thought this kid were a decent guy. Disgusting.
"I know I messed up, Winter. But I'm trying to make things right. I'm trying to be a better person. Please, just give me another chance." He tried to touch me again but immediately back off. This kid has lot of guts.
"After you tried to assault me in a deserted music room? That's not how you become a better person. That's how you become a criminal." Before he could even say a word, I spoke again. "I'm done with you. Don't bother us anymore."
Sorry Kim Winter, I'm disgusted to your choice of men.
I turned and stormed out the room, leaving him there. I don't care if I hurt him. He deserved it. He deserved a lot worse.
~•~
The next morning, in our classroom, we were waiting for Mr. Jang, our history teacher, since it was our first class of the day.
I was trying to review some of my notes for the pop quiz we were having today while I had my headphones on, listening to a YouTube video about Korea's Joseon dynasty. It was a pretty interesting history, about the kings and queens.
Then suddenly, I heard this muffled screams coming from my side. I turned and ripped off my headphones just to see the most horrifying sight imaginable: Felix choking Giselle.
Her face was turning blue, her hands clawing at his arms, her eyes wide with terror while Felix's his hands clenched tightly around her throat.
The other students in the classroom were frozen in shock, their faces pale with fear. Clearly, no one seemed to know what to do.
So I basically jumped off to my seat, grabbed my history textbook and swung it with all my might on Felix's face.
It did the work. He untangled his fingers on Giselle's now reddened neck as the girl gasped for air.
It's my limit.
"You fucking psycho." I breath out
Without a second thought, I balled my fist and punched Felix straight in the face. The force of the blow sent him flying backward, his body slamming against the doorway with a sickening thud.
"Don't you ever, ever, touch her again. If you even look at her, I swear to God, I will make you regret the day you were born kid."
Giselle push me lightly behind her, trying to calm me down. I look at her neck, the skin was red and bruised, but thankfully, it didn't seem like there were any serious injuries.
"Winter... stop..." Giselle's voice was hoarse and weak.
"I think he deserved more than a punch on the face."
"Ms. Kim! Stop!"
[ Time skipped ⏩⏩ ]
~•~
"Ms. Kim, as a member of the student council, you are expected to set an example for your peers. You are supposed to be a leader, a role model. And yet, you reacted with aggression and physical force."
Mr. Jang was sitted behind his desk as I was standing there, head bowed. Listening to his words.
He paused, taking a deep breath. "I know you have a strong sense of justice, Winter. I admire that about you. But you need to learn to control your anger. You need to find more constructive ways to deal with a conflict. Violence only begets violence."
"Will do, Mr. Jang. I apologize. I lost it, and I couldn't think straight." If my comrades will see me like this in front of our general, they will probably tease me nonstop.
"I understand that emotions were running high. But that is no excuse for your actions. You could have seriously injured Mr. Lee. And you could have faced serious consequences yourself."
Lieutenant, you are such an ass, a badass for kicking that kid's ass.
I thought to myself.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm not going to suspend you, Winter. I know you're a good student, and I believe you acted out of a genuine desire to protect your friend. But I am going to issue you a formal warning. And I expect you to attend anger management sessions with the school counselor." Won't disagree to that. I nodded.
"Yes, Mr. Jang. I will."
~•~
Giselle left early, she asked our homeroom teacher, Ms. Sung, if she can go see a doctor because her dad's gonna freak out if he saw that hand print on her her daughter's neck.
Instead of going back to our room. I went straight to the field. I was already dressed for P.E., and honestly, I needed to burn off some steam. I was still pissed off, the adrenaline was still coursing through my veins, and I felt like I was going to explode if I didn't do something.
So I started running.
A few minutes later, the rest of my classmates started to gather on the field, since P.E. was our next class. Mr. Bang, immediately commanded everyone to start running laps.
As I continued my run, I couldn't help but glance over at Jimin, who was running on the other end of the field with her best friend, Yeji.
I was relieved that Jimin seemed to be doing okay. Living her normal school days again.
I noticed that she was watching me too, her eyes following me as I ran around the track.
I quickly looked away, my cheeks flushing with heat.
No. It must be the heat from the sun and all this sweat.
I mentally facepalmed myself.
You're foolimg no one, lieutenant.
What was happening to me? I couldn't seem to think straight whenever Jimin was around.
I forced myself to focus on my run, trying to ignore the insects that were partying in my stomach.
Finally, I slowed down, I just finished my laps. I was about to head over to the bleachers when I saw it happen.
Jimin was running, while talking to Yeji, laughing and smiling. The next, her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed, falling face-first onto the ground.
I sprinted towards her, reaching her side in a matter of seconds, dropping to my knees beside her.
[Time skipped⏩⏩]
I walked back on field after Yeji saved the day. I made a fool of myself again.
Really lieutenant? Asking a lady for a piggyback ride?
I shook my head. Running again on the field.
After a few more laps, I decided to stop.
"Winter! Wow, you've got some serious speed! How many laps have you done?" Mr. Bang asked, as he approached me.
I shrugged, trying to catch my breath. "I don't know... maybe ten? I lost count Mr. Bang."
He whistled, shaking his head in amazement. "Ten laps at that pace? That's incredible! You've got some serious talent, Winter. Have you ever considered joining the athletics team?"
I blinked, taken aback by his question. "The athletics team? No, never really thought about it. I'm not really a sports person."
Mr. Bang's about to open his mouth, but Ryujin came at the right moment.
"Mr. Bang Chan, looking rough as ever. I would like to borrow Ms. Kim here, someone important wants to meet her." She greeted, making the teacher laugh in a proud manner, showing off his godforsaken overbuilt biceps.
"Thank you, Ms. Shin. Mr. Bang, excused us." I dragged her away from the man.
"He scares me." Ryujin shivered, as she jogged with me.
I chuckled before asking, "So who's this important person you're talking about?" We're now on our building's hallway.
"A foreigner. Her name's Ningning Yizhuo, she just transferred yesterday and she's looking for Kim Winter which is your name.
My eyes widened in surprise.
"Ms. Yizhuo? She's here already? I was expecting her later this week, but I didn't know she'd be transferring this early." Dad forgot to remind me, I guess.
Ryujin raised an eyebrow. "You know her?"
"Well -"
"Winter!" I whipped my head on the other side and saw Ningning grinning. She run and threw herself at me making me stumble back a little.
Okay, that was... unexpected. I wasn't exactly the huggy type, and Ningning's greeting was a bit extra than I had anticipated. But I decided to just go with it.
"Ms. Yizhuo... it's good to meet you again." I said, patting her awkwardly on the back.
"I know, right? I couldn't wait any longer! I had to come and see you as soon as possible." She pulled back but her arms stayed attached over me.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. But you could have at least given me a heads-up. I was expecting you later this week." I said, then she tapped my nose playfully.
"I missed you, you didn't call or even message me anymore after the accident! You practically ignored me. So I told my Dad, since he's mostly working here in Seoul, to transfer me here also!" I'm kinda lost right now.
What is our relationship?
"Ms. Yizhuo - Ningning, I'm still a little confused... you know after the accident. I know we've been working together in the company, but... what exactly are we? I mean, before..." I trailed off, unsure how to phrase the question.
"Winter, we're best friends. We've been best friends since we were kids. We grew up together, shared everything, supported each other. Don't you remember?" Oh man, so Yizhuo and Kim were childhood friends. That explains the closeness.
"Oh! Yes! Ningning... I missed you too." I should be more convincing than this.
She hugged me again and then I saw someone on my peripheral, standing with a crutch under one arm: Yu Jimin.
Jimin was supposed to be resting. What was she doing here, and why did she look so pale?
I pulled away from Ningning
"Jimin..." Here we go again, words won't come out and I'm just looking stupid in front her.
"Unnie! What happened to you?" I glanced at the Chinese lady, who was now checking Jimin's foot. She knew Yu?
"You know each other?" I blurted out, looking from Ningning to Jimin.
"Just this morning, we accidentally bumped into each other and then I asked her where I can find Class 3-A and it turns out we have the same class. I saw the horrifying scene earlier." Yizhuo explained, her head shaking.
Oh yea. Maybe I was too mad to notice.
"Everyone, this is Ningning Yizhuo, and Ning, this is Hwang Yeji, Jimin's friends and Shin Ryujin, you probably talked to her, she's our vise in the student council." They all shared a nod, and a polite smile.
"We're not all lunatics, just so you know." Yeji said, and Ryujin snorted.
"Nice comment, Hwang." The vise president were trying to stifle her laughter.
Jimin, however, didn't seem to find it amusing. Her face remained pale and uninterested.
"Jimin I think you should -"
"We should probably get going, right, Yeji-ah? We've been standing here for quite a bit too long, it's bad for my foot. I'll see you around, Ning, Ryu." She limped pass me. Not even glancing in my direction.
"Well, that was... awkward." Ryujin said, while clapping her hands.
Did I do something wrong?