"Do friends look at each other like that?" I stabbed the piece of kimchi on the bowl.
The way they'd been standing, the way they'd looked at each other - friends didn't look at each other like that. At least, my friends didn't.
Maybe I was overreacting.
"They were just friends." I mumbled, slurping a mouthful of my favorite ramyun noodles. The taste usually comforts me, but tonight, my taste buds insisted, it's... bland.
"They probably haven't seen each other in ages, that's all." I said, shutting my eyes closed. Slamming the chopsticks on the small table
God... why do I even care?
It wasn't like I have feelings for Winter. The girl who bullied me? And then suddenly, the same girl who wanted me to hop on her back and bring me to the clinic? It wasn't like we were anything more than... acquaintances. Classmates. People who had shared a brief, awkward moment.
I pushed the bowl away, the noodles half-eaten. My appetite had completely vanished. I stood up and walked over to the sink, turning on the water and started scrubbing at the bowl with unnecessary force.
"It's none of my business. It's her life. She can be friends with whoever she wants." I muttered to myself.
I finished with the dishes, drying my hands on a worn towel. I decided to head to my room and get ready for bed, hoping that sleep would bring some peace of mind.
I changed into my pajamas, a faded t-shirt and a pair of comfortable sweatpants.
As I was about to turn off the light, my phone rang. The caller ID flashed 'Eomma' across the screen.
"Yeoboseyo?" I called.
"Jimin-ah, it's me. How are you? Are you eating well? Are you getting enough sleep?" I love how mom's voice made feel warm and calm.
"I'm fine, Mom. Everything's fine. I'm eating well, I'm sleeping well. Don't worry about me." It's true, these past few days, I've been doing well. No bullying. Less stress.
"Are you sure? You sound tired." I nodded, like she can see me.
"I'm just a little stressed with school, Mom. But I'm okay, really."
"Jimin-ah..." I hummed. "I just wanted to check in on you. And to tell you that your father is doing well. He's getting stronger. The doctors are very pleased with his progress."
Thank, God.
"Tell him I said I love him. And tell him I'll visit soon." I forced my voice not to crack. I miss them so much.
"I will. He misses you very much. We both do. But we're so proud of you, Jimin-ah. You're studying so hard, and you're doing so well. We know it's not easy being away from home, but we believe in you. You're strong, and you're capable, and you can do anything you set your mind to." Mom's making me cry again!
"Thank you, Mom. I love you, and Dad too."
"We love you too. Now, get some rest. And don't forget to eat your vegetables, arraseo? Goodnight, Jimin-ah." I nod my head, wiping my tears away.
"Goodnight, Mom." I said, and hung up the phone.
I put my phone on the side, lying on the bed. I'm thankful for the love and support of my family and friends... I just hope, everything would be always like this.
~•~
For the tenth time today, I wanted to scream. I swear, I'd aged five years in the past three hours thanks to the non-stop bickering coming from behind me.
Ningning, sprawled half-off the desk behind me like she owned the place, and Giselle, leaning back in her chair across from Ningning, practically in Winter's personal space.
"How can you even call that music? It sounds like a dying cat." Ningning whined, irritated.
Now they're bickering about music, but just a while ago, it had been about fashion.
"It's called experimental. Maybe if you expanded your horizons beyond K-Pop, you'd understand." Giselle spat, not even botering to look from her phone.
"Yah! K-Pop is an art form. And at least it has a melody. Your stuff just sounds like random noises strung together." Ningning protested, finally sitting up straight.
"That's the point. It's about pushing boundaries, exploring new sounds. Something you wouldn't understand with your... limited musical palette."
Ningning scoffed, offended.
"Limited? I'll have you know I appreciate all genres. Except for whatever that is." She made a gesture towards Giselle's headphones.
Suddenly, someone slammed her book shut. The three of us - me included, flinched in surprise.
Winter.
She slowly turned around, her usual warm blue eyes narrowed in a warning gaze.
"Where are we?" Oh God, that tone sounds scary.
"I-In the classroom." Giselle were the brave one who answered. While Ning was trying avoid Winter's eyes.
"Some people are actually trying to study, or at least catch a few minutes of peace before the next class. Can't you find somewhere else to have your... intellectual debates?" I wouldn't want to pissed off this new Winter. Never.
Ningning mumbled a half-hearted apology, kicking her feet against the leg of her desk, while Giselle just looked down at her phone, feigning disinterest, but the flush creeping up her cheeks betrayed her.
"It's not just me you're bothering. You're disturbing everyone else who's trying to concentrate." She gestured towards the few other students scattered around the room, heads bent over their books or notes, though I suspected most of them were probably eavesdropping on the drama.
"I get that you two have... differences," she said, her eyes flickering between Ningning and Giselle. "But can you please, please try to be a little more considerate? This isn't the time or the place for your arguments."
She turned back around to face her book. End of discussion. Wow, Winter sounded like full grown woman or... more like a mom. The way she'd shut down the argument with just a few well-chosen words was impressive, and maybe a little intimidating.
I shook my head, trying to refocus on my textbook. I needed to study to maintain my grades, but my mind kept wandering to a certain blonde girl.
I glanced up again, almost involuntarily, towards Winter.
I couldn't help but notice how different she looked. How... mature she was now. She was wearing a pair of thin-framed reading glasses that was resting delicately on her nose, giving her a studious student vibe.
It was strange. I never really thought of Winter as 'bookish' before. I couldn't remember ever seeing her with a book in hand, let alone wearing a reading glasses.
Not that I disliked this new Winter. Actually, quite the opposite. There was something undeniably attractive about her. And those glasses... they really suited her.
"Jimin? Do you need anything?"
Shit.
In a matter of seconds I could almost feel my whole face burning.
She just caught you staring! She'll think I'm weird!
"Uh... no. No I - I'm fine. I'm just thinking." Winter's eyes were still fixed on me.
"About what?"
Oh God, she was going to make me say it. She was going to make me admit that I had been staring at her like a weird person!
"Just... school stuff." I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
"Right. School stuff." She clicked her tongue. "Well, if you need any help, just let me know. "
"Thanks."I said. More like to myself. This is embarrassing!
"I'm going to get back to reading. Good luck with your... school stuff."
She turned to her book again and I breath out, trying to calm myself. Okay, that could have gone worse. At least she didn't call me out on staring.
I buried my face in my hands, groaning inwardly.
Why did I have to be so awkward? Why couldn't I just act normally?
I risk a peek at Winter again, just to make sure she wasn't still looking at me. And confirmed, she was completely absorbed in her book.
God... Jimin, you're hopeless.
~•~
Why am I even here?
Sitting around one of the long table, in the cafeteria where from my perspective: Yeji and Hyunjin, flanking me on my left and right, respectively, and effectively trapping me. Across from me was Winter, looking unfairly calm and composed as she eat her lunch peacefully. And then, because the universe clearly had a vendetta against me, there were Giselle and Ningning, who had somehow, accidentally or otherwise, ended up seated beside each other. To complete this social awkwardness, two of the student council top class, Ryu and Chan, occupied the other end of the table.
How had we ended up here?
It had all started so innocently. Ningning had suggested we all eat lunch together - she didn't actually invited Giselle but the redhead didn't care. The new student called this, a 'bonding experience'. And being the pushover that I was, I had agreed. Now, I was regretting every decision I had ever made in my life.
Then someone cleared their throat.
Thank you, Ryu!
"So Ningning. Where in China, do you live?" Ryu asked while stuffing her mouth with a raddish.
Ningning, who'd been poking boredly at her bibimbap, perked up slightly, probably just grateful for a distraction.
"Harbin. Up in the northeast, near Russia." Ning answered.
"Ah, Harbin. Isn't that where your family's company is based?" Ryu said, nodding like she actually knew something about the place.
"Yeah. But we have branches all over the world." The others were nodding as we listen to the new student.
"I see, and what exactly does your company do?" Now, Ning's eyes gleam with interest.
"We're in the fashion industry." She nodded, but as she say that, I saw Giselle rolled her eyes on the other.
Before Ryu could launch into another question, Yeji suddenly chimed in, her eyes wide with recognition while pointing her chopsticks at Ningning.
"Wait, are you talking about the Fên Dî brand? The one that's owned by that famous Chinese model, Yizhuo Caixia?" Ningning blushed.
"Uh... yep. She's my mom."
"No way..." Hyunjin blurted out, nearly choking on his tteokbokki. "Your mom is Yizhuo Caixia? The Yizhuo Caixia? Dude, she's a freakin' icon!"
"And your family owns Fên Dî? That's, like, the biggest clothing empire in Asia." Chan added.
"Oh, I don't think so." Ryu disagreed. "While Fên Dî is certainly a major player, I believe the title of 'biggest' actually belongs to Kokoro Shichaku." She paused for a dramatic effect, her eyes scanning the table.
"Kokoro Shichaku is a Japanese brand, owned by the incredibly talented and notoriously private couple, Hyouma and Shiroyuki. Their designs are legendary, their influence is unparalleled, and their brand is worth billions."
As Ryu spoke, I couldn't help but notice Giselle shift slightly in her seat. She was trying to appear uninterested, stirring her drink, but I saw how a small smile crawled across her lips before she quickly suppressed it.
What was that about?
"How do you know so much about it Ryujin?" Winter finally joined the conversation. Oh, she doesn't wanna be bothered while eating. Her tray's empty.
"My sister, Yuna, is a huge fan. She's obsessed with their designs. Most of her clothes are from Kokoro Shichaku." She explained, enjoying the attention.
She paused, tapping a finger against her chin.
"I actually got curious a while back and asked her about it. She told me all about it and their brand. Apparently, they're incredibly secretive and rarely give interviews. It's all very mysterious." Winter nodded, wiping the side of her mouth.
Wait. Why am I staring again?!
"Reasonable." Winter said.
While Yeji and Hyunjin were now in a deep discussion about the latest K-Pop comeback. Chan was nodding along to their conversation, occasionally butting with his own opinions. Ryu on the other hand was still on with more facts about Kokoro Shichaku with Giselle and Ningning as her listener.
And Winter... she was watching me with curiosity.
"You like noodle dishes?" She asked. Looking at my almost empty bowl of rice, kimchi guksu, and bibim guksu.
I'd practically inhaled the noodle soup, but the rice was mostly untouched - that's my second bowl of rice I mean.
"Yeah.... I guess I do. Is it that obvious?"
I winced internally.
Smooth, Jimin. Real smooth.
"Just a little," she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "You seem to have a particular fondness for anything involving noodles. And kimchi."
My cheeks flushed.
Is she observing me the entire time?
I avoided her gaze, suddenly hyper-aware of every move I made.
Was I eating too fast? Was my posture weird? Did I have sauce on my face?
"Earth to Jimin, hello?"
"Huh?" I look up, blinking a couple of times and saw no one in front of me.
"Jimin-ah, let's go, we're gonna late!" Yeji was tugging my arm. She and Hyunjin standing beside me, their backpacks slung over their shoulders.
"Late? Late for what?" I asked, still in daze. Had I imagined it?
Yeji rolled his eyes. "For history class, duh! Remember? The one with the pop quiz that's worth, like, half our grade?"
Shit! I completely forgot about that. I stood up, tray in hand.
"Where did everyone else go?" I asked, returning the tray on the dirty dishes section.
"They left like, five minutes ago. We tried to get your attention, but you were totally zoned out. What were you even thinking about?" Yeji said, tapping her foot impatiently.
They're going to tease me if I tell them it's because of that blue-eyed blonde!
"Just... stuff." I reasoned, hiding my face from them.
"Well, whatever it was, it better be good. Because if we're late for this quiz, I'm blaming you."
"Come on, slowpoke." We head out the cafeteria. " And later, you're telling me about the conversation you had with Winter. Mind you, she's trying not to laugh." Yeji snorted.
"What? W-why?"
Hyunjin spoke instead of Yeji, because the girl was now nearly dying of laughter.
"You had a noodle on your forehead, Jimin-ah." Hyujin then removed something from my face.
A stray, dried noodle.