Chapter 19 - Back To School

The class gasped and murmured to each other. Son Jin Ae would be their classmate? No one expected that, not even Jin Ae.

A while back...

"Sir, could I just have another section? I'm okay even with Section D," Jin Ae asked as she glanced disturbingly at the door of the section the Principal lingered on.

"I heard that you also had a problem with the Student Council Club. I think it's time for you to meet them halfway. Jin Ae, we are doing this to help you, remember that."

Jin Ae just gasped in response. The people in the office kept on saying that she needed help, that she needed to face her social issues, etc. They told her to make new friends, connect with other students, etc. Etc. Etc. Now she was in front of the class.

"Jin Ae, you may sit on that empty desk," the teacher said sweetly, Jin Ae looked in the direction she was pointing at and her smile vanished to see her seatmate. She studied the faces of the students surrounding that seat and it turned out to be the same faces of the student council she trampled over. This gonna be hell, she thought.

She involuntarily walked towards the empty desk and dumped her bag on the table. She sat trying not to look at the student beside her.

He cleared his throat. She did not budge, firm to ignore him. But she didn't like her position. Finally, she looked at him and it looked like he was watching her intently since she took her seat.

"Hey, Jeong Won. Let's exchange sit," she said. Much like an order, not a request. She wanted to sit next to the window.

* * *

For the last 3 remaining days before the exams, the school conducted late-night reviews. Jeong Won did not need to go to the study room and somehow that made him a bit sad. Son Jin Ae attended classes on the third day and it marked the last day of the late-night review. The time seemed to pass quicker than the other nights, the clock ticked 8 PM. Everyone was all busy reading their notes or at least most of them.

“Will you just keep on staring at me?” Jin Ae said sternly without glancing at Jeong Won who was now sitting on the seat that should have been hers. She could feel his eyes fixed on her for the past 5 minutes.

Caught red-handed, he thought of an excuse and picked up his book blindly and showed it to her, “Ah-, could you help me with this one?”

Jin Ae looked tiredly at the question he was pointing on the book then coldly stared at him after, “Are you seriously asking me how to add fractions??”

“Oh, so this is just an addition? How about this one?” Jeong Won nervously scanned the page for a more difficult item and pointed another one at the bottom. But before Jin Ae could see it, he removed the book from her sight.

“I think I can answer it now,” he gave her an impish smile. Jin Ae just rolled her eyes. She knew he was just making excuses.

After a deep sigh, he bravely started a new conversation.

“Are you okay now?”

She briefly stopped at what she was doing after hearing his question but then continued as if she did not hear anything.

“Yoon Chul Soo stopped me when I was about to help you out. Did he tell you what I saw?”

Jin Ae just continued scribbling on her worksheet, acting impassive.

"I really want to help you. I mean it. We could still-"

Jin Ae stood up abruptly to his surprise. He was expecting something, a kick or what? But instead, he heard her say something to the teacher, "Me!"

It so happened that the teacher was asking for someone to put her borrowed books back in the library and Jin Ae volunteered. She thought of doing the task to escape Jeong Won’s inquiries. She took the books, about six of them from the teacher.

“The library must be closed now so take these keys. Do not stay longer there, the janitor might come and lock it outside. Alright?” the teacher instructed.

Jin Ae nodded and left the room.

She had walked down the stairs and had turned in a corner already when one hand took her by her shoulders. Due to her surprise, she instinctively elbowed the intruder in the ribs. She was astonished to see a familiar face.

He held his ribs, bending over, “That hurts!”

“What are you doing here?”

Jeong Won walked towards her, still massaging his left rib, he took the books from her hands forcefully.

“Do you really hate talking to me that much that you would rather volunteer to do things like this?”

He said with noticeable hurt on his tone and looked at her disapprovingly. She looked at him empathetically but acted on her resolve to remain distanced so she darted her eyes somewhere else. Seeing that she still looked so dismal, he sighed and said, “I’ll just help you. Alright,” then he started to walk ahead.

“But what about this book?” Jin Ae who has remained rooted on her spot raised one book he did not manage to get. 'If you’ll gonna help, why not take them all,' she thought.

He turned his head back at her, “Just in case, you might think of leaving me alone.”