My door flies open without warning, and before I can even process what is happening, my blanket is yanked off my face. I groan, squinting up at the sudden brightness, only to find Hye Ri already fully dressed, standing over me with a very obvious look of disbelief written all over her beautiful face.
"What?" I mutter, dragging the blanket back over my head.
The blanket is immediately snatched away again, and this time my eyes snap open as reality crashes into me.
"Your exam!" I shout, springing upright.
Hye Ri started her event planning course months ago, juggling classes twice a week while still running her restaurant like the powerhouse she is. She has been taking assessments back-to-back, and today is her final exam. This is not just important. This is everything.
Oh shit.
"I'm so, so sorry." I ramble, scrambling out of bed as guilt floods my entire body. I grab her wrist and pull her toward the desk. "I can't believe I forgot."
I push her down gently into the chair in front of the mirror and begin fixing her hair, my fingers moving quickly but carefully as I tie it into a neat, polished style. When I finish, I tilt my head, examining my work before nodding in approval.
"There. You look like someone who is about to ace her exam."
Hye Ri slowly turns in the chair to face me, gripping the hem of my pajama top. I squeeze my eyes shut instantly, bracing myself.
"I'm glad you finally remembered, my Kitten." She says through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry." I repeat, wincing.
She exhales, the tension leaving her shoulders just slightly. "It's fine. I'm going to be late anyway, because now I have to take Ha Eun to school."
That only makes me feel worse.
"That should have been me." I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. "My alarm was set, I swear, but I was up all night working on my book, and I slept like the dead. I didn't hear a thing. I'm really sorry, Bubbles."
She stands abruptly, glancing at her wristwatch, and her eyes widen in horror.
"Oh, my God. I am like super late now." She grabs her bag in a rush. "I'll take Ha Eun to school. Just make sure you show up for Field Day, please? She will be heartbroken if either of us doesn't make it. And if I finish early, I will join you. I promise."
Before I can respond, she leans in and presses a quick kiss to my cheek.
"Thanks, Kitten."
Then she is gone.
"Don't worry!" I shout after her. "I'll take lots of pictures and videos. Good luck with your exam!"
The moment I hear the front door shut, I sprint into the bathroom to get ready before stepping into full parent mode. After a quick shower, I return to my room with a towel wrapped around my body, another in my hand as I dry my hair. My phone rings on the desk, and I walk over absentmindedly to pick it up. The moment I see the caller ID, my entire face warms.
I smile before even answering.
"Well, if this isn't Mr. Boyfriend." I tease, unable to hold back the giggle in my voice.
A deep sigh echoes from the other end, and I immediately bite down on my finger, trying and failing to contain my excitement.
Say it again.
I press a hand against my chest, feeling my heartbeat pick up speed like it is trying to outrun me.
"Do you like hearing it that much?" I ask playfully.
What do you think? Now call me that one more time, pretty please?
I throw myself onto the bed, kicking my feet in the air like an absolute fool before forcing myself to sit up and regain some dignity.
"Hello there… my boyfriend." I say again, this time slower, softer.
He sighs again, and I swear my cheeks might explode at this point. I stretch out on the bed, staring at the ceiling, completely lost in him even though he is not physically here.
This... is bad. Now, I want to see you. Badly.
"You know I want that too." I reply, smiling softly. "But you need to focus on your comeback, or Mr. Lee is going to scold you, and we definitely do not want that."
I laugh lightly at the last part.
That old grump.
I laugh louder this time. "Let's be honest, he is not even that old. And he actually looks really good for his age."
Whatever.
I can practically hear the eye roll through the phone, and the thought alone sends me into another fit of giggles.
Then, slowly, the laughter fades. Neither of us speaks, but neither of us hangs up either. And the silence, definitely, is not awkward. I stare at the empty space beside me on the bed and imagine him there, my head resting against his chest, his hand finding mine like it belongs there.
I miss you so much.
My lips curve into a soft smile. And even though I didn't say it out loud, I know I miss him just as much, maybe even more.
I want to hug you right now.
My eyes flutter shut, my fingers curling slightly against the sheets as memories of his arms around me come rushing back, warm and safe.
"I know." I breathe.
I want to kiss you… badly.
A quiet sigh escapes me, and I press my lips together, remembering every kiss we have shared, every moment that made my heart feel like it might burst.
I arrive at Ha Eun's school, dressed in blue jeans and a black long-sleeved turtleneck, layered with a long brown coat and white sneakers. The air carries that sharp, crisp bite of late autumn, the kind that reminds you winter is just around the corner.
Inside, the hallway is quieter than expected. I follow the signs until I find the staff room, pushing the door open carefully. It is mostly empty, which makes sense considering Field Day is already in full swing outside.
A kind older man carrying two cartons of cardboard rolls notices me almost immediately. When I explain that I am looking for one of the students, he offers to guide me to the sports hall. I end up taking one of the cartons from him, and we walk together.
"Thank you once again, ma'am." He says as he takes the box back from me.
"Please, it was nothing." I reply with a smile.
"Most of the parents and teachers are already at the field. I can call a student to take you there."
"Oh, that's alright." I say quickly. "I just need to make sure she knows I'm here before I head to the field."
He nods in understanding. As right as we exchange polite bows, a loud groan cuts through the hallway. My head snaps toward the sound, and my heart drops. Ha Eun is on the floor, clutching her arm.
"Ha Eun!"
I rush to her side, dropping to my knees without hesitation.
"Are you okay?" I ask, my voice softer now.
She nods, but her grip on her arm tightens.
"Let me see."
Gently, I roll up the sleeve of her PE shirt, and the moment I see the deep purple bruise forming on her skin, my stomach twists. I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me.
"Who did this to you?"
She says nothing. Her eyes drop to the floor, as if avoiding me on purpose. Around us, the other students begin to scatter, moving away too quickly, too nervously. My expression hardens.
"Stop right there. All of you."
They freeze. I help Ha Eun to her feet, keeping one arm around her protectively as I turn to face the group.
"Which one of you hurt her?"
They all shake their heads, avoiding my gaze. As I scan each face carefully, one girl stands a little too still, a little too unfazed. The yellow cone in her hand drops lazily to the ground as she folds her arms, a scoff tugging at her lips like she couldn't care less.
And just like that, everything clicks. I stare at her, the disbelief heavy in my chest. The realization is absurd, and yet it fits perfectly
An elementary school bully?!