she managed to stay under the social radar and proved to be uninteresting, the other kids would leave her alone.
But she’d already gained attention. And worse, negative attention. Kids loved gossiping about troublemakers. First strike was what she’d said to Lee Somin this morning. She hadn’t meant to, but she’d been so thrown off from seeing Jihoon. And then getting a punishment in front of the whole class, strike two. And strike three, getting into a “fight” in gym class.
There was one common thread through it all: Ahn Jihoon.
She saw him walking up the hall with his friends. The awkward boy named Changmin or Changwoo gave her a quick bow when he spotted her. A mental debate raced across Jihoon’s face before he started toward her.
Miyoung narrowed her eyes and gave a small shake of her head that clearly said Move on. So Jihoon lowered his eyes and hurried past. Lee Somin followed in his wake, sending a scowl in Miyoung’s direction.
The click of shoes approaching could have been anyone, but Miyoung knew it was Yena before she glanced up.
As kids filed toward their classrooms, necks craned. Even teachers stopped to stare. Her mother didn’t seem to notice her dozens of admirers. Her cold eyes saw only Miyoung, who was suddenly rubbing sweaty palms on her uniform blazer. Yena was pissed. Miyoung straightened her shoulders and clutched her hands together to hide her trepidation.
Yena swept past Miyoung without a word and into the teachers’ office, where the vice principal waited. Miyoung followed behind, head lowered.
The vice principal was a large man who somehow reminded Miyoung of a rhinoceros.
“H-h-hello,” the vice principal stuttered, rising from his desk as if he were the one called into Yena’s office. His hands gripped at his jacket, straightening it as he gathered his composure. “You must be Miyoung’s eomeoni.”
A smile curled across Yena’s lips, congenial with just a hint of seduction. Miyoung hated this smile even as she spent her nights trying to emulate it in her bathroom mirror. Whenever Yena used it, men did her every bidding, as if a spell had been placed upon them.
“I’m honored to meet such an important man as yourself, Vice Principal,” Yena said, her voice smooth as velvet. Miyoung wondered if this was what sirens were supposed to sound like. “I’m sure you’re too busy to be dealing with such trivial things as this.” She flicked a hand at Miyoung.
The vice principal let out a giggle that was more suited to a young schoolgirl. It grated against Miyoung’s nerves.
“Oh no, it is my pleasure to meet with a parent of a new student. I’ve always said it’s important to make the effort, as our students are all so precious to me.” Miyoung had once seen a cartoon where hippopotami danced a ballet, an awkward attempt at looking graceful. The vice principal’s posturing reminded her of that strange dichotomy now.
“I’m horrified that my daughter would make a scene on her first day. I must take complete responsibility. After all, when a child is lacking, it’s a reflection on their parent.” Yena let her lip quiver and blinked her eyes as if holding back tears, but when she opened them again they were clear.
Miyoung almost frowned at her mother’s award-winning acting.
“Oh no, Miyoung’s eomma, you mustn’t think that way. I’m sure that moving so far into the school year must have been a stress on our Miyoung.”
Miyoung’s eomma? Our Miyoung? She scoffed at the familiar addresses and nearly applauded. Her mother’s skills were working quickly on the vice principal. He would probably give Miyoung an automatic pass for her whole second year if Yena asked right now.
“Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you put my precious daughter on probation for committing school violence. I trust in your good judgment. After all, only an honest and fair man could reach such a venerated position.” Yena gripped the vice principal’s hand.
A flush spread up the man’s neck. “Well, it’s only one small mistake, and I hear the kids were playing dodgeball, a very violent game by its nature. Our Miyoung seems like a good girl; I’ll let her go with a warning to be more careful. Okay, Miyoung-ah?”
Miyoung blinked, realizing she was being addressed directly. “Of course, Vice Principal,” she said, working hard to make her voice sound as sweet as Yena’s. Instead it sounded too breathy.
“My dear Vice Principal. You’re too kind,” Yena said, squeezing his hand. And Miyoung thought he’d faint on the spot.