Monday morning felt like walking through fog—thick, heavy, and impossible to see clearly through. Every hallway whispered rumors I couldn't quite catch. Every glance lingered a moment too long.
Apparently, confronting Haeun openly meant I'd officially graduated from minor curiosity to school-wide spectacle.
Fantastic.
I pulled my textbooks from my locker, feeling eyes on me from every direction, each stare sharper than the last. When I shut the door, Yuri appeared at my side, looking worried enough to ruin my morning.
— "So, confrontation now? Bold strategy," she said lightly, but her eyes held real concern.
I shrugged, trying not to look as uneasy as I felt.— "I figured subtle wasn't really working."
She sighed, adjusting her hair.— "Look, Nina… I warned you. Haeun doesn't play fair."
— "Neither do I," I lied cheerfully, slamming my locker shut louder than necessary. "It'll be fine."
Yuri gave me a skeptical look but didn't argue. Instead, she walked off, blending seamlessly into a group of girls laughing softly at an inside joke I'd never understand.
Perfect. Even the one semi-friendly face I'd managed to win over thought I was doomed. That had to be some kind of record.
By Tuesday afternoon, I'd almost convinced myself everything was fine. Almost.
Then came art class—normally my sanctuary from reality, now just another trap waiting to spring shut.
The teacher had us working on self-portraits, because clearly the universe had a sense of humor. I stared at the mirror, pencil trembling slightly in my hand as I sketched the shape of a face that still felt like someone else's.
— "Nice drawing," Rayan's voice said softly from my left, startling me.
I jumped, knocking my pencil onto the floor. Smooth.
He picked it up easily, handing it back.— "You okay?"
— "Define okay," I muttered, accepting the pencil and avoiding his gaze.
He paused, then leaned closer.— "I've heard stuff."
— "Oh good," I said flatly. "That's exactly what I need—more people hearing 'stuff'."
He lowered his voice further, barely above a whisper.— "Haeun's claiming you're hiding something big. She said your file's empty."
I froze, heart skipping unpleasantly.— "And?"
— "And nothing," he replied, straightening up casually. "Just thought you should know what they're saying."
I swallowed hard.— "Thanks, Rayan. You're a ray of sunshine."
He gave a faint smile.— "I do my best."
When class ended, I rushed to gather my things and escape, but my fingers felt numb, uncoordinated. A photo slid out of my bag, fluttering gently to the floor, landing face-up.
A girl with tired eyes, awkward smile, and brown hair stared back. Alma.
My stomach dropped.
A slim hand reached out, picking it up. I looked up sharply.
Haeun stood over me, eyes narrowed, studying the picture.
— "Who's this?" she asked, voice dangerously calm.
My breath caught painfully in my throat.— "Nobody. Just an old friend."
She stared hard at me, then slowly handed it back.— "You should keep better track of your past, Nina. You wouldn't want it catching up with you."
She walked away calmly, leaving my heart pounding erratically in my chest.
I clutched the photo tightly, hands trembling, feeling exposed and angry at myself.
Great. Now I'd just handed her ammunition.
Wednesday night found me pacing around my cramped apartment, nerves frayed.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when someone knocked sharply on my door at 11 PM.
I opened it slowly, prepared for police, FBI, Haeun's hired assassins—anything except Yuri holding two cups of bubble tea.
— "Late-night crisis?" she offered gently.
I sighed deeply, stepping aside to let her in.— "Something like that."
She handed me a cup silently, settling on the worn sofa.— "Talk."
I hesitated, fingers tapping anxiously on the cup.— "If I tell you something… will it stay secret?"
She sipped quietly, meeting my gaze evenly.— "Depends."
I swallowed.— "I don't exactly… remember much about my past."
Technically true, just omitting the reincarnation part. I wasn't sure she'd appreciate details about my death-and-resurrection.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, suspiciously.— "Define 'much.'"
— "Define 'secret,'" I countered weakly.
She sighed, leaning back thoughtfully.— "Fine. I'll help you—within reason. But if this blows up in your face, you're on your own."
Fair enough. Friendship with conditions—better than none at all.
— "Thanks, Yuri," I whispered sincerely.
She rolled her eyes, half-smiling.— "Don't thank me yet. You're still probably screwed."
I laughed weakly. It was nice to know honesty was still an option, even if trust felt like stepping onto thin ice.
Friday afternoon, I was done playing defense.
I found Haeun alone, surprisingly, in the quiet solitude of the library, scanning through an economics book like the future depended on it.
I dropped into the seat across from her, uninvited.
— "We need to talk," I said directly.
She closed the book slowly, marking her place carefully, before looking up calmly.— "Again? You really love talking lately, Nina."
I ignored the jab.— "Whatever you're digging for—just ask me. I'll answer."
Her eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.— "Really? That easily?"
I nodded.— "I don't have time or energy to play guessing games."
She studied me quietly, evaluating.— "Who was that girl in the photo?"
My heart thumped painfully. Truth or lie?
— "An old life," I said simply, honestly. "A life I left behind."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.— "Left or ran from?"
— "Both."
She paused, expression softening for a moment. A fleeting vulnerability flickered behind her eyes, quickly hidden again.
— "Then why here?" she asked quietly. "Why this place?"
I took a deep breath, voice steady, sure for once.— "Because I wanted to start over. Really over."
She stared hard, then nodded slowly.— "You realize if you're lying, it'll cost you everything."
— "I know," I replied calmly. "But I'm not."
We sat there, eyes locked, tension heavy and real. Finally, she stood, slipping the book neatly into her bag.
— "All right, Nina," she said quietly, genuinely for once. "I'll believe you—this time."
She walked away gracefully, leaving me alone in the quiet room, heart still pounding but feeling stronger, more grounded than before.