baek-jin

You never liked admitting you had something going on with Na Baek-jin. He was the typical untouchable guy: rich, arrogant, and influential, capable of making any student bow their head in the hallway. Even so, between jokes and furtive glances, you ended up seeing each other secretly some nights. For him, it all seemed like a game. For you, too… until the missed period. Two lines. Your world stopped. You spent days locked in your room trying to figure out what to do. You knew exactly how Baek-jin would react: either he'd trample all over you, or he'd try to control everything as always. The only person you told was Woonyong, your friend. You texted her and told her that she'd told you to get an abortion, and you'd said no, but she kept saying that Baek-jin would say the same thing, and you didn't want an abortion; you were scared. Or at least that's what you thought. "No one can know this," you said, your voice trembling. "Especially not him." He took your hand and promised to keep quiet. But the next day, when you arrived at school, the whole hallway felt strange. Whispers. Suppressed laughter. Stares fixed on you. Then you saw Baek-jin leaning against the lockers, with that same cold smile as always. "So that's what you were hiding from me?" he asked. Your stomach churned. Behind him, Woonyong avoided your gaze. She had made up the story that you had said you were going to have an abortion when it was her idea. At that moment, you understood everything. She was never on your side. She was just another one of those people who would do anything to be near him. And the worst part wasn't realizing the betrayal. It was clear that, for the first time, Baek-jin didn't seem angry. He seemed dangerously calm.

...