~ Lee Heeseung

That week, the teacher decided on the pairs for a project. Unfortunately, I was paired with Heeseung. We were just classmates; we almost never spoke.

At the end of class, I mustered up the courage and went to talk to him.

— Heeseung, about work…

He didn't even look up from his phone.

— I'm not going to do it. Just put my name on it and that's it.

I was silent for a few seconds, but I ended up agreeing.

On the day of the presentation, I handed in the work. Later, Heeseung showed up with the proof in hand.

"What the hell is this?!" he growled. "You said you'd put my name on it!"

— I submitted it… but the teacher wouldn't allow it to be handed in without your part. I tried to explain. I'm sorry.

He stared at me with contempt.

You'll regret this.

And he kept his promise.

From that day on, my life turned into hell. Heeseung would make jokes about me, call his friends over to humiliate me, and sometimes they would cross the line with disgusting comments. I would stay quiet, pretending not to hear.

Once, during an argument in the hallway, he pushed me hard. I fell awkwardly and ended up breaking my wrist. Even so, I still lacked the courage to confront him.

Days later, I sat in the desk in front of him.

I felt someone brush my hair aside. Before I could turn around, the permanent marker touched the fabric of my blouse.

He wrote, in huge letters:

"I'M SEXY."

His friends started laughing.

My face burned. I felt the tears streaming down my face, but I simply wiped them away and remained silent.

Heeseung leaned back in his chair, satisfied.

He didn't like me. He had no hidden feelings, no jealousy, and no romantic excuses.

He was simply cruel to me.

And I still didn't know how to make it stop.