♥︎ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 5♥︎

𝐿 𝑂 𝑉 𝐸❦⊹܀𝑆𝐼𝐶𝐾❦⊹܀

ဣ𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐍ဣ_____

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀💌🌹

ೄྀ𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄ೄྀ

"𝐎h that's her, right?"

"Kim Na-hee! I follow her on her socials!"

"I didn't know they still accepted transfer students"

𝐈 guess words really spread around Hyosan that fast. As I looked around, I noticed some students turning to look at me and whispering. It felt like the moment I stepped onto campus, whispers and glances were directed my way, as if everyone was suddenly aware of my presence. Na-yeon gently patted my shoulder as we walked towards the school building.

"Students here really gossip about new students" she said, her voice a mix of annoyance and protectiveness. "But if they say something mean, I'll kick them!"

Na-hee shook her head in disbelief, her eyes wide. She turned her attention to Na-yeon, who was still fired up about what she would do if anyone bothered me.

"Na-yeon, don't take it to heart," Na-hee said softly, trying to calm her friend. "If I don't care what they say about me, then you shouldn't either."

Na-yeon huffed in annoyance, crossing her arms. Na-hee clicked her tongue, a playful smile on her face. "Besides, I don't care about them. I just want to start fresh at this school" she added, determination shining in her eyes.

Na-yeon waved her hands dismissively, still stubborn. "Ya! you know me, I'll always stand up for you" she insisted, her voice firm but caring.

Na-hee rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in her expression as they continued walking toward their school building, side by side, ready to face whatever came their way together.

Outside the tall school building, Na-hee spotted some of her classmates chatting and laughing together. The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. With a warm smile, she waved at them, her heart feeling light. Na-yeon walked beside her, but shot them an annoyed glanced as the moment they made their way towards the entrance of the school.

As they approached, I-sak, a bubbly girl with a bright personality, nudged her friend On-jo, who was a bit more reserved and observant. "Hey, the new girl is really nice, isn't she?" I-sak exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she pointed towards Na-hee, before she had entered the school building.

On-jo kept staring at the direction where Na-hee had gone, before she had walked inside with Na-yeon who was quite annoyed at Na-hee for giving them her attention. "I guess so" she replied, her tone thoughtful as she watched Na-hee's friendly demeanor earlier.

"What's with the sudden interest?" On-jo asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips. She knew I-sak often found herself drawn to new people, but this seemed different.

"I just think she's adorable and really kind" I-sak said, her cheeks flushing slightly. She admired how Na-hee seemed to brighten the atmosphere around her, effortlessly making others smile.

"Well... Na-yeon, on the other hand..." I-sak started, but she suddenly burst out laughing as a funny memory flashed in her mind. She recalled the annoyed expression on Na-yeon's face from earlier when she shot them an annoyed glance.

On-jo, unable to resist the contagious laughter, lightly slapped I-sak on the shoulder, her own giggles bubbling up. "I don't know what's up with her" On-jo said between laughs, picturing Na-yeon's dramatic reaction.

On-jo turned to look at Cheong-san, who seemed lost in thought, staring off into the distance. "Ya! Cheong-san, get your backpack! I'm tired" she called out, her voice a mix of impatience and playful annoyance. She let his backpack fall on the ground and she kicked it.

Cheong-san snapped back to reality, blinking as he realized what was happening. "Oh, right! Sorry!" he said, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. With a sigh, Cheong-san grabbed his backpack, which was resting on the floor beside him. It was heavy, filled with textbooks and notebooks, and he struggled a bit as he lifted it.

"Seriously, you need to carry your own stuff" she teased, laughing as he huffed in frustration.

Finally, Cheong-san managed to grab the straps, pulling the backpack onto his shoulders with a dramatic sigh. "You're just mad because you keep losing." he said, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his smile.

On-jo rolled her eyes, shaking her head at his antics. "Next time, I'll throw your bag" she replied blankly, nudging him. Cheong-san let out a huff. "As if you'll win." He whispered to himself, scratching his head in annoyance.

"Cheong-san, were you dozing off earlier? Why?" I-sak asked the boy, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Of course, being I-sak, she needed to find out everything. Cheong-san turned to look at her, his face scrunching up in annoyance. "Yah! It's nothing" he replied, making a tsk sound afterward.

"Rude much?" I-sak shot back, shrugging her shoulders.

Na-hee and Na-yeon were inside the school when Na-yeon kept nudging Na-hee over and over again. This made Na-hee stop walking. She turned to look at Na-yeon, frowning. "Yah! Why do you keep nudging me, Yeoni?" Na-hee complained, her voice a mix of annoyance and confusion. Na-yeon had a disapproving look on her face.

"Yah, you shouldn't pay attention to them! You'll just waste your time" Na-yeon said, sounding frustrated.

"What's up with you? I want to make friends with them, Yeoni" Na-hee replied, pouting slightly.

"Whatever, just remember, they are bad news!" Na-yeon huffed as she continued to walk towards their classroom. Na-hee followed her, amusement dancing in her eyes.

As they walked, Na-hee couldn't help but wonder about one of her classmates. The boy she saw earlier, along with two girls, looked oddly familiar, but she just couldn't figure out where she had seen him before.

Na-hee shook her head, trying to focus as she caught up with Na-yeon. She was worried about getting lost in the crowded hallway, especially with so many students heading to their respective classrooms.

As Na-hee and Na-yeon made their way to their classroom, Na-hee caught a glimpse of a student leaning against the wall. He had a mullet hairstyle and his arms were crossed. Their eyes met in slow motion, creating a moment that felt unfamiliar.

Na-hee continued walking with Na-yeon, chatting and laughing. Meanwhile, Gwi-nam watched her walk away, his eyes sparkling with interest. He clicked his mouth softly, intrigued by her presence."Who's she?.."

Su-hyeok noticed the two girls walking im the hallway. He caught a glimpse of Na-hee, full of energy as she chatted with Na-yeon, and a small smile curled on his lips. But then his gaze shifted to Gwi-nam, who was leaning against the wall, staring intently at Na-hee.

Su-hyeok felt a surge of protectiveness, his face went blank he shot Gwi-nam a glare, hoping to get his attention. However, Gwi-nam didn't notice and continued to stare at Na-hee, completely unaware of Su-hyeok's watchful and hatred eyes.

Na-hee slid the classroom door open and immediately saw Gyeong-su. They stared at each other, blinking in surprise. Na-hee spoke first, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Good morning, Gyeong-su!" she said with a warm smile. Gyeong-su felt his ears flush red. "G-g-good morning!" he stammered.

Na-hee's pinky best friend Na-yeon, seemed to have forgotten she were there. Na-yeon scrunched her face in annoyance. "Yah! Get out of the way!" she told Gyeong-su, rolling her eyes at their interaction. "Oh, sorry, Na-yeon." Gyeong-su replied, sliding the door fully open so both girls could enter.

Na-hee shot Na-yeon a quick look, silently pleading, *Yeoni, don't make a scene.* Na-yeon glared at Na-hee, her eyes narrowing as she walked into the classroom first, arms crossed in annoyance. Na-hee shook her head, grateful to Gyeong-su before following Na-yeon inside.

Na-yeon plopped down in her seat with a loud thud, clearly irritated. Na-hee watched her, wondering to herself, *What's with those two? Were they exes or something?* Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she walked toward her own seat next to the girl with straight hair who always seemed so nonchalant.

As she made her way there, Na-hee overheard some classmates whispering about Na-yeon's attitude. She sighed, feeling a little sorry for her friend. Pulling out her chair, she placed her bag down and gently sat down. The sun shone perfectly on her face, its warmth making her smile. She couldn't help but think how the sunlight made the girl beside her look like an angel.

Nam-ra felt the chair beside her shift slightly. She slowly glanced at Na-hee before returning to her notes. Suddenly, she was caught off guard when Na-hee started a conversation with her.

"Choi Nam-ra, right?" Na-hee asked cheerfully, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a big smile on her face. Nam-ra looked at Na-hee again and nodded without much enthusiasm.

"Why?" Nam-ra replied in a quiet tone, clearly not in the mood for small talk.

"I'm Kim Na-hee! Good morning, Nam-ra!" Na-hee greeted, her voice warm and friendly. Nam-ra blinked at her.

"I know." she stated flatly before focusing back on her notes. Na-hee felt a bit taken aback by Nam-ra's cold response. *This may take a while for my seatmate to open up to me, but I'll do whatever it takes!* Na-hee thought, filled with determination. *She just needs someone to melt her cold ice exterior* she nodded to herself, feeling optimistic.

"I saw you. You almost fell on your roller skates." Nam-ra said suddenly, causing Na-hee to feel embarrassed. She slowly sank deeper into her seat, her cheeks turning pink.

Nam-ra felt a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips before she returned to her usual blank expression.

Na-hee took a deep breath, trying to shake off the embarrassment. She glanced at Nam-ra, who was now pretending to be engrossed in her notes, but Na-hee could see the faint hint of a smile lingering on her lips.

"Yeah, that was pretty embarrassing" Na-hee admitted, her voice lightening.

Nam-ra shrugged, her expression still unreadable. "You'll get better" she replied, her tone slightly softer. Na-hee took that as a small victory.

"Thanks! I hope so" Na-hee said, her enthusiasm undeterred. Na-hee suddenly felt her stomach growling in hunger.... Again. Na-hee groaned as she scratched her head, "I really need a snack right now." She mumbled in annoyance.

Nam-ra's lips twitched again, but she quickly masked it with her usual stoic demeanor. "You don't need snacks, you just want to pass the time." she replied, though her tone was less cold than before.

Na-hee chuckled, feeling encouraged. "Hey! You can't say that to me, especially when I love foods than anything" Na-hee pouts in a joking manner. "Chicken and coke sounds pretty good right now."

Nam-ra couldn't help but let out a small sigh, her resolve starting to waver. "Just imagine eating, I'm studying." she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Good idea I guess!"

Na-hee She leaned back in her chair, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Maybe, just maybe, she could break through Nam-ra's icy exterior after all.

The classroom door slid open, and Na-hee turned her head to see who had entered. Three familiar faces came into view, On-jo, I-sak, and Cheong-san. I-sak and On-jo quickly made their way to their seats, leaving Cheong-san standing by the door.

Gyeong-su, noticing Cheongsan, stood up from his seat and rushed over to chat with him. They walked together toward their seats, where they would sit side by side. Their other friends soon crowded around them, creating a lively atmosphere. Among them was Wu-jin, who couldn't help but keep stealing glances at Na-hee. He was terrible at hiding it, and sometimes Dae-su would tease him about his obvious crush.

Na-hee looked around the classroom, filled with laughter and chatter. The warm yellow sunlight streamed through the windows, symbolizing the cheerful energy of the room. She couldn't help but smile at the happiness surrounding her.

As she watched her classmates interact, Na-hee felt a sense of belonging. It was moments like these that made school enjoyable, and she was grateful for the friendships she was beginning to form, especially with Nam-ra sitting beside her.

Na-hee's eyes darted to the other door as it slides open, and she spotted the chic guy from yesterday, Lee Su-hyeok. He was the handsome boy who had almost made her phone break. When he didn't smile, he had a playboy vibe, but when he was with his friends, his whole demeanor changed, and he lit up with a warm smile.

Su-hyeok threw his arm around Dae-su as they chatted with their friends, laughter filling the air. Na-hee paused for a moment, captivated by the scene. But then she noticed the girl with the low ponytail from earlier, On-jo, looking at her intently. Na-hee blinked in surprise and waved shyly, feeling a little awkward.

Na-hee turned away, her gaze drifting to the view outside the window. On-jo, sitting nearby, felt her cheeks flush as she realized she had been dozing off and unintentionally staring at their new classmate. She felt slightly embarrassed that she hadn't waved back and instead continued to doze off, her head leaning back against her seat.

With both hands covering her face, On-jo tried to hide her embarrassment. She hoped no one had noticed her moment of weakness. As she leaned back, she could still hear the cheerful chatter of Su-hyeok and his friends, and she couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and shyness.

I-sak gently patted On-jo on the shoulder, drawing her attention. On-jo lowered her hands and looked at her friend, a hint of concern in her eyes. I-sak tilted her head slightly to the right. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.

On-jo nodded, though her expression was thoughtful. "Yeah, I just thought of something" she replied, her gaze drifting back to Na-hee, who was still staring out the window, lost in her own world.

I-sak noticed the way On-jo's eyes lingered on Na-hee. "Don't worry.." On-jo said reassuringly. "I'm fine."

The class finally settled in when the bell rang, signaling the class was finally starting. Na-hee patiently waited for Mrs. Park to walk inside the classroom. Her heart still fluttering from her and Nam-ra's earlier exchange.

The Mrs. Park walked in, and the chatter in the room quieted down. Alright, everyone, settle down" she tells everyone mostly the boys who finally quieted down.

"Good morning, everyone!" Mrs. Park greeted with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling as they landed on Na-hee, who smiled back shyly. Mrs. Park felt a wave of happiness seeing Na-hee finally feeling included in the classroom. It was a joyful moment for both of them.

"Good morning!" everyone replied to Mrs. Park with excitement in their voices, their smiles brightening the room. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and friendship, making the classroom feel like a happy place to learn.

Na-hee turned her attention back to Nam-ra, who was already focused on her notes. She couldn't help but admire how dedicated her seatmate was. "Hey, Nam-ra" Na-hee whispered, leaning slightly closer. "What do you think about teamwork? I mean, it's pretty important, right?"

Nam-ra glanced at her, her expression neutral. "It depends on the situation" she replied quietly. "Sometimes, working alone is more efficient."

Na-hee nodded, intrigued. "That's ttrue butttt wouldn't having fun with others sounds amazing?" Na-hee replied to Nam-ra, her eyes glistening in joy.

Nam-ra didn't respond immediately, and Na-hee felt a little deflated. Just then, Mrs. Park called on Cheong-san, who was sitting a few rows ahead. "Cheong-san, can you tell me why teamwork is important?"

Cheong-san stood up, a confident grin on his face. Cheong-san wasn't particularly smart or dumb, he was somewhere in between. His understanding often depended on the situation. "Teamwork is important because... you can rely on others while also focusing on yourself" Cheong-san answered confidently. "Helping others is important because it makes them feel more included and comfortable when they realize that they are a part of the group." Mrs. Park nodded, pleased with his response.

As he spoke, Cheong-san looked around the room and caught Na-hee's gaze. She had her hand resting on her face, listening intently. Feeling a little shy, he slowly sat back down in his seat, a small smile on his face.

The class erupted in applause, and Na-hee clapped along, her spirits lifting. "See? That's what I mean! Teamwork can lead to amazing moments" she said, glancing at Nam-ra, who seemed mildly interested.

"Winning is nice" Nam-ra replied, her tone still flat, but Na-hee noticed a slight glimmer in her eyes.

As the discussion continued, Na-hee raised her hand, eager to share her thoughts. "I think teamwork is like a puzzle! Each person has their own piece, and when we put them together, we create something awesome!"

She looked around and she spotted Na-yeon on her seat giving her a thumbs up and a big smile to encourage her to speak more.

Na-hee couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. "-And sometimes, you need to help each other find the right pieces" she chimed in, glancing down at Nam-ra for support.

Nam-ra turned to her, a flicker of surprise on her face. "That's... one way to look at it" Nam-ra mumbled to herself, still on her usual look.

Mrs. Park couldn't help but smile and applaud Na-hee for her participation. "Thank you, Na-hee, for sharing your ideas! It seems like you've experienced teamwork alot" Mrs. Park said, her eyes softening as she looked at the girl. She could see Na-hee's potential in academics and hoped to see her participating even more in the future.

Feeling a surge of confidence, Na-hee took a deep breath. "I do, Mrs. Park! I love teamwork. I hope I can be friends with everyone in this class, and that they can be friends with me too" Na-hee said as she sat down, all eyes on her.

Na-hee glanced at Nam-ra, then she smiled at her. Nam-ra felt a warm glow inside and then turned her attention back to the front of the classroom, ready to listen and learn. I guess she really will open up to Na-hee a bit early then she thought. "Pretty." Nam-ra mumbled to herself.

As the class continued, Na-hee felt eyes on her, Na-hee shook her head and focused on her notebook, trying to block out the attention. She kept glancing at Nam-ra, then back at her drawing. This time, Na-hee was drawing Nam-ra, and she felt excited.

Nam-ra was her muse, inspiring her to create something special. Na-hee carefully sketched Nam-ra's side profile and the way her hair fell around her face. It felt good to finally have someone real to draw. As she added details to her artwork, Na-hee felt a sense of joy and creativity flowing through her. The classroom around her faded away as she lost herself in her drawing, capturing the beauty of her cold as ice seatmate on the page.

⊹܀☙❦☙܀܀