The teacher went on with the class, pretending nothing had happened. But whispers buzzed like flies.
A girl from the front seat leaned back to Aera, her eyes twinkling. "You're lucky, you know? In-su's never stood up for a girl before. I was starting to think he's into boys," she giggled.
Aera blinked. "Shh… the sir might throw you out too," she said, her cheeks blooming faintly pink. She didn't even realize she was smiling a little.
The bell rang.
In-su walked back in, lazy as ever. Aera glanced at him, then quickly said, "Thank you. For earlier."
He looked at her intensely. Just for a second.
Then he nodded, slow and silent, before slumping back into his seat.
Aera quickly looked down, suddenly shy. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Mom.
She answered it under the desk.
"Aera, how was class? Did you make friends?" her mother asked, the voice coated with sugary formalities.
Then, the real reason came. "We're coming to school to take you. Straight to the hospital for your checkup, okay?"
Aera closed her eyes. "Yes," she muttered and hung up.
She whispered to Lia that she had to leave and quietly left the classroom with her bag. In-su wasn't beside her now.
After leaving the class, Aera walked slowly, her bag slightly heavier than usual. Her head throbbed faintly, the warning signs of the tumour making her temples pulse. She headed toward the office first, her steps careful, and filled out the gate pass form. The school assistant handed it over, barely glancing at her.
She clutched the pass tightly and walked toward the gate. The corridors were mostly empty now.
That's when she saw them.
Just before the staircase that led to the gate, In-su stood facing another boy, one of those cocky sidekicks of the topper from 12-A. The boy had a mocking smile on his face as he said loud enough for Aera to hear,
"Even your birth mother didn't want you. So why do you get mad when I say the truth?"
SMACK.
In-su's fist connected with his jaw. The boy stumbled and ran, holding his face.
Aera froze for a moment, shocked, then took a step forward. "In-su…"
He turned slowly, his usual blank expression gone. His eyes, sharp and dark met hers.
Before she could speak again, Mr. Dev appeared at the corner, eyes wide.
"In-su! I knew it! Didn't I just warn you this morning?" he roared, storming toward them.
And just like that, without a word, In-su grabbed Aera's wrist and ran.
"Wha—!?" she gasped, barely keeping up.
They rushed past the stairwell, her hair flying in her face, the corridor echoing with the sound of their footsteps. When they reached the gate, the school guard blocked them.
Behind them, Mr. Dev was panting and red faced. "Stop right there!"
"In-su, you AGAIN? Fighting, dragging girls, running out of class, you think this is some movie?"
Aera quickly stepped between them, holding out the gate pass.
"Sir! You're misunderstanding! I...I have a fever. My parents are waiting outside, and In-su was just helping me to the gate. That's all."
Mr. Dev looked unconvinced, but then narrowed his eyes at the paper in her hand. He snatched it, read it, and let out a dramatic sigh.
"Well… at least he helped for once. Fine. Go."
He glared at In-su. "But I'm watching you."
As Mr. Dev turned and walked away, muttering to himself, In-su let go of her hand.
"You lie well," he said, brushing his hand through his messy hair.
"I had to," she replied. "You'd be in trouble again."
He shrugged and turned away.
"Wait," she said. "I don't need an escort."
He looked over his shoulder. "Didn't you say you have a fever?"
She hesitated. "I lied. It's not fever. Just… family stuff. They're waiting."
He didn't say anything else. Just walked back toward the stairs.
And she walked to the gate.
Right on cue, her parents' car pulled up.
She got in.
"How was class?" her mom asked like she was reading off a script. "Did you make friends?"
Aera looked out the window. "Yeah. I did."
Her mom added, "Don't talk too much to boys, okay? You're only going to school because of your stubbornness. Otherwise, we'd have kept you home. You know your condition."
Yes. I know it too well.
She didn't reply. Her dad, like always, stayed silent, hands on the steering wheel, eyes straight ahead.
Mom's endless worry. Dad's silence. Neither of them ask how I feel.
She leaned her head against the cool glass of the window as the school disappeared behind them.