“Lee Hoya, Kim Aeri. You two deserve this.” Their teacher handed them each a green bill as the rest of their class stared with envy.

“Thanks ssaem.” Aeri accepted her reward.

“Good job partner!” Aeri put her hand out for a high five.

And as expected, he left her hanging.

Instead of walking away, Aeri reached for his hand and high fived hers.

“That’s better.” Her eyes beamed.

“How sad, even your partner won’t give you a high five.” Yena snickered as she pushed by.

The smile on Aeri’s face immediately disappeared and she quickly walked away.

“Why did you even want to be partners with her? Just look at her, she screams dumb.” Yena laughed.

“Maybe I like dumb.” Hoya rolled his eyes and followed Aeri.

“Did he…did he just say that? To me?” Yena clenched her fists and teeth.

“Don’t worry, everyone knows Hoya’s yours.” Ara reminded.

“Right, Kim Aeri’s nothing compared to me. And if I can’t have him, no one can.” Yena glared at Aeri from a distance.

“Aeri! Where should we eat?” Minhee jumped up from behind.

“You scared me!” Aeri slapped her playfully.

“Let’s have tteokbokki!”

“Again?” Aeri and Minhee turned to Soonmi.

“How about kimbab?”

“Call!”

Hoya half expected an invite but Aeri left without even saying bye.

“That’s a first.” He muttered feeling a little disappointed.

“Hoya! Let’s go!” Hyunsik wrapped his arm around Hoya’s neck.

“Wait! Aeri!” Hyunsik called after seeing her leave with her friends.

Aeri turned and titled her head in confusion.

“Oh right! I almost forgot. Do you two mind having lunch with them?” Aeri asked her friends.

“Nope.” Soonmi and Minhee were more than happy to join the boys for lunch.

~

“So Aeri, tell us more about yourself.” Jaehwan started.

“Yea, you’re still the mysterious new girl that no one knows about, unless you want to keep it that way.” Kwangmin put his arm around Aeri’s shoulder.

Creeped out by Kwangmin’s sudden skinship, Aeri quickly ducked and escaped his arms.

She hurried and moved beside Hyunsik, who was closest to the edge of the street.

“Just leave her alone.” Hoya muttered.

“Why? We just want to know more about our classmate.” Kwangmin argued.

“Maybe she doesn’t want to tell you.” Hyunsik jumped in.

“How about you tell us why you transferred to our school.”

“My family moved.” Aeri answered to shut him up.

“Kids these days, taking up the entire sidewalk!” An elder cursed before she pushed Minhee and Soonmi who went on to push the boys.

It was like a domino effect and Aeri was the last to be pushed.

Her one foot entered oncoming traffic and before the second foot followed two arms grabbed her.

One belonging to Hyunsik and the other belonging to Hoya.

Her eyes shifted from Hoya to Hyunsik and then back at Hoya.

Without saying a word, Hoya took over her spot and moved Aeri between him and Hyunsik.

Safe and secure.

~

“Kimbab!!” Aeri and Soonmi squealed running to the stand.

“Can we have…how many do we want?” Soonmi turned to Minhee.

“Six? Soonmi and I are on a diet.”

“Well, I’m not! So…10 please and can we also get some odang?” Aeri smiled.

“And he’s paying.” Soonmi giggled pointing to Kwangmin.

“Wait? Wha