Time flew by, and before I knew It, here I am. Starting a new school year as a sophomore.

Most of the students might go against me but I was really happy that summer is now over and that I'm back to school again. I guess it's because, unlike others, I didn't really do anything during vacation other than stayed in my room or else I'd see my sister's annoying face.

When I reached my new classroom, I felt how school really did officially started for me, because In the middle of the hallway, my friends are forming a circle passing around a bag to each other.

The bag is Kim Dahyun's, and it's a normal sight for me to see them make her life difficult. Sometimes I even join them, but only to show Lisa that I'm on her side. I didn't really want to take part since she's friends with Chaeyoung, my cousin. I didn't want to give my cousin any reason to out me, to spill the truth about me being Jihyo unnie's little sister. She knew I didn't want that, 'cause I begged her not to. Messing with her friends means I'm messing with her too.

Another thing why I didn't want to mess with Chaeyoung is because my family is indebted to them. The house we're currently staying at is theirs after we got broke and drowned with debts trying keep up with the lifestyle we all got used to. And whenever we're running short of money to buy supplies, my mom would run to them for help.

It's all because of Lisa that we're giving Dahyun a hard time. It's all because Dahyun is always with the girl she likes, Myoui Mina, that I had to make a tough choice of either helping my friend or not give my cousin a reason to be mad at me. I tried easing her that she has nothing to worry about. I explained to her that the two, Mina and Dahyun, has been my classmates since preschool, and they've always been friends. I told her there's nothing to worry about, but I guess she just really enjoys taunting the girl.

I didn't realize I've been standing there watching them pass Dahyun's bag for a while now. So, when Wonpil passed the bag to me, I didn't had time to react. The bag flew straight towards my face that I fell on the floor. I was lucky my nose didn't bleed or anything even though the impact was strong, and the bag is packed and heavy. Why did she brought that much stuff on the first day anyway?

I sat and massaged my nose, and before I could even recover from the shock, Dahyun took her bag from me and swung it one more time to my face. It was even painful than Wonpil's throw and she hit my lips causing it to bleed a little and swell.

I waited for my friends to help me but instead they just looked. If the group of girls didn't passed by, I wouldn't have gotten on my feet immediately. That's when they just decided to go and check if I'm okay.

"Dude, umm.. Want me to go with you to the clinic?" Wonpil asked nervously. I'm glad he's aware atleast that it was his fault.

"No, I'm good. Let's just go inside."

I guess I really couldn't stay mad at them. I just used my hanky to apply pressure on my wounded lips and proceeded inside the class room. But Inside, we found Dahyun and her friends glaring at us, including my cousin. Momo and Mina, is not really looking mad or anything but I'm aware they hated our guts just as much as their friends, that's for sure. To be honest, I didn't really care if Lisa's chance with Mina gets slimmer, or if there's anything at all. Plus, it's not like she'd listen if we told her not to mess with Dahyun. She'd always reason "Can't help it, man. Her face ticks me off."

They continued to glower even when we're already at our seat and I bet they wouldn't stop if our teacher didn't come in.

.

While our teacher is trying memorizing all our names, I felt my phone in my pocket vibrated. Secretly, I checked it and found a suspicious message from an unknown sender.

"Can you meet me infront of the theatre club room, on our lunch? There something I would like to ask."

I didn't like receiving messages like this one. I'm really careful who I trust with my phone number because of last year's incident where I had to change my number twice. Someone passed my number to different people which resulted to me constantly being disturbed by unknown people sending messages. It's not that I hate people expressing their admiration towards me, I do appreciate them, really. But it's not like I can manage them all too. I feel bad turning them down but, I didn't want to give them false hope as well.

"Guys, you didn't happen to give my number to someone, did you?" I asked.

"No. Why?" They all responded in unison. I showed them the message and looking at their reaction, I guess they really were telling the truth.

"Are you going to see who it is?" Yeri asked.

"No. I'm not gonna give that person the satisfaction. They're probably just trying to pull a prank on me or something.

My friends are cleared. My best guess is it's one of my classmates. If not, then probably just a stray message accidentally sent to me. I prefer that possibility more because I don't want my phone number leaking again. Changing phone number is too much effort.

Until lunch break came, when I realized that it was no stray message. On our table, when me and my friends are already having lunch, 'mystery sender' approached me.

"Jeongyeon, have you read my message?" It was Myoui Mina.

She didn't look like she's joking. Not at all, she was genuinely asking if I did receive her text. I was surprised to see her in front of us, and not just me. My friends is just as surprise because we're all aware that she and her friends despises each one of us. And yet, there she was.

"What the hell?!" Was all I could come up with.

Lisa was the least surprise among us. Her face doesn't show any expression so I'm worried that she'd probably think I'm trying to betray her but, then I realized, I showed her the message. So, why would she think that?

"There's something I just need to talk about with you. It won't take long, I promise." Mina said.

"Why don't you just say it now, right here?" I asked. I kept looking at Lisa, hoping she's convinced that I really have nothing to do with the girl she likes. I maintained my guard, I had a feeling this isn't just a normal request, especially from someone who hates us. But Lisa spoke.

"Jeong, don't keep the lady waiting." She remained expressionless. "Go now."

And so I stood up and followed Myoui from behind. It was weird because I've known her for so long but we never really talked. Sure we had some minor interactions when needed, but for her to approach me and ask to talk? Never happened. What would she even want to discuss?

She lead me to the location she mentioned in her text, infront of the theatre club room, just beside the cafeteria. I looked back behind and I can still see my friends in our table through the glass door of the cafeteria, they were watching us and I knew I had to get it over quickly and I even told her that.

"Let's get this over quickly." I said, crossing my arms as I lean on the wall from behind. "Spill it now so I can go back and finish my lunch."

"Alright. But first, I'd like to know if you have football practice everyday after class." She sounded bossy and I hate it.

"Wait. Where did you get my phone number first?"

"From your cousin. Where else?"

"That little-" I realized I didn't really talk to her about not giving my phone number to someone else without my permission, but still. I inhaled to calm myself down and just made a mental note to tell her that later.

"I don't have practice every Wednesday. Why?"

"Well, I'm offering you a job. Is 50000 won a week okay with you?"

"Don't you think you should tell me what kind of job it is first?" But honestly I was already tempted. 50000 won is about 2-months-worth of my allowance already. I just didn't want to look easily convinced.

"I just need you to play a certain role during... You said you're free every Wednesday after class? So, every Wednesday you'd be in character and you have to stay by my side."

"Like an assistant? Or a bodyguard? Is that gonna be my role?"

"No. You'd be my girlfriend."

I couldn't help but alternate between looking at Mina and my friends. Lisa's been bugging Dahyun because she's always with Mina, I can't imagine what would happen to me if she finds out that I was just asked by the girl she likes to be her fake girlfriend.

"Is this some kind of joke? Are you trying to cause a fight between me and Lisa? Is that what you're planning to do?"

"No! Like I care about your friends." She rolled her eyes.

"Then, why me? You know Lisa is obssess with you, right? She'd be perfect for the job."

Mina stepped closer, and lowered her voice. "But Lisa doesn't really need the money like you do, am I right?"

She's right. Lisa is one of the richest in this campus filled of wealthy kids. 50000 won for her is nowhere near her shopping allowance. But if she thinks I'll submit by using my financial status to convince me, that's where she's wrong, because I hate it the most when people points out what I'm already aware of. And how dare her try using that to convince me to agree with her ridiculous request?

"I'm not doing it." I told her. "Find someone else poorer than me. I'm sure they'd be easier to convince."

It's no secret that I'm not as wealthy as the others. Everyone knew the real reason why I'm still able to study in this school is because I have a 50% scholarship from being part of the football team. Thanks to that too, I'm still able to earn everyone's respect. They're treating me just the way they treat the richest, which are my friends. Or maybe they're just doing that because I'm part of the group. I don't know. Whatever.

I started walking, but was immediately grabbed by the wrist.

"Wait!!"

"I don't want to, and I'm not changing my mind, so Let go."

"No!" She tugged me closer. "Before you go back, promise me you won't tell anyone about what we talked about, especially Lisa."

"And why not?"

"Because if you do that, I'll give your phone number to your admirers."

"Go ahead! I can just change my number, you know?" I tried walking away only to be grabbed even tighter, with her two hands this time. She's only slowing me down but couldn't really stop me from going back. So I kept going.

"Then.. then.." she kept pulling and it's getting really annoying even though her strength didn't really stand a chance against mine. I decided to just ignore her pathetic grabbing until I reach our table, until.. "How 'bout I tell them about your unnie?"

That stopped me from walking back. She let go of me and straigtened herself before she spoke "I know you're related to Park Jihyo and Im Nayeon."

"...Oh yeah?" I tried to bluff.

"Yes. And I can prove it Yoo Jeongyeon. Your different surnames won't save you this time."

I was finally convinced that she's not really pretending. I felt my face heat up from anger. She knew she finally got the upperhand, because how else could she have those evil smirk.

"You wouldn't want them to know that The Campus Weirdo and Miss Cafeteria Loner, Park Jihyo, has a very cool and cute little sister, would you? I wonder how they will react when they found out about our MVP football player's secret unnie."

"....."

"Yeah.." She smiled. "I knew that info would come in handy. Better keep what we talked about just to yourself. So, I suggest you think of a cover-up now."

I tried not to move because I know once I do, I might not be able to control myself and do something unspeakable to the puny girl in front of me. I'm so furious I couldn't get the words out of my clenched teeth.

She knew she got me this time. She didn't say a word after that and went to the door to the theatre club. But before she went in, she looked back at me.

"My offer still stands by the way. Come to me if you change your mind." And she's gone.

Myoui Mina, our straight A classmate, the youngest and one of the best dancer in school, elegant, kind, and everyone's favorite. The perfect girl everyone thought, except for me, of course.

I knew this girl is just hiding her wickedness. That manipulative witch. Of course I'd shut up. I knew I should get going, but I was frozen in my place. Then, just right after Mina went inside of the theatre club room, a few seconds later, Chaeyoung went out. I was so pissed I wasn't able to control myself and shoved her by the shoulder.

"What's your problem?!"

"You are! You told your witch of a friend about me and Jihyo unnie being sisters. Look, I'm sorry Lisa is always messing with Dahyun but taking revenge on me won't really stop her."

Chaeyoung shoved me this time, looking annoyed and confused. "I didn't do it!"

Chaeyoung never really liked me. Ever since. Among me and my sisters, I'm the one she hated the most, and I guess I wasn't really fond of her either. But even so, she never lied to me nor she's the type of person who'd do such thing. So I reckon she's telling the truth.

"Then where did she knew about that, huh?" I asked. Calmer this time.

"I don't know. She just asked me your phone number and I gave it. But that's all she got from me." She straightened her uniform, before speaking once more. "And Mina is not a witch. She's just trying to help."

Help? She can keep that to herself. The last thing I need is to be indebted with that condescending freak.

I went back to my friends completely forgotten that they were actually watching me. They immediately asked right after I just sat, about why I pushed Chaeyoung.

"She's the one who gave my number to Mina. That's why."

"You looked pissed at Mina as well. Why is that?" Lisa asked.

"Well, that girl just asked me to work with her, she says I need it because I'm broke." I blurted out because I'm so mad. I just realized I shouldn't have done that when I already did. They're faces were all surprised.

"What kind of job?" Lisa eagerly asked.

I thought maybe I could still cover it up since I haven't told them everything yet. I could still save my from both Lisa and Mina.

"Sh-she wants me to uhm.. She wants me to... watch after her pets every Wednesday after class.. A-and wash their cars." I lied and I couldn't help but cringe.

"Oh, that's not so bad. Did you agree?"

"No. That arrogant nerd is just using her money to try and control me. I'm not gonna let myself get ordered around, you know."

Lisa just shrugged and I knew that conversation is over. She did asked for Mina's number and I let her since I really don't care.

The rest of the day in class was spent with me glowering at that witch. I knew she feels it, but she remained unbothered, and that infuriates me even more.

What a very stressful day for just the first day of class, I thought. When the class was over, I made sure to get away from that place before my friends even think of a way to go somewhere else. I wouldn't have fun after all... because I have no money. Like for example, if they decided to go to the arcade, I'll just be staring at them helplessly, feeling sorry for myself.

When I got home, I thought I'd have nothing to worry about anymore. I ran as quickly as I can, thinking about immediately locking myself in my room, but when I did, an even bigger problem is actually waiting for me.

I found Nayeon unnie and Mom in the dining room, infront of the table. Nayeon unnie is crying while holding a phone, and Mom is trying to calm her down.

"I couldn't get in touch with him for two weeks now." My sister said.

"We'll find a way, my dear." Mom held her hand that is shaking uncontrollably, while her other hand her hair.

"I don't know, mom. What about Jeongyeon? She'll probably going to suffer as well. How do we tell her this?"

"She'd be surprised, but I'm sure eventually she'll understand."

I couldn't stand and stay clueless anymore. Especially at the mention of my name, I knew this is definitely something major.

"What's going on here?" I finally entered the dining room and mom immediately stood up to go to me.

"I'm sorry Jeong." My sister cried even harder, and I swear my throat started feeling dry.

"My dear." Mom put her hands on both of my shoulder."Something happened unexpectedly. This might cause us major changes, okay. Before I tell you, I want you to calm down first."

But I couldn't take all the suspense anymore. I shoved her hand, and snapped. "I'm not gonna calm down! Just tell me already!!"

My mom heave a sigh and was about to speak, but Nayeon beat her to it.

"I'm two months pregnant, Jeong."

There I understood why I'm involved in this mess. I didn't know what to respond nor to react because I'm torn between feeling bad for her or mad because once again I'll have to suffer for someone else's mistake. Yes, I think her getting pregnant is a whole error but I know I didn't have to say it. I know she's blaming herself for it already.

I just didn't get why she had to be careless. I didn't get how she'd forgot that we're struggling everyday just to get by and so we wouldn't afford such mistake.

"So what now? Do I have to stop going to school as well, just like the rest of you?" I can feel the sarcasm in me wanting to gush out. I want to express my disappointment but I'd be the bad guy in an instant, won't I? How fair.

"Well dear, we'll still try to look for ways so that you won't have to." Mom said. "Maybe I could ask my sister for help."

I don't want any help from Chaeyoung's family. Not only because of what happened awhile ago, but I hate that we're constantly relying on them. I'm tired of feeling indebted, so I don't want to. I hate the thought that I'm only surviving because of them.

I shove my mom's hands and was about to snap when she appeared. Jihyo unnie. Way to ruin it even more.

"Mama, they just lend us last week. Let's not ask them for now. And Jeongyeon, I'll help her with her allowance."

"And how will you that?" I grumbled.

"I'll look for a job. Starting tomorrow."

That's it. I already had enough of today. I dashed to my room, bumping her intentionally on my way. I can't stand her acting like she's gonna be the hero.

How dare she anyway? Was she not aware that all these mess that are happening started all because of her? How long does she have to act unaware? If she always have that option why didn't she do it before? Or was it her way for me to forgive her? If so, she'd be doing it all for nothing, because me forgiving her will never happen.

I paused before I could go inside my room. I can still hear them. "Jihyo, are you sure?" Mom asked.

"Yes, Ma. I should atleast try than waste all day here doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself."

She realized how useless she is, but is clueless about everything else? How convenient for her. I couldn't help myself but get furious, I made sure everyone heard the slam of the door as I closed it from inside.

What will happen to me now? I'd probably really have to stop from school sooner or later, won't I? I tried imagining what would happen next and what I could come up with is me, going back to go school along with people younger than me, or not going back at all. I feel like with all these things, my dream of getting out of here and living a better life has just gotten more difficult.

.

The next day at school, I wasn't myself. I tried to listen to the lecture and to my friends, but my mind just keep drifting away.

I'm not ready and I don't think I'll ever be ready to give on this. I should've had a say in this since I worked really hard to get that half-scholarship from playing football, don't I? But I guess even if I wanted to, Nayeon unnie's needs are more urgent now than mine. It's also not like she didn't want the baby, so abortion is not gonna be an option. I also don't have the right to decide that for her... But I don't want to stop from going to school. I don't want to give this up.

Until our lunch break, I still couldn't get myself to focus. The next thing I knew is I'm walking towards the Theatre club room, leaving my friends on our table.

I knocked on their door and Chaeyoung answered it. Her face immediately contorted when she saw me.

"What do you want now?"

"M-Mina. Can I talk to her?" I reluctantly asked, my hand at the back of my neck.

She rolled her eyes before closing the door. For a second, I thought my request was denied but before I decided to leave, Mina appeared.

"Hey, you were looking for me?" She asked, cooly. I then responded with a weak nod. "What is it?"

It was torture swallowing my pride, but I was desperate. Being with this witch probably is more tolerable anyway, than dropping out of school. Plus, she insisted it so We're both going to benefit in this. I deeply inhaled and looked down, putting my hands behind me.

"Does the offer still stands? I need it right now."

Quietness surrounded us at first and it made me worry, forcing me to look up only to find her smirking wickedly. She reached for my hand with both of hers and she held it closer to her.

"Well then, you're hired!"