November 14^th, 2003 would’ve just been another day for me at SM Elementary school in my tiny, little classroom that had one too many decorations than it needed, if it had not been for that stupid Tiffany Hwang and her lies. I, being the honest person that I am, or at least I like to think so, was left completely speechless because of her jealous attitude. What ends up happening because of this? I’m left reprimanded by Mrs. Kwon Boa for stealing away Tiffany’s reading buddy.

“Okay class,” Mrs. Kwon says as she gets up from her chair, “find a partner for the reading corner.”

As if by instinct, my best friend, Jessica, and I look at each other with the same happy smile. It was because every time we have the reading corner, it was always Jessica and I paired up. We would be the first to grab the book Madeline and sit in the drawing table while everyone else sat on the rug. But because of Tiffany, Sica and I would not have that chance. I walk over to Jessica and just as I’m about to tell her about my new shoes, Tiffany pushes right in front of me and says to Jessica,

“You’re gonna work with me, okay?”

With a shocked expression on my face and my eyes switching from Tiffany to Jessica, all I can utter is,

“Umm...Me and Jessica were actually gonna read together,” then Jessica chimes in and says in a low tone,

“Yea, I kind of already have a partner. I’m sorry…”

Jessica and I turn to each other and I know we’re both thinking about what we should do. It doesn’t get any better because Tiffany scoffs at us both, folding her arms and saying to me,

“Well too bad! Jessica’s my partner today and you can read by yourself!”

Me and Jessica are still standing there not knowing what to say or do. It must’ve been like 30 seconds before Tiffany starts another scene; this time to the whole class. Both Jessica and I suddenly hear a loud cry and the next thing we know, the whole classroom is silent.

“Taeyeon stole my reading partner!

It felt like timed stopped. Like all eyes were on me. It felt like I had just swallowed a rock and the lump was stuck in my throat. I mumbled for the right words to say…heck, any words to say at this point, but nothing came out. I suddenly run short of breath and can feel my face turn as hot as fire. While I scan the room with quick eyes, everyone decides to remain quiet and stare in amusement and shock. Mrs. Kwon swiftly gets up from her chair and says in a stern voice,

“Tiffany, did you say Taeyeon stole your partner?”

I turn towards Tiffany and, with no surprise, she is already wiping her eyes and sniffling her nose. At that moment, Mrs. Kwon turns her head to me and asks if this is true. I paused to stare at Tiffany, and she is folding her arms, once again, and smirking with that stupid, cynical smile.

“I didn’t…she’s not…this isn’t,” was all I could seem to spit out because of all the shock and anger and embarrassment I felt. Mrs. Kwon stares at both Tiffany and me with eyes that say “Well, is anyone going to tell me what happened?” and to this, Tiffany pulls on her arm and tells Mrs. Kwon of all the mean things I said to her and how I pulled on her hair and kicked her leg. And through all this, I stare down at my new purple sneakers and tears begin to fall on them. I knew Jessica wanted to say something to Mrs. Kwon, but she was too much into the shock and sadness to utter a sound.

“Taeyeon, if you’re not going to say anything, I have no choice but to believe what Tiffany says,”

            I nod my head up and down feebly as Mrs. Kwon continues to tell me to go sit at my seat and write an apology letter to Tiffany. Once I take my seat, I look up to where Jessica and Tiffany are standing and see Tiffany roughly pull her away as she skips to the Dr. Seuss books….Jessica’s least favorite book.