"Guys! The student rankings have been posted already!"

The loud voices of the students echoed around the room as they quickly went out to see the announcement board near the principal's office. It has been like that for four years; students being excited about the ranking of their respective classes.

But the person who was most excited to see the results was Class 4-B's Heo Youngji.

"Hey, Ji, let's take a look at the results," Hara, Youngji's best friend, came up to her and pulled her arm to go outside, "I know you're looking forward to see your rank!"

Youngji grinned nervously. Yes, she was excited. She was even confident about getting first place among the fourth year students since she studied very hard for the exams last week. It was already her last year in high school, and Youngji knew that she has to do her best academically to get into the top universities next year.

Hara dragged her towards the announcement board, where there was already a large crowd of students huddling in front of it.

"Excuse us, excuse us," Hara called out as she and Youngji tried getting through the crowd. And finally, they got through and saw the student rankings for the fourth year class.

Youngji quickly skimmed through the names and saw hers... in second place.

Fourth Year (Classes A-D)

1. Wang Ka-yee - 4-A - 98.76%

2. Heo Youngji - 4-B - 96.00%

"What the--" Youngji hummed under her breath, clenched her fists, and felt her whole world stop.

For the nth time in her life, she was only second to that Wang Ka-yee from 4-A.

"Y-Youngji?" Hara held her friend's shoulder after noticing her bewildered reaction, "It's okay, we still have two exams left until the final period, you can always study har--"

"Well, well, what do we have here?" a man's voice spoke just beside Youngji. And she already knew who it was.

"Oh, congratulations, Jackson," Hara forced to smile at the student beside Youngji.

Another student came up and patted Youngji's shoulder. It was Jackson's friend, Jaebum, "Heo Youngji did a great job too. Congratulations!"

"Psh. Yeah. Congratulations on being my subordinate again in the rankings," Jackson smiled mockingly, "Keep it up."

Yes. Wang Ka-yee and Jackson are the same person... the person whom Youngji loathed. She felt her blood rush up to her face after hearing what he had said. It was true, and it hurts. No matter how hard she tried, Jackson would always beat her in everything.

"I guess Youngji and I should go now," Hara spoke and tried pulling her distressed friend away from the announcement board and from Jackson and Jaebum. But Youngji resisted.

"Youngji, let's go now," Hara whispered, but Youngji only shook her head as a response.

Jackson chuckled, "Heo Youngji, no matter how long you stare at the results, you're still second."

The words stabbed Youngji. She had enough of being only in second place. Without thinking, she quickly turned to look at him straight in the eye, and with a trembling voice, she spoke.

"Jackson Wang, remember this day! I swear to God, I'll beat you in the next exams, and the exams after that! And I'll graduate with a rank higher than you, mark my words!"

Hara and Jaebum, and the other students around them, were startled. No one was able to speak a word after hearing Youngji.

Well, except for Jackson.

"Oh, sure. I'd love to see you try," he snickered, before turning his back and starting to walk towards the cafeteria. Jaebum followed, but before continuing on his way, he mouthed an "I'm sorry" to Hara and Youngji.

Youngji stayed stiffly in her place, and tears were already welling up in her eyes.

"Youngji! Why are you crying?" a worried Hara quickly hugged her friend, "Please don't cry, it's okay."

Youngji hugged Hara tighter, wrapping her arms around her friend's waist, "Hara, am I not good enough?" she wept, "Am I stupid?"

Hara sighed. It has been four years, and in those four years, there was never a day when Youngji asks her about being stupid and stuff. Jackson has been beating her friend and claiming the first place for four years.

Hara and Youngji have been friends since grade school, and yes, Youngji was a bright and friendly student. She would always be first in the rankings, and it would always make her happy. Hara has been beside her, supporting her friend in every way until they reached high school.

But in high school, things became different when Wang Ka-yee, or Jackson, arrived from Hong Kong. According to what Hara had heard about him, Jackson became a member of South Korea's national fencing team, so he had to transfer from Hong Kong to Seoul, and was given a scholarship to study in their school.

It was the start of Youngji's hell in school.

"Ji, you can always study harder for the next exams. I'm sure you can beat that Wang Ka-yee," Hara patted Youngji's head.

Youngji forced a smile, before nudging her head against Hara's shoulders and sniffing, "Thanks, Hara."

"It's okay, Ji," Hara smiled, "Just don't wipe your snot on my uniform."

-

"Ah, that was very mean, Jackson," Jaebum pointed his chopsticks at Jackson, who was busy eating his lunch, "You shouldn't have said that to Heo Youngji!" he scowled.

Jaebum has been the father-like figure among their group of friends, he was always ready to reprimand his friends when they do something wrong, most especially Jackson Wang.

"You should have congratulated her instead," Jaebum let out a deep sigh; he had never expected that raising his friend and inculcating good morals in him can be that difficult. Jackson didn't even mind him; he was occupied with his food.

They were a group of five guys seated around the table. And it seemed like Jaebum was the only one concerned about what happened earlier.

"You must say sorry to her," Jaebum glared at Jackson.

"Ahjussi's right," Jinyoung smiled widely after listening to Jaebum's sermon, "You must say sorry..."

"...and beat her again on the next posting of student rankings!" Jackson laughed, "Look, it can't be helped if I'm smarter than that over-the-top over-achiever. Sorry not sorry, that's what others call it."

The others laughed, except for Jaebum. He still couldn't believe he ended up being friends with those types of guys. Jackson and Jinyoung have been in the same bully spectrum, sharing the same interests and enjoying the same pranks.

"Don't be too sure about that, hyung," Yugyeom, the youngest of the group, spoke calmly, "Youngji noona can beat you flat on your face."

Jackson gave the younger a glare, while Jaebum snickered; he's glad he still has a friend who has sense.

"I doubt that," Youngjae interrupted, "It's been four years. Heo Youngji has been failing for four years, and counting."

"He's right," Jackson grinned, "Thank you for your support, Youngjae!"

"Tch," was the only thing Jaebum could utter. It looked like he has no chances of changing Jackson for the better.

-

The whole day ended with Youngji not in her usual self. She was not able to eat her lunch properly, she did not participate actively in class, and she was obviously absent-minded the whole time.

All Youngji wanted was to go home and forget that day existed.

"...so for tomorrow, we'll have a class meeting regarding the school festival two weeks from now," Ms. Kim, their homeroom teacher, stood up from her seat, "I shall leave those matters to Goo Hara. Ms. Goo, please see me at the faculty room after class. You are all dismissed. Please be safe on your way home."

Students quickly stood up and went on wit their own businesses. Hara approached Youngji, who was already packing her things, "Um, Youngji, I'm sorry I couldn't walk home with you today. I still need to see Ms. Kim."

Youngji smiled, "It's okay, Hara. Let's just see each other tomorrow, and go home together," she answered as she wore her backpack, "I'll go ahead."

"Yes. Please be safe," Hara waved at her friend, and watched Youngji as she went out of the room.

"Please be fine," Hara hummed under her breath.

It was another one of those days Youngji didn't like: going home alone. She was used to being with Hara, but since there were times when she was busy with her organizations, she couldn't go home with Youngji.

Hara has always been the leader-type of a student, always elected as class representative or club officer mainly because she was pretty, approachable, and responsible. And Youngji sometimes wished that she could also be a part of Hara's organizations, so that she could always be with her. Their friendship has made her a bit dependent on Hara, since Hara's personality is stronger than hers.

"I... just need to go home," Youngji thought to herself.

She was on her way out of the building when she passed by the corridor leading to the performing arts club's office, and there she saw Mark Tuan, performing arts club's president, outside the office, talking to some freshmen.

Youngji couldn't help but stop and watch intently from afar. Mark Tuan from Class 4-D has been her secret crush since he transferred to their school during second year. Youngji could still remember the first time she met him, since during second year, she and Mark shared the same section. Too bad they got separated during third year because of the student reshuffling system done by the administrators every school year.

But still, Mark remained Youngji's crush. He is kind, sweet, and cute. He can sing, dance, and play the guitar. He is also good in martial arts.

He was Youngji's ideal type.

Youngji couldn't help but smile as she watched Mark smile warmly at the students who talked to him. She also wanted to talk to him, but her shyness would always get in the way.

"What are you doing?" Youngji felt someone lean from behind and spoke. And she didn't know if she should turn to look or run away.

"Ah, you're stalking Mark, eh?"

"No!" Youngji exclaimed, and she had the greatest shock of her life after seeing that it was Jackson Wang.

Jackson wore a smug smile on his face, "Oooh, I didn't know Heo Youngji's crushing on Mark. I wonder how Mark will react after hearing this."

Youngji's eyes widened, "What--What do you mean?" she can already feel her heart beating faster than usual.

"Mark's my friend, and actually I'm about to go and hang around in his office. But then I saw you being really suspicious here," Jackson responded.

"Wh--What?! How?! You--why--" Youngji stuttered. She couldn't believe that someone as perfect as Mark has a devil for a friend, in the form of Jackson.

"You're blushing hard," Jackson laughed.

Youngji felt her cheeks become even warmer. She quickly shoved her face on her hands, "No! Don't tell this to Mark!"

"What if I want to?" Jackson mocked, leaning closer to Youngji and cornering her against the wall, "What are you going to do about it, Heo Youngji?"

Youngji averted her eyes as Jackson leaned closer. She knew he was serious about telling Mark about her crush on him. And if Mark finds out, her life will never be the same again.

"I--I'll do whatever you want," she spoke firmly, "Please just don't tell this to him."

Jackson was quite surprised with what Youngji had just said, "Is she serious?" he thought to himself. It seemed like he was talking with a different Heo Youngji.

"Are you sure about that?" he smirked. Youngji nodded without looking at him.

"Okay then. Meet me tomorrow morning at the convenience store beside the school. Six in the morning to be exact," Jackson instructed, "And also, don't forget to bring me packed lunch."

"Yes," Youngji mumbled with an even more depressed look on her face, before walking away. She was hesitant about what she had just said, but there are no other options available.

It was a bargain with the devil.

"Don't forget, Heo Youngji!" Jackson called out as he watched Youngji disappear from the far corner of the corridor. A few seconds passed, and an idea struck him, which made him smile to himself with satisfaction.

"Ah, this will be fun."

___

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