History was repeating itself. I never thought I’d see those familiar gazes follow me again, watching me like I was a circus animal on display. I never thought I’d see them whisper again, deliberately trying to belittle me. Years ago, I had Myungsoo to defend me. Now, I had no one.   Fine. I managed to get by on my own and made it this far. My plan to become better and more likeable was too naive and too kind for their taste. These were the same people who targeted Suzy yesterday, and overnight, switched to a fresher meat. But they seemed to be forgetting, a wounded lioness was still the queen of the jungle.   I wiped off the shock from my face, turning around to the class and lifted the phone in my hand. “May the person who recorded and spread this video please show yourself,” I said, a sweet grin plastered on my face.   No one wanted to confess. People gained sudden courage when hiding behind anonymity. But once their ID was revealed, they were back to being powerless impalas. I was a lioness blending in with these poor pathetic impalas, ready to attack. They should not have woken me up.   “If no one wants to confess, I will show this video to the principle and make sure to get the entire class punished,” I warned them with a sing song tune. It almost amused me how scared they were, I imagined someone peeing their pants. Trying to be tough when they weren’t mentally prepared, how dumb.   “You don’t even have the video. I won’t let you get the entire class in trouble,” Jongin said, suddenly being a saint again. His hand tried to snatch for his phone, but I held it closer against myself, causing him to almost touch me.   “Careful, I could sue you for ual assault,” I told him.   He frowned and then scoffed, thinking he knew of my bluffs and tricks. But no, he hadn’t seen the worst yet. “Everyone is witness that I didn’t touch you.”   My eyes fell to his hand that was still awkwardly hanging midair to reach for his phone. I grabbed it without thinking and pressed it against my chest. Jongin jerked back his hand immediately, looking at me with utter disbelief. Clearly he was surprised at my transformation. I smiled.   “Everyone is witness that you just touched me,” I said, patting his shoulder.   I sat down on my chair, ignoring the red scribbles of profanities all over my chair and desk. Whoever spread this video will have to pay. The person forced me to expose my true nature to Myungsoo, and my poor guy was scared. Look at him trying to keep his gaze in front of him, a clear attempt not to be drawn to this deceptive beauty. But I could see his eyes stealing secret glances at me.   The teacher walked in and I immediately raised my hand. “Several students vandalized school property. They wrote inappropriate profanities all over the desk and chair.”   “Thank you for the notice, Soojung.” He scanned my desk briefly to test my truthfulness. Then he adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and continued. “I would also like to remind some of you that the athletic scholarship trial is next week. All the best of luck to those participating.”   I curled my fingers into a fist, seeing the pattern of a useless adults embedded in my teacher. He wasn’t taking my words seriously. Typical.   “I sure hope you like your job, or I could easily get you expelled for your ignorance towards bullying precautions. Please check security cameras to find the culprit,” I said again, opting for threatening measures when kind reminders didn’t work.   My eyes scanned the entire classroom like hawkeyes, searching for the one who was currently the most terrified. Well, two people exchanged worried looks with each other, guilt and fear written all over their face.   But of course! I had used the same trick on Suzy, how could I have forgotten? The best way to hurt someone was by being close friends. Props to Jinri and Sunyoung. I will give you two a reward soon.   ***   The way they bullied Suzy, they now bullied me. After gym class, my regular clothes went missing. I suppose someone liked seeing me in my PE outfit, but I wasn’t interested in girls. I was only interested in Myungsoo. This too, served no problem for me.   “Hey, Jinri,” I called out. “Lend me your clothes.”   The girl just retrieved them from the locker she used, and I saw her slowly shoving it back in. “What if I don’t want to?” She asked, pretending to be the one with authority.   Fine, two could play the game.   “Should I tell the entire school you destroyed school properties by writing all over them? I saw the CCTV footage,” I bluffed, but the sternness on my face enhanced my credibility. “I’m willing to keep quiet if you lend me your clothes.”   Jinri made a face and protruded her lips, wincing her nose like she smelled something sour—the sour reality of her defeat. I was polite enough to add a thank you as I took her clothes from her hand.   These people never learn. I have been harrassed enough to know how to counter them.   ***   I leisurely walked back to class afterwards. The door opened before I could reach it, revealing the face of Bae Suzy. She looked surprised to see me, her eyes widening like a fragile antique doll. She wanted to place her hands over , but remembered she was wearing a latex kitchen glove. What the hell was she doing anyway?   For several seconds, we just stood there. I waited for her to say something, to apologize for her mistakes, or to blame me for hurting her. But none of that ever came. I couldn’t waste my time like this, so I decided to open my mouth instead.   “You deserved it.”   Suzy didn’t seem all too surprised at this side of me, as if she had familiarized herself with the real Soojung. Instead she flashed me a sympathizing smile that was really a way to say ‘I’m sorry you're more miserable than I am.’   “Can I at least know why?” She asked.   I rolled my eyes. How she could be so stupid when she was academically intelligent?   “Because you stole Myungsoo from me,” I said.   “How can I steal him when Myungsoo was never yours to begin with?”   Snarky Suzy was back, and I hardened my gaze. I unleashed my anger and grabbed the collar of her blouse.   “He has always been mine. If you hadn’t interfered in the picture, he would’ve realized his feelings for me by now,” I spoke the truth.   I hated how Suzy didn’t look at me with terror. Others trembled in fear, and I quite liked that power. But Suzy wasn’t fazed, she remained intact. I had always known she was much stronger than she appeared, but I didn’t know she’d be this strong.   “But Soojung,” she started with her sweet and innocent voice, “If he were to fall for you, don’t you think he could’ve done so long before meeting me?”   I lost my grip around her collar, feeling a surge of strength drained from me. Her words made sense, and I refused to believe it. Myungsoo di