A/N: This was inspired by the tweet: "You know what trope makes me go absolutely feral?? Character A having a visible bruise or cut on their face/body and having character B, who is enemies with A, ask in a murderous tone "Who did this"" by @lumineanis ; and lit rally every school seulrene gamtwibeer drew x_x 

***

    Bae Joohyun only had one reason whenever she goes to the Class-B, specifically, at the table at the back of the class, beside the window. That is, to complain. Seulgi knew it well. The last time Bae Joohyun marched domineeringly on her table, Bae Joohyun was bringing a ripped blue and white school jacket, stained with mud all over.  With the words heavily accentuated by her aggressive Daegu accent: “Did you do this?!” Followed by a whole complaint on how hard it will be to laundry it, and how the rips were too much now. But Seulgi had long stopped from listening when she said “too much”, because if Joohyun had something to say about things being too much, then it ought to be about the things she did to Seulgi every time.

    Maybe about the time Bae Joohyun accidentally threw her pencil case in the pond behind the school. Or the last time Bae Joohyun broke her swim goggles,  but everyone knew there was nothing accidental about it. She did so as if she was proud of it: she opened Seulgi’s locker, snatched the first thing that was there, shouted “Kang Seulgi!!”, dropped it, and stepped on it with her heavy boots that shouldn’t be allowed at school in the first place. Though, Seulgi wasn’t really that mad about it considering that she did something awful first. Just that, Joohyun always seemed to do too much, and she should never be the one to reprimand Seulgi about those things.

    Anyhow, Bae Joohyun had only one purpose there at Class-B, at the table at the back of the class, beside the window. That is: to criticize Seulgi. And Seulgi was long used to it. Nobody truly knows when their little war started but one thing was for sure: they both hated each other’s guts and though they haven’t brought it to physical scrimmage, they were sure to remind each other so, by destroying every single thing the other girl owns.

    So when Bae Joohyun marched again first thing in the morning - just 5 minutes before the bell rings - everyone was ready for another lengthy discussion - or Joohyun complaining and Seulgi just staring boredly at her - and was all but prepared to zoom out of their territory. And Seulgi, was equally as prepared for another Bae Joohyun complaining about things being too much.

    The door slid open with a thud, and came marching, the school’s queen with her autocratic steps and her prissy uniform that screams “Don’t touch me.” in its every inch of perfectly ironed cloth that was probably newly bought. 

    When Joohyun met Seulgi’s eyes, the once languid and serene atmosphere in the classroom had turned a hundred degree lower, and all ways away from serene. The tension was so palpable that if anyone were to grab at the air, they would’ve grabbed a musty lump of dark material. And so, when the imaginary gong that signifies that the battle has begun, played in everyone’s head - though there was no homework - everyone pretended to bring out their books and write something, just so they wouldn’t get accidentally dragged into their conversation - everyone had learned by now not to get involved.

    As always, Joohyun marched, and like she was Moses, the tables she passed moved an inched away like a red carpet for her arrival. Seulgi on the other hand, was long used to these things that instead of getting worried, only tried to think about her next revenge because she was sure enough that Bae Joohyun will take things too much again as revenge. But before she could decide whether stealing Joohyun’s homework was too much for the academically austere girl, a shadow loomed over her - that if she didn’t knew any better, she would think it was bulky 6 foot tall - bouncer type guy - standing in front of her instead. 

    “Kang Seulgi.” Bae Joohyun said with more venom than the most poisonous snake. She always said her name with the same aggressiveness a person has when they say words like ing, or - that Seulgi was partially embarrassed that her name was associated with something very indecent. Seulgi looked up and was met with the glaring incarnate of the devil. Though the sun danced her on face prettily, Seulgi knew better than to think things were going to get prettier. 

    “What have you done this time.” she articulated, and clucked her tongue in the end. As always, Seulgi remained mum - even though Joohyun asked questions, Bae Joohyun always cut her before she could, and she learned prematurely that everything was rhetorical for Bae Joohyun. Bae Joohyun doesn’t asks questions, everything she knew were fact and that was it. 

    And so, she only stared disinterestedly at Joohyun, thinking about whether they had English for today or if the cafe she frequents upon is crowded on a Tuesday.

    “Are you listening?” that was the first time she asked a question. It was a question Seulgi knew for certain, because there was this inflection at the last syllable that signifies a large question mark - Bae Joohyun never does that. And so, jarred by Bae Joohyun’s first time to be something relatively anything aside from being self-absorbing, Seulgi tried to listen focus one more time. And maybe she should’ve done so earlier because Bae Joohyun looked like she wanted to kill her - for real this time. 

    “I said - I will be saying this one last time Kang Seulgi - who did this to you.” 

    “What?” Did what? Seulgi thought. You’re the only one who does things to me. Joohyun rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue once again, making Kang Seulgi incredibly dumb, as if Joohyun just asked what was 1 + 1, and she said what? 

    “God, you idiot—look at your face!” she spitted out.

    And Seulgi was flashed with the sudden realization that, she was the one supposed to be confronting Bae Joohyun instead of the other way. Bae Joohyun was the one who did her last move, and Seulgi should be in her classroom, complaining about her white sneakers that had flowers drawn all over it. Essentially, Bae Joohyun shouldn’t be there at all. And she was hit by the realization that, maybe, the reason Bae Joohyun was strangely present, was the same reason everyone couldn’t keep their eyes off her face the moment she entered the classroom: her face was full of scars and bruises. 

    “Kang Seulgi, if you don’t answer this instant.” 

    “Hwang Miyoung.”

    Everything that went after was weird. The way Joohyun nodded twice as if confirming her suspicions was weird. The way she looked at Seulgi like she was the most dumbest thing on earth - what the hell did she do this time?! - was weird. The way she brought out her phone, tapped twice, sent Seulgi - if Seulgi wasn’t only hallucinating (that, she couldn’t truly confirm) - a doleful glance, as if she pitied Seulgi, before she finally walked out the room with the same unwavering imminent rhythm in her steps - was all but weird. 

    Everything was weird after that. Joohyun wasn’t present during break time despite her clique being there. Joohyun wasn’t there in the soccer field when it was their gym class, when Seulgi looked out the window - not that she was looking for Joohyun, just that, she was wondering if the other girl skipped classes again, yes, that. And so, Seulgi couldn’t help but irked about the other girl’s whereabouts - adding that to her strange appearance in the morning. She was supposed to be listening to Mrs. Son - she was failing English after all - but she couldn’t stop herself from thinking where the hell the other girl was.

    Did she go to Hwang Miyoung’s class? Did she stir up a fight? Is she going to avenge me? No, that can’t be happening, the world must be ending if does. If so, is she there to find an ally? Are they signing papers now, and planning on my downfall? She couldn’t help but shiver from that thought. Bae Joohyun and Hwang Miyoung together will be the end of her. Or no, maybe she just skipped class like she always did - she doesn’t need to study to get good grades, she’s smart like that - or maybe, she just went home because she got sick. Wait, is my face that sickening? Seulgi caressed her face and when she found not a single space of what once was smooth and flawless skin, she thought, maybe she really looked sickening that day.

    The whole day she mused deeply, that it came as a surprise to her when the bell rang signaling for dismissal. She often had an eye for the clock - taking note of very second a teacher overtimes and grumble under her breath for every second wasted - but she was distracted that day. That she thought it was still morning and not 4 in the afternoon, despite having eaten her lunch awhile ago. 

    It seemed unnatural - a new feeling - to watch her classmates pack their things up and jostle out of the class. The few of them spared her a glance as if checking the severity of her scars like they didn’t do it already first thing in the morning. But Seulgi was long distracted by the way the sun’s ray was really orange - and not its yellow glow for the better part of the day - on her palm, to send reassuring glances and “its’ fine” to her other classmates. 

    Instead, when she checked the digital clock atop the teacher’s table and confirmed that it was truly 4 in the afternoon and they  ought to be home, she only watched her other classmates file out, Yeri’s “See you at the pc bang later”, until the sleeping guy beside her table had finally awoken, and rush out of the room, leaving her alone to the stark silence in the room. 

    When the weight of the afternoon had finally descended on her, she looked at the orange glow one last time, before she stood up and worn her backpack. She glanced at the window outside - she didn’t know why, but she was expecting Joohyun to be there, running in the field because she skipped her gym class and now her teacher has forced her too. But still, she wasn’t there.

    She walked out, closed the door, and heave a deep breath. Why she so disappointed, she doesn’t know,  but she supposes, it was because she wanted to know if Bae Joohyun was on her neck again. 

    The room beside hers was Bae Joohyun’s, Class-A. It should be empty by now. Usually, class-A was filled with people tutoring other student’s from other class, but there was an exam two weeks later, that had students stuck up in the comfort of the library instead where there were no guards insisting them to leave because “classrooms ought to be empty at this certain time”. 

    So Seulgi doesn’t really know what compelled her to pause on her steps - barely a step away from Class-A-, to battle with herself, and finally to open the door of Class-A. Yeri must be waiting for her now. Sure enough, the classroom was empty, the same emptiness her class had when she left it. She heaved another sigh, and was ready to close the door when, a black bag atop a table stopped her. Who hasn’t left the school yet? 

    She walked closer, checking the other tables if there were other bags left, until she finally arrived. It was Bae Joohyun’s table, she realized. Not that she took particular note of what row and column Bae Joohyun sits, or what number her table was - it was number 4 - just that, like Bae Joohyun, she had come in here, purposely marched through the door, and clash with the other girl, any number of times. 

    True enough, when she turned the bag, there was the familiar daisy sewn on the right shoulder strap - not that she paid particular attention to it too. 

    Why is her bag still here, didn’t she skip? Then, if she didn’t then why is she still at school. Seulgi convinced herself that it was only curiosity when she sat on Bae Joohyun’s chair and dropped her bag on the floor as if she wasn’t leaving at all. That it was only curiosity when she turned her head to the littlest sound of to the littlest shadow that passes the soccer field. She’s not insane, no, she convinced herself.

    Finally, for what must’ve been only a minute - for Seulgi at least - the door slid upon revealing the object of her curiosity, Bae Joohyun. In all her glory - in her prissy ironed uniform, and spick-and-span tied hair - and in her, scars? 

    Seulgi stood up vigorously, why was Bae Joohyun’s flawless face full of scars. They both looked at each other, shock painted on their faces, before finally, Joohyun decided to walk to her table, as if nothing was to be shocked for in the first place.

    “What are you doing here.” she said offhandedly. “Did your brain finally shut down, and you can’t find your classroom?” 

    “What happened to you?” 

    “None of your business. Can you move?” Seulgi realized she was blocking Joohyun’s sit and moved to the table in front instead. 

    Joohyun plopped down with a sigh, and opened her bag as if looking for something - but Seulgi could tell she wasn’t looking for anything at all. 

    “Why are you still here? I’m here now, you were looking for me right? I’m here now,  so leave.” she said. 

    Seulgi sat on the chair in front of Joohyun - despite her apparent annoyance - and snatched her bag from under the table. The same way, she dropped it on her lap and fumbled inside for something - but she was looking truly looking for something.

    Finally, she procured a white cotton case, Joohyun thinks if that was the replacement for the pencil case she threw, but Seulgi opened it and revealed otherwise. 

    In precise and detailed movements, Seulgi arranged the alcohol, cotton, band-aid, ointment, and gauze on Joohyun’s table - not minding the quizzical looks the other girl sends her. She opened the alcohol - starting from the plastic cover (it wasn’t opened yet) - and plucked out a single bud of cotton. Deftly, with the precision of someone who had poured alcohol on cotton any number of times, she dampened the cotton aptly, and pressed it twice to check.

    Without warning, she held Joohyun’s chin with her free hand, pulled her closer. Joohyun closed her eyes thinking it was something else - she wasn’t expecting anything at all, but when someone pull you strongly, you were bound to close your eyes - but when she felt the something moist being tapped on her face. She opened her eyes to see Seulgi focused on applying alcohol on her scars. 

    “Hwang Miyoung and her clique are a tough bunch aren’t they?” Seulgi said without meeting her eyes.

    “Yes.” 

    “Now I know why Taeyeon sunbae seethes every time she sees her.” 

    “Mm-hmm.” 

    Seulgi must’ve been done cleaning her wounds when she dropped the cotton and in the same deft and meticulous manner, dropped a dew of ointment on her index finger, and started tapping on Joohyun’s face again.

    “You didn’t need to do that.” she said.

    “I didn’t do it for you.” Joohyun answered with a scoff. “I didn’t want anyone interfering. We are enemies of each other - and no one has the right to include themselves. Don’t even think I did it for you Kang Seulgi, the idea itself is nauseous.”  

    Seulgi only chuckled in return. She would’ve  had believed her if only because of the way she said it  - with the same undulating hostility - but the skin her fingers she tapped on were growing more flush every second, and she knew very well Bae Joohyun doesn’t flush. 

    “Stop laughing.”

    “But still, thank you.”

    “I said—”

    “Thank you for stopping people from interfering.” 

    Joohyun seemed content with that reasoning, and so she remained mum for the while she watched Seulgi effectively aid her scars. Joohyun thinks it was nice, but Seulgi should’ve had aided her own scars first. 

    Seulgi had finished applying ointment and was going to return the bottle inside when, “Wait, your face too—I mean, look your scars are open.” and was compelled to let and watch Joohyun return the same gesture. And she partially understood why Joohyun’s flush wasn’t disappearing, when Joohyun held her face in place, and began tapping on her scars too. 

    It felt like hours - or just seconds - somewhere veering on both - when they finished. Joohyun had her large scars plastered with band-aids, and her scars doesn’t sting that much anymore, and Seulgi was not so much different, when Seulgi was returning the things inside her kit. 

    Joohyun watched attentively as Seulgi closes her kit, opens her bag, opens a little compartment, slings inside her kit, closes the small compartment, and finally, closes the bag. It seemed like an end to Joohyun, when she heard that zipping gets caught in its end. Seulgi looked at her awkwardly, Do we say goodbye? but had decided just to grab the keys from the pocket of her skirt and shake it in her hand, instead.

    “You still have that?” 

    Seulgi raised her eyes. “What?”

    “The bear key-chain.” 

    Seulgi blushed when she realized Joohyun had seen the Bear key-chain she diligently hid from her all this time. She could only nod in return.

    “Wait.” Joohyun opened her bag and looked for something - Seulgi could tell she was really looking for something this time - and finally, produced her pencil case - a purple nylon pencil case, with a bunny key-chain - the same design as Seulgi’s. 

    “Me too.” 

    Their eyes met and suddenly, they both giggled like they weren’t anything but friends who gave each other key-chains and had managed to keep it through all these years. 

    But good things comes to an end, when they finally descended from their laughter, Seulgi realized that the the orange glow of the sunset was too orange now, and Yeri will kill her if she wasted another minute. 

    She hastily stood up and returned her keys to her pockets. She was ready to go out and make a run for it, but something compelled her to look at Joohyun meaningfully for the first time, and utter something she wanted to say for so long - too long, in fact.

    “Just for the record, I never liked Sehun.” 

    Joohyun looked at her in puzzlement until realization relaxed her furrowed brows. 

    “Me too.” she whispered. Seulgi smiled in return. 

    “I just didn’t like that you hung out with him a lot.”

    “I didn’t like that you hung out with Sunmi a lot too.” 

    Silence descended upon them momentarily, as though allowing them to digest the information. The only thing that signified their realization of how trivial and silly everything was, was the constrained grimace on their faces.

    “We were both so childish.” Seulgi remarked. 

    “I know.”

    “Until now.”

    “Until now.” 

    They both chuckled again.

    With one wistful smile, “I need to go now, Yeri’s probably going to kill me.” she tried to peek at Joohyun’s wristwatch.

    “Oh, it’s 5:03.”

    “Thanks.”

    “...and you’re probably dead.”

    “Definitely.” 

    Time seemed to stretch when they stared at each other. The sun that was descending was paused halfway atop the horizon, and for them, it felt like they were in their own world - away from everything else - no time, no space, no Hwang Miyoung and white sneakers with flower drawings or ripped and muddy blue-and-white gym jacket. But alas, the sun continued moving. Seulgi raised her brows as if reminding Joohyun that she had to leave, and started taking a step away. 

    “Wait! Seulgi.”

    She looked back.

    “Um, do you—do you want to hang-out tomorrow after class, I mean, just so we could plan our revenge on Hwang Miyoung—nothing else, really.” 

    “Okay.” 

    When Seulgi closed the door, she heaved another breath, and sighed - but her chest wasn’t heavy this time, instead, it was as if a thorn was removed from her heart. Maybe it was because she was bubbling in anticipation of whatever scheme they will pull off on Hwang Miyoung, or maybe because Joohyun had revealed to her that she could clean her sneakers with a hairspray, but Seulgi knew better than that.

    Seulgi knew better than Joohyun’s offer being as it is, she knew better than what her truly ‘okay’ meant. When Joohyun smiled at her the same way they smiled at each other during their first meeting, opening and drawling her words the same way she asked Seulgi a question that started everything beautiful that came after, Seulgi knew that her ‘okay’ wasn’t for an intense gut-curling punch directed to Hwang Miyoung, but it was for a promise for something more - a promise of a new beginning, more fixing each other, and maybe, more key-chains - hopefully, not bears and bunnies anymore (they were hard to get from the claw machine) . No more thrown pencil cases, no more ripped jackets, and no more broken expensive goggles. Just them and maybe, the lingering feelings that they never confronted.

    Seulgi looked at her palm one last time - not because she wanted to know how the too orange sun danced on her fingers - but because it was tickling for a sensation vividly familiar - something so soft, and warm - maybe too much like the fingers that caressed her face a while ago. 

A/N: i'm supposed to answer my test but anyways. The title is so random lmao, ion wanna think, just that, it happened to be the last song on my yt before yt decided to stop playing by itself without my consent >:((  good song though >>