Chapter 3 ~~~ 7:00 a.m - The alarm. Minjeong rolls over and turns it off. She opens her eyes and sees Baekhyun- from EXO smiling on one of her many posters. The blazing early morning sun shines relentlessly. Its ray slants through the window, hitting Minjeong's forehead. She almost laughs bitterly at the current situation.   She has thought she would continue being a happy and healthy adult, but now she has to wake up to this new reality. There is no choice but to accept it.   Minjeong gets up and stretches her shoulders. She gets ready in less than half an hour so that she could have enough time for a proper breakfast with her parents.    She sits at the dining table while her mom prepares fried rice. Her dad watches the news, and her brother devours an egg sandwich. She remembers how the accident broke the family and how she misses the time them being together. Dad never stopped blaming himself. He couldn't even hold a job for more than a month, so mom divorced him. Her brother moved away; she hasn't seen him in person for more than five years; they mainly talk through video chatting.    The painful memories bring a sad look to Minjeong's face, and she is glad that she could be here before any of that could happen.   She reaches over to steal her brother's coffee. The coffee cup is rustic brown clay, a look that spoke of a relaxing soulfulness. She takes a sip and is immediately at ease. She finishes the cup while enjoying the peaceful quiet morning.   "Minjeong, what do you want for dinner?" Her mom asks.   Minjeong takes the coffee pot and pours in another cup. "Spaghettis, maybe?"    "Okay, sweetie." Her mom nods. She sits at the table and begins eating her fried rice.   "You done?" Her brother asks.   Minjeong finishes her second cup of coffee. "Thanks, mom. I love you. Bye."   Her mom looks at her in surprise. She rarely says things like that to her.   Minjeong waves at her parents before going to school.   ~~~   It turns out that having two cups of coffee for breakfast is a terrible idea. Minjeong has been agitated and anxious all morning. Her hand shakes while she writes down the lesson note, and her hearts beat fast. This 16-year-old body doesn't know how to handle that much caffeine. It also doesn't help that Jimin wouldn't look at her.    She needs to get closer to Jimin. She needs to be bolder and more demanding in her feelings toward Jimin.    Minjeong impatiently taps her pen on the table. Aeri puts a cookie in . Minjeong chews on the cookie and glares at the ticking clock on the wall. It's taking forever to RECESS.   Finally, the bell rings.   The math teacher tries to give them homework, but Minjeong doesn't care. She can probably solve all the tasks in less than 15 minutes.    Jimin stays back and talks to the teacher about the upcoming quiz. Minjeong wants to speak to her, but she is being pulled away by Aeri. NingNing has come to the senior's floor to hang out with them. The three of them stand in the hallway, near the balcony in front of the classroom.    “Hiiiii!!” NingNing smiles brightly and hugs Minjeong.   “Hey,” Aeri says as she gives NingNing a cookie too.    Then they start gossiping about Kpop scandals and joking around as if they didn't nearly kill each other yesterday.   Minjeong peers at the classroom door; she can just make out Jimin’s long and lush dark hair as the older girl collects her notes and textbook. Jimin sits at her desk and starts reading a book. Her friends surround her desk like bees following their queen. Jimin would occasionally smile and nod at their stories. Her eyes never left the book.   “What are you staring at?” NingNing waves a hand in front of Minjeong.    Aeri runs off to one of her friends from the dance club.   “Nothing.” Minjeong clears .   NingNing furrows her brows and follows Minjeong’s gaze. The blonde peers at Jimin and crackles. “Ohh, you are thinking of ways to strangle her!”   Minjeong nods. “Mhmm.”    “Don’t worry, unnie. I’ll protect you!” NingNing smiles and uses her hand to form a gun. “Pew pew, die Jimin unnie!"   "Sure, NingNing. My hero." Minjeong laughs and rubs NingNing on the head.   Out of the blue, a guy from the class next to them appears outside their door. She remembers his name - Bok Ji. His tall and well-built figure makes him stand out from the other kids. His sunny smile melts every girl in his way. He seems to be on a mission, hand holding a banana milk bottle with a yellow note stuck on it. If Minjeong squints her eyes and glares long enough, she could probably read the note.   Maybe it's something like this: "You are cute."   He calls out for Jimin. Minjeong inhales sharply.   She clings to NingNing's arm and watches as Jimin gets out of her desk and goes to talk to the guy.    If her memory serves her correctly, Jimin and Bok Ji used to be a thing in high school.    Jimin says in a soft tone that Minjeong can't hear anything no matter how hard she tries. The guy bursts out laughing, heartily and full of warmth. He gives her the banana milk bottle, and she takes it.   Minjeong feels her face gets hot in anger. She pinches NingNing's arm, and the girl squeaks.    "What's that for?" NingNing frowns.   "NingNing, I'm about to tell you something really important." Minjeong pulls NingNing close to her and whispers in her ear.   "You know the scene in K-drama where the clumsy girl accidentally falls into a guy, and he catches her, and her heart flutters or whatever?"   "Uh huh." NingNing nods, still confused.   "I want you to push me into that guy. HARD." Minjeong glares at him, and she wishes she could break his bone.   "You have a crush on him, unnie?" NingNing's eyes open wide in shock.   "O-of course!! And I can't let Jimin has him!" Minjeong mentally cringes at her words.   "Unnie, you cheated on me?" NingNing pretends to sniffle. "But he is hot, so I'll forgive you!"   Minjeong says with complete determination. "Push. Me. Hard."   "I was born for this!" NingNing nods and holds hand with Minjeong.   They pretend to discuss the weather when they walk by the couple.    With the right timing and without warning, NingNing bumps Minjeong hard with her hips. Minjeong loses her balance and crashes into Bok Ji.   BAM. Minjeong hits her arm in the doorframe. The pain stings and aches instantly. They fell to the floor with Minjeong sitting on top of him.   "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, Oppa." Minjeong gives a fake cry and helps him up.   Jimin gasps in horror. Her eyes fly wide at the realization of Minjeong crashing on top of Bok Ji and landing under her skirt.    Bok Ji gets up and rubs the back of his head. "Are you okay?" He asks.   "I'm such a ditz. Sorry oppa." She stresses the oppa part and grits her teeth in approaching a smile.   Bok Ji blushes. "It's fine. Are you sure you are okay?" He touches her arm, and she winches in disgust.   "I'm okay. Thanks for catching me." She stands to the side, which happens to be blocking Jimin from his view.    "Oh... okay. Well, see you later, Minjeong, right?"   "Yeb."   Now off already.   "And I'll see you around, Jimin." Bok Ji smiles, and Jimin nods at him.   After he is gone, Minjeong immediately turns to Jimin.   "Why were you talking to him?" She hisses.    Jimin gives her a confused look. "What's that got to do with you?"   "You are unbelievable!" Minjeong sneers as she feels hot tears start to form. Here we go again with the teenage hormone.   "Are you okay? You didn't hit your head or anything?" Jimin takes a step back from Minjeong.    Minjeong cheeks flushed, and she looks sullen. She snatches the banana milk on Jimin's hand and gulps it down in one go.    Jimin looks at her as if she is a freak. The corner of twitches in discomfort.    Minjeong throws the empty bottle into the trash can and crosses her arms in front of her chest. She glares at Jimin. Her lips tremble slightly. It's getting hard to control her emotions.    "Wow. You are crazy. Get away from me." With a gasp, Jimin frowns and turns her back to Minjeong.   She is about to go back to her desk when Minjeong grabs the edge of her uniform and forces