“I really saw her running out of the locker room just a few minutes before fire happened.” The 3^rd year student said, through gritted teeth.

I stood there, completely and utterly dumbstruck. The man behind the desk –whose name was carved on the nameplate on the table, “Yang Hyun Suk” and below, was the word principal– did not say a word. He was eyeing me carefully, as if watching out for my reactions. How long I stood frozen in front of them or how long the principal was staring intently at me –I did not know. I had no idea what to do, more importantly, what to say. I knew I should’ve denied the accusation but for some unknown reason, words failed me.

“See? She’s not even denying it.” I heard the girl say. It was only a momentary glance but I saw her face was full of contempt and dislike -but for what, or for whom? For me?

My eyes turned back to the principal. “But sir-“I tried to say but he his hand up to signal me to stop. I obliged and closed my mouth.

“Ms. Park,” he began in a firm, authoritative manner. It made my head snap up to look at him. He continued, “You are aware that the there was a fire not too long ago, right?” I nodded. “I assume that you are also aware that the fire happened in the girls’ locker room?” I nodded once again. For a moment, he remained silent, his eyes unblinking as he stared at me, before asking another question, “Are you also aware that the cause of the fire was a lit cigarette in the trash bin from the girls’ locker room?” I shook my head almost immediately.

“That’s obviously a lie,” I heard the girl huffed very loudly.

“Yoo In-Na…” Mr. Yang warned her. She hmphed, crossed her arms and turned her face away.

Yoo In-Na? So that’s her name... It’s quite familiar though. I feel like I’ve heard of it before somewhere.

Then with his low voice he went on, “Is true that you were in the girls’ locker room just before the fire happened?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What were you doing there? Didn’t you have class?”

“Yes sir, I did but I left something important so I decided to go back and get it.” I answered as honestly as I could.

“But when you came out of the room, I didn’t see you holding anything.” In-Na blurted, making me glance at her.

I opened my mouth and began to say, “That’s because-“

“-it’s a lie.” She cut me off.

My eyes slightly widened. “No, it’s-“

“You went to the girls’ locker room to smoke. How unladylike,” she muttered, her teeth in disgust, not letting me finish. I could honestly feel an aura full of anger and hate from her –where all of it is coming from? I still do not know.

“Be quiet, Yoon In-Na!” Mr. Yang demanded, his voice rising in anger at In-Na. “You came here telling me that you know who caused the fire. You said it was Ms. Park and told me why you know so. I did not call her here for you to harass her. I called her here so I could talk to her.”

In-Na opened to protest but decided against it and closed shut furiously.

When Mr. Yang saw that In-Na decided to be quiet, he turned to me. “Ms. Park, you’re in the top 5 amongst the 2^nd year students and a candidate for the character award…” he trailed off then continued, “let me ask you a question and I hope that you will answer me with all honesty.”

I nodded in understanding.

“Do you, or do you not, smoke?”

“I don’t, sir.”

In-Na scowled at me then faced the principal who had a relief look on his face. “You’re not going to believe that crap, are you?”

He frowned at her. “Watch your words, In-Na. You’re in my office.”

“You’re planning to let her go just like that? You’re not even going to search for any evidence of her being a culprit? I mean she was the last person in the girls’ locker room. She could really be the suspect! You-”

“Leave, In-Na.” Mr. Yang ordered, massaging his temples, his eyebrows pushed together in frustration. “Leave now!” In-Na stiffened for a moment then her heel to leave but paused beside me and said in an angry whisper, “Don’t think you’re off the hook yet, Dara.” I felt shivers run down my spine at the tone she used as she pronounced my name. It was full of malice. …Or was it just my imagination? Then, I heard the door slam behind me.

Mr. Yang heaved very deep sigh. I jumped slightly when he spoke, not looking up, “You may go now too, Ms. Park.” His voice was soft, compared to the one he used when he ordered In-Na to get out. I bowed politely before disappearing out of the door.

I walked through the empty hallway, my eyes on my feet. So much has happened in one day. It tires me out just thinking about it. I glanced at my right wrist hoping that my bracelet would appear like magic. Nope. It wasn’t there. I felt myself on the verge of crying but quickly stopped myself, telling myself that I’m going to find it. I looked up at the clock hung on the hallway to see that it was almost an hour since all students were told to go him and since I was called to the principal’s office. I was sure the others had already gone home by now. Jiyong must have gone home too since I didn’t tell him about going home together. I took my time walking, one step at a time. I knew I was out of the school building as soon as I saw sunlight. I slowly walked to the exit school-gate, not even daring to look forward.

“Hey, woman! Just how long were you planning to make me wait?!” an extremely aggravated voice said.

It sounded so much like Jiyong. I let out a sigh. Yes, that’s what he would say if we were to go home together and if I made him wait this long. I imagined the angry look in his face as I continued walking, my eyes still downcast.

“WHAT THE HELL?! I ING WAITED FOR YOU AND YOU JUST WALK PAST ME?!”

I heard Jiyong’s voice again. This time it was way louder and it sounded very furious. That’s kind of creepy… It almost sounded that he’s only behind me! I froze. Don't tell..... Perhaps he is...?

I slowly turned my head to look over my shoulder. I almost squealed at the sight of a very furious looking Jiyong. But wait… My expression softened.

Did he…...?

“You waited for me!” I heard myself giggle.

Suddenly, a blush appeared on his cheeks, making me stop. Wait- did he just…?

”Who would wait for you!” he growled, stomping off past me in an angry way.

I immediately ran to his side. I glanced up at him to see that he had his eyebrows in a furrow, lips pursed together tightly. I couldn’t help but think how cute his angry face looked. I restrained at myself from giggling again.

“What happened?”

This question surprised me. I looked at him, quizzically. His eyes stared forward as he waited for me to answer his question. I let out a forced laugh, hitting him lightly on his shoulder, “Nothing happened at all!” I lied. He might get worried. I wouldn’t want that.

He glared down at me. “Stop lying. If you’re thinking that telling me would make me worry, you’re wrong.”

How did he know that? I gasped. “Do you perhaps… read minds?” His glare turned harder as soon as he heard my question. I pouted in disappointment. For a second there, I really thought he could.

“Well?” He growled impatiently.

His expression told me that he won’t stop until I tell him.

“Well…” I started. “I seemed to have misplaced the bracelet my mom gave me.”  I tried to hide the sadness in my voice as I told him. Misplaced is a better word than the word missing.

He stopped and held me in my arm, making me face him. “You misplaced the bracelet your mother gave you?” He asked, eyebrows up.

Isn’t that what I said to him? I nodded. “Yes, I did…”

“Impossible.” He muttered, looking at me in the eyes. It was the first time he has ever looked at me straight in the eye and vice versa. I couldn’t help but see the sadness in his eyes. It made my heart sink. Just then, I heard him say, “You’re lying again.” He turned away, letting go of my arm and began walking again.

What he said next surprised me even more. “You didn’t misplace it, did you? It’s missing. You can’t find it.”

My eyes widened. How did he know? He knew even when I didn’t tell him. Even when I lied to him… My vision started to blur. I felt tears stream down my face. I quickly wiped it with my uniform sleeve –déjà vu?

Jiyong stopped and looked behind him when he noticed that I wasn’t following him. Shock spread across his face at the sight of me.”What the?”

 I instantly covered my face with my hands, not wanting him to see me like this –again. “I-I’m sorry, J-Jiyong.,“ I sniffed, “I j-just … Please don’t look at me!” I tried to stop myself from crying as much as I could but to no avail. The tears just keep on pouring down.

“Why are you crying?” I heard Jiyong sigh. He must be annoyed with me… crying like this. This is the second time, after all. How pathetic.

“Idiot,” I heard him say. I felt tears pour down even more. He really is annoyed with me. “Don’t cover your face. How can you talk while your face is covered?”

I shook my head vigorously. “N-no!”

“You don’t want me to see you cry, right?” He grunted. “I'm going to turn around. That way, I’m not looking at you anymore, so you can remove your hands from your face and tell me what’s wrong.”

I slowly removed my hands from my face, sobbing, and there he was… standing with his back on me just as he said –his hands behind his head. Suddenly, I felt my legs move on their own. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his waste. I felt his body tensed up at my sudden action but didn’t resist.

“T-the b-bracelet is s-so s-special to m-me… I-it was m-my m-m-mom’s l-last gift to m-me before s-she p-passed a-away… j-just the t-thought o-of it g-gone m-m-makes me f-f-feel m-miserable…” I managed to stutter between sobs.

Neither of us spoke. He remained silent while I was sobbed.

“I…” he whispered to me when my sobs died down, “…will find your bracelet.  I promise. So... don't feel miserable, okay?”

I started to cry again, hugging him even tighter but he said nothing. I didn’t know exactly how long, but we were in that position for quite some time.

**

The following morning, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I smiled when I noticed my eyes wasn’t as puffy as it was yesterday. All of a sudden, the scene yesterday flashed through my head –from the crying to the hugging. My jaw dropped. I can’t believe I did something of sort! My face blushed red as a tomato out of embarrassment.

I debated with myself whether or not to go to school with Jiyong after that incident. I sighed. I’ll have to face him eventually so why not now? Just as I was about to knock on his door, I heard someone call me.

“Good morning, Dara.” a neighbor greeted.

“Good morning,” I greeted back with a smile.

She nodded then said, “Jiyong left for school 15 minutes ago.”

He did? I wonder why.

“Thank you!” I bowed before I leaving.

I was walking my way to school when someone bumped into me from behind. Everything that was on my bag, books, notebooks etc, fell out as I dropped it in the ground. I was about to bend down to pick it up but a hooded person beat me to it. He/she (I wasn’t able to tell because his/her face was covered) was able to gather all my things and put it inside my bag very very quickly. I was a bit surprised at how fast he/she was. He/she bowed to me then ran off.

“THANK YOU!” I said loudly after the mysterious person.

As soon as I entered the classroom, our teacher pulled me out and took me to a corner.

“Yes, sir?”

“Ms. Park…” he said worriedly. “I believe that you’re in trouble.”

“Trouble?” I echoed.

“Why do you have a cigarette box in your locker?”