Full disclosure: this isn't really the first time I've been called into the vice principal's office.

In fact, I've been in this place already more than not, and that's exactly what makes me worry to no end since the moment Vice principal Kang's words came out of his mouth while shooting bullet holes through Nayeon, Sana, and I's skulls.

"The three of you, to my office— now!"

And did I mention I've already been into the vice principal's office more often than I should've? I was no troublemaker. But the reason for me being so familiar with this scenario now is mostly because of past fights picked on with me by some giant-headed asshole (mostly one of Sana's quarterback chums, but especially that homophobic, dickface, idiot Bang Chan whose ass was only ever nice to one queer in the campus (Sana) because Sana is technically at the top of the food chain and he obviously wants to get to her good side.)

Anyway, this time around, I was pretty sure I was going to get suspended, considering that instead of spending the afternoon in detention where I'm supposed to be, I'm at the school quadrangle, picking another fight with another quarterback.

I kind of worried about Jihyo, too, since I'm pretty sure Jinyoung's already figured out that she was the one who let me off the hook, but I forced myself to shrug it off, considering I have bigger problems right now.

And as I was saying...

"Ugh, it's you again, what a surprise," the secretary to the vice principal didn't even bother being subtle with her grumbling, "Aren't you ever gonna be tired of having to paint the walls of the lobby, Miss Hirai?"

Since she didn't even bother keeping her attitude to herself, I only rolled my eyes at her (and I wasn't at all subtle about it too).

"I might, but I'm certain I'd never get tired of having to see you in this office, Ms. Dara."

Ms. Dara groaned exasperatedly at my obnoxious flirting, and I had to smirk. I thought I even heard Sana chuckle amusedly behind me, having to witness the interaction, and it made me smile involuntarily.

Meanwhile, Nayeon was just walking next to me, obviously nervous. I didn't know why she's stuck to my side the entire walk to the office, perhaps because she's still too intimidated by Sana to manage even just walking close to her, and decided it would be best for losers like me and her to stick together at times like this. I glanced at her, and I saw her head still hanging low since the moment the vice principal pointed at her too and said,

"You as well, Ms. Im."

I might've felt a little bad for her, since she wasn't even a part of that whole thing with Sana and I. Nonetheless, I set the thought aside. It's her fault for not minding her own business, anyway.

"You look like you're about to throw up," I mumbled as Nayeon and I continued to walk together, following the vice principal, and Sana, just casually strolling behind us, a little distant. "You're making it too obvious that this is your first time."

I didn't realize it sounded rather mocking until Nayeon looks up at me and shoots me a glare.

"Shut up! Having to be here many times before already isn't something to brag about!"

Gotcha. I scoffed, rolling my eyes at her, as well.

"Whatever. Go walk by yourself," I said, attempting to walk past her with my hands shoved inside my pockets.

"Yah!" However, Nayeon stopped me from doing so by grabbing me by the forearm and yanking me back. "You're the reason I'm about to have my very first record in the office, so don't you dare try and ditch me on this, Hirai Momo."

At that, I had to blink.

Remember the way I've been previously describing this girl? One second, she's running into me in the hallways and apologizing desperately as if she's about to cry for soaking my front with fucking blue paint— and then the next, she's here, snarking at me for attempting to leave her miserable ass on her own on the way to the vice principal's office.

She's just too odd.

"Geez, fine. Will you get off?" I scoffed again, pulling my arm back, a gesture which Nayeon only rolled her eyes at. Strange girl.

The second we reached the office, I plopped on the long, leather couch before the vice principal's table, Nayeon following suit and sitting next to me. I rolled my eyes when she had to scoot closer to me to make room for Sana, who sat to Nayeon's left, close enough for Nayeon to end up being sandwiched by the both of us on either sides— I assumed it's what made Nayeon blush all of a sudden.

Well, of course, who wouldn't, when the great Minatozaki Sana is sitting that close to you—

"I must be honest, this is a trio I least expected to ever sit down with me in this office," Vice principal Kang cut my thoughts off when he suddenly spoke, sitting down on his chair before us as he massaged his temple. "Okay, I'm gonna have to make this quick, since I have a meeting. What happened back there?"

"It was Sana, she started it," I answered quickly before Sana could even let out a word, making her roll her eyes at me.

"Yeah, sure, like I'd ever start a fight with anyone," she replies, tone sarcastic. "What more with my own sister."

Oh, fuck you. But I could only say it inside my head, since the vice principal decided to proceed immediately after Sana spoke.

"Well, that is sort of true," he notes before turning his head to face me. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hirai, but I'm finding your stand rather hard to believe. Sana has never had a record in the office before and you know it."

I scoffed. "Oh, and you obviously don't believe me because I have, right?"

"On multiple occasions already, in a span of half a year," Vice principal Kang firmly declares, an eyebrow raising at me. "So what really happened, Momo?"

I knew I was being bullshitted right then and there, but I also knew I didn't have the right to oppose him, since basically everything he said about Sana's clean record and that of mine was true. I was cornered.

But it wouldn't be right for me to just sit there, shut the fuck up, and not defend myself. That's because the previous fights that had me sent to the Vice principal's office before were all started by someone else. This time, however, it's different. I started it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kang," in the end, I sighed, shrugging carelessly as I sent Sana a glance, my eyes narrowed knowingly. "But I fear I can't tell you what it is. It's a private matter, something just between Sana and I."

I realized that sometimes pulling the family card and actually admitting you're involved with Minatozaki Sana really isn't that bad.

Sana was already looking back at me when I turned to her, so we were basically just glaring at each other when she spoke, too.

"Yeah, that's right," Sana smirks, turning to face the vice principal, whose gaze is just narrowed at the both of us. "It was just a misunderstanding between two siblings, and I'll have you know that I forgive Momo for hitting me on the shoulder."

You fucking dickhead.

I felt my eye twitch when Sana glanced at me again, a subtle smirk slowly painting her lips, obviously thrilled at my reaction.

"Even if you do, Sana, what you and Momo displayed was considered a form of unacceptable behavior that we strictly do not tolerate in this school. So, as a punishment, Momo, you are going to keep painting the walls of the high school campus, front and back, this time. And Sana, you're gonna have to join your sister. Is that clear?"

Sana just shrugged, while I rolled my eyes to myself. Seriously, I'm so tired of that fucking punishment. (Yeah, maybe Ms. Dara's a little bit right on that part.) And I fucking hate those stupid overalls they make me wear whenever I do it. Like, seriously? I might've had Jihyo and a few other girls call me cute in it, but I hate it. Plus, it's the sole cause of Sana's quarterback friends' dumb name-calling that I have to punch my way back straight into their stupid faces and send me straight to detention.

I ignored the way Nayeon shifted uncomfortably in her spot, releasing tiny breaths here and there as the conversation progressed. I almost even forgot about her presence, if it wasn't for what comes out of the vice principal's mouth next.

"You may go. And you, Ms. Im, I have something important to talk to you about."

I almost laughed when Nayeon downright froze at that. I could almost hear her heart throbbing its way out of her chest out of pure fear as she let herself sink further into the couch. I couldn't help but smirk amusedly to myself.

Too bad, I guess.

Sana was the first to stand up, shooting me another look with that tiny grin on her face and raising both of her eyebrows in acknowledgement before heading out first. I was just about to leave, as well, if it wasn't for the vice principal calling for me again, "Hold up a second, who said you may go, Momo?"

I turned to face him, shrugging my shoulders confusedly.

"Uh, you did, just a few seconds ago?"

Vice principal Kang raised his eyebrow at me, "I only meant Sana. Sit back down, please. You're still a part of this discussion," he says, and I would've managed to protest, if it wasn't for the look Nayeon suddenly sent me.

Remember I keep on mentioning how odd this girl is? You see, one second, she's apologizing to me in the verge of tears, then, she's snarking at me for bragging about having been in the vice principal's office before,

And now, here she is, sending me puppy eyes and obviously asking me not to leave her by herself in this stupid meeting with the vice principal.

I almost laughed. Seriously? She really thinks that stupid aegyo's gonna work on me? She must be a delusional freak living in an alternate world where I'd actually be affected by her hasty blinking and scrunchy nose and that stupid, dumb pout—

"Fine," I sighed, plopping back down next to Nayeon, who visibly sighed in relief.

(That kind of sells me out, I know.)

I shut my eyes tiredly as the vice principal cleared his throat, "Oh, how am I gonna say this?" he mumbles to himself, but it was still pretty audible to both Nayeon and I, making Nayeon, of course, turn to me again, looking more worried than ever now. It officially made me feel bad, knowing the whole thing was none of Nayeon's doing at all.

Really, this girl needs to start staying away from Sana and I.

"Excuse me, sir," I interrupted Mr. Kang's contemplating, causing him to face me. "Look, sorry, but she's really had nothing to do with this. It was all Sana and me. Can you possibly let her off the hook? She shouldn't be punished for trying to stop a fight."

I watched in my peripheral vision as Nayeon's eyes widened at my statement, obviously surprised. But I didn't face her completely, causing me to miss the way her face actually flushed.

Meanwhile, Vice principal Kang rested both of his hands on his table and interlocked his fingers in front of him.

"This isn't about Ms. Im, actually. This is still about you, Momo."

"Oh," I breathed out, shrugging my shoulders in question. "Okay?"

I watched the vice principal raise his glasses before letting out a deep sigh.

"Momo, you're aware that this today would be your fifth minor offense now, right? That is technically equivalent to two major offenses in the student's handbook."

Oh. My eyes involuntarily widened at the realization, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat.

Shit.

"The third major offense, well, counts for automatic failure in conduct," Mr. Kang sighs, obviously having a hard time letting me know that I'm fucked. "And I take you're not doing so well in Pre-Calculus these days, either, aren't you?"

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Fucking Park Jinyoung! I knew he was up to something. That old hag's always hated my guts since day one!

"Look, sir. I— shit," I breathed out in panic, and the vice principal didn't even bother reprimanding me for my language, knowing I have all the rights to swear because, fuck— I am so fucked!

I can't get held back another fucking year! The last thing I need is little accelerated art freak Son Chaeyoung graduating before I do!

I saw Nayeon's eyes shot me a worried look, but I missed the way her hand almost crawled towards mine in an attempt to comfort me because she immediately retracted it, realizing that it would be too weird.

We're not even friends, are we?

"Momo, I know you've only ever had offenses because you get into these fights a lot, which I'm also aware you don't intend to happen in the first place, and that's why, even if I'm not supposed to, I'm going to give you another chance." I had to let out a sigh of relief after Vice principal Kang let out his words. Man, I didn't even realize I was holding my breath for too long. "So, besides making sure you don't commit third offense, you're going to have to take an elective course to salvage your failing grades. And that is what Ms. Im is currently here with us for."

At that, however, my ears perked up, head shooting up so hard towards the vice principal's direction, I'm pretty sure I nearly snapped my neck.

No.

"Theater will be handing out the biggest credit, with the upcoming recruitment season at the end of the month. You can either be a part of the show, or just an understudy, or a staff to help the others out on the set..."

No. No. No. No.

"...And, at the end of the semester, a grade no lower than B+. That's not gonna be so difficult with the help of Ms. Im here, now, is it?"

Is he serious? Fucking B+ on a theater course?! Look, I know I'm pretty much considered a loser all this time since I'm nothing but a friendless freak who absolutely hates everyone in campus except for her one best friend—But a whole month with these theater weirdos?!

COME ON!

I would've said no on any occasion, because theater and Momo in one sentence? An obvious NO.

But then, here comes the image of Son Chaeyoung talking to me endlessly about how much fun she had in graduation practice and just being plain annoying like she always is while my miserable, overall-wearing ass is trying to do the impossible work of covering the rest of the lobby's walls during recess— and I had to gulp.

Fuck.

Tell me, how am I supposed to last an entire month with theater nerd, Im Nayeon, without going completely nuts?

I am so fucked.

/

Neither of us decided to mutter a single word after Vice principal Kang let Nayeon and I go. Well, I thought I saw from my peripheral vision the way Nayeon attempted to speak, but I just shrugged her off, walking right towards the exit, since it's already been at least fifteen minutes past dismissal and I just can't wait to go home, lock myself in my room, plop on my bed face first, and sleep my exhaustion away.

But of course, the universe decided it has a funny sense of humor...

"Momo!"

I didn't even bother keeping the exasperated sigh to myself when Jihyo's voice came ringing against my ears from behind. I heard her hasty footsteps getting closer, and I must admit I might've had slowed down a little bit so she won't have a hard time catching up with me.

I tried to make it look like I wasn't interested when she grabbed me by the arm so I was facing her, sending her a rather unimpressed look.

"Yeah?"

Jihyo sighed at my choice of tone, but forced a smile nonetheless, looking up at me with almost the same look Nayeon sent me earlier back at the vice principal's office— puppy eyes and everything.

"Walk me home?"

Is she serious? That's just so fucking unfair!

What the fuck makes her think it's okay for her to call for me and ask me to walk her home, acting like nothing ever happened, like everything between us is gonna be okay just with that look in her sparking, doe eyes and that stupid, gorgeous smile and—

Fuck.

"You're gonna have to stop being such a hopeless in-denial soon, you know that, Momoring!"

Okay, maybe Jeongyeon was right on that part.

I think I really am fucking into Jihyo.

Oh, fuck.

Eventually, I agreed to walk her home, since I knew for myself I wouldn't even manage saying no to her. This is all just messed up. I felt a little twitching in my stomach, especially when Jihyo decided to hook arms with me and lightly lean her head against my shoulder when we reached the exit of the high school campus. I felt a little conscious when we passed by some people, even though they didn't really think much of the not-so-unusual sight of Jihyo, clinging to Minatozaki Sana's sister. Yeah, I'm pretty much certain that's all people know of me.

The walk home was silent, except for Jihyo's tiny mumbling about how beautiful the rainbow looked in the sky from afar. She didn't address it directly at me, but I knew she wanted me to hear, and I did, though I didn't really respond to it, either.

I have the right to be mad at her, right?

Do I?

"Sana and I, we're not just messing around, okay? She's serious about this, about me. And I think I am, too."

I remembered what Jihyo said to me back at the diner, and my breath hitched, feeling a tight clenching in my chest. She must've felt the sudden tension in my body, because just as we stood outside her house, in her front yard, she turned to face me properly, desperate eyes trying to catch my gaze.

"Mo," she mumbled as one of her hands lifted up in order to cup the right side of my cheek. "Are you okay?"

Am I okay?

It's almost funny to me how I had to feel a little pathetic after asking that question to myself. Even I know I was feeling a little too much on something, much much more than I should be, and I hate it.

And now, Jihyo is worried about me, and I hate it,

I don't want her reaching up to make me look straight into her eyes and meet her gaze; her, stroking my cheek gently with the pad of her thumb for encouragement; her, looking at me like she wanted to say something, but can't, because she's too worried about how I'm going to react or what I'm going to say next. I fucking hate it!

I don't want Jihyo worrying about me at all.

"Look, I know you're, most likely, still mad at me," Wrong. Not at you, or— not totally, at least. Maybe at Sana, 100%. "But there's this party tonight at Dahyun's, and Sana asked me to go with her, and I—"

"Let me guess," were the first words I let out the entire walk from school, and Jihyo had to blink. "You want me to go with you guys," —out of guilt for just the thought of abandoning me for my sister.

Letting out a short sigh, Jihyo looked down, mumbling softly as if she already knew what was running through my mind, "Momo—"

But of course, I had to prove her wrong. That's how I am, Hirai Momo, in-denial, a coward—I always have to prove everyone wrong.

"Yeah, sure. That'd be cool," That's why I cut Jihyo off from what she was just about to say, making her look up at me in surprise, obviously not expecting my answer.

"W-wait, really?" she stuttered out before blinking herself back to consciousness, "I mean, okay. I... okay," she breathes out, this time, a much more genuine smile was starting to form on her face. "Cool."

I almost rolled my eyes. Since when exactly did Park Jihyo started using the word 'cool'?

I swear to god, fucking Sana.

"Yeah," I said, freezing for a second when I suddenly felt Jihyo reach up to wrap her arms around me completely, engulfing me in a hug. I didn't exactly hug her back, but I held her by the waist, just to give her some sort of reaction. "Alright, I'll see you guys there."

With that, Jihyo pulled away, looking back up at me as she attempted to protest, "You can just drive up with us—"

"You must've forgotten, I don't ride motorcycles," I reminded her, making her look a little downcasted. "Don't worry, I'll bring my mom's car. I..." Apparently, had to listen to the immature urge to add something else just to make Jihyo feel at least a bit bad like I do. "...I'm gonna pick someone up, too, anyway."

Who the fuck am I gonna pick up?!

"Oh?" Jihyo was obviously surprised, retracting the hand that was once holding me by the arm. Did it work? "And who's that, if I may ask?"

Someone.

Say someone.

ANYONE!

"Just— Nayeonnie,"

What the fuck was that?

"'Nayeonnie'?" Jihyo's eyebrows furrowed.

Who the fuck is 'Nayeonnie'?! I had to facepalm myself internally.

Where the fuck did that nickname even came from?!

I feel like I'm gonna throw up.

"Uh, yeah. Im Nayeon, from theater," I said, clearing my throat. "She's gonna be my elective tutor for the rest of the month, so I thought I should try and hang out with her, whatever."

And then, a flash of realization crossed Jihyo's features.

"Oh, yeah. Im Nayeon, I know her from Lit class," she said, the familiar smile slowly etching back on her features. "Well, then. I'll text you the address later tonight, okay?"

She leaned up to peck on my cheek before waving goodbye, not a single trace of anything evident in her expression at the idea of me, choosing someone else over her.

It definitely did not work.

/

unknown: get dressed. i'm at ur place in 5.

nayeon: uh,
nayeon: who tf is this?

unknown: momo h.
unknown: im outside, hurry up

nayeon: where the fuck did you get my number?!

momo: i said hurry, were gonna b late
momo: oh and dress a lil slutty if u can

nayeon:
nayeon: the fuck?!

/