"And now, because the author has decided to start the novel with a cliche plot device, let me introduce our new transfer student," the teacher drawled before knocking twice against the door.

After a moment, it slid open from the outside, and in stepped a tall, lanky student.

Kihyun, from the back of the class, squinted at the newcomer. The class wasn't geometry, Kihyun was pretty sure it was actually supposed to be physics, but he couldn't help but analyze how angular the kid was. His joints stuck out sharply in a manner that made Kihyun wince. While most of his limbs protruded from his body, the one exception was the boy's eyes, which appeared to be sunken slightly into his head and underscored by dark marks.

While the gaunt, skeleton-like frame would have appeared unnatural and possibly even horrifying on anyone else, it seemed to suit the boy.

Kihyun didn't know if he liked the boy or not. Usually he could tell right away.

"Your new classmate is Chae Hyungwon." The teacher turned to the side, looking at the transfer. "Please introduce yourself."

The boy swallowed uncomfortably, his fingers scratching at his shirt cuffs, which were white. Their uniforms were all white.

"I'm Chae-" he began, but before he could finish, he blinked, his mouth opening, and then his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed on the floor.

Must be pretty light, Kihyun reasoned. He didn't make much of a sound when he hit the ground.

Which made sense, Kihyun figured, given how skinny the boy was.

The teacher just sighed, massaging his forehead. "Minhyuk, Hyungwon is your seat partner. Please help him into his seat."

"Yes, sir," Minhyuk said before bounding out of his seat and over to the unconscious boy sprawled across the white-tiled floor. "Yo, Jooheon, help a brother out here."

Jooheon squinted before nodding, getting up from his desk and helping Minhyuk wrestle Hyungwon into his desk. Then Minhyuk and Jooheon both took their respective seats, glancing over at the new transfer student with slight curiosity.

Only slight curiosity, though, because they knew the drill. Chances were, he'd be gone in less than two months. Fixed, just like that.

Kihyun also squinted at the back of the boy's head.

Is he a threat to me? Kihyun asked himself. Was he glaring at me earlier? Is that what he was doing? But why does he have a problem with me? Unless he knew I was here and he came here especially for me. But why? To kill me? Maybe. It's possible. Although he doesn't look like a killer. But looks can be deceiving. I know that better than anyone. So maybe he really is here to hurt me. But the administration wouldn't let him register if they knew he was going to hurt me, right? Unless...unless they want me gone too. I have to consider that. In which case I'm truly fucked because I have no way out. If they want me dead, dead is exactly what I'm going to be. But I've got to try. Gotta stay on my toes. Can't let them get me. Can't let anyone get me. But is that boy really working with the administration? He doesn't look strong enough to hurt anyone. But then again... Maybe he's the wiry-strong type. Looks harmless, can lift a car. I can't be too safe. Gotta keep my distance just in case. Unless...unless the administration is out to get me and he's not out to get me. Maybe then, he can be an ally...but what if he rats me out? What if he betrays me? I can't let that happen. I have to... I have to-

"Yo, Kihyun," came a sharp whisper from his right, and Kihyun looked over.

"What do you want, Shownu?" Kihyun whispered back, eyeing the teacher, whose back was to them.

"Nothing, you just looked-" Shownu cut himself, trying not to upset Kihyun since he was easily upset. "What day is today?" he asked instead in a gentler tone.

"Monday," Kihyun replied before nodding slowly. "Which means-"

"We have another new student today," the teacher said, sighing. "Come on in," he called, and a shorter but more well-built boy entered the classroom, averting eye contact. "Shin Hoseok, please introduce yourself."

Hoseok looked over at the teacher in confusion. "Who's Shin Hoseok?"

The teacher waited a long moment before sighing and gesturing vaguely. "Just- introduce yourself, as usual."

As usual? Wonho wondered before shrugging and turning to face the class. He met someone's eyes on accident and flushed, looking down quickly and fiddling with his fingers. "H-Hi, I'm Jay Park," he mumbled.

Kihyun snorted from the back of the room. So he's Jay Park now, huh? That's certainly an upgrade. Who was he last week? Some supposed ramen shop owner?

"All right, Hos- Jay, why don't you take your seat," the teacher said, adjusting his glasses, and Hoseok looked over at the teacher, concerned.

"But which seat is mine?" he asked, and the teacher opened his mouth.

"The same seat as alw-" He huffed. "The one next to Chankgyun."

"But...but who is Changkyun?"

Changkyun rose his hand from the back, his hand shaking slightly, and his eyes darted up to the ceiling before he dropped his hand and looked over at Jooheon in the seat across from him. "They're in the ceiling, man. They'll suck your blood out." He sank lower into his sink, eyeing the ceiling nervously, his eyes shifting and never stopping in one particular place. "They're everywhere, man."

"You're whack," Jooheon replied simply, rolling his eyes. Everyone knew better than to believe Changkyun, who was always spouting off about monsters that were out there to kill them. Each week it was a new monster.

Although, who were they to call him crazy?

Wonho nodded slowly before sitting down next to Changkyun, extending a hand to shake. "Hi, I'm Jay," he said with a nervous smile, hoping he'd fit in here.

Changkyun just stared at his hand in horror.

"What is it this time?" Jooheon asked, leaning closer. "Microscopic leeches that'll burrow into your bloodstream and suck the marrow out of your bones? Invisible carnivorous fish that subside in your sweat?"

"No," Changkyun said, leaning back away from Wonho's outstretched hand. "Germs."

"Oh. S-Sorry..." Wonho said, chuckling nervously and wiping his palm on his pants.

Why do I have to be here? he wondered before scanning the room for his future classmates, noticing that one of them was lying on his desk, eyes closed. Pretty brazen of him, sleeping in class when there are only seven of us here...What kind of school is this anyways?