Everything hurt.
Every inch of her body screamed in pain, a constant reminder of the nightmare she had just endured.
She had to get out of the club.
She had to escape without being seen.
It wasn't easy—bodyguards were stationed everywhere, their watchful eyes scanning the area. Her heart pounded as she slipped through the shadows, each step bringing fresh waves of pain. Somehow, she managed to make it out, flagging down a cab at the corner of the street.
But Yuna...
She couldn't find her.
Hana clenched her fists in the backseat, tears streaming down her bruised face. She could only hope Yuna was safe, that she hadn't been hurt because of her.
Rain poured from the sky, masking her sobs as she stumbled into her neighborhood. It was past midnight when she reached home, climbing through her bedroom window to avoid waking anyone. She collapsed onto her bed, wet, aching, and broken.
The hot bath she drew later did little to soothe her battered body. Sitting in the water, her phone rested in her hands. She stared at Yuna's name in her contacts, her thumb hovering over the call button.
Should I call her?
Is she okay?
But doubt clouded her mind, and a heavy sense of dread settled in her chest. She set the phone aside, unable to shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
As she laid in bed, she opened Yuna's DMs, hesitating to send a message. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard until a notification lit up her screen.
"Are you okay?"
The words were simple, but they cut deep.
Tears rolled down her face as she clutched her phone. She wanted to respond, to explain, to ask if Yuna was safe—but exhaustion took over, and her swollen eyes finally closed.
---
The next day was even worse.
Hana could feel it the moment she approached the school gates. Whispers trailed her every step, the kind that burned more than outright insults.
"Did you hear?"
"She hit on Yuna?"
"As ugly as she is?"
"Who does she think she is?"
Her stomach twisted as she kept her head down, the weight of their stares almost too much to bear.
As she reached the entrance, a hush fell over the crowd. The sleek hum of luxury engines filled the air. A Rolls Royce, a Mercedes, and a Cadillac pulled up in perfect synchronization.
Yuna stepped out first, radiant and untouchable. Eunchae and Haram followed, their matching Birkins swinging at their sides. All three were in flawless uniforms, their aura commanding attention.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Omg…"
"Omg…"
"Omg…"
Hana swallowed hard, summoning all her courage as she stepped forward.
"Yuna..." she called out, her voice barely audible.
The trio didn't stop.
"Yuna!" Hana called again, quickening her pace to catch up. She reached out, her trembling hand brushing the hem of Yuna's skirt.
Finally, Yuna stopped.
Eunchae and Haram turned, their expressions dripping with disdain. Yuna turned too, slowly, her gaze cold and unfamiliar.
The chill in her eyes froze Hana in place.
"Do I know you?" Yuna asked, her tone icy and detached.
The words pierced Hana's chest like a blade. She stumbled back as Yuna turned away, walking off with Eunchae and Haram, their laughter trailing behind them.
The crowd erupted, jeering and mocking her.
Hana stood there, rooted in place, her vision blurred with tears as their laughter echoed in her ears.