The classroom buzzed with quiet murmurs as students settled into their seats. The teacher walked in, placing a stack of papers on the desk with a small, knowing smile.
"Alright, class, put everything away. We're having a surprise exam."
A collective groan filled the room, but Yona barely reacted. His mind was still stuck on Lena's apology, the way she had smiled at him, the way—for a moment—he had felt seen by her.
But as the teacher started passing out the exam papers, Yona reached into his bag and froze.
His pen was gone.
His heart started pounding. He searched frantically through his pockets, his desk—nothing. His hands started shaking.
If he couldn't write, he would fail. His grade would drop to zero, and he couldn't afford that.
He turned to Lena, who was already scribbling on her paper, completely focused. He leaned slightly toward her, lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Lena… do you have an extra pen?"
She didn't react.
Yona hesitated, then tried again. "Lena, please. Just one."
She exhaled lightly, her eyes locked on her paper. She had heard him—he knew she did—but she kept writing, pretending he wasn't there.
Yona swallowed hard.
She had apologized to him earlier. Had acted like she cared. But now, when he truly needed something, she ignored him like he didn't exist.
Slowly, he sank back into his chair, his hands trembling.
What was he supposed to do now? Just sit here, motionless, while time passed and his exam remained blank?
Just as panic started settling in, a soft whisper broke through his thoughts.
"Hey, Yona."
He turned his head and saw Mia beside him, holding out a pen.
"I have an extra," she whispered, her voice gentle.
For the first time that day, Yona truly looked at her. Not past her. Not through her. He looked at her.
Her eyes weren't filled with expectation. She wasn't waiting for thanks or praise. She was just… there, offering him what he needed, like she always had.
Wordlessly, he took the pen from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers for a split second. It was warm, unlike the cold silence he had just faced.
"Thank you," he whispered back, and for once, Mia didn't have to force her smile.
Because, for the first time, he had noticed her. Even if only for a moment.
Yona gripped the pen tightly, his heartbeat slowly settling as he turned his attention back to the exam paper. He had almost given up, but Mia… she had saved him.
The clock ticked away as the class fell into silence, the only sounds being pencils scratching against paper and the occasional rustling of pages.
But Yona found it hard to focus.
His mind kept drifting—not to Lena, but to what had just happened. The way she had ignored him when he needed her. The way Mia had noticed.
He stole a glance at Mia from the corner of his eye. She was writing her answers with quiet concentration, her brows slightly furrowed. There was no smugness, no expectation on her face. It was as if helping him had been second nature to her.
Why had he never really seen it before?
By the time the exam was over, Yona had finished just in time. The teacher collected the papers, and the classroom relaxed into a more casual chatter.
Lena stretched, letting out a small sigh.
"Ugh, that was hard," she said dramatically, laughing with her friends.
Yona's eyes instinctively followed her. He expected her to walk past him again, to not even acknowledge his presence—just like she had in the rain, just like she had during the exam.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Lena stood up with her friends and walked toward him.
Yona straightened, his breath catching slightly.
"Hey, Yona," Lena said, flashing a charming smile.
"We're heading out to get some snacks. You should come with us."
His heart skipped a beat.
She was inviting him. Lena was actually inviting him.
For a moment, he forgot everything—the rain, the exam, even the way she had ignored him just an hour ago. This was what he had wanted, right? To be noticed by her.
He hesitated for only a second before nodding.
"Yeah… sure."
Mia, who had been quietly gathering her things beside him, froze.
She had expected him to watch Lena from afar like he always did. But she hadn't expected Lena to actually invite him.
And she hadn't expected Yona to go so easily.
Mia lowered her gaze, gripping the strap of her bag tightly. She had told herself it didn't matter—that she was used to this, used to being invisible.
But somehow, this time, it hurt even more.
As Yona stood up to follow Lena and her friends, Mia forced a smile, even though he wasn't looking at her.
"Have fun" She whispered .
Mia walked out of the classroom, her steps slow and heavy. She told herself she wouldn't cry. She was used to this—used to being the one left behind.
Before heading home, she stopped by the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Maybe that would wash away the dull ache in her chest.
Just as she reached for a paper towel, voices echoed from inside one of the stalls.
Lena's friends.
Mia instinctively stepped back, pressing herself against the wall near the door. Their voices were hushed, but the sharp edge of their words sent a chill down her spine.
"So, we're really doing this?" one of them whispered.
"Of course. Lena just wants to have a little fun," the other giggled. "He actually thinks she likes him. It's pathetic."
Mia's breath caught in her throat.
Her fingers curled around the strap of her bag as she strained to hear more.
"I mean, come on. A guy like him? Poor, quiet, always staring at her like a lost puppy? This is just to mess with him a little. Let him think he has a chance."
Mia's pulse pounded in her ears.
No.
This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
Her hand trembled, and before she could stop herself, her bag slipped from her grip, hitting the tiled floor with a dull thud.
The voices stopped.
Mia didn't wait to see if they had heard her. She turned on her heel and ran.
Her heart pounded as she sprinted down the hallway, pushing past students, ignoring the confused stares.
"I have to stop him. I have to find him before it's too late ".
To be continue