Angel Smile 5 Scene 5

"Yeo Ri-ah, I heard some b*tch was picking on you this morning. Are you alright?"

As soon as first period ended, a girl rushed over from the neighbouring classroom.

"Jang Mi-ah." Yeo Ri was surprised to see the girl. Lim Jang Mi was Yeo Ri's other best friend from another class. They had gotten along in their first year and the relationship remained strong even after their classes differed.

However, she was the top student, so it was rather unusual to see her outside of her classroom in-between periods.

"It was nothing," Yeo Ri told her, she didn't want the girl to worry; it was almost exam season and any other issues would only burden the girl.

Jang Mi made a displeased expression. She knew it was not 'nothing' but did not push the girl to tell her.

"The hell it was. It's something, all right. That delusional b*tch thinks she's hot stuff," Min Chae slammed her desk, glowering. She shot a dirty look towards Park Jin Ae, which the girl reciprocated.

"Tell me about it later, then." Jang Mi concluded, crossing her arms. She narrowed her eyes at Yeo Ri, then casted a displeased look towards Park Jin Ae.

"...Okay." Yeo Ri knew that the look that Jang Mi had sent her was the no-nonsense-or-I-will-destroy-you look so she did not dare to refute, though she was reluctant. To her, it was no big deal. It was not her first time dealing with bullies, after all.

"See you two at lunch," after ensuring that Yeo Ri was really fine, she finally left.

"See you," the two sent her off with a wave.

The rest of the day passed by uneventfully. Packed full with lessons after lessons, there was no chance for Park Jin Ae to bother Yeo Ri.

Finally, it was lunchtime.

Most of the students partook their meals at the cafeteria, but some chose to go to the student store or just stay in the classroom.

Yeo Ri, Min Chae, and Jang Mi joined the majority and headed over to the cafeteria. Cafeteria food was free and the menu was not bad, so they went there frequently.

The trio quickly grabbed their food-filled trays and searched for empty seats. Along the way, a few people called them over, offering Yeo Ri a seat, but since there was not enough space for the three of them, she politely refused.

Another reason why was also because most of the offerers were boys.

In their school, the male and female students were segregated, and it was only during lunchtime or break times that the two genders could socialise with one another. Since the cafeteria was shared, many students liked eating there for the same reason. After all, they were in their budding youths.

Quickly, though, Min Chae spotted some empty seats and headed there immediately to secure it.

Jang Mi and Yeo Ri trailed behind.

"Kyaak—!"

However, before she knew it, Yeo Ri tripped and fell down.

Loud sounds of clattering caused others to look over.

Yeo Ri sat on the floor, her uniform stained with her lunch. She sat there for a moment, dazed, thinking, 'what just happened?'

"Oh my god, Yeo Ri! Are you okay?!" Jang Mi almost dropped her tray. She pushed it on the nearest table and immediately knelt by Yeo Ri's side, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the stains.

A commotion immediately broke out, and while a small number of girls jeered at her, droves of boys flocked the scene, asking if she was okay. Many offered to take her to the infirmary, but again, she politely refused.

"Everyone, no need to worry; I'm fine." Yeo Ri thanked them with a smile and got up with Jang Mi's help. Noticing the hubbub, Min Chae rushed back, supporting the girl from the other side.

"Yeo Ri-ah, can you stand? Did you get hurt?" Min Chae looked at Yeo Ri's exposed hand. It had begun reddening from getting splashed by the still-steaming soup from the lunch.

"I'm fine. It's nothing." Noticing her concern, she played it down and covered the reddened area with her sleeves. The scalding was not bad and a simple rinse at the sink would be enough to cure it.

Min Chae's eyes flashed angrily and she swerved to look at the perpetrator. The girl was audacious enough to not take back the foot that had tripped Yeo Ri and was laughing knowingly among her group of friends.

"Park! Jin! Ae!" She screamed. "You're going too far!" She grabbed the snickering girl by the arm harshly, tugging her with adrenaline-pumped strength.

"F*ck! B*tch!" Park Jin Ae cussed, pulling away from the crazed girl. "F*cking hell, did anybody see me trip her? Huh? The f*ck you think you're doing? Dragging someone innocent?" Even after blatantly bullying Yeo Ri in public, the girl still did not admit it.

Spurred by Min Chae's actions, a few boys also joined in and began to condemn Park Jin Ae. "Whatever did Lee Cheonsa ever do to you? F*cking jealous b*tch," one said and another echoed.

Soon, a verbal fight broke out between Park Jin Ae's party and Yeo Ri's supporters.

Yeo Ri wanted to get them to stop fighting, but her voice was drowned out among the shouting. Jang Mi tugged her away from the ruckus, intending to take her to the infirmary.

"Guys, sto—"

"Yeo Ri-ah, leave it be. The teachers will come here soon, so let's get out and get you cleaned up first. Come on," Jang Mi dragged the worried girl away. She sighed at the fact that Yeo Ri should have been more worried about her injuries rather than the crowd.

Yeo Ri glanced back at the growing crowd one last time, hoping that they wouldn't be in too much trouble with the teachers later.

Chapter end

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