Park Sunghoon | drowned in silence

The sharp buzz of the morning bell echoed through the halls of the school, snapping Yejin back to reality. After the weekend with Sunghoon, returning to the suffocating corridors filled with whispers and judgmental stares felt even heavier. She hugged her books closer to her chest, walking with her head down, trying to stay unnoticed.

Minji's voice pierced through the chatter as she walked into the classroom. "Yejin, there you are!"

Yejin froze in her tracks. She could feel the smugness dripping from Minji's tone.

"Didn't think you'd show up today after that," Minji added, her words oozing with false concern.

Yejin blinked, her mind racing. "That"? What was she talking about now?

Minji sauntered over, her group of girls following close behind. "You know, people are starting to talk about how Sunghoon's been spending so much time with you. It's funny, isn't it? A guy like him, and... well, you."

The girls around Minji giggled, their laughter sharp and pointed. Yejin tightened her grip on her books, refusing to respond.

"Oh, but don't worry," Minji said with a sickly-sweet smile. "I'm sure he's just being nice. He's that kind of guy, after all."

Yejin tried to walk past her, but Minji stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Hey, I'm just looking out for you," Minji said with mock sincerity. "It'd be a shame if you got the wrong idea and ended up embarrassing yourself."

Yejin clenched her jaw, willing herself to stay calm. She knew this was what Minji wanted—a reaction.

"Let's go," Minji said, flipping her hair as she turned to her group. "We don't want to be late for class."

The girls followed her, their giggles fading into the background as Yejin stood frozen in place.

By lunchtime, the whispers had only grown louder. Everywhere Yejin went, she could feel the weight of eyes on her, hear the murmurs of her classmates speculating about her and Sunghoon.

She found an empty table in the corner of the cafeteria and sat down, keeping her head low as she picked at her food.

"Is this seat taken?"

Yejin looked up, startled, to see Sunghoon standing there with his tray.

Her eyes widened. "W-What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Eating," he said simply, setting his tray down across from her before she could protest.

The cafeteria went silent for a moment, all eyes snapping to the unlikely duo.

"Is he really sitting with her?" someone whispered.

"Why would he do that?" another voice hissed.

Yejin's cheeks burned as she stared down at her tray, wishing she could disappear.

Sunghoon didn't seem to notice—or care. He ate in silence, completely unbothered by the attention.

After a few minutes, he glanced up at her. "Aren't you going to eat?"

Yejin hesitated before taking a small bite of her food, her appetite almost nonexistent under the weight of so many stares.

"Don't let them get to you," Sunghoon said quietly.

She looked up at him, surprised by his words.

"You're stronger than this," he added, his tone firm but calm.

Yejin swallowed hard, his words resonating with her in a way she didn't expect.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, but the whispers didn't stop. If anything, they grew louder.