somewhere between almost and always [so junghwan treasure completed]

Chapter 14: Love Triangles & Lemonade

If someone had told Ji-eun two weeks ago that her quiet, predictable Monday would spiral into a full-blown teenage love triangle, she would've laughed in their face.

Now, she wasn't laughing.

She was glaring. At the new transfer student.

More specifically—at the way she was looking at Junghwan.

It all began in third period.

Mr. Park walked in late, carrying a stack of papers and a girl trailing behind him. She had long, auburn hair tied into a high ponytail, an easy smile, and the kind of confidence Ji-eun had never mastered.

"This is Yuna," Mr. Park announced. "She just transferred from Busan. Be nice."

Yuna bowed. "Nice to meet you."

Her eyes scanned the room—and landed on Junghwan.

Ji-eun saw it.

The pause. The smile that flickered a bit longer. The way she chose the empty seat right next to him even though there were five others.

Ji-eun's jaw tensed.

Junghwan, to his credit, didn't seem to notice. He offered a polite nod and went back to flipping through his notes. But Yuna? She was all sunshine and subtle flirtation.

"So... what do people do around here after school?" she asked during break, leaning a bit too close.

Junghwan glanced up, startled. "Uh... study. I guess?"

"Lame," she grinned. "You look like someone who plays basketball. Am I wrong?"

"I do. Sometimes."

"I knew it."

Ji-eun was sitting two rows back, gripping her pencil so hard it nearly snapped.

Soo-ah, seated beside her, leaned over. "Girl, your death glare is giving main character energy right now."

"I don't like her," Ji-eun muttered.

"You don't even know her."

"I don't need to."

The week rolled on, and Yuna only grew bolder.

She brought Junghwan a banana milk on Wednesday.

She saved him a seat in the cafeteria on Thursday.

She showed up at the basketball court on Friday after school, claiming she was "just passing by" and ended up staying for an hour, sitting on the bench, cheering.

Ji-eun had come late that day, after a study session.

And seeing her there—right in Ji-eun's spot—nearly sent her spiraling.

Later that night, Ji-eun called Soo-ah.

"Tell me I'm being irrational."

"You're being slightly irrational," Soo-ah said, chewing on chips. "But also, I get it. She's clearly trying to sink her claws in."

"She's doing it on purpose, right?"

"Obviously. It's classic New Girl Syndrome. She spots the broody, hot guy with layers and decides he's her new challenge."

"She doesn't even know him!"

"She doesn't have to. That's the thing about people like her. They like the idea of someone. They don't care about the reality."