INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY
The hallway was almost empty. The click of my wedge heels echoed on the floor — then another set of footsteps joined in, stopping right in front of me.
I halted, confused and surprised.
It was Wilia. One of my classmates.
Black hair tied in a tight bun, black-rimmed glasses, pale lips, slouched shoulders — eyes glued to the floor. She's always shy.
"Hello, Wilia!" I waved, giving her my best sunshine smile.
"Ah—he-hello, Fire." Her voice trembled, eyes still locked on the floor.
Honestly I imagine her as a protagonist in manga, they are usually like this then when you do a make over, Boom! Goodness in the house. Okay more of that later.
"Do you need anything?" I tried to sound gentle, but she flinched so hard it looked like I'd hissed at her.
Wait—do I look scary?
I turned toward the glass reflection beside us. Nope, just cute.
"Sorry!" I reached out a hand to calm her down, but she stepped back again. My hand froze midair like a forgotten accessory.
"I-I can—can you…" She fidgeted, glancing around like she was making sure no one was watching.
I leaned closer and whispered, "Is this a secret?"
"AH!" She jumped so high I thought she'd faint. Good thing I caught her before she toppled. Her face was dripping with sweat—how was that even possible? It's really cold now.
"S-sorry," she muttered, clenching her fists, eyes closing occasionally.
What is happening?
"Can you help me!" she suddenly burst out. Her voice echoed down the empty hallway.
I blinked. She turned beet red, realizing how loud she was. Aw, cute.
"Sure!" I said immediately, flashing my most reassuring grin.
Her eyes widened like I'd just told her she won the lottery.
"I—I haven't even said what it is yet," she whispered, backing against the wall.
I leaned in too, folding my arms behind me. "Well, it sounds like something important, so go ahead."
Our shoes lined neatly side by side.
"I-I'm Ice's partner."
Something twisted tight in my chest. Like a knot being pulled harder.
The hallway went silent except for the faint rustle of wind through the windows.
Will she ask me to help her confess to Ice?
But… Ice rejects everyone. I don't want her to get rejected.
Then my brain decided to go full cinema mode—
I could already see it: her crying, heartbroken, clutching tissues.
And Ice… comforting her?
Wait—
If she doesn't get rejected, that means she'll be with Ice!
My eyes were staring at our shoes, but my imagination was painting something way too vivid.
Still, I should be happy if Ice is happy, right?
That's what a good friend does.
Yeah… a good friend.
And I wanted to be one.
Even if my chest was twisting itself into a pretzel.
"Please!" she said suddenly, snapping me out of my mental horror movie.
"Eh?" I blinked. I didn't hear a single word she said—but there was no way I could ask her to repeat it! Not after she probably poured her whole heart into that sentence.
Great. Now it's my fault for spacing out at the most important part!
She was bowing now, her voice trembling.
Did she just—ask me to help her confess?
"Sure," I said slowly. My heart screamed at me for agreeing.
"Really!" she said, lifting her head with teary eyes that looked way too sparkly for my comfort.
Did she like him that much?!
"Thank you so much!" she kept bowing.
"Ah—no, don't worry about it—" I waved awkwardly, trying to stop her from breaking her spine.
"I absolutely thought I was going to die! There's no way I can survive being President Ice's partner for even one project!" she wailed.
Wait.
What?
She clutched her chest dramatically. "Just looking at him makes me shiver. And being paired with him?! It's a nail in my coffin!"
My jaw almost fell into the ground.
"What if he kicks me out next?! My mom's gonna kill me!"
She was spiraling now—shaking her head so fast her bun nearly came undone.
"If I won't be able to tell you today, I think I won't be able to sleep tonight, or maybe ever!" She looked at me like I was her savior.
Meanwhile, I was still trying to figure out what on earth I was being worshiped for.
I was dumbfounded—stuck—my eyes half-closed every time she said something. Doubting everything I assumed.
Wilia is a shy person, almost never talks, and is very timid. A different kind of quiet compared to Ice—she's the shy kind.
"Thank you for switching partners with me, Fire! I'll take this favor to my grave!" she said, then suddenly hugged me.
I hugged her back, but inside my head, nothing was clicking properly.
Did I miss something?
How did Ice make this usually silent person suddenly rapid-fire me with words?
"I think it doesn't matter," she said between breaths, still crying near my ear. "The whole class agreed that if they ever got partnered with the President, they'd beg you to switch. I mean, you're the only one who's survived him for a semester!"
I blinked twice, then half of it hit me.
She doesn't like Ice? So no confession?
Next—people are scared of being his partner.
I can understand that. So much.
At first, I almost prayed in every church just to survive him.
But somehow, now… I feel used.
She finally let go of me, catching her breath while wiping her tears.
What did she mean by "the whole class"?
Is this what it feels like to be sacrificed?
I just stared at Wilia—eyes wide, mouth open, blue screen desktop.
The image popped into my head instantly: myself as the witch the villagers are willing to sacrifice to a demon lord—laughing his evil laugh—just to keep the village safe?
Picture that.
Picture that!
"Thank you so much, Fire!" she shouted, then ran back to the classroom. My eyes followed her, and when she was gone, Then turned my head.
And right at the end of the hallway stood Ice.
Looking at me.
With complete, unmistakable disgust.
NEXT CHAPTER: Fire's been dreaming of her first school trip — hot springs, friendship, maybe even love stories.
Reality check: it's now a food safety thesis, budget management project, and, oh right, she's grouped with Ice again.
Cue the meltdown.