Chapter 117 - Middle schooler

Walking into the school building, Jinhee noticed everyone was acting oddly. They stared at her whilst some whispered about matters. Very often she would hear her name leave their mouth.

Knowing that she can't be bothered with them, Jinhee stepped towards her classroom and opened the door.

Taehee wasn't at the class yet neither was Chaewon. Jaehyun would not be able to attend school for he had to prepare for the tour. Hyunbin was probably skipping school.

Walking over to her seat, Jinhee's eyes widened when she saw her table. Various derogatory words were scratched over her table. 

Clutching tightly at the corner of her table, Jinhee did not let herself fall week. Turning back, Jinhee stared fiercely at them.

"Which one of you did it?" She questioned— her tone sounding dominating and angry.

Some ignored her question whilst the rest just snickered at her. Nonetheless, that did not make Jinhee feel down.

"Are you that much of a coward to not show up?" Jinhee asked.

A girl stepped forward. An arrogant expression sat on her face whilst she stared at Jinhee, and a sneer was visible on her countenance.

"I did it, Lee Jinhee. Any problem? After all, they are the truths."

"You?" Jinhee questioned.

"Slut? Whore? Bitch? Gold-digger?" Jinhee enunciated, "What makes you think I'm one of them? Or are you like one of those dumb people who listens everything they believe?"

The anger from earlier was replaced with a bored expression as Jinhee arched her eyebrows.

"What are you? A middle schooler? You better act your age," Jinhee spoke out.

Before walking away from her seat, Jinhee bumped her should with Im Jieun, the one who wrote those words on her table.

Irritated by Jinhee's indifference, Im Jieun turned back and voiced out, "Stop showing that attitude."

With a scoff, she added, "Don't you feel any shame for showing up here? A sugar daddy for real? No wonder your parents don't like you."

Jinhee turned back with a smirk.

"So what if I have a sugar daddy? How does that concern you? Are you sad that no one will take you in?" Jinhee questioned.

Im Jieun was baffled by Jinhee's straightforwardness for she expected for Jinhee to either get angry or sad.

"Yah! Lee Jinhee! Aren't you afraid that you'll be kicked out of the school after the authorities learn of this?

Honestly, someone as shameless as you shouldn't stay here and contaminate the society. Get out of here!" Jieun stated.

"If you don't want to be next Hwang Hyesook or Kang Junghwa, you better keep your mouth shut," Jinhee voiced out, putting her index finger on to her lips.

Then, looking at her nails, Jinhee continued, "And I'm sure the school authorities aren't dumb as certain someone to believe rumours."

"Yah! You shameless bitch, whom are you calling dumb? You're the one who is dumb. You barely passed the admission exam. Who knows if your entered school through the proper methods?"

"Proper methods?" Jinhee scoffed.

"Are you that naive? In this world of ours, who uses proper methods? And your hypocrisy is making me laugh," Jinhee stated, "I have to report about this table and get a new one, so don't disturb me any longer."

Taking a step forward, Jinhee ignored Im Jieun, who was cursing at her, and maintained a composed expression.

Noticing one of the male student's leg— which was stretched out at the right in order to trip Jinhee— Jinhee just put on an innocent smile.

Stepping on the feet with her right feet, Jinhee raised her left foot, and the pressure on the male student's door increased. 

Only after he winced in pain and tried to pull away his leg, Jinhee stepped off of his feet and walked towards the exit of the classroom.

Jinhee knew that this wouldn't be the last or the worst. Many more would target her. Nonetheless, she felt happy for she was able to retort at the girl properly and wasn't scared.

°°°

After informing about it to the staffs, they have changed her desk. However, they have not mentioned anything about punishing Im Jieun.

The way they stared at Jinhee made her assured of the fact that they have heard of the rumour as well. 

Jinhee had a clear idea on who it could be behind those rumour— either Youngmi or Jinkyung. 

Thinking about Jinkyung and Youngmi planning together, something came in Jinhee's mind, and things made a little more sense.

'No wonder Jinkyung was able to scheme against me at the amusement park!'

The door to the classroom opened, and Jinhee saw that Taehee walked into the room. On Taehee's face sat an concerned expression whilst her eyes stared at Jinhee.

Walking towards her desk, Taehee stared at Jinhee, and Jinhee expected her to say something. However, no words left Taehee's mouth. 

Placing her bag on the table, Taehee sat down on the chair, and putting her head on the table, Taehee closed her eyes.

Hearing no words from Taehee made Jinhee felt disheartened. No jokes or words of comforting left her mouth, making Jinhee feel empty.

'No, Jinhee, no, stop thinking that way! You're happy! You're happy that she is not disturbing you.'

Nonetheless, deep inside of her, she started questioning her thoughts.