Going in with a positive attitude is easier said than done. Her new school is a challenging task, a tough spot for any newcomer to set their foot into. Just minutes after the professor rushed out of the door, a disturbance in the room occured but not in the way to be called chaotic. It's her last subject of the day and yet, Seri was again put in a position where she's witnessing an occuring chaos. There was absolute pandemonium in the room, like a kind of bet, where the students are risking a sum of money or any of their valued item to something unknown to her thoughts.
Seri turned away, convinced not to be wagered. She badly needs to find the theatre hall and make it on time, if not, she'll loose her chance of a lifetime. Only then when she completely stepped out of the room, someone in the corner took her focus aside. It's the girl whom she inquired about last week's scuffle, just minutes before Han Jia comes into picture.
"I'm surprised to see you were unharmed. Not even a scratch? Really? How did you manage to escape the evil queen?"
Seri swallowed but not hard enough to tell she's getting cold feet. The girl doesn't look like an enemy. She's giving an unbiased vibe, completely on the fence.
"I guess I'm just lucky to find a hiding spot."
"You're a newbie. Finding a hiding spot in this maze-like vicinity is seriously puzzling unless someone helped you."
Seri pulled a straight face, eager to maintain a staid disposition. "Nope. I did it singlehandedly."
She sounded proud but Seri felt a tiny guilt putting out those words. She didn't done it all alone. She was saved twice, and what's more surprising is, it was done ultimately by the same guy.
Holding her chuckle, the girl raised an eyebrow while shaking rn her head in amusement. 
"What do you think you are, a superhero or something? You know what? I feel sorry for you. Being Han Jia's new target is absolutely challenging. Good luck on finding a new hiding spot."
"I don't understand why she hates me. I don't know her at all and she barely knows me."
"I already told you the reason why. Having that face will seriously put you in trouble."
Seri cannot determine the thin line between a compliment and insult for that particular time. It's as if there's no difference among the two. Her appearance, which is safe to say she was blessed with a pretty face, isn't a privilege but rather a melediction causing further damage.
"Okay, enough with this nonsense. Whom are you going to place your bet into?"
"Excuse me?"
"I don't know of you're acting naive or really that innocent. You can clearly see it. Those freaks are having a bet?"
"I know what they're doing and definitely understand how that all goes but what I don't understand is, what it is that for? To whom are they placing their bets into?"
"It's an ice skating rematch." the girl answered quickly. "Last minute notice. Seems like the first runner up wasn't happy with the results and challenged the champ. Can't blame him though, he's equally outstanding like the unbeatable skater, Park Sunghoon."
Seri recoiled in surprise. What she heard wasn't in her books. How can the most coldest person excel into something extraordinary? Ice skating is the most hardest sport as she sees it. No wonder he was cold and distant. His icy eyes tells a deeper story.
"P-Park Sunghoon?"
"The one and only Park Sunghoon. Why? Do you know him?"
Seri froze for a second. Telling someone she had multiple encounters with Park Sunghoon might create another blow. She still got a lot to deal with Han Jia.
"Nope. Not at all."
"Alright, then. But let me give you some background for a better understanding. Park Sunghoon is the popular guy of this school. An ice skating champ. Unbeatable, remarkable, clearly worthy of attention. But then, there's this other guy, Ahn Minhyuk. He's driven and combative. He seriously wanted to defeat Sunghoon so bad but fell short with only one point less. He instigated a rematch. Such a crybaby, I know, but what's surprising is, Park Sunghoon accepted the challenge. That's what this betting is all about." the girl pointed the venture with a sly smile on her mouth.
What she learned stiffened her even more. Her "knight" turns out to be the school's most popular guy, a renowned athlete, with a future so bright it can burned anyone's eyes.
Seri stepped back, primed for a run. "I need to go. And bettting is not my thing so--" 
"That's awful to hear. If you ask me I'm placing my bet on Ahn Minhyuk. Sometimes, it's thrilling to take chances with the underdog." the girl paused and met Seri's eyes. "As much as I want to be friends with you, I simply cannot do that. You're in a tough spot. I'm protecting my peace. I'm Kang Bora by the way."
"Bora.." Seri eyes lights up in surprise. "I'm Kim Seri."
"Just be mindful not to cross paths again with Han Jia. I'll take time before she finds a new target."
"Loud and clear. Good luck to the person you've placed your bet into. I hope he wins." Seri released a chaff.
Bora cannot hold her chuckle. "Ahn Minhyuk? Not a chance. He's miles behind Park Sunghoon. Besides I'm only risking a thousand won for him, it won't hurt much."
Other people might be a menace but there are few who aren't. Park Hyejin and Kang Bora - she can see them as friends without even trying. Turns out her new school is not that awful after all. 
After that random conversation, upon that cold, drizzling day, she felt the calling of her own warm heart, as if in those quiet moments taking her way to the theatre, she felt belong, humming merry little tunes like it was her home-song. It felt so good finding some people who cares despite the friendship they aren't ready to give.
It took quite a while for Seri to meet the music club teacher. Covered with thrills, she shyly sat in the middle of a piano, facing an empty crowd. At first, it felt bizarre but the minute she stoke the keys, the music ultimately gave her the drive. Her mother once told her she sings soulfully and her passion spoke through her voice. 
"I never thought I could tell this to someone but--"
Seri froze. Seeing the teacher putting her hand up is such a bad sign. She haven't gone to the chorus yet but why does the teacher cutting her off? Could've been the song choice? She should've listened to her intinct to stick to a familiar song, not singing her own original track.
"Do you write songs, Ms. Kim?"
"Y-Yes--" she timidly responded. "But I can sing a more popular song, something that you're familiar with if--" she tensely buckled up. "If you'd give me another shot."
"No need. I have heard enough. I don't have anything to say but, bravo. I've never seen such great talent in my entire teaching career, only now."
That one, single applause may sound muffled, yet, it was the loudest sound she could ever hear. Seri placed her hand on her mouth, stopping a gasp. It was one of those unexpected moments where she cannot utter a single word. She made it when she thought she screwed up. How? She don't have any idea at all.
"Here's the thing. We got practice three times a week and as the new recruit I need you to appear on schedule. No skipping rehearsals, you still got a lot to familiarize with the rules and also meeting with the club members and building a connection with all of them. You start on Monday. Welcome to the music club, Kim Seri."
If she could measure her happiness in a scale, it will shoot up high enough to reach the stars, her heart bursting in joy. At loss for words is an understatement, she was tearing up while finding her words back.
"I-- I... Thank you so much--"
She may sound dramatic but being in a club means she got a full scholarship ahead. It's the most important thing she's eyeing the moment she stepped her foot in that wide, mystifying campus. Her way of bouncing back, making her parents proud wherever they are and returning the favor her Aunt Seolhee had given her. That moment marked the reality and the start of her bigger dreams.
"Don't thank me. Thank you. I finally found the female lead I've been trying to find for so long. But right now, we need to pack up. I have a meeting in ten minutes and I bet you are dying to witness the highly anticipated ice skating rematch.'
"Ice skating is not really my cup of tea." Seri stiffly admitted.
"Really?" the teacher took a halt, her face amused. "I suggest you go take a peek. You might have a surprise reversal."
Seri completely disagrees but her stubborn feet is dragging her to the wrong path. Although she's meters away from where the stadium is, Seri can see how bright it appears. The screams inside are blaring, pulling her to take the next strides. The music teacher was right, that little peek will cause a turnaround. That ice is a paragon - sparkling, shining like gem. 
The rink is glowing like diamond glow. In that frozen place, that ice-world, she stood there open eyed, as if a castle could arise by magic. As one moment became the next, finally, she saw him again, dressed like a knight prince, taking swift glides, clearly born to shine on ice. 
"What in the world--?" Seri whispered in utter disbelief.
"Only bettors are allowed inside. I can't see your stamp." someone voiced from behind.
Seri drew back. As much as she wants to stay she wasn't equipped to do so. All she got is a penny or two and her most valued possession is still missing. And Han Jia, the evil, narcissistic sociopath Han Jia, is fiercely seated in the front row seat with her mesmerized gaze only for Park Sunghoon.
Seri dodged herself for an escape. Her oppresor is obviously a Park Sunghoon supporter and the moment Han Jia learned about the "saving" incidents, it will undoubtedly agitate her even more.
Taking her way out, Seri stumbled upon another pitiful plight. The drizzle immediately turned into a heavy downpour. The echoes of gunshot-thunder followed by a series of electric forks, prevents her to go anywhere but to lurk in a cold corner. 
It's not that long when people began to move out. Their cheers and praise states the obvious, it was still Park Sunghoon who emerged victorious. Seri watched silently in that cold junction, how the students were filled with cheers, as if the rematch strikes the expectation they wanted to see.
In minutes gone there was silence. A safe way to say it's non threatening to go out. She finally stepped forward, setting her feet for a run but eventually crashed over someone so strapping. A strong body of an athlete and how she weakly crumpled like paper. Even in the shadows of the night and with her closed eyes, Seri knew whom she had stumbled upon. Yeah, what a bummer. She's always been a hapless, helpless bumbler.
 "Easy. The ground's slippery."
His voice is deep and easy on the ears. What's startling is, it was notably engaging, something she wasn't prepared to hear. It was a stark night and Seri watched another minute unfold. He's smiling - something she wasn't ready to witness, and yet, it's the cutest thing to gaze at. Park Sunghoon, in her big shock, knows how to smile. His tiny fangs, along with his snowy complexion is making him more attractive and It's weighing her out, making her frail. Somehow, Seri don't want to appear weak in front of him anymore.
"Got it." Seri quickly responded and tugged herself away from hard, toned chest.
"I'm surprised to see you here. I hope you didn't see my awkward slides." he softly chuckled, hand upon the back of his head.
What is happening? He's starting a conversation, something Seri didn't expect to get. His icy stand suddenly melted, fluxed by his smiles. Staying for more than a minute will completely build a strife. Han Jia might turn up and Seri won't let her night end in ill luck.
"I didn't see it and I'm not interested watching you or your sport. If you'll excuse me. I'm way past my curfew."
"Are you avoiding me?' Sunghoon quickly asked, halting her fleeing feet.
Surprise for the pump, Seri turned around to face him back. "It doesn't mean that you saved me twice we are already friends. I'm thankful, so much, but I think it all ends here. Let's not cross paths anymore."
As much as she knows she sounds ridiculous, she also knows she's one stupid and damped looking fish. Who in her sane mind will say that to a nice looking, most favored man? No one.
The wind is howling sharply but it doesn't make speaking impossible, his choke is. Sunghoon watched when their eyes met but in the midst of her stare, she froze, as if she was in a middle of a sudden realization, her head held downward as if she fears an attack. 
It was the first time she ever talked to a girl and initiated it. But sometimes, things don't go the way you planned or wanted it. She's building a fence, overly protecting herself for a deeper damage. And Sunghoon clearly knows why. Seri's eyes of dark auburn are speaking the words she's supressing to speak.
"Do me a favor." she spoke, tone's pleading hitting his bones.
"What is it?" his hush, dragging.
"Don't try to save me again."
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