Sweet Bites

... Seoyeon woke two hours before her classes began—a testament to her excitement. It was her first day at Yongha University, her dream school, and the thrill vibrated within her. Additional to that, her best friend, Aira, was also enrolled. They’d been inseparable since kindergarten, practically sisters despite their contrasting personalities. Aira, perpetually sleepy and prone to laziness, it's the antithesis of Seoyeon, a studious young woman who often sported thick glasses. Parking her bicycle in front of Yongha University, Seoyeon smiled, a wide, goofy grin that mirrored the excitement bubbling inside. The campus buzzed with the energy of students reuniting with friends. But where was Aira? The thought of her best friend's notorious tardiness brought a self-deprecating face-palm. "Of course, she'll come late." Before Seoyeon could enter, a voice cut through the air: "Seoyeon!" Turning, her eyes widened at the sight of Aira, hair a mess but still strikingly beautiful, sprinting towards her. Seoyeon couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, just slight tho. Aira possessed a natural radiance that could rival any idol. Seoyeon, on the other hand, was more… understated. "Aira?!" Seoyeon's disbelief was palpable. This was unprecedented. The International Lazy Girl, as she jokingly called her, was actually early! Panic flared. "This can't be happening. No… the International Lazy Girl is here, early as heck! Tell me, are you going to die?" Seoyeon's concern manifested in frantic gestures, shaking her friend, causing Aira's hair to become even more disheveled. "Yah! What are you saying? I'm not going to die, okay?! I came early because, just like you, I'm excited too," Aira explained, attempting to tame her unruly hair. Their antics drew curious glances from passing students. "Girl, what's wrong with these people?" Aira whispered, noticing the stares. Seoyeon shrugged, equally perplexed. Together, they entered the university, their smiles as bright as the sun. That initial joy, however, quickly evaporated. The hallway presented a jarring contrast to Seoyeon's expectations. Groups of boys openly smoked, couples engaged in passionate embraces in corners, and others strolled by with an unnerving nonchalance, as if such displays were commonplace. Seoyeon's shock was so profound that she didn't hear Aira's voice until a thick literature textbook collided with her head. "Ow!" Seoyeon's cry echoed through the hallway, drawing even more attention. "And now look what you've done," she muttered, as Aira rolled her eyes. "What?! Have you never seen best friends smacking each other's heads with a book?!" Aira's booming voice startled the students, who quickly dispersed, leaving the two friends alone. "Finally, they're gone," Aira whispered, a sheepish grin on her face. Seoyeon facepalmed; their first day had already made them the talk of the campus. Seoyeon excelled in class, effortlessly answering the professor's challenging questions, a testament to her advanced studies. While she appreciated the applause, she wasn't one for the spotlight. A quiet smile and a return to her notes were her usual responses. After morning classes, Seoyeon and Aira headed to the cafeteria, their brains buzzing from complex mathematical problems. Seoyeon's stomach rumbled; she was ravenous. The thought of a celebratory selfie crossed her mind, but a frantic search of her pockets revealed her phone was missing. It must be in her locker. She excused herself, promising Aira a quick return. Reaching her locker, she retrieved her phone, closed the door, and turned around, only to be pinned against the cold metal. Before she could react, a soft pressure met her lips, sending an electric shock through her body. A tingling sensation mixed with a rapidly beating heart stole her breath. Frozen, she registered the audacity of the act—a stranger stealing her first kiss! She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm, his strength overwhelming. Her eyes widened, and just as she was about to retaliate, he released her. "Hi, beautiful," a deep, resonant voice purred. She looked up into the intense gaze of a tall, handsome stranger, his smirk boils her blood in anger. The flash of cameras and the murmur of the surrounding crowd registered as a wave of mortification. Her cheeks burned, tears of rage welling in her eyes. He fixed her glasses, a small, almost tender gesture, before turning and walking away, his words echoing in her ears: "I told you, she'll be speechless after the kiss." Seoyeon's jaw clenched, her knuckles turns white as she fisted her hands. Then, with a controlled fury that belied her usually calm demeanor, she moved. SLAP! ....... (Next Day) The previous day's events replayed in Seoyeon's mind like a broken record, robbing her of sleep. The intensity of the stranger's gaze after she'd slapped him—a gaze that felt like a death sentence—lingered, a chilling reminder of her impulsive act. She'd left him and his friends speechless, shocked by her unexpected defiance. Fear, a cold prickle at the back of her neck, had warred with her anger. But the anger had won. Who did he think he was? He could toy with other girls, but not her. She was a student focused on academics, on achieving her goals, not some target for his casual cruelty. Aira's shocked reaction—the frantic attempt to pull Seoyeon away from the growing crowd in the cafeteria—was another vivid memory. The loudness, the attention it drew, only added to Seoyeon’s already simmering frustration. Glancing at her clock, then out the window at the dawning sky, Seoyeon sighed. 6:14 AM. She'd beaten her previous record for a late start. She kicked off the blanket, a long sigh escaping her lips as she rose, heading to the bathroom for a shower. The familiar routine of dressing and fixing her hair was a small comfort. She didn't wait for Aira, who'd texted about a headache. Seoyeon would be alone today, a quiet melancholy settling over her. She tightened her grip on her bag straps as she walked through the hallway, ignoring the curious stares. Just as she was about to enter her classroom, a hand clamped over her shoulder, pulling her backward into the darkness of an unknown space. She landed hard, her head hitting the floor. "Ow! My head," she winced, scrambling to her feet, her glasses askew. She stumbled back, trying to make out the figures in the dimness. "Who are you? What do you want?!" A burst of laughter preceded the flick of a light switch, revealing the same arrogant stranger who had stolen her first kiss, flanked by his smirking friends. Seoyeon's blood boiled. He stood before her, that smug look on his face igniting her fury. "You," she breathed, her voice tight with barely controlled rage. He took a slow, deliberate step toward her, radiating an aura of menace. But fear didn't grip her. He circled her, a predator assessing its prey. "You're different," he murmured, a hint of fascination in his voice. "Most girls would be cowering." Seoyeon stood her ground, her eyes burning into him. "Different? You mean I don't crumble at the sight of your pathetic attempts at intimidation? Is that what you find so fascinating?" He smiled, a slow, predatory smile. "Fascinating… and infuriating. You're a challenge. I like challenges." Seoyeon's voice dropped to a near whisper, but the venom in it was unmistakable. "You're mistaken. I'm not a challenge. I'm a consequence. And you're about to learn that lesson the hard way." In a flash, he pinned her against the wall, his hand roughly gripping her hair, his breath hot on her face. "And you dare talk back to me?" he growled. "Yes, I dare! You asked, so I answered. Only fools wouldn't," she growled back, her voice laced with defiance. "Fool? Let's see what this fool can do then!" he spat, raising his hand to strike. But before his hand could touch her, Seoyeon reacted instinctively, unleashing a move she never knew she possessed. A sharp cry of pain echoed through the room. His grip loosened, his hand flying to his groin as Seoyeon's hand had found its mark. His friends gasped, stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Seoyeon, herself surprised by her own actions, leaned close, her jaw clenched. "Remember this, asshole. This is the last time you'll ever talk to me. And don't. Ever. Come. Near. Me. Again." she whispered, her voice dangerously low, her grip tightening with each word before releasing him completely. She walked away, leaving him sprawled on the floor, his friends gaping in disbelief. He slumped to the floor, clutching his injured groin, cursing Seoyeon under his breath. The silence that followed was broken only by the eruption of laughter from his friends, who had witnessed their usually unflappable leader brought to his knees by a seemingly meek nerd. He had never been so humiliated. The slap, the unexpected attack, the utter embarrassment in front of his friends—it was a crushing defeat. He slammed his fist against the floor, his rage boiling over. He had to catch her, to make her pay. But when he stormed out, Seoyeon was already gone, disappearing into the bustling hallways of Yongha University.