Locker 238

1

The sound of lockers slamming and laughter echoing down the hallway felt the same as every year—except this time, my heart skipped when I saw him by Locker 214.

Juhoon was already there, leaning against the locker door with that lazy half-smile he always wore, as if the entire world ran on his timing and not the other way around. He noticed me the second I turned the corner—hair messy, uniform slightly wrinkled, breath short from running.

"First day of school," he said, teasing while holding out a banana milk and a bun. "You're late, wow."

I groaned, taking the food from him. "What's so special about first day of school that needs me to get here early? It's just orientation. Boring!"

"And as you said, it's the first day of school so, why not be nice?"

"I am always nice." he said, grinning. "That's why I saved you the good one. The other one expired yesterday."

I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed anyway. It was always like this with him—endless teasing, familiar rhythm, like our friendship had its own heartbeat. Locker 238 was ours, not just his. Since our second year in high school, we had met there every morning, me hurrying and him waiting while we pretended that we hadn't planned it that way.

He glanced at his clock on his wrist. "You have, what, 2 minutes before the bell?"

"One" I said. "And we're on the 4th floor. We are so dead."

The sound of his laughter was light and sincere. I suddenly forgot about the crowd, the noise, and the time. He was alone, with his smile, the sparkle in his eyes, and the silent reflection that perhaps I was enjoying this more than I should have.

"What are you still doing? Come on, slowpoke" he said, grabbing his bag. "Let's not start year with detention."

We walked side by side, shoulders brushing once or twice in the crowded hallway. It was nothing but I felt something.

----

At lunch our group claimed the same spot in the cafeteria as always. Everything felt the same and that made me happy.

"Martin, I swear if you steal one more food from my tray, I'll kill you!" Mia, one of my friends said while she's angrily holding her tray to prevent Martin from getting another.

"Sharing is caring!" Martin grinned.

"Mia, it's his way of showing his love to you!" I said teasingly and immediately the group erupted.

"Ooooooh~" everyone chorused, making the other heads turn by the noise.

"Shut up! He's just annoying." Mia's face turned pink.

"Don't say weird things, guys." He said quickly, trying to sound cool.

"Look who's blushing..." Hana whispered.

"I'm not!" Martin and Mia said in unison.

Just then, the cafeteria opened, and the noise started to fade as everyone's attention was caught by the girl walked in - tall, with neat hair and a calm, confident walk. She looked around for an empty table; her tray balanced perfectly in her hands.

The girl's eyes scanned the room and stopped when they met Juhoon's. for a brief second, their eyes locked. He smiled politely, and she returned it before sitting down at a nearby table.

"Wow, Juhoon's already collecting the transferee." James teased.

"I was just being polite." He cleared and the others laugh.

But I did not laugh this time. I looked down on my tray and keeps playing the food because I lost my appetite.

"I'll just buy a drink." I said and quickly goes to the farthest stall. I know they'll be wondering why I didn't buy my drink on the nearest stall.

"Why am I even feeling this way?" I muttered under my breath as I line up for the beverage.

I stared at the colorful drinks behind the glass, pretending to choose, though my mind was somewhere else — replaying that small smile between Juhoon and the new girl.

"Are you buying or just going to take a look?" The food stall attendant asked.

"Oh, sorry. One Lychee soda, please." I said apologetically.

I walked back to our table after getting my order and they're still talking about the new girl.

"Do you think she's joining our class?" Seonghyeon asked.

"Probably, we'll find out tomorrow since I think her first day is just for her tour here in school." Hana said.

"What did you get?" Juhoon asked me

.

"Just Lychee flavored fruit soda." I responded and quickly looked away, feeling guilty of the feeling that I shouldn't be feeling.

After class, the hallway was quieter than usual. Most of the student already leaves the campus after class. I stood in front of the locker #238 — Juhoon's locker. I stared at the small number plate, my fingers tracing the cold metal.

I wasn't sure why I was there but something in me urged me to go here. "Get a grip, Nari. It shouldn't be like this, we're friends." I whispered to myself.

I was about to go when a girl stood in front of me. "Oh-hi"

I looked up. It was the girl from lunch, the transferee, the one Junhoo smiled at. She was holding a notebook, a familiar one.

"Oh, I borrowed Juhoon's notebook to see what I missed today since I didn't attend the first day class because of my campus tour. So, is this Juhoon's locker?" She spoke.

"Yeah... This is his." I responded.

"Thanks! He's really nice." She slid the notebook inside since the lockers here doesn't have locks, it's easy.

"Yeah, he's always been helpful." I forced a smile.

"I'm Aera, by the way." She turned back to me and extended her hand.

"Nari," I replied, shaking her hands.

"Nice to meet you, Nari." Aera beamed, giving a polite wave before walking away.

Nari watched Arin's back slowly disappear in her eyes, feeling something heavy settle in her chest. When I looked back at locker 238, the reflection faintly showed my frown — small, but unmistakable.

I let out a slow breath and whispered, almost to myself, "Nice to meet you too... I guess."

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