First impressions
1152 Words
The classroom buzzed with excited chatter long before the first bell rang.
Groups of students gathered around their desks, discussing homework, weekend plans, and the mysterious transfer student everyone had heard about.
"I heard he's from the United States."
"My cousin said he's really handsome."
"What if he's arrogant?"
"I just hope he isn't another genius. We already have Jin."
At the mention of Jin's name, several students instinctively glanced toward the back of the classroom.
Lee Jin sat quietly by the window, completely unfazed by the noise around him. A thick novel rested in one hand while the other lazily twirled a pen between his fingers.
Unlike everyone else, he had absolutely no interest in meeting the new student.
To him, another classmate was just... another classmate.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Outside the classroom, Kai stood beside his homeroom teacher, nervously adjusting the collar of his school uniform.
Okay... calm down.
You're Damien Carter now.
Not Kang Yiheon.
Definitely don't bow like you're accepting an award.
And please... don't accidentally introduce yourself as Kai.
He let out a slow breath.
"This is harder than performing in front of sixty thousand people."
His teacher chuckled.
"Did you say something?"
Kai's eyes widened.
"N-No, sir."
The teacher smiled before sliding the classroom door open.
"Good morning, everyone."
The room immediately fell silent.
"I'd like you all to welcome our new transfer student."
Kai stepped inside.
For a split second...
Time seemed to stop.
Dozens of curious eyes landed on him.
Some students stared openly while others whispered behind their hands.
"He's really handsome."
"His eyes are so pretty."
"I didn't expect him to be this tall."
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend."
Kai forced himself to smile naturally.
Don't panic.
Smile.
Not that smile.
The normal one.
He walked to the front of the class and picked up a piece of chalk.
With neat handwriting, he wrote:
Damien Carter
Turning back to the class, he gave a small bow.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Damien Carter. I recently transferred here from the United States because my family relocated for work. I enjoy drawing and painting, and I hope we can become good friends."
A wave of applause filled the classroom.
One girl whispered to her friend, "He's so polite."
Another nodded enthusiastically.
"He looks like a model."
Kai laughed awkwardly.
This isn't too bad.
His teacher clapped once.
"Excellent. Damien, there's an empty seat near the window."
Kai followed the teacher's hand...
...and immediately recognised the student sitting beside it.
Wait...
It's him.
The same boy from yesterday.
The one he had bumped into.
Lee Jin.
Jin didn't even bother looking up from the book in front of him.
Kai slowly walked over before placing his bag beside the empty desk.
"Hi."
Silence.
Kai blinked.
"...Good morning?"
Still nothing.
Only after several seconds did Jin finally glance at him.
His dark eyes met Kai's bright blue ones.
"You should pay attention during class."
That was all he said before returning to his book.
Kai stared at him.
Seriously?
That's your greeting?
He sat down quietly.
He's even colder than I remembered.
The lesson began shortly afterwards.
Mathematics.
One of Kai's least favourite subjects.
The teacher filled the board with equations while explaining each step.
Kai tried his best to focus.
He really did.
But after twenty minutes...
His notebook looked more like abstract art than maths.
What does any of this even mean?
He sighed quietly.
Beside him, Jin solved every question almost effortlessly.
Without hesitation.
Without crossing anything out.
Kai peeked at Jin's notebook.
How is his handwriting so neat?
As if sensing someone's gaze, Jin closed his notebook.
"You'll learn more if you solve it yourself."
Kai immediately looked away.
"I wasn't copying."
Jin simply raised an eyebrow.
Kai scratched the back of his neck.
"...Okay... maybe a little."
For the first time...
Jin's lips twitched ever so slightly.
It wasn't exactly a smile.
But it was close.
Kai almost missed it.
Did he just... almost smile?
Before he could think about it any further, the bell rang.
"Lunch break!" someone shouted.
Within seconds, students poured out of the classroom.
Kai grabbed his wallet before heading towards the cafeteria.
The school was much larger than he had expected.
"So many hallways..."
He turned left.
Then right.
Then another right.
"...I think I'm lost."
A passing student laughed.
"The cafeteria is the other way."
Kai smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks."
Several minutes later, he finally reached the cafeteria.
The delicious smell of freshly cooked food filled the air.
Students laughed loudly while searching for empty tables.
Kai collected his lunch before scanning the room.
Where should I sit?
Every table seemed occupied.
Except one.
Near the window.
Jin sat there alone, quietly eating while reading another book.
Does he ever stop reading?
Kai considered walking over.
No.
He'll probably ignore me.
Just then, another student accidentally bumped into Kai's shoulder.
His tray tilted dangerously.
"Oh!"
The bowl of soup slid towards the edge.
Before it could fall...
A hand caught it.
Kai looked up.
Jin.
"You should hold it properly."
Kai blinked in surprise.
"You... saved my lunch."
"You would've made a mess."
"Still... thank you."
Jin placed the bowl back on the tray.
"You're welcome."
He turned to leave.
Kai called after him without thinking.
"Hey!"
Jin stopped.
"If... if every seat is taken..."
"...can I sit with you?"
The surrounding students gasped.
"Did he just ask Jin that?"
"He's brave."
"No one sits with Jin."
For a few seconds...
Jin remained silent.
Kai was already preparing himself for rejection.
Then—
"You can."
Kai's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Jin nodded once before returning to his table.
Kai hurried after him with a bright smile.
The atmosphere was awkward at first.
Neither of them spoke.
Kai took a bite of his food before glancing at Jin.
"So... what's your favourite subject?"
"Literature."
"Hobbies?"
"Reading."
"Favourite colour?"
"...Black."
Kai laughed softly.
"You really don't like talking, do you?"
Jin looked up from his meal.
"I talk when necessary."
Kai couldn't help smiling.
He's surprisingly honest.
Their conversation lasted only a few minutes before another student approached the table.
"Jin, Student Council needs you."
"I'll be there shortly."
Jin stood up.
Before leaving, he looked at Kai.
"Don't get lost again."
Kai laughed.
"I'll try."
As Jin walked away, Kai watched him disappear into the crowd.
He's cold... quiet... and impossible to read.
But somehow...
I don't think he's a bad person.
Across the cafeteria, Jin paused for a brief moment.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
His thoughts wandered back to the cheerful transfer student with the bright smile.
"...Damien Carter."
There was something different about him.
Something unusual.
Something Jin couldn't quite put into words.
And although neither of them realised it yet...
Their first meeting was only the beginning of a story that would change both of their lives forever.
To Be Continued...
- Writer
