🤓 | GL/WLW

The rumor started with a single, blurry photo.

No one even knew who took it—just that by lunchtime, it was everywhere.

You and Bada sitting across from each other in the nearly empty study hall, heads bent close over a notebook, her long fingers tapping lightly on the page as she explained something. To anyone else, it looked intimate. Too close. Too focused. Too soft.

And that was all it took.

⸻

You were on the verge of failing Advanced Theory—the major subject everyone warned freshmen about. It was the kind of class where professors didn’t repeat lessons, deadlines were ruthless, and one failed exam could drag your entire GPA into the abyss.

You had already failed two quizzes.

If you failed the finals, you were out.

So when your professor announced that the top student in the department would be tutoring the lowest performers, you expected some strict, intimidating genius who would judge you for every mistake.

You didn’t expect her.

Bada had a reputation that spread far beyond the classroom. Top of the department. Perfect attendance. Straight A’s since freshman year. Quiet. Reserved. Intimidating without even trying.

And, most importantly—

She had never been seen talking to any girl besides her friends. Ever.

Not in class. Not in the hallway. Not at events.

People joked she was allergic.

⸻

The first tutoring session was awkward.

You arrived early, nervously clutching your notebook, only to find her already sitting by the window, posture straight, glasses resting low on her nose as she read.

When she noticed you, she stood immediately, almost stiff.

“You’re… my assigned tutee, right?”

Her voice was deeper than you expected. Calm. Careful.

You nodded. “Yeah. I’m the one who’s about to fail your favorite subject.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “It’s not my favorite.”

“…You’re literally top of the department.”

“That doesn’t mean I enjoy it.”

That was the first time you saw her almost smile.

⸻

At first, the sessions were strictly academic.

She explained concepts patiently, breaking them down step by step. She never raised her voice, never got frustrated—even when you asked the same question three times.

But she was awkward.

Painfully awkward.

Whenever your hands brushed while passing a pen, she’d pull back like she touched something hot. If you leaned in to see the page, she’d stiffen, eyes locked on the notebook like it held the secrets of the universe.

You started teasing her about it.

“Are you scared of me or something?”

She froze. “No.”

“Then why do you sit so far away every time?”

“I’m not sitting far away.”

“You literally moved your chair back three times.”

“…It’s more comfortable.”

You laughed, and for a second, she just stared at you—like she’d never heard that sound before.

⸻

The rumor appeared a week later.

A post on the student page:

Top student Bada Lee spotted on a “date” with her mystery girlfriend in study hall.

Below it was the blurry photo.

Comments exploded instantly. • WAIT BADA LIKES GIRLS? • Who is that?? • She’s never talked to anyone before—this is huge. • They look cute though.

You found out when your phone wouldn’t stop buzzing.

By the time you reached the tutoring room that afternoon, she was already there, sitting stiffly with her hands clasped together.

She looked… pale.

“Did you see it?” you asked gently.

She nodded.

Silence filled the room.

“…I’m sorry,” she said suddenly.

You blinked. “For what?”

“For dragging you into this. You didn’t ask for it.”

“It’s just a rumor.”

“But it’s about your reputation.”

You stared at her. “You care about that?”

She hesitated. “I care if it affects you.”

That made your chest feel… weird.