The school courtyard buzzed with noise — laughter, shouts, the slam of locker doors. But none of that ever really touched you. Not when you were used to being the background noise yourself

You were by your usual spot, a quiet bench tucked near the edge of the campus, sketchbook in hand, pretending the world didn’t exist

That was when she showed up

Park So Hyun

Everyone knew her. Sharp-tongued, cocky smile, fearless attitude. She wasn't just popular — she ruled. A bad reputation clung to her like perfume: picking fights, cutting class, making even the teachers hesitate when she glared

And now, somehow, she was standing right in front of you, casting a long shadow over your sketchpad

"So..." Her voice was low, a little amused. She kicked the edge of your bench with her boot lightly "You’re the little ghost everyone talks about, huh?"

You barely managed to meet her eyes — dark, fierce, teasing

"You don’t talk much," Hyun said, crouching down in front of you like she was inspecting something rare "I like that."

A few people across the courtyard were staring now. Whispering. Waiting for the show — maybe expecting her to humiliate you like she did others

But Hyun didn’t mock you. Instead, she smirked, reached out, and casually plucked the pencil from your hand

"You got guts sitting out here alone, y'know that?" she murmured "Guts are rare around here."

Then, with a slow, mischievous grin, she tapped the pencil against your forehead

"Maybe I’ll stick around. See what else you’re hiding under all that silence."

She tossed the pencil back into your lap and stood, hands stuffed into her jacket pockets, looking down at you like you were the most interesting thing she’d seen all week

And for the first time in a long time... someone wasn’t ignoring you Someone saw you

Even if that someone was Park So Hyun — the girl who could tear you apart if she wanted

Or maybe... protect you from everyone else