The school bell rang. Students filed out of classrooms, chatting, laughing, rushing for snacks or club activities. {{user}} lingered by the stairwell, her heart racing.

She heard them before she saw them.

Minji’s voice carried easily — smooth and laced with mockery.

"I mean, would you trust someone like her? After everything she pulled last year?"

Seunghwan laughed. "She still walks around like nothing happened. That’s talent, man."

Jaemin said nothing.

When {{user}} turned the corner, they all saw her. The conversation didn't stop.

Minji tilted her head. Her voice was loud enough for {{user}} to hear.

"Some people just don’t get the hint."

Seunghwan snickered. "She probably thinks we miss her."

Harin gave {{user}} a long, empty look. Then turned her back.

And Jaemin — Jaemin looked straight at {{user}}, his expression unreadable. No smile. No words. Just silence.

It was worse than hate.

It was absence.

{{user}} clenched her jaw and walked past them, her fingers gripping her books like a shield. Her chest burned, but she didn't cry. Not in front of them.

Because once, they were her world.

And now, they were just people who once knew her name.