Yuri

I jolted up from my bed, feeling a burning sensation all over my body. When did it get so hot jeez.

I look at the time. Oh no.

I need to hurry up for school! I quickly took a quick shower, changed and went downstairs.

Nevermind. I went back up because I forgot I left my bag upstairs.

First day at my new campus and I'm already off a great start! How amazing.

I immediately left the house, making sure I locked all doors and windows, as well as turning off the lights.

I gotta walk faster, but just as I was about to take another step.

Ding ding ding.

I felt it. This tingling feeling. I quickly moved myself at the right, thinking there was something wrong.

"Watch out!" In a speed of light or well maybe less but still, a bicycle swift passed by me. Phew.

I didn't notice I was walking in the bicycle lane. Good thing my senses are working properly.

I checked my phone to see my schedule. Okay 15 more minutes. You can do this!

I sped up my pace and headed towards my new school.

Roseclair High.

———

As I got there, I had no time to really admire the place, I just knew how big and luxurious it is.

I was about to immediately go into my class but...

I should have checked or atleast asked where room 407 was....

I sigh, accepting my fate.

Shaking my head, I was about to turn around when someone suddenly linked my arms with them.

I was taken aback and accidentally touched them. Ah shit.

"HIII!! You must be new heree?" I blink my eyes, staring at this pretty enthusiastic looking girl beside me.

"O-ohhh!!! Yes! Hi! I'm Yuri."

Was it a good thing to introduce myself immediately? She smiles at me and I did as well, didn't want to make things awkward nor make enemies on my first day, I swear to gosh.

"Nice to meet you Yuri! I'm Maya! I hope to introduce you to Roseclair High! I'm part of the student council welcoming comittee, my duty is to guide, care and welcome new students like you!"

WOAHH. 'That's so cool' I thought. I smiled. "You deserve it..." I unconsciously said it outloud causing her to raise a brow at me.

"Oh! Uh I mean, you seem really sweet and sociable so I thought you fit the role well!" I smiled.

Her mouth forms an O shape as she nods her head, understanding me. "So do you Yuri!" She says. "So... what class are you going?"

"Room 407? Section Eclipse? "

"OHH! we have the same class! Let's go together then!"

I smiled and nod my head. I think I made my first friend.

Walking together, I felt really anxious for some reason. As I look through the walls, the posters framed in glass, trophies and medals in shelves, the list of previous top students, I can't help but feel like what it feels like to be in this school.

Is it harsh? Amazing? Or... not good but not bad either?

I can't tell if I was excited or nervous. A sudden chill run down my spine as I shake off the feeling. Weird.

This school feels weird.

"Yuri? Yuriii?" I snap back to reality as I hear Maya. Turns out we were in front of the door to our class.

Ah I gotta memorize our way to here! This is my section anyways.

"Let's go in?"

I was hesitant because of the stares we would get from being late. We were 10 minutes late arghh.

"Uhh-- how bad is it when a student is late?" I randomly ask.

She stares at me for awhile. Then suddenly bursted out laughing. Huh-?

"Don't worry!! We aren't late at all! First day of school here in Roseclair isn't very strict with time, in fact, some teachers don't come in at all. This day is more like... exploration day? Yknow get to know the school better!"

"OHHH" I immediately felt relief, thank gosh.

She playfully nudges me, "Don't think about it too much! Let's enter? I think class officers will be introducing themselves soon..." She said, slightly peeking at the room windows.

"Okay."

Me and her was about to enter when she came to an adrupt stop. Atmosphere changed fast.

She went closer to me, "It's okay to be late at the first few days, but don't do it too often, Student Councils won't certainly tolerate with certain behaviors of students." She whispered to me, her demeanor changing from bright to serious real quick.

I gulped. I guess this school is not for the soft hearted.

As we enter, she guided me towards an empty seat. They were already doing on what seems to be like what she mentioned earlier.

I sat down, as the guy that happened to be beside my seat stood up, I look at him closely feeling this sudden warmth arise on my whole body.

He stood in front, hands in his pocket, black medium length hair slightly brushed back, pale skin, canine teeth. No doubt a clean looking student indeed.

He was about to say something when Maya interrupted him.

"Yes Maya?"

Raising her hands, "Sorry to interrupt but fortunately, a new student is here in our room, would it be okay if they introduce themselves?"

Assuming it was me, I couldn't help but feel shy. I should be use to all the stares by now but seriously, this is just so embarrassing for me.

"Ofcourse." The guy in front says turning his head towards me.

I awkwardly stand up, "Hi everyone! I'm Yuri, I'm new here, Chemistry is my favorite subject and... that's all I guess, thank you!" I bow and sit back down, already slapping myself in the inside.

"Yuri? Oh my gosh she's so pretty!"

"I hope she knows what she's getting into..."

"I can tell how smart she is already!"

"She's just like me in my first day haha"

People are already talking about me and it feels so uncomfortable. I wish I couldn't hear them. Sigh.

Coughing, the class put their attention in front again at the guy in front.

He's the president. I can tell by his persona, how he carries himself and how everyone easily focuses on him.

"Roseclair High, Section Eclipse. I'm very glad to be able to spend my year with all of you." He says as his eyes land on me.

For some reason... I can't help but shake off a feeling... like... like... 'im-forgetting- something-so-I'm-worried' kinda feeling?

It's not that something is wrong but...

I ignore my thoughts and focused on the guy in front again. "And that's all! I'm your class president, Park Sunghoon."

Sunghoon?

Okay taking notes of that. "Hey, Mr. Vice President!" He says pointing to one of the student sitted right behind me.

"Would you be so kind as to escort the new student around the campus today?"

I widened my eyes because certainly it was okay for me to do it myself. I didn't really need a tour guide...

I look behind to see a guy with cat like eyes, black hair, sharp and symmetrical face, already staring at me.

Not bearing the eye contact, I look back at front again. Then he spoke, "Why do I have to?"

Wow. I can tell the whole class was taken aback by his words. Almost as if I could read their minds.

He continued, "It appears that Maya has already acquainted herself with the new student—she’s even gone so far as to extend a welcome. Wouldn't it be more appropriate for her to conduct the tour, considering it's within her designated responsibilities?"

I was once again surprised. I thought he'd be rude about it but judging by his choice of words and sounding with such respect, maybe he's just the type to straightforwardly voice out his opinion.

I couldn't help but to look behind once more, only to see his eyes piercing right through me again.

Yeah no. I'd rather Maya do it for me as well. Looking back at Sunghoon, I looked forward to what he was about to say.

"I see what you mean, but aren't you the Student Council Vice President? Surely, if anyone is expected to set the standard for hospitality, it would be you."

Oh damnn. Clicked hard.

"Your presence carries weight—much more than a casual introduction from Maya. Besides, wouldn't a guided tour from someone of your standing leave a far more lasting impression? Someone who embodies the ideals of Roseclair?"

He said, sheepishly smiling. I didn't look back but I could feel the atmosphere shift from shock—nervewracking—admiration then lastly to mellowed.

I'm so freakin confused right now.

Then I heard a soft chuckle behind, "Ah you got me there Mr. Park. I'll tour the new student. Don't ya worry."

Sunghoon nods and went back to his sit a.k.a right beside me as a teacher came in the room.

I could say the rest of the class was... boring. I didn't really talk to anyone, couldn't look at Sunghoon either.

But I could tell the teachers were very exceptional at their job. No wonder why students here are very admirable as well.

Let's hope the rest of my first day turns out well... crossing my fingers right now!!

———

Yoon Maya.

The room around me blurred.

Then faded.

Suddenly, I wasn't standing in the hallway of Roseclair High anymore.

I was watching her.

A younger version of Maya, maybe just a year or two ago, sitting in the farthest corner of an empty classroom, head tucked down, hands clenched tightly on the hem of her skirt.

Everyone else had already left — or maybe they never noticed her there in the first place.

Her eyes were puffy. Silent tears stained her cheeks, but she never sobbed. She just sat still. Like she'd grown used to being unseen.

In the background, voices lingered. Girls whispering, sharp words masked as jokes.

"She’s so clingy—why does she keep trying to hang out with us?"

"I don’t get it. She’s always smiling, but it’s so fake. It’s weird, honestly."

"She thinks being sweet makes up for being... well, pathetic."

Maya never responded.

Instead, she simply wiped her tears quietly when no one was looking, before standing up, dusting off her uniform, and putting her smile back on like armor.

The next scene flickered in.

Now she was outside, sitting alone on a bench in front of the Roseclair fountain, watching students laugh and greet each other like they belonged.

Her fingers twitched—wanting to wave, wanting to join—but she didn't move. She only whispered to herself, “Maybe someday, I’ll be someone people are excited to see.”

A student council form sat crumpled in her bag, the "Welcoming Committee" box hastily ticked with shaky hands.

That same day, she handed it in. Alone. No expectations. No friends to cheer her on. Just a quiet resolve.

Then came another memory—subtler, softer.

She stood in front of a new student once, fumbling through a rehearsed welcome speech.

Her hands trembled, voice unsure. But when that student smiled—really smiled at her, like she meant it—Maya’s whole expression changed.

As if, in that fleeting second, someone saw her.

And just like that, the weight she’d been quietly carrying for so long cracked a little.

The version of Maya I met today—the bubbly one, so bright it felt like the sun walked beside me—wasn’t fake at all.

It was a choice.

A choice to be the warmth she never received. To make others feel the kind of welcome she had once longed for in silence.

Her role wasn’t just duty—it was redemption. A second chance to give what she never got.

────୨ৎ────

Word count : 1977.
SOTD : Scream by Enhypen.
QOTD : What is the dumbest way you've been hurt?

-I accidentally hurt myself while walking into a glass door thinking it was open. Atleast I can assume my confidence level was at 100 but my awareness was at 0 💀