I was running in the rain, chasing after Jackson. But then, he just stopped, staring straight at me. As I got to where he stood, I reached out to touch him, but my hand went straight through him. Looking at my hand in shock, I turned to him. He just disappeared.. like a ghost.

I shoot up straight in bed, covered in sweat as though I had truly been running in the rain, but it was only a dream. Ever since Jackson jumped last month, I had been having such nightmares.

《Again?》I said under my breath. I turned toward the wall clock in my room. 4:30 am. "Might as well get ready." I said. Getting out of bed, I made my way to the shower. I stood under the shower head, letting the water pour around me. Then, coming out of the drain, I saw... a hand?! I let out a scream so loud my own ears hurt, waking up my mother in the next room. I heard her dash to the door and say, "Is everything okay in there, sweetie?". I opened my eyes, her voice sounded muffled like I was underwater. I looked at the drain. The hand was gone. It was like it was never there. " Honey, should I come in there? Is everything okay?" Finally, I heard mom clearly.

"Umm uh y-yes ma. Everything's fine. I-I just tripped is all."

"Thank goodness!" she let out a sigh of relief." I'll get you an ice bag."

"It's not that bad mom, really."

"Are you sure, hon?"

"Yes, ma, I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright, then."

I heard her footsteps walking away. I quickly finished up, grabbed my towel, and left the bathroom. Back in my room, I found my school uniform lying on my bed.

《How do the sevants move so fast?》

My parents are business tycoons. I'm not necessarily an heiress, being the youngest of five siblings, but I'm still very valued. Because of this, my mom stays with me, so I always have family nearby while my dad usually handles overseas matters. My siblings are either in university or graduated, learning about the business from my dad. I get dressed and head downstairs. Only to find my mom standing there instead of the chef.

"Mom, why are you down here?"

"There's something I want to show you."

And with that, she brought out a small pendant, shaped like a rose.

"It's a family heirloom, passed to me by my mother and her mother and so on. Promise me you'll take care of this… "she paused," and never take it off."

Her voice sounded different in that last bit. It sent a chill down my spine. I took it without a second thought and said, " Thanks, ma. I'll take very good care of it. "

She smiled at that, then left to call the chef to make my breakfast. It was ready after about an hour since the chef had to take a shower first. By then it was 6:00 am. I ate my breakfast and left, blowing my mom an air kiss from the car as it drove off.

After a while, we pulled up in front of another mansion. I picked up my phone and called the number saved as 'pessimistic optimist'. She answered after two rings.

"I'm outside."I said.

"On my way."

I looked out the window and saw a somewhat short girl in the same uniform as me running to the car, with toast in her mouth? My face became a mix of confusion, disappointment, and a 'this girl' look. I opened the door as she got near the car. She hopped in, closing the door behind her as I motioned that the driver could continue the drive.

" Girl! Thanks again for letting me drive with you today! "

" No problem, Melanie. What're friends for?"

" Good times. Best friends like you are for alltime! " she said, snuggling up to me playfully.

It made me giggle, and the next thing we knew, we were at school. We stepped out as I motioned that the driver could go. As soon as he did, all eyes turned to us, as if we were celebrities. And frankly, among them we were.

We walked through the halls, everyone making way for us. Until I saw this one boy who didn't. It wouldn't have bothered me… if he wasn't right at my locker!

" Excuse me," I said,trying to be polite." You're leaning on my locker."

He finally looked at me, rolled his eyes, and just left. How rude! Melanie patted my shoulder.

" C'mon girl. Let's just grab our books and head to class."

When we entered the classroom, I quickly spotted Jessica, the cheer captain, waving us over.

" Girls, you won't believe it! We're having a new student. Rumours say he's korean! Just like BTS! Isn't that hot?!"

" And have you seen him?" I asked.

" Well, not yet, but he's in our class, so I will soon~~." Melanie and I just laughed at her love for simply the fact that he was korean, until we heard Sir Park's voice from outside the class. " If I walk in and you aren't in your seat, you'll be in trouble. We immediately scrambled to our seats. Sir walked in, and I noticed a shadow at the door. I looked around the room. Seems like I wasn't the only one.

" Good morning, class. " said Mr Park, taking our attention back. " Today we have a new student, coming from Korea. Welcome, Kim Seungmin!"

My eyes widened in shock as a boy walked in, the same boy from my locker!

I turned to look at Jessica, and she was barely holding back a squeal. Is this the guy she was talking about? Probably. I turned back to Sir Park, the boy - I mean Seungmin, standing next to him.

" Seungmin, introduce yourself."

" Hello, everyone. I'm Kim Seungmin. I'm from South Korea. And I hope we get along well."

The girls clapped after his introduction, probably at his voice. The guys just watched him, as if they were deciding if he was a friend or foe.

" Alright, then. Seungmin, take a seat." Sir Park said.

I looked around. The only empty seat was next to me. I watched as he had the same realisation. As if he was reluctant, he walked over and sat down next to me.

" Ah, good. You're seat mates. Miss Strong?"

" Yes, sir?" I said.

" Since you have the highest scores here, I assign you to help him catch up on the lessons and get him acquainted with the school. Ok? "

I sigh." Yes, sir. "

([])([])

    _ TIME SKIP. LUNCH TIME.

Melanie Jessica and I walked towards the cafeteria as we chit-chatted. Seungmin was nearby, but we didn't pay him any mind, except for Jessica, who turned to check if he was there every now and then. He was. The cafeteria was part of a separate building on campus, so we had to walk past the sports block to get there. As we passed by West, the captain of the basketball team came by us.

" What's cookin', good lookin'. " he said.

" We'll find out at the cafeteria." I said, not looking at him.

" C'mon. Just give me a chance to at least flirt with you."

" Dude, don't you have any self-respect? Every day you do something like this and every day she says no. "

" They say persistence wins in the end. Why should I stop, hmm? "

I stopped walking and turned to face him. " Look, West, I understand your persistence and motive, but I don't want to be in such a relationship at the moment. Please respect my choice." I said calmly.

Suddenly, he moved closer, barely leaving space between us, making me visually uncomfortable.

"Just one chance, baby girl." He said as he leaned in, forcing me to smell his breath." I promise you'll feel good with me. "

" Go away, West." I said, creating some space between us. Jessica and Melanie began to follow me as I walked away. Suddenly, West grabbed my wrist. Almost immediately, someone pulled him with such sudden force that he let go of my hand. In a flash, West was pulled to the ground with such force. I'm sure I heard something crack. Standing over him was Seungmin, who was a few meters behind us just a moment ago.

《How did he get here so fast?》

" I don't know who you are, but any gentleman should know that you shouldn't treat a woman like that." he said.

I was about to ask how he caught up with us so fast when he said, " Aren't you hungry? Let's go." And with that, he gently held my hand and gestured for me to lead the way. We went on, heading to the cafeteria. I managed to slip out of Seungmin's grip in the cafeteria and sat with Jessica and her crew. After a while, some of the girls got up and moved tables, leaving only Melanie Jessica and I. Before I had time to think about why, a sweet floral scent moved to my right. I turn to see the source. It was Seungmin! Seriously, it's still his first day, and he's already everywhere.

" Why are you sitting here?" I said, slightly annoyed.

" Sitting down. Besides, I don't know anyone else here."

" We don't know you either, dude."

" Then why don't we get to know each other?"

I was about to say we were fine on our own when Jessica said, " D-don't mind her! She's just a bit hesitant about new friends." she said with an awkward laugh.

A smug smile crept unto his face as he thanked her. " So can I sit with you all every day?"

" Sure." Jessica said.

" If you don't do anything inappropriate." Melanie said, barely looking from her plate.

Realising I was outnumbered, I sighed.

" Fine." I gritted through my teeth.

" Perfect!" he said. " 먹자!"

The three of us look at him in confusion.

" Uhh, I mean, let's eat!"

After lunch, we only had one class period, and then school was over for the day. Somehow, Seungmin was my seat mate again! In all my classes so far, he was either in the same class or my seat mate. It seemed too repetitive to be a coincidence.

I managed to survive the class normally, if im not counting feeling his stare every now and then.

After school, I called my driver to come one hour late because I had something to do. I found Seungmin at my locker again.

" Why are you here again?"

" You haven't shown me around or taught me anything, Scarlet."

" How do you know my name? I don't remember yelling you."

" You didn't. I heard it from someone."

Figures. The other students always found a way to sew us into their conversations. ' The Doll-ar Constellation' they called us.

" Alright then. First place I'm showing you. The library."

" Why the library?"

" You said I haven't taught you anything right. Let's change that." And with that, I took him to the library.

When I began, he seemed invested in the work, but as I continued, I noticed he was spacing out. I grabbed a nearby book and hit his head with it.

" Ow! What was that for?!

" To let you know I'm done and heading home. My driver just called to tell me he's outside."

I got up, picked up my bag, and walked out of the library.

I got in my car and the driver took me home.

(⌒0⌒)／~~

Seungmin's pov.

I watched her back as she walked out of the library.

《She's going home now. Her family's there so I don't have to follow her.》

I got up, put the books back, and wandered off to a part of the library where the cameras wouldn't see me. I began to meditate and soon faded into nothing.

I opened my eyes in front of a grand castle. I move to the door and knock a special code. The servants open it up from the inside. As I made my way to my room, I saw one of my older brothers, Hyunjin. I rudh up to him, bouncing up and down.

" Hyunjin hyung,언제 여기에 왔니? 얼마나 오래 여기있을거야?" [When did you get here? How long will you be here?]

" 나는 오늘 아침에 갔다. 아빠는 당신의 사명에 도움이 필요할 경우를 대비하여 나를 보냈습니다. [I came this morning. Dad sent me in case you need help with your mission.]

We talked as I went to my room. He went back downstairs when we got there. I stepped into my room and looked at the lunar clock on the wall. I still had some weeks until the eclipse. I changed into home clothes. And went downstairs to see Hyunjin playing on my Ps5.

" Don't you have your own Ps5?"

" Didn't bring it." He replied as he pushed the second controller towards me.

BEDTIME.

That night, I lay in bed. I couldn't sleep. My mind kept playing bits and pieces of memories I'd never made. They scared me. Eventually, I sat up.

《Maybe should just stay awake tonight.》

Back to Scarlet's pov.

I sat in bed, staring at the walls. I was afraid to go to sleep. In case I saw Jackson again. I think I dosed off because when I woke up, it was midnight. I felt crazy, almost manical. Before I realised what I was doing, I screamed. The scream shook the whole house. My mom rushed in with a few maids behind her. They found me on the floor, dishevelled.