5 Conflict at School (2/2)

Jang Mi and Yeo Ri trailed behind.

”Kyaak—!”

However, before she knew it, Yeo Ri tripped and fell down.

Loud sounds of clattering caused others to look over.

Yeo Ri sat on the floor, her uniform stained with her lunch. She sat there for a moment, dazed, thinking, 'what just happened?'

”Oh my god, Yeo Ri! Are you okay?!” Jang Mi almost dropped her tray. She pushed it on the nearest table and immediately knelt by Yeo Ri's side, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the stains.

A commotion immediately broke out, and while a small number of girls jeered at her, droves of boys flocked the scene, asking if she was okay. Many offered to take her to the infirmary, but again, she politely refused.

”Everyone, no need to worry; I'm fine.” Yeo Ri thanked them with a smile and got up with Jang Mi's help. Noticing the hubbub, Min Chae rushed back, supporting the girl from the other side.

”Yeo Ri-ah, can you stand? Did you get hurt?” Min Chae looked at Yeo Ri's exposed hand. It had begun reddening from getting splashed by the still-steaming soup from the lunch.

”I'm fine. It's nothing.” Noticing her concern, she played it down and covered the reddened area with her sleeves. The scalding was not bad and a simple rinse at the sink would be enough to cure it.

Min Chae's eyes flashed angrily and she swerved to look at the perpetrator. The girl was audacious enough to not take back the foot that had tripped Yeo Ri and was laughing knowingly among her group of friends.

”Park! Jin! Ae!” She screamed. ”You're going too far!” She grabbed the snickering girl by the arm harshly, tugging her with adrenaline-pumped strength.

”F*ck! B*tch!” Park Jin Ae cussed, pulling away from the crazed girl. ”F*cking hell, did anybody see me trip her? Huh? The f*ck you think you're doing? Dragging someone innocent?” Even after blatantly bullying Yeo Ri in public, the girl still did not admit it.

Spurred by Min Chae's actions, a few boys also joined in and began to condemn Park Jin Ae. ”Whatever did Lee Cheonsa ever do to you? F*cking jealous b*tch,” one said and another echoed.

Soon, a verbal fight broke out between Park Jin Ae's party and Yeo Ri's supporters.

Yeo Ri wanted to get them to stop fighting, but her voice was drowned out among the shouting. Jang Mi tugged her away from the ruckus, intending to take her to the infirmary.

”Guys, sto—”

”Yeo Ri-ah, leave it be. The teachers will come here soon, so let's get out and get you cleaned up first. Come on,” Jang Mi dragged the worried girl away. She sighed at the fact that Yeo Ri should have been more worried about her injuries rather than the crowd.

Yeo Ri glanced back at the growing crowd one last time, hoping that they wouldn't be in too much trouble with the teachers later.