Lunch at Kang Min-ah's table was like sitting in the control room of a high school gossip network.
Her friends, a bubbly mix of girls and a couple of equally chatty guys, were dissecting everything from a teacher's bad haircut to the latest audition rumors for some upcoming musical.
And I, the 'Mountain,' was the main exhibit.
"So, it's true?" one girl asked, leaning across the table, her eyes wide. "You really called Yoo Chae-rin 'deoreowo'?"
I'm already getting tired of this topic, bruh.
"It was a mistake!" I insisted, trying to eat my japchae without looking like a panicked animal. "My Korean nuance... it's not good!"
"But the kimchi?" another guy asked. "Did it really go everywhere?"
"Dude, I saw the photo on Kirin's Secrets," someone else chimed in. "It was epic. Her face!"
"Okay, okay, leave him alone," Min-ah said, though she was clearly loving the secondhand attention. "He's traumatized. Eat your food, Mountain, before someone throws it at you this time."
From our central table, I had a panoramic view of the cafeteria battlefield.
Chae-rin was holding court at her usual spot.
She'd changed into the exact same looking blouse, immaculate again.
Han Min-gyu, the surprisingly young "boyfriend," was indeed there, looking utterly devoted and slightly puppy-like as she talked.
Myung-Dae's side was in their usual corner, louder than yesterday. Myung-Dae himself wasn't throwing food, but he was leaning back, laughing at something one of his friends said.
He caught my eye for a split second, gave a barely perceptible nod? Then looked away.
Jun-seo and Ha-neul were at their 'Perfects' table, deep in what looked like another serious Student Council discussion . Jun-seo looked over once, his expression concerned, as if checking I hadn't spontaneously combusted.
I scanned the rest of the vast room. Where was Leo?
I finally spotted him. He wasn't sitting alone. He'd been cornered by a group of overly enthusiastic first-year girls near the entrance, looking trapped and profoundly uncomfortable. Poor kid.
"See?" Min-ah whispered, following my gaze. "Leo Han. Total L.A. cool guy, terrible Korean. Already causing a stir."
"You know about him too?" I whispered back. "How?"
Min-ah just tapped her pink phone with a knowing smile.
"I know everything, Mountain." She glanced towards Jun-seo and Myung-Dae's respective territories.
"And look," she nudged me, pointing subtly with her chopsticks. "Chae-rin's favorite topic." Han Min-gyu was trying to put his arm around Chae-rin's shoulder. She brushed it off with a look of pure ice, turning back to her friends without even acknowledging him. Min-gyu just slumped, looking embarrassed.
"She wraps him around her little finger," Min-ah giggled. "He worships her. She finds him useful. Classic."
Oh dear Min-ah, you know nothing. I remembered their late-night walk through the neighborhood.
I finished eating and quickly put the tray where the dirty ones were.
"Okay, next up," Min-ah said, gathering her things. "Applied Performance. Ready for round two with the Professor and the Ice Queen?"
"Thrilled," I deadpanned, grabbing my backpack.
I just groaned and followed her out.