Chapter Text
It's the rattling sensation that crawls up Jisoo's spine that helps her know she's in the right place. The uncomfortable feeling of everyone gathering around her as she makes her way through Meera Academy's entrance. Lisa is right beside her, a ray of sunshine - but it's to be expected.
Lisa's wearing bright clothes, a giant light pink t-shirt with a cartoon cat printed on it, along with some blue skinny jeans. It's cute, and stands out compared to Jisoo's dark contrast; black hoodie with some old navy jeans that she put on last minute. It's obvious to see who woke up earlier.
Jisoo feels her eyes begin to droop the more she falls into the spell of the buzzing students chatter and litter pattering sounds of feet on the floor flooding both her ears. This year was going to be different. It was the last year she'd spend with Lisa and the others. Last year she'd be able to prove herself to her father that she was worthy of the Company assets - that she could make her own if she wanted to.
Her trance is broken by Seulgi who, practically, slams open her locker. She's bubbling with energy, as if she's drunk, and Lisa only adds to the fire. Bustling over to her with excitement. Jisoo laughs.
"Seulgi oh my God!" A voice crack and a tone of relief mixes into her words. Jisoo watches beside them as the two go for a hug, Lisa squeals, "I haven't seen you in, what? Two days?"
The joy on their faces is evident, obvious. Jisoo pushes herself away from her locker and comes between her two friends, an arm wrapped around each.
"Yanno," she begins, drawing out her speech for attention, "This year is gonna be my year. I can feel it." The two blink and stare, "I mean it! I'm going to be…incredible I tell you."
Seulgi snorts, a fond grin on her features, "Yeah, good luck with that. You've got to work on your school work first."
Jisoo ungrips from her to hit the back of Seulgi's head lightly. Lisa giggles, "I'm happy we're back, I missed you guys - oddly enough."
"You have such a good way with words, " Jisoo replies bluntly, turning the switch of the lock connected to her locker. "Lisa have you ever thought of writing a memoir?"
The younger doesn't seem to catch onto the sarcasm leaked into Jisoo's tone, and happily indulges in explaining to the duo what the titles of each chapter would be, who would have special mentions, why her English teacher would get a section alone, and so on. Neither of the girls interrupt her, they don't want to ruin the positive atmosphere that's been created between the three. And that's fine, because the day isn't all that positive so far, with the smell of cheap perfume and axe body spray making their way up Jisoo's nostrils. This is definitely a smell she didn't miss. You can practically see the auras off people fill the murky green corridors as the three girls walk. Students part like the red sea.
"I hate this." Jisoo mumbles under her breath, loud enough for only Lisa and Seulgi to hear, "First years probably think I'm the biggest bitch going, huh?"
Lisa smiles, "I mean everyone knows your Dad and the assets he has, you're basically the Queen here." It's a joke. Jisoo knows that, but it kind of stings. She just wants to go home and sleep.
"Jesus Christ. Hierarchy's like that only exist in stupid teenage dramas." Seulgi pops in, almost bounces. She's walking backwards, checking her school bag so that she has all her supplies, "Lisa you need to stop letting all that go to your head."
But maybe she's in denial. Because Jisoo can admit, for the years she's attended Meera, many students have held respect for her. And those who didn't - she fought back with. She gets her way, but not out of spite. Just logic, and that bothers a lot of individuals who wish they had her place. Whether she's a queen or not, she wasn't going to waste this year getting into stupid fist fights or slack off detentions. She was going to it right.
But everyone is staring, and whispering in awe. Because that's Jisoo Kim. She's the new heir to her father's company. She's had her life set out for her since she was born.
And it's suffocating.