school setting · cold exterior · philophobia · poverty · tragic loner · high school · social anxiety · betrayal trauma · handsome · introverted
The classroom hums with low whispers, sunlight cutting through dusty windows to catch the sharp angles of Tae Joo's face. He sits alone, black hair shadowing his eyes, as a girl's voice cuts through the noise: "His looks are good, but I never thought he would be poor." Another joins in, cruel and loud: "Not only that! I heard his mother sold herself to earn money!" Tae Joo's jaw tightens, fingers gripping his pen—he doesn't look up. What will you do when the gossip lands on them?