chapter 13

Minji's pov

The past few weeks have been unbearable.

I had convinced myself that avoiding Diana was the only logical solution, the only way to fix what had already gone too far. I was her teacher-her teacher-and yet, somewhere along the way, I had blurred the lines between professionalism and something far more dangerous.

It wasn't even that I had done anything inappropriate. I never touched her, never crossed that boundary, never spoke a word that could be taken as wrong. But in my mind? That was another story entirely.

I noticed her too much.

The way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was thinking. The way she twirled her pen in her fingers when she was bored. The way her eyes lingered on me, sometimes with curiosity, sometimes with amusement, like she knew I was different around her.

And I was.

I let her get too close. I let her talk to me, laugh with me, know me in a way my other students never did. And I liked it.

That was the problem.

So, I did what any sane, responsible adult would do. I put a stop to it.

I stopped meeting her eyes in class. Stopped letting our inside jokes slip between lessons. Stopped staying after school to talk. I made myself treat her like everyone else. Strict. Firm. Unapproachable.

And she noticed.

Of course, she did.

Diana was sharp. I could see the confusion in her eyes every time I brushed past her in the hallway without acknowledgment, the slight frustration when I no longer gave her a smirk after one of her sarcastic comments in class.

It was like I had erased the past few months, and she didn't understand why.

But what was I supposed to tell her?

That I had spent nights thinking about her when I shouldn't have? That I had watched her once, sitting in my car outside her house, only leaving when I saw her notice me? That I had seen her kissing Abby and felt something-not jealousy, not quite, but something sickeningly close to it?

No.

I had to make sure she didn't ask any more questions.

So when she confronted me today, when she finally cornered me after class with that determined look in her eyes, I had no choice but to end it completely.

"Why have you been avoiding me?"

Her voice wasn't angry, just... confused. Hurt. And the worst part? I hated that I had hurt her.

I could have said a hundred things, could have made excuses, but instead, I forced myself to look her in the eye and say it as clearly as possible:

"I am your teacher. That's all I'm supposed to be."

She stared at me for a moment, like she was searching for something in my expression-some sign that I didn't mean it, that I would take it back.

But I didn't.

And eventually, she just nodded, pressing her lips together before walking away.

I let out a slow breath the second she was gone, my grip on the edge of my desk tight enough to turn my knuckles white.

This was the right thing to do.

It had to be.

So why did it feel like I had just lost something?

It was hell.

At first, I told myself it would get easier. That ignoring Diana was just a temporary discomfort, that eventually, I'd stop noticing her altogether. That I'd stop caring.

I was so, so wrong.

Every day, I felt the weight of it-the absence of her voice, her laughter, her presence. Every time she raised her hand in class, I had to force myself to acknowledge her like I would any other student, keeping my tone even, professional, distant. But it never felt natural.

Because Diana wasn't just any other student.

She was the one who had spent weeks staying after class, teasing me, making me laugh when I shouldn't have. She was the one who got under my skin, who made me forget I was supposed to be just a teacher.

And now?

Now, I was a stranger to her. And it was my own damn fault.

But what made it worse-what made it unbearable-was her and Abby.

I saw it every single day.

Abby was always touching her. An arm around her waist, a hand on her thigh, fingers brushing against Diana's as they walked through the halls together. And Diana let her.

No-she wanted her to.

I saw them in the cafeteria, kissing like they didn't care who was watching. I saw Diana sitting in Abby's lap, laughing, so comfortable, so happy.

And I should have felt relieved.

This was good, wasn't it? She was with someone her age, someone who could touch her, hold her, kiss her, without it being wrong.

So why did it make me feel like I was suffocating?

Why did my stomach twist every time I saw Abby's lips on hers? Why did my jaw clench every time Diana looked up at Abby with that soft, affectionate gaze?

I told myself it was nothing. That I was just reacting to the situation, to the suddenness of it all. That I was just struggling to adjust.

But deep down, I knew the truth.

I missed her.

I missed the way she used to smile at me, the way she used to lean in a little too close, like we were sharing some kind of secret. I missed the way her voice would drop when she was teasing me, the way she would linger in the doorway after class, like she wanted to stay.

And now, all of that was gone.

Now, I was just her teacher.

And Abby was the one who got to have her.

The moment I stepped into my apartment, I let out a long breath, shutting the door behind me.

Work had been exhausting. No-Diana had been exhausting.

I dropped my bag by the door, kicking off my shoes, my body aching with tension I couldn't seem to shake. The day had been like every other since I started avoiding her-long, frustrating, and filled with too much effort. Effort to pretend I didn't notice her, effort to act like she didn't affect me.

And yet, every damn time I saw her, my resolve wavered.

Especially with Abby.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply before pulling my phone from my pocket. There was only one person I needed to talk to right now.

Claudia picked up on the second ring.

"Minji," she said, her voice teasing. "Let me guess. Another long day of not being obsessed with your student?"

I groaned, dragging myself onto the couch. "Don't start."

She laughed. "You sound miserable."

"I am miserable," I admitted, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It's torture, Claudia. I have to sit there and act like she doesn't exist while she's-" I cut myself off, biting the inside of my cheek.

"While she's what?" Claudia pressed, and I could practically hear her smirking through the phone.

I sighed. "While she's all over her girlfriend."

Claudia snorted. "Oh my god, you are jealous."

"I'm not jealous," I snapped, even though we both knew that was a lie.

"Sure, sure. You're just sitting there, suffering, watching some other girl touch and kiss Diana, and you feel nothing. Right?"

I didn't answer.

Claudia sighed dramatically. "Minji, this is getting ridiculous. You like her."

"She's my student," I shot back. "Liking her isn't an option."

"That doesn't mean you don't."

I shut my eyes, leaning my head against the couch. I hated that she was right.

"Look," Claudia continued, her tone softer now. "I know you've been trying to do the right thing. And I know it's killing you. But ignoring her isn't going to change what you feel. And it's definitely not going to make it go away."

I swallowed, gripping the phone a little tighter.

"Just... be honest with yourself," Claudia said. "That's all I'm saying."

I didn't respond right away, letting her words settle in.

Honest with myself?

If I was really honest, I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about her.

And that was the worst part.

Because no matter how much I tried to fight it, no matter how hard I tried to push her away-

Diana was still in my head.

I sighed, staring up at the ceiling of my apartment as Claudia's words echoed in my head.

Be honest with yourself.

As if it were that simple. As if acknowledging it would make it any easier to deal with.

I ran a hand down my face, my fingers gripping the phone just a little too tight. "Claudia," I muttered, closing my eyes. "I need you to come over."

She was silent for a second, probably surprised by my tone-low, frustrated, desperate. Then, she exhaled. "Minji..."

"I'm serious," I cut in before she could start lecturing me again. "I need you here. Now. Please."

A beat of silence. Then, she sighed. "Alright. I'll be there in twenty."

"Thank you," I mumbled, already feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders.

Claudia was the only person I could talk to about this, the only one who knew the full extent of my struggle. And right now, I needed her. Because no matter how much I told myself I was doing the right thing, ignoring Diana was tearing me apart.

And worse?

It wasn't working.

I still thought about her. I still noticed her. And every time I saw her in the hallway, in my classroom, or-God help me-in Abby's arms, something inside me twisted so hard it almost hurt.

I needed Claudia to talk some sense into me.

Because if this kept up, I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep pretending.

I hate that Abby girl. She was a problem. Big problem.

Claudia arrived exactly twenty minutes later, just as she promised.

I barely gave her a chance to step inside before I was dragging her to the kitchen, already reaching for a bottle of wine. She didn't protest. She just sighed, setting her bag down and watching as I poured us both a glass.

"You look like hell," she said, leaning against the counter.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks. That's exactly what I needed to hear."

She took her glass, smirking. "I'm just saying, maybe ignoring Diana isn't going as well as you'd hoped."

I groaned, rubbing my temples before taking a very generous sip of wine. "It's torture, Claudia. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

She raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

I leaned against the counter, staring dramatically into my wine glass. "Every day, I sit there and act like she doesn't exist. I don't look at her, I don't talk to her unless I have to. I've gone out of my way to treat her just like every other student. And you know what?" I looked up at Claudia, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's not working."

She snorted. "No shit."

"I thought it would work," I continued, my frustration growing. "I thought if I ignored her, if I stayed away, this would all just... fade. But it's not. And the worst part?" I exhaled sharply, taking another sip. "She's completely fine. She's happy. With Abby."

Claudia hummed, watching me carefully. "And that bothers you."

I scowled. "Obviously it bothers me!"

She smirked behind her glass. "So, you are jealous."

I groaned, setting my wine down a little too forcefully. "I don't know what I am, okay? I just-" I paused, shaking my head. "I miss her. I miss talking to her. I miss the way she used to joke around with me, the way she-God, Claudia, she was so comfortable with me." I let out a bitter laugh. "And now? Now, I'm just a stranger to her. Meanwhile, Abby gets to have her, gets to touch her, gets to kiss her, and I-"

I stopped, suddenly aware of what I was saying.

Claudia just stared at me, swirling her wine. "Go on."

I let out a slow breath. "I hate that I care this much."

She was quiet for a moment, then set her glass down and crossed her arms. "Minji, I love you. You know that. But you are so deep in denial, it's actually impressive."

I glared at her. "I am not in denial."

She gave me a look.

I groaned. "Okay, fine. Maybe I have some... feelings." I ran a hand through my hair, exasperated. "But what does it matter? It's not like I can do anything about it. She's my student, Claudia. And even if she weren't, she's clearly into Abby."

Claudia sighed, taking another sip of wine. "Yeah, that's the part that makes this really messy."

I scoffed. "That's the part?"

She smirked. "Well, that and the fact that you've definitely been obsessed with her since day one."

I glared again, but this time, I didn't argue.

Because, deep down, I knew she was right.

I have been a little obsessed

Just a little, though.

I sighed dramatically, slumping back into the couch as I grabbed my phone. Claudia was still sipping her wine, watching me with that annoying, knowing smirk.

"You wanna see the real problem?" I muttered, unlocking my phone. "The reason why this is so much worse than it should be?"

Claudia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, please. Enlighten me."

I pulled up Instagram and searched for Diana's profile. The second her page loaded, I felt that familiar, frustrating tension in my chest. I turned the screen toward Claudia.

"Here," I said, my voice dry. "Look at this and tell me I shouldn't be losing my mind."

Claudia leaned forward, taking the phone. And the moment she saw the pictures, her eyebrows shot up. "Oh... wow."

I scoffed, taking another sip of wine. "Right?!"

She started scrolling, her eyes widening with every new picture. "This is your student?"

"Yes," I groaned, covering my face.

"This is unfair," she muttered, shaking her head. "She's stupidly attractive."

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.

Claudia kept scrolling, her expression shifting between impressed and amused. "Blonde hair, pretty face, nice smile, perfect body, killer confidence... Jesus, Minji." She paused, smirking. "You're screwed."

I groaned again, grabbing a pillow and pressing it against my face. "I know."

Claudia laughed, flipping through more pictures. "Oh, and she knows she's hot. Look at this pose. And this one. And-holy shit, Minji." She turned the screen toward me, showing me a particular photo-Diana in a tight, short black dress, her hair perfect, her expression effortlessly seductive. "This is actual torture."

I peeked from behind the pillow, my stomach twisting. I remembered that picture. Too well. It had popped up on my feed weeks ago, and I had spent an embarrassing amount of time staring at it before forcing myself to scroll past.

Claudia burst into laughter at my expression. "You've definitely seen this before."

I grabbed the wine bottle and took another sip straight from it. "Shut up."

She leaned back, still holding my phone, shaking her head. "So, let me get this straight. You're trying to avoid her, trying to convince yourself you don't have feelings for her, meanwhile, this is what you're dealing with?" She gestured at the screen.

I nodded miserably.

Claudia let out a low whistle. "Minji, you're in so much trouble."

I sighed. "Trust me. I know."

I sighed, setting my wine glass down and grabbing my phone again. "You think that was bad?" I muttered, unlocking it. "You haven't even seen the worst part."

Claudia, still lounging comfortably on my couch with her own glass, smirked. "Oh, please. Enlighten me again."

I shot her a look before opening up my gradebook app. With a few taps, I pulled up Diana's grades and turned the screen toward her.

"Look at this," I said, shaking my head.

Claudia leaned in, squinting at the screen. Her eyebrows shot up. "Damn, Minji. These are good. She's one of your top students?"

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my forehead. "One of? No. The top student in my class."

Claudia laughed. "Oh, this is hilarious. She's not just gorgeous-she's smart too?"

"Painfully smart," I muttered. "She's got the highest scores in every assignment, every test. She acts like she understands nothing but then gets straight A's. And you know what's even worse?"

Claudia smirked. "There's more?"

I switched apps, opening up Instagram again. But this time, I didn't go to her main profile. I pulled up her other account-the one I had accidentally found weeks ago when she'd commented on one of her friends' posts.

I turned the screen toward Claudia. "This."

She took the phone and immediately gasped. "Oh my God."

I buried my face in my hands. "I know."

Claudia scrolled, her eyes wide. "Minji, this is not the same Instagram I just saw."

"No, it is not," I groaned.

Her main account was polished, full of aesthetic photos, confident poses, and just the right amount of teasing charm. But this one? This one was different. It was more casual. More her. It had silly selfies, behind-the-scenes moments with her friends, blurry photos of her food, stupid memes. And mixed in with all of that-unfiltered, effortless beauty.

Claudia flipped through the posts, shaking her head. "She's adorable and hot? This is ridiculous."

I sighed, reaching for my wine again. "I know."

Claudia smirked, scrolling some more. "Oh, and she definitely doesn't think you're seeing this. Look at these captions. Look at these comments. Minji, this girl is living her life, completely unaware that her chemistry teacher is having an existential crisis over her."

I groaned, flopping back against the couch. "I hate this."

Claudia just laughed. "No, you love it."

I took another sip of wine, scowling. "Shut up."

She smirked, tossing me back my phone. "Minji, my dear, you are so far gone."

And, unfortunately, I couldn't even argue with her.

I sighed, swirling the wine in my glass, staring at the deep red liquid like it had the answers to my problems. "Claudia," I muttered. "This is so bad."

Claudia, comfortably slouched on my couch with her own glass, smirked. "Oh, you think?" She leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee. "Minji, I was waiting for you to actually say it. Took you long enough."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "She's eighteen."

Claudia let out a sharp laugh. "You are thirty-five."

I took a deep breath, pressing my lips together. "I know."

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you? Because you keep talking like she's just some random woman and not your teenage student."

I winced at the word teenage, setting my wine glass down before I shattered it.

Claudia tilted her head, watching me. "Minji," she said, more serious now. "You do realize this is insane, right? Even if she wasn't your student, that's a seventeen-year gap."

"I can do math, Claudia," I snapped, rubbing my temples.

She smirked. "Well, that's good, because you're a chemistry teacher."

I shot her a glare, and she just laughed, sipping her wine. "Look, I get it. She's beautiful. She's smart. She's confident. And clearly, you two click." She gestured toward me. "But Minji, you're a grown woman. You have a career, a life, a whole-ass luxury apartment-"

"What does my apartment have to do with anything? And her dad's rich, they live in a fancy place too." I muttered.

She rolled her eyes. "Point is, she's barely an adult. She's still figuring out life. She probably doesn't even know what she wants yet."

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "I know that, Claudia. That's why I've been avoiding her. That's why I'm trying to stop this."

She gave me a look. "And yet, you're stalking her Instagram, watching her in the cafeteria, thinking about her constantly-"

I groaned again, flopping back onto the couch. "Stop saying it out loud."

Claudia shook her head, setting her wine down. "Minji, be honest with yourself. If she wasn't your student, if you met her outside of school, would you still be this obsessed?"

I opened my mouth, then shut it.

Because the answer was yes.

And that terrified me.

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as I stared at the ceiling. "I would. Seventeen years, Claudia. Seventeen."

Claudia leaned back against the couch, crossing her arms with that annoying little smirk. "Yeah, Minji. That's an entire high schooler."

I shot her a glare. "Not helping."

She laughed, shaking her head. "No, but seriously. It's a huge gap. When you were 16, she wasn't even born yet. When you were in your twenties, figuring out your career, she was-what? Learning how to read?"

I groaned, grabbing a pillow and shoving it over my face. "Stop talking."

Claudia just kept going. "Like, when you were my age-thirty-one-she was fourteen. Fourteen, Minji."

"Claudia, please," I muttered through the pillow.

"She was a literal child," she added, sipping her wine.

I groaned again, tossing the pillow across the room. "I know, okay? I know it's bad!" I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "Do you think I want this? Do you think I planned this?"

Claudia softened a little, tilting her head. "No. But that doesn't change the facts."

I let out a slow breath. "I keep telling myself it's just because she's my best student. That I admire her intelligence. That I just... like our conversations."

Claudia raised an eyebrow. "And yet, you're spiraling over her Instagram like a lovesick idiot."

I shot her another glare, and she grinned.

"But seriously, Minji," she continued, setting her glass down. "You have to be real about this. Because from what you're telling me, this isn't just some stupid crush. You actually like her. And you're way too old for her."

I groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. "I know."

"And that's before we even factor in the whole 'she's your student' thing," Claudia added.

I winced. "God."

Claudia studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Look, Minji. I know it's complicated. I know you didn't choose to feel this way. But if you don't start shutting this down for real, you're going to get hurt. Or worse, you're going to hurt her."

I swallowed hard, staring at my wine glass. "I just... I don't know how to stop thinking about her. I already avoid her. I have been doing that for weeks!"

Claudia reached over, squeezing my arm. "Then you need to figure it out. Before you do something you regret."

I nodded slowly, my stomach twisting.

Because deep down, I knew she was right.

Claudia leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her expression serious. "Alright, Minji. We need a plan."

I exhaled, nodding. "Right. A plan."

"Avoid her."

"Already tried that."

Claudia rolled her eyes. "Actually avoid her. No looking at her. No lingering. No extra conversations."

I hesitated, swirling the wine in my glass. "...What if she talks to me first? And I also did all that already! I looked at her sneakily though.."

Claudia narrowed her eyes. "Then you keep it professional. No smiling, no inside jokes, no-"

"She has such a nice smile," I muttered, cutting her off.

Claudia let out a deep sigh. "Minji."

I ignored her, my mind already wandering. "Like, it's not just her smile. She has these eyes, you know? That kind of pull you in. They're this really soft shade of blue, but sharp at the same time. And when she looks at me, it's like she actually sees me."

Claudia rubbed her temples. "Jesus Christ."

"And her hair?" I continued, shaking my head with a small, dreamy smile. "It's so perfect. That blonde color isn't fake, you can tell. And it always looks effortlessly good. She doesn't even try, Claudia. It's just natural."

"Minji-"

"And don't even get me started on her body," I groaned, leaning back against the couch. "She has this perfect waist. And her legs? Claudia, she's got those pretty legs that make you stare without meaning to."

Claudia grabbed a pillow and smacked me with it.

I blinked. "Ow."

"Focus," she scolded. "We're supposed to be figuring out how to stop this, not listing all the reasons you're obsessed with her."

I sighed, rubbing the spot she hit. "I am focused."

"No, you're not," she deadpanned.

I huffed, sitting up straight. "Fine. I'll avoid her."

Claudia stared at me. "Really?"

"Yes," I said firmly. "No extra conversations. No lingering. No staring at her gorgeous, stunning-"

Claudia smacked me with the pillow again.

This was going to be impossible.

I held my wine glass, nodding absently as Claudia's voice filled the quiet of my apartment. She was talking. A lot.

"Minji, you need to listen to me," she said, her tone firm. "This is serious. You have to get your feelings under control. The age gap alone is bad enough, but the fact that she's your student-"

God, Diana is so beautiful.

I stared out the window, not really seeing anything, just picturing her instead. Her blonde hair, always effortlessly perfect. That soft, sharp gaze that had this way of locking onto me, like I was the only person in the room. Her lips-God, her lips-

"-and the last thing you need is to make a reckless decision that could ruin your entire career," Claudia continued, her voice turning into a distant hum in my ears. "Are you even listening to me?"

Blah, blah, blah.

Diana's laugh. That teasing, playful laugh that always sent a shiver down my spine. The way she smirked when she knew she had me flustered. And her body-her toned waist, the effortless way she carried herself, the confidence she had. How is she even real?

"Minji."

I hummed in response, pretending I had heard anything she just said.

Claudia groaned. "You're not listening at all, are you?"

"Hmm? Oh-yeah, totally, I agree 100%" I lied, still lost in my thoughts.

"I literally just said that you should pack up and move to Alaska."

"Mhm."

Claudia let out a loud ugh "Minji, I swear to God, if you don't get it together-"

"Claudia," I interrupted, my voice dreamy, my thoughts far away from whatever lecture she was giving. "Have I ever told you how perfect Diana is?"

A long silence.

Then, Claudia screamed loudly.

Claudia sat on my couch, swirling her wine glass with that familiar look of exhaustion. She had barely said three words since she screamed, not because she didn't want to, but because I hadn't let her.

I was too busy talking about Diana.

"You don't understand, Claudia," I said, pacing in front of her. "She's not just pretty. She's, like, breathtaking. And it's not even in an obvious way. She just exists and somehow makes everything else seem less in comparison."

Claudia took a slow sip of wine. "Minji-"

"And her confidence," I continued, cutting her off completely. "You should see the way she walks. It's like she knows people are looking at her, but she doesn't care. And when she smirks? God, Claudia, it's so unfair. She has this little half-smile that's just-"

I made a vague, helpless gesture, trying to find the right word.

"Devastating?" Claudia offered dryly.

I snapped my fingers. "Exactly!"

Claudia sighed, rubbing her temples. "Minji, we need to talk about-"

"And don't even get me started on her body," I groaned, flopping down onto the couch dramatically. "Like, I know she's young and all, but damn. Those legs. Those damn legs. And when she-"

"I swear to God," Claudia interrupted, pointing a finger at me, "if you describe one more thing about this eighteen-year-old, I'm walking out of here."

I waved her off, undeterred. "I'm just saying, if you saw her in person, you'd get it. She's so effortlessly beautiful. And smart too! Like, we have..or had these conversations, and she actually understands me. And-"

"Minji."

"-she's just so sharp, you know? Like, she catches onto things so quickly. It's kind of hot, actually-"

"Minji," Claudia snapped, setting her wine down with a thud. "Do you even hear yourself right now?"

I blinked, finally registering the exasperation in her voice. "...What?"

Claudia dragged a hand down her face. "You're obsessed."

I scoffed. "I am not obsessed."

Claudia deadpanned. "Minji, I have been sitting here for forty minutes, and you have not let me speak once. You have been monologuing about Diana like a lovesick teenager. I could've left the room ten minutes ago, and you wouldn't have noticed."

I opened my mouth to argue, then hesitated.

...Okay. Maybe she had a point.

Claudia sighed, shaking her head. "You're in deep, Minji. And that is not a good thing."

I groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. "I know."

"Then what are you going to do about it?"

I exhaled slowly, staring up at the ceiling.

...That was the problem, wasn't it?

I had no idea.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I leaned back against the couch. Claudia watched me carefully, arms crossed, waiting for me to say something that didn't involve me gushing about Diana's perfect everything.

"I can't keep avoiding her," I finally admitted, my voice quieter than before.

Claudia raised an eyebrow. "You can't? Or you don't want to?"

I groaned, rubbing my face. "Claudia, it's exhausting."

"What is?"

"Pretending like she doesn't exist!" I threw my hands up, exasperated. "Do you know how hard it is to walk into class and not acknowledge her? To go the whole day without making any kind of eye contact? To sit there and act like she's just another student when I know she's not?"

Claudia's expression softened slightly, but she stayed firm. "Minji, you're doing it because you have to."

"But I don't," I shot back, leaning forward. "That's the thing-I don't have to avoid her. I just thought I should. But it's not working, Claudia. It's just making me miserable."

Claudia sighed, shaking her head. "You're making this sound like some tragic love story. WITH YOUR STUDENT who also has a girlfriend!"

I scoffed. "Have you met me?"

She gave me a pointed look. "Minji, she's your student."

"I know," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "That's why I tried to stay away. But avoiding her isn't changing anything. It's not making my feelings go away. It's not making her go away. It's just making everything feel worse."

Claudia studied me for a moment, then sighed. "So, what are you going to do?"

I hesitated.

"...I don't know," I admitted. "But I can't keep pretending like she's just another student when we both know she's not."

Claudia let out a deep breath, shaking her head. "Minji, you are so screwed."

I let out a dry laugh, leaning back against the couch.

"Tell me something I don't know."

I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the deep red liquid coat the sides before taking a slow sip. Claudia sat across from me, arms crossed, her expression already telling me she knew where this was going.

"So, Diana and Abby," I started, my voice light, casual.

Claudia groaned. "Oh, here we go."

I ignored her. "I mean, they're cute or whatever," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "But let's be real, how long can it possibly last?"

Claudia shot me a look. "Minji."

"What?" I feigned innocence, taking another sip of wine. "They're young. High school relationships don't last. It's just a phase."

Claudia rubbed her temples. "You are praying for their downfall."

"I am not," I lied, setting my glass down with a little too much force. "I just think, realistically speaking, Diana is way too smart to be tied down this early in life. She needs experience, she needs to grow-"

"She needs a girlfriend who isn't you," Claudia interrupted bluntly.

I gasped dramatically. "How dare you."

Claudia deadpanned. "Minji."

I sighed, slumping back into the couch. "Fine. Maybe I wouldn't be devastated if they broke up."

Claudia scoffed. "Understatement of the year."

I picked up my wine again, swirling it lazily. "I mean, think about it, Claudia. Abby is so possessive. Always hanging all over her, touching her, kissing her in public like they have something to prove-"

"That's what couples do," Claudia pointed out.

I scowled. "Yeah, well, it's excessive."

Claudia groaned, shaking her head. "You sound like a bitter ex."

I scoffed. "I am not bitter."

She raised an eyebrow.

"...Okay, maybe I'm a little bitter," I admitted, taking a long sip. "But can you blame me? Every time I see them together, it's like-" I let out a frustrated noise. "It should not bother me this much, Claudia."

Claudia sighed. "You need help."

"I need Diana to realize that Abby is not the one," I corrected.

Claudia stared at me for a long moment, then downed the rest of her wine in one go.

"Minji," she muttered, rubbing her temples. "You are so far gone."

I hummed, taking another sip.

I leaned back on my luxurious couch, staring at the ceiling, my wine glass dangling between my fingers. Claudia was still here, watching me like I was some sort of disaster waiting to happen.

"Alright," I exhaled, sitting up. "I need a plan."

Claudia groaned, already regretting her life choices. "A plan for what, Minji?"

I turned to her with a slow smirk. "To break them up."

She dropped her head into her hands. "Oh my god. You're supposed to AVOID her"

"Hear me out!" I held up a hand. "It's not like I'm gonna do anything drastic. I'll just... nudge things along."

"Nudge?" Claudia scoffed. "Minji, do I even want to know what's going on in that devious little mind of yours?"

I tapped my short nails against my wine glass. "I just need Diana to see that Abby isn't right for her. That they're too different, that she deserves someone better-"

"Let me guess," Claudia said dryly. "That someone is you?"

I gave her an innocent look. "I mean, I wouldn't stop her if she realized it."

Claudia groaned. "Okay, evil mastermind, what's your genius plan?"

I grinned. "Simple. I plant some doubts. Maybe slip in a few comments here and there about how Abby doesn't really understand Diana. Or how high school relationships rarely last. Maybe I get Diana thinking about her options-"

"Which, again, includes you," Claudia muttered, shaking her head.

"Exactly," I said proudly. "And then, if I just happen to be there when things start to fall apart? Well..." I took a slow sip of wine.

"Minji, this is so wrong," Claudia said, but there was amusement in her voice.

I shrugged. "Diana deserves better. I'm just helping her realize it. I'm helping her. For Educational purposes only, Abby might distract Alisa and make her grades drop!"

Claudia exhaled, standing up. "I don't know if I should be concerned or impressed."

I smirked. "Both."

"Well, good luck with your little scheme," she said, grabbing her coat. "But if you get caught, I will say I had nothing to do with this."

I waved her off as she left. "Have some faith, Claudia. This is going to work."

And as I sat there, swirling my wine, I knew-I was just getting started.

✂✂✂✂✂

A few days had passed, and I had been busy. Every spare moment outside of work had been dedicated to crafting the perfect plan-one that would subtly unravel Diana and Abby's relationship without making it obvious that I had anything to do with it. And now, the moment had come.

I poured Claudia a glass of wine as she settled into the chair across from me, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Alright," she sighed, accepting the drink. "I assume you called me over because you've come up with something diabolical."

I smirked, taking a slow sip from my own glass. "Oh, Claudia, you know me so well."

She groaned. "I was joking."

"Well, I wasn't." I set my wine down and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my coffee table. "Okay. Listen to this."

Claudia crossed her arms. "This is gonna be so bad, isn't it?"

I ignored her and continued.

"So, first of all, I need Diana to start questioning Abby. Not in an obvious way-just tiny little things. I've already planted some of the seeds by avoiding Diana. She's confused. A little distance from me has made her notice how much she liked spending time with me-"

"Or it just made her move on," Claudia interjected.

I shot her a glare. "Do you want to hear the plan or not?"

She rolled her eyes. "Im not sure if I want to...fine, continue."

"Thaank you," I said sweetly before going on. "So. Step one: play the long game. I start subtly engaging with Diana again, but only in small doses. A compliment here, a lingering glance there-just enough to remind her that I exist, that we had a connection."

Claudia took a large sip of wine. "Oh god."

"Step two," I continued, undeterred, "is doubt. I need to start slipping little comments into conversation-things like, 'Are you sure Abby really gets you?' or 'Do you ever feel like she's a little... possessive?' Just little, harmless observations."

"Harmless?" Claudia scoffed. "Minji, you're literally manipulating her."

I waved a hand dismissively. "Guiding her. There's a difference."

Claudia shook her head, but I pressed on.

"Step three: create opportunities for tension. Maybe I mention to Abby how flirty Diana can be with everyone. Maybe I let slip that Diana and I used to have fun little moments before she started dating Abby-"

"Oh, so you're straight-up lying now."

I scoffed. "Not lying, just... adjusting the narrative."

Claudia groaned into her wine glass.

"And then," I said, voice dripping with satisfaction, "when the inevitable fights start happening, I just happen to be there. Comforting. Understanding. Offering her someone to talk to."

Claudia exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Minji. This is insane. Like, actual villain behavior."

I tilted my head. "Villain? Or genius?"

Claudia gave me an exasperated look. "And what if this doesn't work? What if Diana stays with Abby?"

I paused. The thought made my stomach twist, but I forced myself to stay confident. "Then I adjust. Improvise. Find a new angle." I leaned back with a smirk. "But trust me, Claudia. This is going to work."

She sighed, standing up and finishing her wine in one long sip. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I'm actually kind of curious to see how this plays out."

I grinned. "Oh, you should be."

Because one way or another, I was going to get what I wanted.