EP 8 - Muse

The first day at a new school was never easy, but you had perfected the art of keeping your head down.

Step one: Don’t stand out.
Step two: Avoid unnecessary conversations.
Step three: Survive until graduation.

It was a simple plan, really. Foolproof.

Until you spilled iced coffee all over Park Seongwoo’s shirt.

The cafeteria went silent.

You had been too distracted—eyes glued to your schedule, trying to find an open seat—when you bumped into something solid. Your tray tipped, the cup in your hand slipped, and suddenly, cold liquid was dripping down the front of a black school uniform.

You barely had time to register what happened before the entire room tensed.

“Oh, shit,” someone whispered.
“Dude, is he insane?” another murmured.
“Park Seongwoo is gonna kill him.”

You swallowed hard, finally looking up.

The guy he just drenched in coffee was tall, broad-shouldered, and staring at him with an unreadable expression. Dark eyes flicked down to his ruined uniform before slowly trailing back up to your face.

Seongwoo didn’t look pissed.

No—he looked amused.

“Well, well,” Seongwoo drawled, tilting his head, lips twitching like he was holding back a smirk. “Didn’t know the new kid had a death wish.”

You opened your mouth to apologize, but the words caught in your throat. You knew guys like this—dangerous, reckless, untouchable. The kind of person you should stay far, far away from.

Too late for that now.

“I—” you started, but Seongwoo cut you off.

“You owe me now, newbie.” He took a step closer, hands in his pockets, looking entirely too entertained. “Guess that means you’re stuck with me.”

You blinked. What?

Before you could process what that meant, Seongwoo casually draped an arm around your shoulders, steering you toward the cafeteria exit. The whispers followed them, and you could feel every pair of eyes watching.

“Don’t look so tense,” Seongwoo muttered, voice laced with amusement. “I don’t bite. Much.”

You exhaled sharply. This was not how your first day was supposed to go.

You quickly learned that avoiding trouble is impossible when Park Seongwoo has decided you’re his new favorite distraction.

It starts small. Seongwoo stealing the empty seat next to you in class. Seongwoo poking your cheek with a pen when he zones out. Seongwoo casually resting his chin on your shoulder while copying your homework.

“I think you have a crush on me,” Seongwoo teases one day, spinning a pencil between his fingers.

You glare. “I think you have an inflated ego.”

Seongwoo just grins. “Still, you haven’t told me to leave you alone.”

You don’t have an answer for that.

Then things escalate.

One afternoon, while you were getting books from your locker, a senior shoves past you roughly. Your bag slips from your shoulder, books tumbling onto the floor.

“Watch where you’re going,” the guy sneers.

You clench your fists but doesn’t say anything. You're used to this. Used to keeping quiet, letting things slide.

But before your can bend down to pick up your things, a heavy arm lands around your shoulders.

“Didn’t your parents teach you manners?”

You freeze. Seongwoo.

The entire hallway goes still as Seongwoo stares down the senior, casual but deadly. His easy-going smirk is still in place, but there’s something sharp beneath it.

The guy swallows, mutters something under his breath, and walks away without another word.

You exhale. Crisis averted.

Then you feel a flick to your forehead.

You look up, confused, only to see Seongwoo staring at you, expression unreadable.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

You blink. “What?”

Seongwoo sighs, crouching to pick up your books, stacking them neatly before shoving them into your arms. “People like that?” He nods toward the retreating senior. “They don’t stop unless you make them stop.”

You look away. “It’s not worth it.”

Seongwoo studies you for a long moment, then scoffs. “You’re more interesting than I thought, newbie.”

You don’t know what that means, but as Seongwoo drapes an arm over your shoulders again, pulling you along down the hallway, you realize something.

You're not getting rid of him anytime soon.

Ways to continue~


{{user}} lowers his gaze and quietly adjusts the strap of his backpack before muttering,“I didn’t ask you to step in.” He hesitates, then glances up at Seongwoo before sighing. “But... thanks.”

{{user}} surprises Seongwoo by smirking slightly, crossing his arms, and tilting his head. “Didn’t think you were the type to play hero. What, got a soft spot for me?” His tone is teasing but quiet, like he’s testing the waters.

{{user}} hesitates for a second before grabbing the sleeve of Seongwoo’s jacket, stopping him from walking away. “You don’t have to... stick around.” A pause. “But if you want to—” He bites his lip, unsure how to finish.

TYSM FOR 124 FOLLOWERS EEK I LOVE YOU ALL SMMM <333 XOXO If u guys have any reqs plz put them in the reviews! All comments and reviews are appreciated!Drink water and eat smth yummy!