When A Ghoul Falls In Love

The school is over. Students are leaving through the main gate. 

I haven't seen Baek Joon Woo yet. Where is he?

I rub my palms together. I forgot to wear gloves today. I even forgot my muffler. The day is damn cold. I don't like the extreme weather of this city. The temperature is either too low or too high. Maybe I should move out of this city with Baek Joon Woo and our child. But that will take a while. 

How am I going to tell about my pregnancy to my mother? Should I do it after a few months and pretend that I didn't know? 

No, it won't work. I need to be prepared for the future. 

"Are you Nell Solomon?"

I turn my head toward the boy who just asked me that question. His dark brown hair covers his eyebrows and his brown eyes are covered with dark circles. The uniform is loose on his scrawny body as if he is wearing someone else's uniform. The missing fourth and fifth buttons of his shirt are replaced by safety pins. Even his shirt isn't tucked in. And his tie is clumsily made. The shoes have muds on them.

Everything about him looks off.

Did the teachers not say anything to him? Anyway, it's none of my business. "Yes, I am."

"Killian Forst." His smile looks stiff. "Teacher told me to find you."

Right, Abigail talked about him. I was supposed to give him a school tour. I return his awkward smile. "Killian, haven't you seen the school already?"

"I still don't know many places in this school." His eyes glint strangely. "I am new to this country. Nell, I hope that we can become friends."

He does have an accent. I wonder where he is from. But I am not someone who accepts anyone as my friend. "Killian, I will give you the school tour tomorrow."

I hope he understands the tactful rejection. 

"Can I have your number?" He takes his phone out. "Teacher told me that I can ask you if I have problems in my studies. You are the top student in the school."

Why did that teacher not offer himself to help this boy? I take a deep breath. From the corner of my eyes, I see Evie coming toward me. Judging from the deep frown on her face, she must have failed in seducing Baek Joon Woo and now, she wants to pick a fight with me.

"Killian, I will talk to you tomorrow." I tell him vaguely, "I am busy at the moment."

He doesn't respond to me and I don't care if he found me arrogant. I can't choose my enemies. So, I would like to keep my rights to choose my friends. 

"Nell Solomon!" Evie stops in front of me. "When will you stop it?"

I have no idea why she comes to pick a fight with me every day when the verdict is clear. Baek Joon Woo loves me. "Stop what?"

"Playing with Baek Joon Woo's heart." She sneers at me. "You don't love him. Why don't you let him go? Even now, you are flirting with another guy."

"Which guy am I flirting with?" I look dead in her eyes. "Care to explain?"

"That one!" She points at Killian. "I saw you talking to him."

She is like my mother-in-law. If she sees me talking to any guy other than Baek Joon Woo, it means that I am cheating on him. Why is my life so interesting in her eyes? "That's Killian Forst. A new student in our school."

A crowd has gathered around us. They are expecting a fight. But I will behave today. I am pregnant and Baek Joon Woo asked me not to get into fights. So...

Ignoring me, Evie asks him, "Is there nothing between you and her?" 

Killian smiles at her ambiguously. "Maybe."

So, he is a bag of crap. I am glad that I didn't share my number with him. He is not the first one to hit on me and he probably won't be the last one. 

"S.l.u.t!" Evie shouts loudly. "I know your kind. Baek Joon Woo is too good for you. Leave him. I can't believe that you touch him with the same hands that you use on other men."

I will follow Baek Joon Woo's requests from tomorrow onwards.

When I take a step toward Evie, she balls her hands into fists. Just then, I sense Baek Joon Woo and Maisie coming toward us. I don't know how I know it. I just know. It won't do any good if I hurt Evie. My kind boyfriend might get mad at me.

Evie's brows are knitted together. Her lips are pursed. She is pointing her fists toward me. 

I take a long step toward her. My sudden move startles her. She pushes me away. I stagger back. In that moment, I could choose to balance myself. But I turn my weight on my toes and let myself fall on my knees. Despite my best attempt at not getting hurt, the hard concrete scratches one of my knees. I wince in pain. 

"Nngh…"

My rival hasn't expected this. She opens her mouth wide in shock. There are murmurs in the crowd. And my knees are bleeding. The wounds aren't bad. 

"Nell!" Baek Joon Woo breaks through the crowd. He bends down on his knees and looks at me. "How did you fall?"

"It was an accident." I know that he has seen everything. He probably can't believe that I will fall because of Evie's push. I lower my head and cover my mouth. "I feel a little sick."

"Oh, Nell…" He exclaims, bending down his head. Baek Joon Woo looks at my bleeding knees. He takes his handkerchief out and presses it against my knee.

Then, he glowers at Evie. His voice is low but firm. "What's wrong with you? How many times do I have to tell you that I don't love you anymore? I love Nell. Only her. Stop harassing her. If you ever get close to her again, I will never forgive you."

I am probably a disgusting woman for manipulating my boyfriend like this. But I want Evie to stop pursuing him. One can't tell when the heart changes. And I don't like her for obvious reasons. I peer at her. Evie is looking at Baek Joon Woo with misty eyes. Her lips are quivering as if she will cry at any moment. 

My heart is satisfied.