The day had finally come.
D-Day.
With my new look and a heart pounding louder than it should, I made my way to school. A part of me was excited—hopeful, even—but beneath that was a tangle of nerves that just wouldn't go away.
What if I hated the attention?
What if they laughed?
What if… I regretted all of this?
The cardigan hugged my frame just right. The little hoops brushed against my skin with every step. My hair bounced lightly with each movement, the soft waves catching the morning light. I'd wanted a change—and now that I had it, I wasn't sure what scared me more: being noticed, or being ignored completely.
As I walked down the road, adjusting the strap of my bag and trying to breathe through the nerves, I spotted Nari up ahead.
She was sipping something bright from a plastic cup, earbuds in, walking like she owned the sidewalk.
Should I go say hi?
Would it be weird? Awkward?
It's not like we were friends—not *really*. But… she *had* been the one to talk to me first. She didn't have to. And somehow, her words had stayed with me more than anyone else's.
*I said I wanted to change*, right?
*Be more confident. Brave.*
So I took a shaky breath and picked up my pace, heart thudding in my ears.
"Nari!" I called out, raising my hand a little.
She didn't hear me at first. I jogged a few steps toward her, my voice louder this time.
"Nari!"
She turned around slowly, pulling out one earbud. When her eyes landed on me, they widened just a little.
"Whoa…" she blinked, giving me a once-over. "Is that you, Eun-ha?"
"Well, what do you think?" I asked, glancing down and gesturing at myself with a shy smile.
She blinked again, and this time, a slow grin spread across her face.
"Damn, girl. You got a whole glow-up!" Nari said, circling me dramatically like she was inspecting a new car. "New hair, new vibe".
I felt my cheeks burn from embarrassment. "Too much?"
She scoffed. "Nah. You look hot. Like, scary hot. Love the waves, by the way. Very main character."
A small laugh slipped out of me. "Thanks. I was kind of nervous about it."
"You should *not* be," she said, linking her arm with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. "If I looked like that, I'd be running down the halls in slow motion."
I laughed again, this time louder.
I felt better—relieved, even. I was glad Nari was the first to see me. She wasn't the type to sugarcoat things. Blunt, unfiltered, brutally honest.
Even if she'd said I needed improvement, I wouldn't have been discouraged. At least I'd know she meant it.
As we walked toward the school gates, the nerves began to fade, replaced by something lighter—something close to confidence.
After Nari headed off to her classroom, I made my way in. I could feel eyes on me the moment I stepped inside. Curious glances, surprised stares.
A few classmates started whispering, not even trying to hide it.
"Wow, Eun-ha."
"You look so bright today."
"Where did you get your hair done?"
"You look stunning."
I gave small smiles, murmured thanks, my heart pounding—but not from fear. From something else.
And then… I felt it.
His eyes.
Joon-seo's gaze lingered a little longer than the others. A little softer. A little more tense. I didn't have to look directly to know—it was him. Watching from the other side of the room like he wasn't sure what to feel.
Then came footsteps. Sharp, deliberate.
Min-ah.
She walked up to me with that polished, too-perfect smile—the one that always felt like sugar laced with something bitter.
"Oh my gosh, Eun-ha!" she said, eyes widening dramatically. "What's with this transformation? You look absolutely stunning!"
There it was. Sweet on the surface, but her gaze scanned me too slowly, too carefully. Like she was looking for a flaw to cling to.
"So lovely indeed," Soo-hee chimed in beside her, her smile a little too wide to be real.
"Going through a phase or something?" Hyun-min joked with a chuckle.
And then Min-ah tilted her head, smile still intact. "You should've told me you were planning a glow-up. We could've gone together! I know this great stylist—he'd have *loved* to work on you."
I smiled politely, but I could feel the familiar chill behind her words.
"I kind of needed the change," I said. "Thought I'd try doing something for myself, for once."
"Aww, that's so brave of you." Her voice dropped just slightly, still gentle but now a bit patronizing. "But really—you look so different. I almost didn't recognize you at first."
There was a pause.
Then, in a singsong whisper, she added, "Look at Joon-seo… he's totally staring. You've got him wrapped around your finger now, huh?"
I looked over instinctively. Joon-seo *was* looking—still, silent, unreadable. But this time, I didn't look away first.
Min-ah stepped a bit closer, her eyes locking with mine. "Just… don't change too much, okay? Wouldn't want you to forget who your real friends are."
There it was.
Still smiling. Still sweet.
But the jealousy in her eyes was impossible to miss.
I held her gaze for a moment, letting the silence stretch just a little longer than usual.
"I haven't forgotten," I said softly, my smile still intact. "Some things… just look clearer now."
Min-ah's eyes flickered, but her smile didn't waver. If anything, it widened—tight, controlled.
"Of course," she said smoothly. "You've always been so *sensitive*, Eun-ha. I'm just saying I'm here for you. I always have been."
I could feel Soo-hee and Hyun-min watching, like they were waiting for me to crack, to say something awkward or embarrassed so they could swoop in.
But I didn't.
"I'll keep that in mind," I said with a polite nod, then turned to walk toward my seat.
Behind me, I could hear Soo-hee's whisper: "She's different, huh?"
"She's trying," Min-ah replied lightly. "Let's see how long it lasts."
But their words didn't sting the way they used to.
I sat down, ignoring the glances around me. My heart was pounding, but it wasn't fear. It was adrenaline—nervous, defiant, and maybe… proud?
For once, I didn't feel like shrinking away.
Maybe this was how it started—not with revenge or loud declarations—but with small steps. Quiet power.
And the strength to finally stop pretending.