do you remember that promise? (flashback)

"y/n, look"

You stumbled and fell on the ground, looking at the bug in front of you. "keep it away from me" you yelled. She laughed as she set that bug free. "you're so spiritless" the girl in front of you laughed. She stretched her hand and helped you to stand. "you know really well that I'm scared of insects, don't you Rayul?" you glared at her stroking the dust off your skirt. "okay, okay. I know" the seven-year-old Rayul smiled at you.

You both shared the same class in the pre-primary school, which got you closer. You were always that 'know it all' kind of kid who was always the top of her class, while Rayul on the other hand was a mischievous kid who was always joking around and doing pranks on others. But still you both got along well with each other. Her mother requested you to help her with the studies.

In the whole world, you were the only one who was capable to keep her in control, but that control got lost when you had to left for your aunt's house.

After 5 years when you transferred back to the same primary school in the Seoul, you were happy seeing her there. While introducing yourself, when your eyes met you smiled at her. But she didn't respond, more like she ignored your gaze. You waited for her to come and talk to you, but the school ended, and she didn't come.

"Rayul-ah?" your voice stopped her. "long time no see?" you smiled standing by the gate of the school. "why did you return?" she mumbled loudly and left. You thought that you heard wrong, but it got sure with time as she kept ignoring you. You noticed that she got in a wrong group, which was full of bullies. There was an outcast in your class which was always at the target of her group. It kept you bothering in the start, but you decided to ignore it. You were already comfortable with being alone, so you gave up on her. you avoided getting in her way and she ignored as you didn't exist until… that incident.

That field trip…

You had a field trip, which your granny wanted you to attend. "grand ma, I don't want to go. I want to stay with you" you whined. "aishh… my little cupcake. What about your friends? They will feel bad." She said caressing your cheeks. "they won't. I have lots of friends granny. They can enjoy with each other." You lied while hugging her. "y/n… even though you're living all by yourself at this age but you're still a kid. You should go and enjoy, okay?" she said. "okay" you nodded. You didn't want to leave her as she was sick from few days.

Everyone there was with their group while you were sitting all alone on the railing, watching others. Your gaze fell on Rayul's group which was surrounding that outcast. "What did you say? can you 'please' repeat?" Rayul smirked, taking steps towards her. "please s-stop" she was trembling with fear while stepping backwards. "stop? What?" Rayul asked pushing her a little. She fell on the ground and didn't respond. "Tell me" Rayul bent down.

"she said stop. So, stop now." You walked to her and bent down to help that girl stand. You decided not to get bothered by this, but you couldn't stand this anymore. The thing which was bugging you the most was that your friend was in this. "you're coming in my way. Stay away, y/n" Rayul said as she was pissed off by your action. "you are not doing rig-" you paused when you saw Rayul coming your way. She grabbed the hand of the girl who was hiding behind you.

"I said stop" you yelled, shutting your eyes tightly and pushing her away as hard as you can. She stumbled and fell on the ground. You opened your eyes seeing people gather around her. you got scared when you noticed a bit of blood around her. soon the ambulance was called, and the rest of the trip got cancelled. You were informed that she lost her one eye when she fell down, due to a stone. You were told to bring your aunt or grandma to the school to talk about this matter which got you scared.

You went to visit Rayul. Looking at the patch on her eye made you filled with guilt. "you came?" Rayul said while grinding her teeth in anger. "I'm s-sorry, Rayul" you mumbled in fear. She just laughed in disbelief. "r-rayul, I'm sorry. Help me please. Tell them not to call my grandma. She is sick. I'll do whatever you'll say" you pleaded. You were helpless as your granny was in a serious condition and your aunt could make your life hell after this.

"what?" she was not able to believe that you were asking something like this and was not caring about the situation you made her in. "is this a fucking joke? I lost my eye forever. Do you even think I will care about that old woman?" she yelled. "rayul? I beg you. She is admitted. I'll do whatever you say.. so please." You started crying. After calming herself down, she took a deep breath. "okay. But don't you ever think I'll let this pass" she said. Your face lightened, and you left thanking her again unaware of the situation awaiting you.

Not so after that, your grandmother passed away due to her uncurable diseases, while you were having your final exams. Still you managed to get into a prestigious high school with good grades. when You decided to leave your past behind and have a fresh start, she entered.

You got to know that the new transferred student of your class is rayul. She soon got popular among the bullies of the school and created a new group of her.

One day, in the lunch break, she with her group came up to you. You were having your lunch peacefully, sitting in the corner, all by yourself. "y/n… long time no see?" she asked while smiling at you. You faked a smile to greet her. "I missed you soooooooo much" she whined sitting on the chair beside you with her arms on the table while looking at you. Turning to her group "ahh.. jiyeol-ah… you were asking something a moment ago right? y/n.. do you remember the promise you made in the hospital that time?" she said shifting her gaze to you. You nodded.

"good. We need an outcast. Be one for me" she smirked.