If I am someone else, this scenario will probably play out to be a touching moment. The popular kid offering the outcast a small gift; a sincere act that questions whether status really matters between friendships. Or so what I see in movies.

Unfortunately, I am not someone else. I am me, an exposed Myriad. And the popular kid is the discoverer.

What does he hope by acting friendly after uncovering my secret yesterday? Sweat trickles down my back despite the cold autumn air.

“About yesterday...” he begins.

Yesterday. I’m certain the whole school already knows that. Whatever he has to say, I do not want to listen anymore. I’ll just face my judgment now. Hurriedly, before he can say more, I circle him to enter the gates.

I trudge through the school grounds with the little strength I have left. One step. Two. Three. But my resolve fades. My limbs shake, and I can’t bring myself to look anywhere other than the ground where my feet are now planted. I’m scared to look at anyone; terrified to watch how their eyes will judge me and the crimes I have yet to commit.

Garbled sounds of students’ voices surround me, like ghosts ready to haunt. They are probably talking about me, likely not shocked how the class loner turns out to be a Myriad.

The ground blurs and starts to spin. Dizziness takes over my head. If I faint here, no one will help me. No one will risk their safety for a Myriad’s.

My knees hit the pavement, and I drop on all fours. My heart beat hard and loud in my ears. My mouth gasps for air in a hurried rhythm as my vision succumbs to darkness. I’m ready to faint. To be shut away from this tragedy. And to be left helplessly alone.

“Are you ok?” a voice sharply cuts through my fading consciousness. The familiar voice of Seo JaeHoon beside me.

“Shim MinSeok, are you ok?” he repeats.

The sounds of footsteps accompany his last inquiry. Getting closer and closer. No longer from a safe distance. They are whispering. Voices I recognize. Batchmates. Classmates. And some I don’t know.

“Is he alright?”

“Isn’t he that quiet guy from your class?”

“Someone call the nurse! Hurry!”

“Shouldn’t we call an ambulance instead?”

“Aren’t you the class president of 3-C? Can you inform the teachers?”

“I think I saw Sir Min in the benches! It’ll be faster to get him!”

Are they not afraid of me? A Myriad is here on the ground and they are still seeking help?

“Everyone, I don’t think we should wait. Let’s carry him to the infirmary ourselves!”

“N-no. No one touches him.”

“He’ll be in more danger if his face hits the ground. I think there’s plenty of muscle here to carry him.”

“NO! I SAID NO ONE TOUCHES MINSEOK!”

That shout. JaeHoon. Has he not told anyone about me yet? Why?

The question jolts my consciousness back to the surface. My breath slows, my ears get quieter, and my shaking softens. As my vision regains, I attempt to stare at the person crouching beside me. His eyes wide open. Brows meeting. Both arms outstretched like a police tape barricading anyone from getting close.

Surely, he has seen my soul, but why…

… why would he keep that info to himself?