"Class, this is your new classmate, Kate. She and her parents just moved to our town from the city. Please be kind to her. Now, who would like to show Kate around?"

For a few seconds, the class fell silent. Seeing no volunteers, Evelyn raised her hand.

"I can show her around," she offered.

"Great! I’ll leave Kate in your care, Evelyn."

After Kate found a place to sit, the teacher began the lesson. Once class ended, Evelyn and Alice approached Kate, but were met with a cold, stony glare.

"Listen, I don’t need you or anyone else showing me around," Kate snapped. "Just stay away from me. I’m not an idiot—I can find my way."

With that, she brushed past them and walked off. Alice glared after her, unimpressed.

"Wow. Guess that’s what they call a city ego, huh?"

Evelyn watched her go, a bit worried. She didn’t want to leave Kate alone in a new place, not when she was clearly struggling.

"I think we should still keep an eye on her," Evelyn suggested.

"What? Why? You heard her—she doesn’t want our help."

"Maybe she’s just having trouble adjusting. She probably didn’t want to leave her old home."

"Maybe you’re right. I mean, if I’d moved from the city to some small town, I’d be mad too."

As they watched Kate from down the hall, Jane and her group moved in, getting closer to her. Kate looked at them with an unflinching expression.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly.

"Oh, how rude, right?" Jane sneered.

"Totally. What’s with the attitude? You don’t like our school or something? How tragic."

The girls all laughed mockingly. Evelyn stood there, watching, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. Alice noticed and nudged her.

"If you want, I can go over there and break it up."

Evelyn wanted to say yes, but her fear held her back.

"No…don’t…if you do, they’ll start picking on you too."

Evelyn struggled with what to do as Kate tried to walk away, but Jane stepped in her path, blocking her.

"Listen, city girl," Jane taunted. "If you keep up this attitude, you’re going to spend your whole high school life alone…or worse. So, here’s a chance for you. Do what I say, and I’ll protect you."

Evelyn was shocked by what she was hearing. Was Jane actually offering Kate a spot in their group? In Evelyn’s mind, this was a golden opportunity. To her, it was better than facing daily bullying. But Kate didn’t seem to feel the same way, and her expression made that clear.

"Worse? Like bullying?" Kate scoffed. "And what, you’ll protect me—from yourself? No, thanks. It sounds like you’re just looking for new lackeys."

"Think it over. This is your last chance."

Kate didn’t respond and walked back to the classroom. Evelyn stood there, stunned. Why didn’t Kate accept the offer? Isn’t it better to be in a friend group than alone? she thought, then ran after Kate.

"Wait, please!"

Kate turned around, glaring at her.

"What do you want?" she demanded.

"Why didn’t you accept Jane’s offer?" Evelyn asked, puzzled.

"It’s none of your business, alright?"

"But isn’t it better to have a friend group than be alone?"

"A friend group? That girl wasn’t looking for friends—she was looking for slaves. And I’m not desperate enough to sell myself just to avoid loneliness."

"...But..."

Before Evelyn could say anything more, Kate turned away and walked into the classroom. Throughout the day, Evelyn made a few more attempts to talk to her, but Kate ignored her completely. The next day, someone scribbled insults on Kate’s locker and desk, and people kept "accidentally" spilling drinks on her. Evelyn knew who was behind it, but had no proof. After class, she approached Kate again.

"Why are you so stubborn about not joining that group? If this keeps up, things will only get worse."

Kate looked at her, not with anger, but with determination.

"If I joined them, would that mean I’d have to bully others too?"

Evelyn froze, unable to reply. She knew it was true; if Kate joined, she’d be expected to gossip, to pick on others—all the things Jane’s group did. Evelyn stood there in the schoolyard, lost in thought, clutching her backpack. Alice noticed and came over, concerned.

"Evelyn, what do you really want to do? Think about it—what would the Evelyn we know do in this situation?"

"...I don’t know what I want anymore..."

"Then ask the people who know you best. If you ask me, I think Evelyn’s sense of justice would overcome her fear. But that’s just my opinion. Get a few more until you’re sure."

Evelyn’s eyes lit up.

"You’re right. That’s the best thing to do."

She touched the necklace Shin had given her and, without wasting another moment, started walking home to find the answer she needed. After all, Evelyn wasn’t alone; she had a family behind her.