A day where even the breeze was hot to the touch was definitely not the day to be outside, let alone be running laps.

Flopped over the metal railing lining the running track I felt myself let out the deepest sigh.

“Hey alright, I admit it’s hot but honestly it’s not that hot” a chirpy voice piped over my shoulders.

“Just cause you’re some sort of crazy lizard-lady that can run in desert heat doesn’t mean I am,” I groaned as I tried to swat my friend away.

“Jinju~ don’t be so dramatic, we’ve only got ten more minutes before it’s the next class” my friend continued to buzz in my ear. A short haired brunette girl swung around in front of me with a cheeky smile.

“Plus… if teach sees us slacking off he’s going to make us run extra laps”

Taking one swift glare at Pyo-ri, I hauled myself upright before fast-walking down onto the track. I hate how right she is every time.

Pyo-ri zoomed on in front of me, sticking her tongue out in light jest as she sped past.

God, I could punch her right now.

Looking like death, I began my final lap in the final minute. The heat was getting to me, and I could feel myself getting lightheaded. Around me, other students trotted past making each step feel even heavier than the last.

Oh god please, please don’t fall. My legs were getting weaker as finally I felt my knees buckle as I collapsed on the dirt ground.

I hate running.

I wanted to pass from embarrassment, maybe I could just play dead and people would pity the poor student who lost a life running laps instead of as the quiet awkward and now ditzy girl who tripped over her own feet.

As all these thoughts were running in through my head, faster than the speed in which I was running earlier, I felt the coolness of the shade give relief over my sun-toasted body as a shadow loomed over me.

“Um… you alright?”

Looking up all I could see was a silhouette as the sun shone behind the life-saver shade-providing individual.

“I-yes I am, thank you” I muttered half-defeatedly as I tried to pull myself up. I could feel my ears turn bright pink behind my hair.

“Here” the person proceeded to bend over and help me up by the arm.

“I’m sorry, I swear I’m not usually this unathletic” I proceeded to lie as I laughed anxiously in an attempt to salvage what pride I had left.

“That’s okay, I’m pretty pathetic when it comes to sports myself” his voice was soft as he laughed with me, “not to mention the heat today,”

“Right?! I swear it’s insane how they make us run in this heat. I wonder if we can report them to a student union or something…“

As I looked over at the person who was holding me up, I froze mid-motion. Next to me stood a young male student, probably around my age, with puppy dog-like brown eyes, a soft fringe that bounced in the wind and the cutest smile. Huge Labrador energy.  

My heart skipped a few beats as our eyes met, I just couldn’t look away.

“S…Sorry was there something on my face, or did I make you feel uncomfortable at all?” He began sheepishly as he finished pulling me up.

“No! Not at all!” I squeaked in panic as I jumped back a few steps, my ears were now a bright red. He stifled a grin.

“Jinju!” Pyo-ri was running across the field towards us, “You alright-?” she stopped dead in her tracks as she saw I wasn’t alone, “I mean… looks like you got all the help you need”

“I’m sorry I need to get going…” he paused as though hesitating to leave, “I think next period is starting soon” he smiled that irresistible smile of his before with a small wave he jogged off towards the main building.

“Jinju… JINJU!” Pyo-ri waved her hands in front of my face as I continued to stare after shadow boy as he climbed the stairs and disappeared over the horizon.

“Girl, that boy has got you looking like a dead fish with your mouth open like that,” she giggled as she followed my gaze.

I rolled my eyes at Pyo-ri as I began to land back into reality, “Whatever, you made me run in the damn heat, let alone come help when your best friend collapsed from heat stroke”

“Hey hey now, I didn’t make you run. I simply warned you of the consequences of not running. And also, did you not see me run at least 800 metres to your aid? What you mean I didn’t come help you? Stop being so dramatic,”

We both paused before laughing, “But who was that? He looked like he was in our year but I don’t recall seeing him around before” I looked back to where he was last seen near the stairs.

“You mean Jin-sung? Oh man, don’t get me started on him”

Pyo-ri was what they called a huntress. To define a huntress, it would mean someone who dated like they would hunt prey. Once she had her eyes on someone, Pyo-ri was relentless until she’d land a date with them at least once. But similar to hunters, and to the detriment of her love-life, she did it for the thrill of the hunt. Meaning she never stayed with one partner for long, with the longest relationship she had being a month. Being not only the cute, but the smart and outgoing type definitely meant that her huntress status was well known across the school.

This also meant she knew about pretty much every guy in school.

“He’s either not interested in girls or he’s just a brick wall when it comes to romance, trust me I’ve tried” she continued, “Either way, he’s super quiet most of the time and keeps to himself. Probably why you haven’t seen him around,”

“I mean he seemed nice? Surely you saw his puppy dog eyes right, he had this like Labrador look…”

“Jinju I swear to god, it’s the ones with puppy dog eyes that you’ve got to be the most cautious of! If you ask me, he’s a land mine filled with red flags including the one where he doesn’t seem to do anything else aside from read all day. Don’t even think about it. Boys like that only give you heartache I promise you that.”

Doubtful but also with the school bell ringing in the distance, I made my way back to the classroom. It didn’t matter anyway, it seemed like I wouldn’t be running into him anytime soon.