The classroom felt unusually quiet that morning.
Jisoo sat in her seat, staring at her notebook, but her mind was somewhere else.
Last night's memories kept coming back…
Her family arguing.
Her voice ignored.
The feeling of being… unwanted.
She shook her head.
"Focus, Jisoo…" she whispered.
The teacher walked in.
"Take out your pens. Surprise test."
Jisoo's heart dropped.
"…Again?"
The paper landed on her desk.
She read the first question.
Then the second.
Then the third.
Nothing.
Her mind went completely blank.
Her fingers tightened.
Why does this always happen…
A flash crossed her mind—
A younger Jisoo, trying to explain herself…
But no one listening.
No one believing her.
She blinked quickly, holding back tears.
"Not now…" she whispered.
Beside her.
Kevin was writing smoothly, like everything was easy.
Jisoo looked at her paper again.
Still empty.
Time passed.
Her breathing became uneven.
"I can't fail… not again…"
Then—
A paper slowly moved toward her.
Jisoo froze.
She looked sideways.
Kevin didn't look at her.
But the answers were there.
Her heart started racing.
"Why is he doing this…" she thought.
Her hands trembled.
She knew it was wrong.
But the fear inside her was louder.
The fear of failing.
The fear of being called useless again
Last five minutes," the teacher said.
That was it.
Jisoo picked up her pen… and copied.
"Time's up."
The papers were collected.
Jisoo couldn't even look up.
Guilt filled her chest.
"Jisoo. Kevin. Stay back."
Her stomach tightened.
The classroom emptied.
The teacher placed both papers on the desk.
"Same answers."
Silence.
Jisoo lowered her head.
"I copied."
Her voice was soft, almost breaking.
Kevin looked at her.
This time… differently.
"And you?" the teacher asked him.
Kevin replied calmly:
"I didn't stop her."
Jisoo looked at him, surprised.
He didn't expose her.
He didn't blame her.
You will both retake the test tomorrow," the teacher said.
"Don't repeat this."
Outside the classroom—
Jisoo walked quickly, trying to hide her tears.
"Jisoo."
Kevin's voice stopped her.
She didn't turn.
"Why did you help me?" she asked quietly.
Kevin stepped closer.
"You were struggling."
Jisoo laughed softly—but it sounded broken.
"I'm always struggling."
Kevin frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Jisoo stayed silent for a moment.
Then said slowly—
"No matter what I do… it's never enough."
Her voice shook.
"At home… at school… everywhere."
Kevin didn't interrupt.
For once, he just listened.
"I don't even have real friends," she continued.
"And now… I cheated."
She wiped her eyes quickly.
"I hate myself."
Silence.
Kevin spoke softly—
"Then don't."
Jisoo looked at him, confused.
"Don't hate yourself for one mistake," he said.
His voice wasn't cold anymore.
"It doesn't define you."
Jisoo stared at him.
No one had ever said that to her before.
Kevin looked away.
"Tomorrow. Library."
She blinked.
"…What?"
"You'll study properly," he said.
Why do you care?" she asked again.
Kevin paused.
Then said quietly—
"Because you shouldn't feel like that."
Jisoo's heart skipped.
He turned and walked away.
Like it meant nothing.
But to Jisoo—
It meant everything.
👉 For the first time…
Someone didn't judge her.