"I don't even have time to deal with you today " both hands busily searched through the large file of documents on his desk, her homeroom teacher whispered as he finally noticed the familiar figure standing with her slip. Her chemistry teacher, who had forced her to stay and clean the lab, had made her late for her English class, where she was given the slip and sent to get her punishment from her homeroom teacher.

There was no hint of fear that accompanied her eyes. Since the first time her empty eyes stared back at him, they had never been scared of him. No matter what he did or how much he insulted her, there was no visual reaction to anything. Her eyes were never scared or angry. She just stood there taking in whatever he threw. Forget being scared; they didn't even seem bothered to pay attention to him, as though he was a nobody. In his two-decade work in this school, he has seen all types of students but never one like her. She was different from any of the scholarship students he enjoyed bossing around.

" 10 hours of service; go ask the janitors or someone what to do" his eyes were still unwilling to glance up at her cold glare and went on searching for the sample exam he was supposed to submit days ago. Giving a quick bow, she was out as quickly as she walked in. Wow, today was different. She was being sent away without being insulted and belittled by the people there to educate and motivate her. It was part of her school experience she looked forward to. Who doesn't love being told they wouldn't amount to anything on a random Monday morning.

" huh," she sighed. Her brain was too busy trying to figure out how she would fit 10 hours of service into her crazy schedule this week. Considering the number of hours she has worked cleaning this school, it was no startling matter that she had considered just applying for the custodian position. She was doing the job anyway, so why not get paid? From the bathroom stalls, the tea garden, the library, classrooms, the boy's locker, game rooms, club offices, study rooms, nap lounges...there was no floor she hadn't mopped or a window she hadn't wiped in the highschool' sections of the great campus. She sometimes enjoyed it because she was left alone and provided all the keys she needed to explore the great campus. In the beginning, she had done it intentionally. She needed to know the building inside and out, and the only possible way to do it without being questioned was to be assigned to clean it. It was a great way to plan hiding spots, escapes, and secret locations.

" did you get the invitation "

" No, did you?

" Of course I did; I told you I am close with them " her classmates were invariably occupied in their affairs as she slowly walked to her desk and sat down. Her tired eyes on the window, she has a lot to daydream about as she takes in the view of the dark sky that hangs above the grand garden. Floating above, the dark clouds were more than mesmerizing to the girl whose only wish was to be as light as air and float away. If by some miracle, God or whoever was in the heavens, for once, granted her wish and let her be, she would just ask to lay on the clouds and float away into nonexistence. Oh, how she would sacrifice anything in seconds to be granted that wish. . . but she knew all she could do was just stare at the dark cloud eternally. She was well aware of, how unfavorable the heavens were.

It doesn't take much then for the thin needle-like pain to strike right where it hurts. Not even a second does she give it, though, as she bites her lip and swallows it down, and turns blank again. It was one of her best traits. Being sad or gloomy was a luxury she could afford.

Thick-skinned.

Stony eyed.

Distant.

Cold Blooded . . . whatever you want to call it, being emotionless was what she was unequaled at.

She stared blankly at the clouds as they turned from gray to the warning black before millions of their teardrops started attacking the cold city. Her earphones that never leave her ears were gently dancing along to her every step as she started walking out of the classroom. She chose to walk along the wall with her lunchbox in her right hand, taking small steps. No matter how hard she tried to force herself, her worn-out legs had given up on marching as usual. Her eyes hide behind the dark strands of hair weaving left; she counts the beautiful tiles her black boots were slowly stepping on. Her slouching shoulder and bowed head added to the fragile and limp way she was walking; anybody who saw her would be intrigued, if not worried, by what was going on with the so-called "mute girl" today.

Unseen and unheard, she walks along, avoiding being in anybody's way. The line of her schoolmates walking alongside her was like the thin dream figures that had just passed by.

She didn't exist in their world; they existed in hers.

No hiding place left; she had decided to just eat in the girl's bathroom by the game rooms. Not many girls ever used the game room, so she won't be bothered. Legs criss crossed, she sat atop the fourth stall. No matter how disgusting, it was better than being noticed. The memory of the hot coffee thrown at her was still very fresh, and she knew to avoid those curious eyes as much as possible. The last thing she wants to do is get noticed by any of the boys that run the school. That was the first warning she was provided at the scholarship kids' orientations. Stay away from the four boys. Don't bother them. Don't talk to them. Don't get in their way. Don't even look at them. That was the rule.

"huh," she took another bite of her kimbaba. She was right; the bathrooms were dead quiet since nobody had walked in since she did 45 minutes ago. Her new hiding spot was now chosen. With one hour left until her break, she decides to use it as she reports for duty at the custodian's office.

" Sorry ." even the menacing chief smiled ear to ear as he handed her her clock-in card.

"Third floor, F4 break room. Their lunch needs to be cleaned" his smile didn't fade off as he took in her bewildered face which only lasted a second before she went blank again. He knew none of the charity kids, even this one, wanted to be anywhere near the F4 break room. Even he wouldn't want to walk into that room, not even when it was empty, let alone when the boys were there. But he did enjoy sending the kids up there. It was like sending the innocent young lamp to the hungry tiger's cage.

" Good luck" his right hand nonchalantly patted her back as he walked past her and left the room. Just for that simple touch, he didn't even think twice about it; she had moved him up her list. He was the touchy one out of all the staff she interacted with at this school. The first time she saw his sleazy smile, she accepted his reputation of being touchy with the scholarship girls that were sent his way.

Click- she clocked herself in and headed to change her uniform.

It takes a couple of minutes to collect all the cleaning supplies, cart, and everything else she needs before she heads to the third floor. She could pray the boys wouldn't be in the room, but she knew her prayer was never answered. She knew she always had the worst luck, so she is expecting all four to be there. Not just be there but be in their regular asshole mode. She should be scared, and she was scared but... Since when has she avoided a situation because of fear . . . NEVER.

Being ridiculed and pushed around by some spoiled billionaires was a situation she now has to consider as a test of her patience.

"I don't know what is going on between you two, but I am sure she is not gonna be happy if you don't show up" Woobin rigorously pushed the right button on his remote and shouted as he stayed glued to the big screen in front. He wasn't the only one that missed the girl who had just walked in; Junpyo was sitting by the corner of the couch, eyes glued to the book in his hand, hadn't caught how cautiously she had walked in. The massive cart she pushed in as she entered was too quiet for any of the boys to notice. They never paid any attention to the staff anyway, even when they saw them. They were trained since they were born, and the hired staff were never people they needed to pay any attention to. They are invisible ghosts who exist to make their lives easier. And as expected, none of them noticed the girl that cleared the lunch buffet which took about 15 minutes.

"She will kill him if he doesn't show up" Yijong was the one that continued the discussion as his bewildered eyes followed along the girl who was walking to the coroner table the other side of the room, to clear the drinks table. He was never good with recalling faces but even he was assured that was the girl his friend threw coffee on a week or so ago. His eyes turning back to Jihoo to confirm the fact, he found the latter just as taken aback by her presence.

" HEY " just as he confirmed it was the same person shouted out his fingers, pointing her way.

" It's that girl" he added as his lips parted for a big smile. He knew whatever was gonna come out of this was gonna be entertaining.

His loud scream didn't seem to bother her at all as she placed all the drinks on the cart and started walking to the table they were seated around. She needs to clean the dessert dishes. As though she couldn't even see them, not once looking their way as she walked to the table. But her eyes hiding behind her hair needed only a couple of seconds to assess the situation. The one fighting with the game console in his hand was the one she got a good view of as the two that sat around the couch set and turned their eyes her way. The only thing she could make of the fourth one was his long legs that lay crisscrossed on the table.

" FUCK. What girl?" cursing at his own failure to turn right, Woobin asked, for now not interested in anything but winning.

" Zip it, or I'll tell him what you did to his car' Jihoo moving in closer, threatened Yijeong. The other two were distracted by what they were doing; he knew he could silence Yijeong to make sure this poor girl got out of the room in peace. Joonpyo's curious eyes were looking for her from their balcony earlier playing in his mind; Jihoo knew nothing good will come out of neither Junpyo nor Woobin noticing her.

" Ohum," Yijeong swallowed his words back in. It wasn't surprising that his friends would come to the rescue. He was the school president anyway.

" So are we going ?" when the room stayed silent for a minute or two Woobin asked. Confused and unaware of what to do, Jihoo was left just looking back and forth between the girl cleaning the table and the one busily attacking his enemies with his 2D car. His small fidgeting was nothing compared to how he had moved to the edge of the sofa, his mind going crazy to come up with something quick to get this girl out of this room. Thankfully, Junpyo was busy with the book he was reading and never paid any attention to the staff. He is the last person who would notice anybody who worked for him. And if he did, it was never a good thing, and the best outcome would be getting them fired.

" Why wouldn't he? He always does," Jihoo shouted out, keeping his eyes on the girl. Would it be too noticeable if he went to the table and told her to run out of this room? Or should he somehow drag her out of the room?

" Do we have to get her a gift ?"

" OMG NOOOO" Yijeong shouted about buying a gift, taking all his attention off the foreign person in their room.

" I don't even buy gifts for my own girlfriends" picking his phone up, he went on complaining.

" I am sure they are very pleased about that " Jihoo's comeback had gotten a quick glance from Yijeong before he returned his angry eyes to his phone.

"What are you getting her, Junpyo ?" Woobin was the one to ask as the two by the sofa finally turned their eyes to the one sitting next to them. The reply they were waiting for never came as his eye religiously following the words hadn't looked up for about an hour stayed true to the book. He wasn't part of the conversations. He was in his own little world. That always happened whenever he got a book. Since he was a kid, they all know never to bother him when he was reading. He never pays any attention to anything around him once he gets a hold of a book. Nothing else exists. But thankfully, it was hard for him to find books he found interesting.

" Himself, " Yijeong, throwing his phone down, replied with a smile as he pointed his eyes to the cart that was placed by the door. The red apron she had on was the only thing that looked lively. She looked ghostly despite his curious eyes that stayed on her for seconds. Her untamed dark hair was beyond scrays as it covered most of her pale face. Her thin figure was nothing to boast about either as Yijeong glanced her up and down. Her shoes look interesting he assessed as he scanned her back up.

" I know she would enjoy that " Woobin out of nowhere, dropped his game and jumped onto the seat next to jihoo. Leaning forward, he grabbed one of the apples.

" Maybe I'll get her some risky picture of him " lifting his legs up onto the table, he sent his eyes to the one he was talking about.

" Sorry, but why do you have risky pics of him ?" the only logical one, Jihoo asked.

" Why? Do you want one too?" Woobin's eyes were quick as they turn mischievously towards Jihoo sitting in front of him.

" You need to grow up" Jihoo's right hand, with some force, pushed Woobin's leg off the table.

" and you need to relax "

" If we go to this party, we have to make sure Jihoo gets some, " Woobin added, getting a small laugh from Yijeong.

" I am just looking out for you. '' Woobin added, Jihoo's antagonizing eyes glaring his way was something he enjoyed since the day they met.

" So are we getting her a gi . ." just as his eyes landed on the figure across the room, his words disappeared. It didn't take much time for both Yijeong and Jihoo to notice that he had finally noticed her presence.

" OMMO! Who do we have here ? " jumping up he started his slow walk toward that girl that just went on stacking the used glasses onto the cart. That was her last task.

"cleaning duty, I see . ." his eyes had trailed from her dark hair down to the heel of her black boots.

" What are you wearing? " his hand was a bit warm as he grabbed onto her arm and swung her around. The red apron she had on didn't quite match her as well as the full gray overall she had on. Her head she always kept bowed, was something he enjoyed seeing. She seemed to be one of the charity kids who fully understood the rule that she couldn't even look up at them.

"Woobin" Jihoo was the one trying to handle the situation as always. Even though curious, none of them got to see her eyes that stayed hidden as she kept her head bowed. Let it be a quick slap, a kick, a punch ... she was ready for any of it as she stood still two or three steps away from him. She knew he had enough space to land the bottom of his shoes against her stomach if he wanted to. She would take it in quietly too. She only had two months or so left in this school. She can handle these childish games for that long. Considering the hell her life has been, this was nothing.

" What's with the hair?" sending his left hand into his pocket, he asked as he lifted his right hand that pointed at her head. The distasteful way his eyes glared up and down was one thing, but his slow walk around her was something else. It was as though he was looking at a creature he had never seen before.

" Just let her do her job, " Jihoo, taking quick steps, was now standing between the small figure and the scary one circling her.

"She can't even talk," Jihoo added, hoping that would make her look more pitiful than she already was.

" Wouldn't touch her even if you begged me to; she looks disgusting " the only one his comment stung was Jihoo, who sent his sorry and apologetic eyes her way. Unlike him, she seemed very bothered as she turned around and went back to what she was doing.

" I'm very sorry. He was born a jerk. '' Jihoo apologized as he took a step her way and picked up the fruit bowl placing it on the cart. He didn't get a reply as she just continued her job.

"I don't think you should be coming here " leaning closer he whispered. Again, there was no reply or reaction. The second long lean he just did was enough to give her a hint of what he looked like from close up as his face came into a closer view. Forget how he looked; what caught her attention was how he smelled. The citrus perfume he had on was soothing and as welcoming as his soft smile.

"he could make your life

" Can you tell her to get me something cold to drink," cutting Jihoo, Woobin commanded. Walking past Ji Hoo, she was quick as she started pouring the fruit punch into the three ice cubes she placed in the glass. Jihoo who wanted to offer to take it didn't even get a chance to say a word as she started heading to the table.

" Sit down here and peel this off and cut it to pieces " Woobin's direct order was amusing to him, and Yi Jeong who kept their eyes on the girl kneeling down on the carpet sat by the edge of the table right at the end of the sofa Woobin sat on. She knew the whole thing is about power so why not make him feel all power so she could get away from her as soon as she could? Kneeling and sitting next to his shoes should do it.

With the small knife in her right hand, she picked the apple up and started peeling it. The slightly sharp knife is sharp enough for her to use any form of self-defense if it comes to it but no. If she needed to attack, she had better tools. Her legs being her deadliest weapon she could imagine what their reaction would be like if she ever landed any kick against them. Forget using knives and anything else, even speaking up to them might stun these people to the point they wouldn't even know what to do. Her mind, always programmed for the worst, already knew all the exits out of this room and ways she could disappear if she had to fight back any of these boys. If she even dares to touch any of them, she has to be ready to display them from the face of the earth before they do it themselves.

"Haha" Yi Jeong's little smiles were childish as he kept his eyes glued to the girl on her knees, slowly peeling the apple.

" I'm sure one of our parents are paying for their tuition, better make use of the money" Woobin added as he crisscrossed his leg and placed it right at the edge of the table right in front of her face. Jihoo was the only one who caught her eyes as she glanced up and took in the sparkling shoes in front of her face. The brand name was the only thing her eyes seemed to have noticed before she sent her eyes back to the apple she was tightly holding. There were one hundred and one ways she could end this jerk's life with just the small knife in her hand but it wasn't worth it. She could handle this kind of thing any day, this was way beneath her. These spoiled billions were nothing to waste her energy on. She had bigger fish to fry than bored boys.

" Don't worry, Jihoo, I won't touch her " Woobin, noticing the worried look on his friend's face, smiled as he lit up his cigarette. The latter didn't seem amused; his mind was busy figuring out how to get this girl out of this room.

" They might be useful like this " Woobin had more up his sleeves as he picked the ashtray and placed it onto her head. She was at a perfect distance away from him. Now he doesn't even have to move or stretch his arm away from his body to get to the ashtray.

" huh" Ji Hoo, biting his own teeth, just sat down. He knows there is not much he can do to stop Woobin. One look at his friend and he knew he was only making it worse for her if he kept defending her. Woobin will do anything to get under his skin.

Hidden behind her hair, her sharp eyes scanned each and every one of them from head to toe. Since she has never been this close to any of them, this was a great opportunity she might never ever get. She might as well use the opportunity to get a closer look at the famous F4 boys. Their files she studied and knew by heart in the first months she was assigned, she knew every detail about them. Well, every detail that is available anyway. The suited and kind eyed school president glancing her way once in a while looked very uncomfortable and uneasy about what was going on. His fidgeting hands and the number of times he changed his seating position were evident. The two-piece suit he had on was custom made as it fit his body perfectly well. His clean-cut hair and sharp look was to be expected as he is the sitting student president. she might not have voted for him but he seems to be doing a good job since everybody loves him. Contrary to his clean look the two laughings and giggling were covered by luxurious brands that screamed for attention. Of course, the son of the biggest underground gang family and the grandson of 6th generation of famous artists would be covered in flashy accessories and brand names. Not in the right angle to be taking in their faces she turned her focus onto the one sitting by the other end.

His long legs crisscrossed & laid on the other edge of the table, he sat as glamorous as one could. From his limited edition marked loafers that looked brand new as even their bottom was snow white, her eyes traced all the way up to his luscious dark hair that was brushed back behind his double-pierced ear left and triple-pierced right ears. The diamond earrings dangling down she knew probably cost more than most people's life savings. He was the richest one out of all, anyway. His family last name plastered across the school was enough to let everyone know not even to deal with his shadow let alone him. His dark set of eyes, which she found menacing anytime they glanced her way, was now stuck like glue to whatever he was reading. Unlike his friends, he didn't even bother to look up once since she walked in or was ordered to kneel down and peel some apples. Her turning into a living ashtray table didn't seem to catch his attention either as he didn't even once glance up or try to join in the conversation. Whatever he was reading was the only thing he was paying attention to, and as she followed his long fingers which flipped the page, her eyes landed on the book. That was her book. The slaps she experienced weeks ago were quickly brought back to her attention as she recalled the day her book was left behind in the old music room.

"So do we have to get a gift"

"I am just gonna get her some diamond bracelet or something "

"that's what you got her last year " the two go on chit-chatting as leaning forward she places the cut pieces onto the small plate. It was as though she found it befitting as she nonchalantly went under Women's legs and picked another apple. Something most would find humiliating to do. She didn't fail to place the ashtray back onto her head as she returned back to her position. Three pairs of startled eyes followed her every movement. This girl really had no shame and couldn't be humiliated.

" You would make a nice pet if you weren't mute? "Now even more curious," Woobin asked.

"Won?" Jihoo's response was too quick. But unlike him, what was surprising was how fast Junpyo's eyes finally left the book and looked up. " mute " was something he associated with one person.

"Let's see " leaning closer, Woobin pulled her closer.

" So you can't speak huh?" he yanked her back down onto the floor .Unlike the small nudge she felt at her stomach when the edge of the table hit her, what her mind registered were the piercing dark set of eyes now glaring at her from across the table. They didn't blink or change in emotion as they just peered at the ashtray on the top of her head, her tangled hair , the pale and visible half of her face, her old and worn out uniform , the precise way she peeled the apple in her hands . . . His alienating eyes didn't fail to scan every inch of the girl kneeling on the carpet looking unbothered as ever. His eyes finally landed on their new favorite item, her black boots. This girl really had no other shoes.

His gaze was more antagonizing than curious as he silently took in the scenario he had missed the setup for. What on earth was going on? Before his mind could even process what was happening, Woobin leaned down and pulled her head up by her chin. There were levels to the type of people he found fun to play with. This girl was way below that for him to even touch and he had no shame in showing it as he picked the napkin up and started cleaning the hand he used to lift her chin up.

" You sure know your place" Woobin whispered while his eyes finally glanced at her black eyes. She really looked like a scary ghost. There was no hint of life in this girl. Maybe she was cursed, his mind was quick as it concluded, and he dropped her chin. Jihoo was the only one who caught the movement from Junpyo on the other side of the table. The book he lowered down was placed on his lap as he sat up, his eyes focused on Wonbin's right hand that had pulled her chin up. Her body swung had hit the table again as it tipped the coffee sitting next to Junpyo's feet that were moving away from the table they were placed on. It wasn't her fault but his own leg that kicked the cup that landed on his right foot, spilling the latte all over his shoes.

" Look what you did" , picking the ashtray up from her head Wonbin used her hair to pull her closer to the legs that were coming down from the table.

" fuck" Junpyo's whisper was only meant for him but was heard by all as he placed the book by his side and picked the cup from tipping over the table.

" Clean it" Woobin had been the one to command as he pushed her even closer to Junpyo's leg.

" Clean his shoes," He commanded as all stopped and focused their eyes on the person given the direct command. As though, there were any other choices for her to follow and all waited to see how the girl would proceed. Even Jihoo was curious to see what the girl would do but wasn't shocked when she started crawling to the coffee-covered shoes that were a small distance away from her. Already on her knees, it was better to crawl than to stand up and take a step to get back down again. The small body moving his way was what had Junpyo's attention as his eyes focused on her hands that placed the knife down and picked up the napkin. Before her right hand landed on his shoe, he pulled his feet away and stood up. Her eyes that lifted up had gotten only his legs that started walking to the other side of the room.

" He doesn't like being touched normally. You think he is going to let her touch him" Yijeong gave her the answer she needed to figure out if she should wait for an even more humiliating command to be sent her way for a coffee she didn't spill.

" It's his shoes" Woobin focused on his friend, ignoring the girl that used the napkin to clean up the coffee spilled on the table. It was her job anyway.

" He is not letting these people touch his shoes" Jihoo was the only one that noticed her hands that paused at " these people" before she went on cleaning. Did this girl have any self-respect? Even he questioned as he kept his eyes on the girl that stood up and started heading to the cart. The coffee will need cleaning supplies to wipe off.

" Can we get her a painting or something? " Yijeong, wanting to solve this issue before he left for class, asked to change the subject to what they should do about Junpyo's girlfriend's birthday party.

" Junpyo, what are you getting her? " Yijeong asked, forcing Jihoo to return his eye to the room his best friend entered.

"Is he even going to the party ?" Woobin standing up, left the rest as he startled, walking away to the bathroom.

" How can he not go? " Yijeong was the second to leave as he walked to the pool table.

" Just leave" Jihoo, moving closer, whispered as he picked the ashtray up from her head and placed it on the table. His kind words and warm voice could comfort anybody when he whispered them like that, but nothing was as heartwarming as his gentle eyes and small smile he sent her way as he placed his warm hand on her head and started brushing her hair for whatever cigarette piece that might be left. His warm and spending fingers were as gentle as they could be as they brushed her hair, his eyes focused on hers that finally looked up right at him. His soft smile, and his glowing eyes, both increased in size as they made out her eyes staring at him.

" I am sorry" he whispered as he followed her hands that pulled on the cart and started walking to the table she was sent to clean.

She has 9 more hours of cleaning service to do and all she could wish for was to be assigned tomorrow.

Ac