In a sudden panic, Minnie's arms went up to protect her body, opening her eyes. She saw Miss Cho's worried look, her hand hovering just above her injured body. 
"D-Don't do it," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "D-Don't touch me."
Miss Cho's eyes widened behind her glasses, her hand immediately retreating. 
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to check on you, Minnie-ah," she said, her voice full of genuine concern. 
But Minnie's mind was racing, her heart was beating like a drum. She had to get out of here, she had to hide, she had to run.
With a surge of strength she didn't know she had, Minnie stood up, ignoring the pain coursing through her. She stumbled on her feet, knocking over her chair in her haste.
"I-I'm fine," she murmured, her voice shaking as she tried to gather her books. The room tilted and she felt the world shut down around her. "I-I just need to... go to the infirmary."
Miss Cho's eyes searched hers, a silent question in their depths. But Minnie kept her gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding the worried glances of her classmates. She turned and ran out of the room, without waiting for permission. The cool air of the hallway was a relief against her feverish skin, but the sound of her labored breathing was like a taunt. 
Minnie reached the infirmary on her floor, asking for painkillers and a bed to rest.
The nurse took her temperature, giving her some pills, before letting her rest.
Minnie lay down on the bed, closing her eyes, feeling her body and head beat as if there were a drum inside them.
Hours passed without Minnie realizing it, until she reopened her eyes, seeing Miss Cho sitting next to her.
"Minnie-ah, can you hear me?"
Minnie nodded, sitting up slightly, trying not to make a single sound, despite the pain in her bones and all over her body.
"How do you feel?" 
"Better." she said. "I've taken some pills."
"If you have a fever, you should've stayed home." the woman said softly, with genuine concern.
"It would have been worse and then I would have accumulated more hours of absence." she explained, her tone impassive and disinterested. 
Minnie looked up at the wall clock, reading the time.
Classes had been over for twenty minutes and she had to be at work in less than half an hour.
The girl got out of bed, quickly tying her shoes.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, Minnie-ah?" Miyeon asked, worried. "I need you to sign the report of what happened in today's lesson. And I also have to call your parents to let them know."
"I'll sign tomorrow, Miss. I have to go now, I'm late." Minnie said, worried, looking for her backpack. "Don't call my parents. They don't need to know what happened today. Thank you for your help, really, but I really have to go now."
Miss Cho studied her for a moment before nodding slowly. 
"Remember that if you need anything, my classroom door is always open," she said softly and, her words hung in the air, a sweet promise of comfort.
Minnie said nothing else, darting out of the infirmary.
She started running through the empty corridors, desperately trying to reach the exit. Minnie's chest heaved in panic. She had to escape.