Chapter 6: Leverage

Monday morning arrived with a knock on their door. Simone answered it to find a staff member holding two garment bags.

“Miss Park’s uniforms,” the woman said with a smile. “Fresh from alterations.”

“Thank you!” Simone took them and closed the door, turning to where Eun Bin was just emerging from the bathroom, hair still damp from her shower.

“They’re here!” Simone held up the bags.

Eun Bin’s face lit up. She quickly unzipped one bag and pulled out the skirt. Even on the hanger, it was obviously much smaller than before.

“Oh my god, look at it!” She held it up against herself. “It actually looks like it might fit!”

“Try it on. I want to see.”

Eun Bin disappeared into the bathroom and emerged a few minutes later in her full uniform. The transformation was remarkable. The skirt sat perfectly at her natural waist, the hem hitting just above her knees at the regulation length. The blouse actually fit her shoulders and torso instead of hanging like a tent. The blazer had been tailored to her small frame, the sleeves ending exactly at her wrists.

“You look amazing,” Simone breathed.

Eun Bin turned to look at herself in the mirror mounted on their closet door. Her eyes widened. “I look ... I look like I actually belong here.”

“You do belong here.” Simone came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist. “But yes, the uniform definitely helps. You look professional. Confident.”

“I feel confident.” Eun Bin leaned back against her. “For the first time in forever, I don’t feel like a little kid playing dress-up.”

“That’s because you’re not. You’re a young woman who finally has clothes that fit.” Simone kissed the top of her head. “Come on, we should get to breakfast.”

Walking across campus, Simone noticed the difference immediately. Other students still glanced at Eun Bin—she was still notably tiny—but the looks were different now. Less “what’s wrong with her?” and more just normal curiosity about a small girl.

At breakfast, they sat with a few other freshmen who’d become friendly acquaintances. A girl named Maya from South Africa asked Eun Bin about her uniform.

“They tailored it for you? That’s so cool. I wish they’d make mine shorter—I’m drowning in this skirt.”

“They have a seamstress on staff,” Eun Bin explained, more confident than she would have been a week ago. “Madame Laurent. She was really nice about it.”

“I might have to visit her then. These standard sizes are terrible.”

The conversation flowed naturally, and Simone watched with pride as Eun Bin engaged without fear, even laughing at Maya’s joke about the cafeteria’s attempt at “authentic” Korean food.

She’s really coming into her own, Simone thought.

Classes proceeded normally. In History, Madame Rousseau called on Eun Bin again, and this time Eun Bin answered without the paralyzing fear—her voice still quiet, but steady.

At lunch, they found their usual spot in the courtyard. The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny.

“I need to use the restroom,” Simone said after they finished eating. “Be right back.”

“Okay. I’ll wait here.”

Simone headed to the nearest building—the arts center, which had public restrooms on the first floor. She pushed through the door marked “TOILETTES” and immediately heard sounds from one of the stalls.

Sounds that made her freeze.

“Yes, like that,” a female voice moaned. “Suck it, Angie! Suck me good!”

Simone recognized that voice immediately. Charlotte.

And the sounds ... the wet sounds, the moaning ... there was no mistaking what was happening.

Simone’s mind raced. She could leave. Pretend she hadn’t heard anything. Or...