I'm having lunch at the cafeteria with Mira, Emma, Sam and other girls from our class when a tall guy, in black track pants, white denim jacket over his white plain t-shirt and white baseball cap passes by. He's hunching over a big laptop back pack while holding a cup of latte on his right and his left hand swinging while holding a black binder. Everyone's eyes are on him, drooling. Sam is rolling his eyes. I'm scared that he might be seeing his brain inside. I took a bite of lunch.
"Stop drooling." I said.
"So, Alli, do you know anyone you can introduce to us? Like single cute boy?" Emma asked without batting an eye.
I almost choke on my rice and fried tofu. I'm pounding on my chest and coughing what's left on the opening of my lungs. Everyone's eyes are on me this time.
I'm pretty sure she's talking about Reider and I want to hit her for it. She's doing this because I am not telling her everything about him in the past days. We've gone out for some drinks but that doesn't mean we're in any friendly relationship now. Yeah, we've literally run into each other one time and gave each other a mix.
"What?" I asked after almost dying.
Mira seemed to enjoy the idea and turn to me. "Great idea."
"Not really." I answered.
"I saw you walking with that cute freshman one morning." Jeo said.
"Yeah. One morning."
"How old is he?" Mira asked.
"We're not close. And besides we have a docu to finish. Send me the questions for revising later."
Everyone groans.
"Guys, we all wanted this, right? Wanted to do a field project."
"She's right. And besides, I don't want to go chasing after a freshman." Sam said shaking his whole body in disagreement. I want to kiss him for helping me. But I will not because that is disgusting.
"Come on, Alli. If you're not dating the guy,"
"Of course not."
"…just introduce him to us. If you're not close, just ask him if wants to meet new people. There's no harm in that, right?"
I sigh. I don't know how to convince them that I can't be a match maker when I have a script to write. But I think I won't be able to get out of here if I just say no. and without thinking…
"All right, whatever. But I can't do anything if he refuse." I said.
I collected my stuff and drag Emma and Sam out of there. I heard them squealing and talking about where to meet and what to wear.
I can't really deal with girls who have a lot of time to play around. It's not like guys are going to run out if they don't find and date one.
We walk down the hall to our class. While I'm inside my brain, I felt Emma's nudge. I nudge back.
"What? Please stop asking for favors. I'm so busy."
"Not that. look." She said pointing her pouted lips on the direction of Reider. "What's his name again?"
"I forgot."
"You can't be serious."
"I am."
We entered our class.
I sent Reider a message.
Do u have time?
Why?
I'd rather you say you're busy
Now?
I'm not tho
All right.
My friends are asking
if you like to meet
and bring your friends.
Please say no
Say no
Sure.
What?!
You're gonna regret it.
You'll be there, right?
I hate to be but yeah
Then we're good.
How's that good? How? Ugh. I hate it here. I have no time for this but I am forced to.
The girls set up a place at a local resto on the weekend.
Everyone is so excited that they forgot that we have a deadline. I'm so mad but I can't do anything so I just finished all the works on my own. I'm gonna get back on them after this
I'm kicking my shoes on the pavement waiting for everybody. They finally arrived and we entered the resto. Reider text me to ask if we're meeting beforehand but I told him to just go there straight away because I still have to meet with my other groupmates beforehand. He said all right and see you.
I'm so not in the mood for this. I didn't even slept a bit last night because I have a lot to finish. We need also need to do an interview for our docu next weekend. I'm not complaining because I like this but doing something else out of the blue irritates me.
Everyone arrived and took their seats.
"So, Alli, where's your friend?" Mira asked.
"I'm not sure. Maybe they're on their way. I'll message him."
I texted Reider.
Hey, what's your name again?
Seriously?
Yeah.
Yoon.
And Reider is not my surname.
Sorry I lied.
I don't know why he had to lie. But I'm not mad or anything because we're not even friends. Right?
He's cute but we're not friends so I'm not offended or anything.
That's okay. I don't care.
Aren't you even gonna ask why?
It's none of my business
and it's not like
we're close, right?
Uh-huh. So we're not friends?
I thought we are.
Oh, don't get me wrong.
We can be if you want to.
I just don't want to assume.
Where are you now tho?
They're asking.
Near.
Yoon and his friends arrived after a few minutes. Yoon entered with three other guys from another course. They look familiar but I don't know them.
Yoon is wearing jeans and a white t-shirt under his windbreaker. He looks good with his unbrushed hair.
Mira leaned over to reach me and whispered. "He's cute."
"How did you know which one is he?" I asked.
"Wild guess."
I don't know what's wrong with me but I kind of regretted that I even asked Yoon to come here. Maybe because I don't want to be here either or I don't want other girls to know him. Well, yes, I'm kind of attracted to him but I am not entertaining this feeling. I don't think he'll even be attracted to someone like me either. Better not get my hopes up.
We ordered our food while everyone is talking to Yoon and his friend. He's sitting across me and in between Lif and his other friend that I forgot what his name was. I am sitting beside Sam and Emma who's sitting next to Mira.
Mira started showing interest at Yoon.
"So, how old are you?" Miras asked Yoon
"Same as you."
"Really? How did that happen?"
"I studied abroad."
"Ah. How did you know Alli?"
I almost choke. Can't they just leave me alone? Yoon looked at me then back at Mira.
"Bus ride." Yoon asnwered.
"That's cool. So do you leave near her?"
"Yeah. We're new there so sometimes I ask her for direction." He looked at me again and added, "But we're not close."
Okay, did I do something wrong? I haven't said a word to him since they arrived. I just don't know what to say.
"Maybe we can we be close." Mira said as she shifted and focus on Yoon.
I know what was happening. She liked him. I made the right decision not to get involved with Yoon today. I don't to get involved with any of Mira's affairs. That'll be too messy.
Everyone continued with their conversation.
I had my focus on Yoon the entire time. He's sometimes smiles when someone cracks a joke but most of the time he steals glances at me which then I pretend that I am talking to Sam who just make a face at me and messes my hair.
He looks out of place now. Nobody's talking to him. I can't talk to him. Ugh, I don't know what to do but I can't be friendly with him while Mira is looking. I don't want to happen what happened between me and her ex. I just don't want her to hate me or something. And besides, he and I aren't really that close. Right?
I continue talking to Sam and Emma. Mira is on her phone now. Yoon is about to get up.
"Where are you going?" Emma asked.
Yoon turn while reaching for his jacket.
"Home?" He answered.
"Why?" Emma asked.
"I don't know."
Everyone's so busy with their conversations that nobody noticed him going for the door.
Emma looked at me.
"What?" I said. "I can't make him stay."
Emma gave me a knowing look. I stood up without saying anything.
"See you." Emma said.
Sam gave me a puzzled look while still having conversation with other people.
I went outside too go after Yoon. I can't find him. What do I do now?
I walked a little more. I saw him.
"Hey!" I called out to him.
He turned.
"Why are you leaving so early?" I asked.
"It's awkward."
I know.
"And you aren't even talking to me." He added.
"Um, you know..." I started.
"I don't know." He said and turn his back and continue walking.
Wait, why is he mad?
"Wait. I'm sorry. It's just..."
"It's fine. I'll just go home." Yoon said, waved his hand and walked ahead.
"Wait." I called. He stopped and face me.
"Why are you mad?" I asked. "Because I am not talking to you in there? I should I talk to you?"
He isn't answering but just staring at me.
"See? That's the problem. We aren't even friends but you're mad at me because I wasn't friendly with you in front of people."
I sigh in frustration.
"Can we not make this a big deal? I'm being friendly to you now and asking you if there's a problem. I can't talk to you because I think my friend's into you. I don't want her to make assumptions..."
I wasn't able to finish what I'm saying because he leaned in to me. His mouth near my ears and he whispers,
"Because I am always thinking about you, that's the problem. And I don't want you wanting me to be close with anyone else."
His breath is tickling my ears but I dared not to move. I think I am not even breathing. I think my heart stopped beating. Or is it beating too fast? I don't know.