"How are you enjoying your stay in school?" Her mum asked after dinner time.
"Trying everything possible to get the best out of it." Alex replied, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"You enjoyed the food." Ann asked again.
"Well, just a little bit." She replied.
"So, how was your first day like?" Ann asked.
With a sigh of exasperation, she shook her head in confusion.
"What's with this question tonight?" Alex asked, wondering.
"Of course I'm expected to ask know how interesting or boring your first day at school might be." Ann replied teasingly.
"Well, it was somehow or should I say, boring and interesting at the same time." Alex replied.
"In what aspect?" Ann asked, not giving in.
Heaving a heavy sigh she confessed.
"Really mum, I can't even categorize them... I made new friends, and messed up someone school wear with a tray of... Food." She completed.
"I guess that's the worst part of your day right, did he or she exchange words with you?" Ann said.
"I don't know how to say this mum... It was that same guy I slapped at the store." She said, making Ann choke on the glass of water she was drinking.
"Are you hurt?" Alex asked.
"No... I should be asking you that. Did he by any chance hit you back?" Ann asked in expectation.
"Not all men are woman hitters." She commented.
"Guess you're lucky after all." Ann said, gulping her glass of water down her throat.
"The most interesting part is that, do you remember that girl I saw the first day we arrived?" She asked her mum who replied her eyes in thought.
"Mmmmm... I think I remember." Ann said with a nod.
"She attends the same school, and she in my class, my seat partner. Lucky me." She completed fanning herself with her hand.
"Yeah, lucky you knew someone. You know your day today, was just full of luck, I didn't figure out anything boring." Ann replied.
"Only if she knew... Damnit." She thought slapping her forehead subconscious of her mum presence.
"You won't stop being a drama queen sweetheart. My application is pending approval." Ann reminded.
"I forgot to ask, sorry mum." She said apologetically.
The rest of the meal was fun enough, they talked and laugh over little funny things. Ann seeing her daughter happy flutters her heart as she figure out a more better way to make the rest of her day here in South Korea memorable.
Weeks Later.
Her mum was right. All she have to do you is give her heart a chance to adapt to the surroundings. She tried a lot to enjoy every bit of her stay in school by hanging around with Lee Ja-Young, her new friend and neighbor.
Well, as she expected, Baek Hyeon as being cutting her off, obviously not wanting to have anything with her.
"Hi Hyeon." She said as she crossed path with him on her way to class.
"How may I help you?" He asked, ignoring her pleasantries.
"Hyeon." She started, gathering a little courage.
"I'm listening." He said with his hard gaze all over her, which led to her stuttering.
"Well... I... I'm..."
"Baek Hyeon!" Kim Da-Eun called hurrying towards them with a friend accompanying her.
"She's so unpredictable." Alex muttered beneath her breath clenching her fist. She have come to realize the fact that no matter how hard she tried to get close to her, Da-Eun obviously despise her.
"Da-Eun." He replied tucking his hand back inside his pocket.
"You look breathtaking this morning." She commented flattering.
"You're not an exemption." He replied not moved by her flattery comment.
"Flattered, aren't you?" Her friend asked, nudging her.
"Thank you... Well, I..." Da-Eun started, but was cut halfway.
"I'll see you later today Hyeon." Alex said making her way to the classroom, giving Da-Eun a little bit of satisfaction.
"I really have to get somewhere, if you don't mind." He said, and not waiting for a reply, started down the corridor to God knows where.
"Why is he so hard to get?" She cried out in frustration.
"He's not just ready, you should understand. How he looks at you, and, remember his commentary earlier? He really likes you, he's not just admitting it." Her friend confronted in excitement holding her arm, while she just roll the tip of her hair, reflecting on her friend's words.
"She's right." She thought in reverie picturing his handsome features.
"Looks like someone is lost!" Her friend teased.
"Come on." She said hurrying towards the class, blood rising to her cheeks.
* * *
"Grrrrrrrrrrr."
The bell jingles, signaling the end of the day lecture, students scurried out of the class, while some few stayed behind, tidying up the class before closing for the day.
"Mum might be waiting." Alex said, hanging her bag across her shoulder.
"Alex, Sis!" Ja-Young sister called out peeping in.
"Tell her we'll join her in the next 2 minutes." Ja-Young replied, grabbing her bag, while her sister left with the message she was asked to deliver.
"Let's go." Alex said, grabbing her bag, but was stopped by Da-Eun obstructing her way.
"And where do you think you're going?" She asked crossing her arms across her chest.
"Is that suppose to be a question?" Alex asked, avoiding being rude.
"Whatever you think it is, just answer the question." Da-Eun replied.
"For goodness sake, we're going home." Ja-Young retorted, grabbing Alex hand.
"She have to tidy up before she leave, you know the rules too well to break it Ja-Young. Or, are you still broken you didn't get the post of being the class president?" She asked, a slight smile escaping her lips.
"Come on Alex." Ja-Young said, not hesitant to drag her along on her way out.
"What was that?" Alex asked somewhat surprised as both made their way downstairs.
"It's nothing, she's just trying to make a fuse." She repled, not going further on the discussion.
They got to Ja-Young mum's waiting car, with Ha-Eun already sitted waiting for them impatiently, she didn't waver to reprimand them.
"What was with the delay?" She asked, brow furrowed as she stared at them through the rear-view mirror.
"Will you just stop poke nosing." Her sister replied rashly shutting the door, and without another questioning, Mrs. Lee started the car, and their off.
"How was today Alex?" Mrs. Lee asked taking a glimpse of her on the rear-view mirror.
"Not too bad." She replied.
"She actually had fun." Ja-Young added, earning a hard gaze from Alex.
"You're not so sure about that." Alex replied with a feigned frown.
"Maybe." Ja-Young replied as the car stopped abruptly in front of the building.
"Warm the food, and make sure no fighting between you too." Lee stated her warning as they made their way out of the car.
"Yes mum." Ja-Young replied as she watched the car drove off, leaving dust behind.
"I'll come over for our assignment." Alex said, entering the Lee apartment .
"What if I come over, it ain't bad at all." Ja-Young suggested.
"You're not planning to leave me home alone, are you?" Ha-Eun asked bending over to pickup their Corgi that welcome them with a bark.
"You sulks." Ja-Young muttered tired beneath her breath throwing her bag on the couch as she made her way to the kitchen.
"How are you without me Snow?" She asked the dog, scrubbing it's chin.
"You can always come along with her alongside with the doggie." Alex settled with a smile.
"You want to have me or the Corgi over at your place?" She asked leaving Alex confused.
"You of course." Alex replied.
"Then, I'm not coming with Snow." She replied walking up to her room.
"Really." She muttered amidst sigh.
* * *
At Songpa Samsung real estate, Hyeon alongside with Min-Jun helped her drunk sister out of the car as the trio staggered into the house.
They dropped on her bed, trying to catch their breath.
"It was so much fun out their Hyeon." Her sister said excitement looming in her voice under the influence of the alcohol.
"When on earth will you stop drinking whenever Dad is away?" Hyeon asked his drunk sister as he stood up from the bed.
"Her bed is so comfy." Min commented stretching an arm out to Hyeon as he dragged him up on his feet.
"Not only Dad is away." She said, voice fading away already falling into a deep slumber.
"She's cool." Min said letting out a sigh.
"I'll kill you if you utter such in front of her." Hyeon threatened, making her way out of the room, followed by his friend.
"You're such a brat Hyeon, won't you tuck her in." He asked following him out.
"She likes it that way." He replied.
* * *
Rounding up the assignment, they pack up the books while Ja-Young and her sisternget ready to leave.
"Won't you stay a few minutes?" Alex asked.
"Why? Scared of being home alone?" Ja-Young teased.
"I wasn't planning to leave this early." Ha-Eun said, placing Snow on the floor. "Let's complete this movie." She added in excitement grabbing the remote, while her sister just watch with a sly smile playing in her lips.
"I'll like to see your room instead, if you don't mind." Ja-Young suggested.
"Come on then." Alex replied in excited as she led her through the stairs to her room.
As Ja-Young stepped into her friend's room, I was immediately enveloped in a vibrant and eclectic atmosphere that reflected her dynamic personality. The walls, painted a soft pink hue, adorned with an array of colorful posters, and inspiring quotes. The turquoise accents and whimsical string lights added a touch of playfulness, creating a space that was both lively and inviting.
Her gaze was drawn to the comfortable bed, where a patchwork quilt in shades of yellow, pink, and blue seemed to radiate warmth and coziness. The vintage desk, paired with a funky chair, was a testament to her love for art and music, with scattered sheets of paper, pens, and a guitar leaning against the wall.
Bookshelves overflowed with dog-eared novels, poetry collections, and favorite reads, revealing her passion for literature and learning. Photos of friends and family added a personal touch, capturing cherished moments and memories. A soft blanket and plush rug created a cozy nook, perfect for relaxation or impromptu jam sessions.
As she breathed in, the sweet scent of vanilla candles filled the air, transporting me to a haven of tranquility. Every aspect of he room seemed to reflect her friend's zest for life, her creativity, and her infectious enthusiasm. It was a sanctuary that embodied her spirit, a space where she could escape, express herself, and simply be.
"Who's she?" Ja-Young asked picking the picture frame of Alex and Chloe.
"That's my best friend." She replied, sitting in her bed.
"She must mean a lot." Ja-Young noted, dropping the picture on the side table.
"You play guitar?" She asked again in excitement, admiring the scenerio.
"Yes... Still learning." She replied.
"Wanna be a musician." Ja-Young asked, joining her on the bed.
"Hell no! I prefer modelling. But that's not my passion... Still yet to discover."
"You mean, you don't know what to study?" Ja-Young asked surprised.
"I think so." Alex replied running her hand over her shaggy hair.
"You obviously love music." Ja-Young said.
"Maybe." Alex said.
They were enjoying each other company, taking turns in asking questions and playing games, whike Ha-Eun is having her comfy moment in the sitting room.