Chapter 9
As I savored the Korean meal, I must admit it was a far cry from the usual fare I was accustomed to. The flavors danced on my tongue, a symphony of sweet and spicy notes that left me wanting more. Jo's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "Is this your first time eating Korean food?" I hesitated, my response caught in the web of uncertainty. "No," I said finally, "it's not my first time." Jo's gaze lingered on me, as if searching for the truth behind my words.
As I stole glances at Jo, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. His features were chiseled, like a sculpture crafted by a master artist. When he caught me staring, his eyes crinkled at the corners, and he flashed a smile that left me breathless. "You've never seen an handsome dude before?" he teased, his voice low and husky.
I laughed, feeling a little self-conscious, like a schoolgirl caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "No, it's not that," I said, trying to play it cool. "I was just...looking behind you." Jo leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "No, I caught you staring at me. You were literally staring at me." My face felt like it was on fire, the heat spreading from my cheeks to my neck.
As I looked into Jo's eyes, I felt a flutter in my chest, like a bird taking flight. I had never really been in a relationship before, and I wasn't sure what to make of these new feelings. Was it infatuation? Attraction? I didn't know, but I was eager to find out.
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I finished my meal with Jo, we headed back to school,We exchanged numbers, and Jo told me he'd send me a message later that night. With that, he left, leaving me feeling a little breathless. My heart was racing, and I found myself looking forward to his message with an excitement I couldn't quite explain.
Like a lost puppy, I made my way back to my room, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of Jo. The walk seemed to stretch on forever, my feet carrying me on autopilot as my brain replayed our conversation. As I settled into my space, I remembered that I had wanted to call my mum before the phone theft incident. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, my fingers moving with a life of their own.
The call connected after a couple of rings, and my mum's warm smile greeted me on the video screen. "Oh, my baby! My sweetheart!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with love. I felt a pang of homesickness, and my voice cracked as I said, "I'm missing you already, Mum." "Don't worry, darling," she soothed. "It's just your final year, and you'll be done with it soon." I nodded, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Take care of yourself," she reminded me, her voice filled with concern.
Just then, I blurted out, "Mum, I made a friend." Her eyes lit up with interest. "Wow, so fast!" she said, a hint of amusement in her voice. I couldn't help but smile. "Yes, he's so handsome," I said, feeling a little shy. My mum's expression turned curious. "He's a guy?" she asked, her eyebrow raised. I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. "Is there anything bad in having a male friend?" I asked, seeking her reassurance.
My mum's expression turned serious, her voice taking on a cautionary tone. "I'm not saying there's anything bad in it, but you know how guys can be - they're unexpected and unpredictable." I rolled my eyes, feeling a sense of exasperation. "Mum, come on, there's no harm in having a male friend. He is friendly."
"I hope so." my mum's face softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "Okay, I will chat with you later. I'm about to head to the airport." I glanced at the time, noticing it wasn't quite evening yet. "But Mum, you said evening, it's not evening yet," I pointed out. My mum's response was curt. "Whatever, Sarah, I will talk to you later," she said, her voice firm before the call ended abruptly. I was left staring at my phone, feeling a little bewildered by the sudden disconnect. I shrugged, deciding to focus on the more pleasant thoughts of Jo and our encounter earlier that day.
As I succumbed to the weight of my exhaustion, I surrendered to the allure of my bed, letting the softness envelop me like a warm whisper. The room around me was a mess, my belongings scattered haphazardly, but I was too drained to muster the energy to tidy up. "I'll deal with it later," I thought, my mind already drifting into the realm of sleep.
The coolness of the sheets was a balm to my weary body, soothing my tired muscles and calming my racing thoughts. I felt my eyelids growing heavy, my breathing slowing as I let go of the day's stress and fatigue. The world outside my room receded, and I was left alone with my thoughts, my body sinking deeper into the mattress.
As I drifted off to sleep, my mind began to wander, thoughts of Jo and our encounter earlier in the day floating to the surface. I smiled to myself, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. The last thing I remembered was the sound of my own heartbeat, a gentle rhythm that lulled me into a deep and restful sleep.