1 New Country, New Girl

Chapter 1

My flowing long black hair blows past me gently as I stand outside the airport, with my suitcase and my baby blue duffel bag slung over my shoulder. I sigh as I drop it on the ground. Man, that thing is heavy, but it has everything I need so I shouldn't complain too much. I look around the outside of the airport. There are thousands of people everywhere. Who knew it would be so busy in Korea?

When my parents said I was going to attend a school in Korea, I was first against it. I really didn't want to leave my friends and my siblings to come here. Seeing how I got expelled from my last school though; it was either this or an all-girl Christian school. I chose the latter. A car beeps at me and I turn my attention to the noise and watch as a short man walks over to the other side of the car. It's a beat-up cab with a dent on the passenger side. He's really short with a black cap over his head. He's wearing blue jeans and a red t-shirt. He smiles at me with a toothy grin. Why are his teeth yellow?

"Hi. I'm your drive Hajun. I'll be driving you to your academy you'll be staying at." I nod my head.

"Of course. Thank you." I say, bowing down. He smiles again and opens the door. As I step in, he grabs my suitcase and duffel bag and puts it in the trunk. He closes my door and walks back over to the driver's side. I watch as he gets in and closes the door.

"So, what is your name?" He asks. I look at him through the rearview mirror. He still has that smile on his face.

"I'm Seo Nari." I say quietly.

"Oh, a name that means 'lily'. That's a very pretty name." I smile, pink blush covers my cheeks.

"Thank you." I say, putting a strand of hair behind my right ear.

The drive is long and I look out the window as we drive around town. Traffic is Korea isn't as bad as growing up in New York. It isn't stop go, stop go. It's pretty smooth. I sit back in my seat and pull out my phone. I've already had Kakaotalk, but I never really used it because my friends and I always texted each other. Now that I'm in a whole other country, I have to use this app often than I would like. I don't have any messages. Not even from my parents. I slide my phone back in my pocket.

"Um, Hajun. How much longer till we are there?" I question.

"It won't be much longer. I apologize that you've been sitting back there for almost an hour." I quickly shake my head.

"It isn't your fault. You're just doing your job. Thank you again." I look out the window again and close my eyes. I drift off to the sound of the engine.

I'm jerked away as the car comes to an abrupt stop. I open my eyes quickly and look around. Looks we've arrived at our destination. I open the car door and get out. I'm standing in front of a giant building. It stands tall with windows everywhere. There is a big gate in front of the building. It's open. I wonder does it stay open. Hanjun sits my suitcase and duffel bag on the ground.

"Is there anything else I can help you with Miss. Nari?" I shake my head.

"That's all. Thank you." I say, smiling. He waves me off before getting back in his car and driving away. I stand there, staring at this building in front of me. So, this is where I'll be boarding? I wonder are the students nice. I pick up my duffel bag and sling it over my shoulder. I start to make my way towards the building.

As I walk towards the building doors, it swings back, nearly knocking me in the face. I gasp. He covers his face as the door closes halfway on his right shoulder.

"Oh my God, are you okay? I didn't see you there." He bows down before standing up to look at me. I smile a shy smile, nodding my head slowly. He sighs in relief. "That's a relief. Are you sure?' I nod again. He glances at my suitcase. "Oh, are you new?"

"Yeah." I say quietly. He extends his hand out.

"I'm Minjun. I'm a senior here."

"I'm a sophomore." I say.

"Well, welcome to Seoul University. Allow me to show you around." I don't say anything as he grabs my suitcase and heads inside.

He's cute. He has semi long black hair that's pushed out his face. His eyes are a chocolate chip brown, warm like how cookies are when you take them out the oven. His skin is fair and clear. Not a blemish in sight. His nose is big but shaped beautifully. He also has big pink lips. He has two golden hoop earrings in each ear. He turns to look at me and I avert my eyes to the ground. Did he catch me staring?

"So, this is the dining hall. This is where everyone comes to eat. That over there is the student's hangout spot. We have videos games, DVDs, some retro games, card and board games as well." He nudges me. "You'd be surprised at how many people want to play scramble." I start to giggle. He smiles.

"Here is our library. Our science lab rooms. We even have a quiet room for students who take their students seriously. It's soundproof so they can't hear anything beyond the walls." I raise my eyebrows. That's different. "There are a lot of school activities that you can join. I am on the student council. But there are others, like the book club, video game, anime; we even have dance clubs. I promise you'll find something you'll like." I smile gently.

"Okay." I say.

He gives me a tour of the rest of the school and I'm tired. My duffel bag is over. I drop it on the ground and move my right shoulder back and forth. It's sore. Minjun looks at me. "Are you okay?"

"My duffel bag is heavy; it's hurting my shoulder." He reaches down and grabs it.

"C'mon. There is bulletin board that tells you who you'll be staying with. Don't worry. It's Co-Ed, so you won't be boarding with a guy or anything." I don't say anything as we approach the bulletin board. He points to a piece of paper pinned to the board. "This here is the school list of all the students. It tells you who you'll be staying with." I glance at the paper. Looks there are several papers attached together. He starts flipping through. "Oh, you never told me your name."

"I'm Seo Nari." I say.

"Ah, here you are! Looks like you'll be with Nayeon. Don't worry. She's literally the best person you could get paired up with. C'mon. I'll guide you." I don't say anything as I follow behind him. My anxiety is starting to rise. I don't do good with meeting new people. Especially other girls. I guess you can say trauma. That's a good way of putting it. We stop at a door with a say that says 'Nayeon's room' I take a deep shaky breath. He smiles at me, touching my hand gently. "She's really nice. Promise." He knocks on the door and it opens after a couple of seconds.

"Oh my god! Are you Nari?" She exclaims. I'm startled by how bubbly she sounds. "I'm Nayeon! I'll be your roommate and possibly you're best friend. C'mon in." She says, moving to the side to let me in. I'm still in shock that I didn't even realize she said my name.

"How do you know my name?" I questioned. She points to boxes on the other side of the room.

"When they came and delivered your stuff, they said a new girl named Nari was gonna be staying with me." She claps her hands together. "I haven't had a roommate since November. It's finally spring and it's like getting you was destiny." I stifle back a laugh. I wonder why she didn't have a roommate all this time.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. See you around the school Nari." I watch as he exits. Please don't leave me with this extrovert person. Nayeon smiles.

"He's cute, isn't he?" She teases. I feel my face getting red. "He's single too. He's too busy with student council to even go on a date." I chuckle awkwardly. "Do you need help unpacking your stuff?" I quickly shake my head.

"No, that's alright. Thank you though." I say, waving my hands in front of me. She pouts.

"Okay, well. Let me know if you need anything I'm going to be over here listening to music and reading a book." She goes back to her bed and grabs a manga and puts in her airpods. I glance at my things.

"Well, let's get into it." I mutter to myself.

It takes me about 2 1/2 hours to get everything together. After I break down the boxes, I sit them in a corner. I lie back on my bed and look at the ceiling. I'm tired. "Oh, I love your little figures. Do you also like Demon Slayer?" I nod my head quickly, a smile on my face.

"I love Demon Slayer. Tanjiro and Rengoku are my favorite characters." I say. She smiles.

"I've been hooked on Chainsaw Man, Have you watched it?" I quickly shake my head.

"It's on my list though." She beams.

"We can watch it together if you like. I've been wanting an excuse for wanting to watch it again." I giggle. She doesn't seem so bad. I shouldn't judge her before getting to know her. "So, do you have a boyfriend?" I shake my head, my face turning red.

"No. I've never had a boyfriend before." I say. Nayeon puts a finger on her chin. She looks up. What is she thinking?

"Do you want one?" I quickly shake my head.

"I'm not interested in a relationship." She pouts again. "I just got here. I just want to get familiar with school and make a few friends." Nayeon smirks.

"Well, let's see how you feel after you see the boys here." I need to change the topic and fast.

"So, are you a sophomore too?" She nods her head.

"I am. Oh! Before I forget, they dropped your schedule off for your classes. Forgive me, but I did sneak a peek at it." She says, blushing. She points at my desk. "You can find in your drawer there."

I stand up and head over to my desk. I pull out a folded piece of paper. I start to open it and start reading off the classes in my head.

History - 8am

Math -8:30am

English - 9:30am

Free Time/Lunch 11:15am

Gym - 2 pm

*Students are required to join a club during the first week, failure to do will result in a random club being assigned to you.

I stare at the paper. Minjun didn't mention that I HAVE to pick a club. I sigh as I drop the paper to my side. Nayeon frowns. "What's wrong? Don't like your classes?" I shake my head.

"Why are we required to join a club?" Nayeon shrugs her shoulders.

"It's a rule here. I think it's to keep the students busy. Although, I'm sure a bunch of students ditch if they can." I fold the paper back up and put in my drawer. "If it makes you feel better. We both have English together." I smile a small smile. I could care less. "Well, it's 6:26 pm now. We have a study session we must attend around 8 and then bedtime is at 9." I stifle back another laugh. What is this school? We have a curfew?

"Okay, I have to go?" She nods her head.

"All students are required to go." I sigh.

"I don't even have materials to attend a student session." Nayeon stands up from her bed and grabs my arm.

"Let's go get your materials now then. Don't forget your schedule." She lets me go and heads towards the door, waiting for me to follow her. I roll my eyes and grab my schedule before we exit our dorm together.

As we head towards the bookstore, I spot a guy with a girl. They seem to be arguing. The girl has short blonde hair. She has her hands in the air and she shaking them hard. I stop walking to stare at them. "You're always doing this shit Felix." She says. The guy I assume is Felix crosses his hands over his chest.

"I'm always doing what Sara?" She stomps her foot on the ground.

"You know what I'm talking about. Why are you always checking out girls when we are together? Don't you care about me at all?" He scoffs.

"You realize that I can have any girl I want, right? I'm also free to do whatever I want to, so if you don't like it, then you're free to go." She walks up to him and slaps him so hard that his face turns red with her hand mark on his face.

"I was a fool to think that you ever cared about me." She turns to walk away, but he grabs her wrist, gripping her hard. Nayeon gasps. He tosses her on the ground.

"You bitch!" He shouts. I run over to them and stand in his way as he reaches his hand out to grab her again. He looks shocked. I narrow my eyes at him. "Who are you? Do you know who I am?"

"I don't care. It's wrong to put your hands on a girl. Didn't your parents teach you any manners?" He bawls his right fist up.

"I suggest you get lost little girl." He shoves me to the side, making me fall on my face. Nayeon runs over to me.

"Nari, are you alright?" She questions. I'm angry. Just who does this little fucker think he is? I go to stand up but a shadow towers over me. I look behind me and standing there is Minjun. He has a scowl on his face.

"Felix, causing trouble as usual?" His voice is laced with a serious tone. I look at him. Felix laughs.

"What is the school council president gonna do to me?" He takes a step towards him. "Not a damn thing, that's for sure." Minjun punches him straight in his face. I scream as Felix falls on his butt. His nose is gushing blood and falling down his face. The scarlet liquid coats his lips.

"Go clean yourself up." Minjun says. He walks over to the girl and helps her up. "Are you okay?" She nods, tears in her eyes. She glances at me and without a word, walks off. Nayeon puts a hand on her heart.

"Oh my god Minjun." She breathes. He dusts himself off and sticks his hand out towards me.

"I'm sorry you had to see that side of me. Please, forgive me." He says, a soft smile on his face. The gentleness is back. Felix stands up, tilting his head back.

"This isn't over. Just you wait." He walks off, blood dripping onto his shirt. Minjun rolls his eyes.

"Where were you guys headed?" He says, turning his attention towards us.

"The bookstore." Nayeon says. He smiles.

"Let me accompany you guys then." He says. He turns to look at me, his hand still sticking out. "You gonna sit there or take my hand?" I blush and hold onto his hand as he lifts me up. I don't really know what to say.

"Thank you." I whisper.

"No thanks necessary." He says, waving his hand in the air. We don't say anything as we head towards the bookstore.

Once we get to the bookstore, I hand a clerk my schedule who guides me around and grabs all the materials I need. Nayeon and Minjun make small talk among each other. My basket starts to get heavy after a while and my arm hurts. Minjun takes my basket and we head towards the counter. It's 6:50 pm now. I wonder will that guy be at the student session. He doesn't seem like he type to actually take school seriously.

He had freckles now that I really think about him and he had a very deep and thick Australian accent. I wonder is that all an act or if he's from there. His blonde hair reached the back of his neck but it was a bit short in the front. His eyes were a greenish-hazel color as well. I'm so sucked into my thoughts, I don't hear Minjun calling my name.

"Hello, earth to Nari." He says, waving his hands in my face. I jump, startling myself. "It's dinner time at 7. Let's go eat." He says. Nayeon has disappeared off somewhere so it's just me and him. I'm a bit anxious to be around a whole bunch of people but I am hungry. I nod my head.

"Maybe we should drop my things back at my dorm first though." I say. He chuckles, holding two bags in his hands.

"Probably a good idea, let's do that first." He chuckles and I giggle. I think I might like it here.