Gemma Cho

Tae snickered as the voice through the speaker fed back his order. He loved messing with his sisters, and given his small age gap over Gemma, this was the only time he could get away with it. Their older sister would never stand for him pestering her this way. They pulled up to the window and Tae paid for their food, planning on treating his sister the whole time. But maybe not next time. He handed her the greasy, hot bags of McDonald’s.

“Can you feed me a fry?” He asked, hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. “I’m taking you home, yeah? Or did you wanna stop anywhere while we’re out? Also, it totally comes with a Minion toy, so enjoy chucking that at kids’ heads when you work at the pool.”

Gemma wore a pout until he handed her the bag of food, a bright smile forming across her face as she reached in and grabbed out a handful of fries that she offered over to her brother before reaching back in and grabbing a few for herself. “Gomabseubnida!” She sang happily as she popped a chicken nugget into her mouth. “Nope. We can just go home. I’m tired and way too sunburnt to want to go anywhere after this,” She admitted. “And if I wouldn’t get fired for it, I’d totally take you up on that.”

While she remained silent, Nova hoped that Gemma’s words would actually come to fruition one day even if she was currently in no sort of rush to enter that kind of territory. One of the nuns who she was still in contact with would always tell her that the world would give her what she wanted in time but Nova was yet to listen. But it had worked when she’d been adopted seven years ago so why not more simple things like this? A laugh left her as she examined the others innocent look with eyes playfully narrowed her way, “As if you really had to ask,” she responded with a smile. Her smile faltered slightly at Gemma’s words but remained soft as she shook her head, “It’s a figure of speech, silly. —As you know, I’ve never really had many friends but I don’t think college parties are exclusively for college kids. Especially ones that aren’t even on campus. So, if you want to party, you should go and do it. Adulting isn’t meant to be easy and I definitely am not doing it right but nobody ever does. You just have to find a way to make it work for you in whatever way that may be,” she told her friend since that was her own personal philosophy about graduating college. “You think? I haven’t, though, since I tend to stick to the blue family but if you think so, I might just do it. But what shade? –Huskies, mostly. There’s something about the fact that so many are born with different colored eyes that makes my heart happy.”

“I know that. It’s just- it’s not the same is all,” She admitted with a little shrug. Gemma might have been the kid who hadn’t quite moved on from college yet, but she didn’t want other people to know she hadn’t. “I guess you’re right,” She said, despite knowing that it was easier said than done. “You’d be so pretty in like a deep purple? That’s like bright? Maybe purple pizzazz or some other crayola named shade? I don’t know,” Gemma laughed, not being too familiar on her shades of purple let alone hair dye colors seeing that she had worn her hair natural for just about her entire life. “I love huskies. They’re some of my favorites I actually always wanted to have a little husky pup and name him Blue for some reason. I don’t know why.”

Juliet chuckled and smiled at her.  “Incredibles 2 sounds like something my students will be really into as soon as school starts back up,” she told her.  “It doesn’t really scream date night movie though.”

“You’d say that, but it offers something for every member of the family?” She offered up, before letting out a little sigh. “Go see Crazy Rich Asians. It’s amazing and you’ll love it.”

“I highly recommend that you do. Mainly because there is a vast difference between the different nuts out there which add different textures and intricacy to desserts which make for quite the experience. I would happily make you some if you so chose to one day,” Gianna offered up before turning to her notebook, pen hitting the paper as she asked, “Are you ready for the next three?”

“For free?” Gemma offered up with as innocent of a smile as she could muster, before giving the girl a little nod. “Sure thing. But, I’m telling you all this food talk is making me hungry.”

Jasmine lightly bumped her with her hip. “We both know you find this amusing. It’s okay. Knowledge is power and I plan to empower the ignorance of those that think it’s okay to do nasty things in community areas. It’ll give a break to me talking about other injustices in favor of this. I can start with baby steps. Maybe I don’t change the world, maybe I just change the way people use the public pool.” She might actually feel accomplished by that. “Okay, I’ll come out just to keep you company. Are there no kinds of bodily fluid indicator chemicals that just kind of light up.” Maybe she was trying to live in 3018 with that idea.

“Okay,” Gemma cracked a smile, giving Jasmine a little nod as she spoke. “Then yeah, it is kinda funny. And please do, because working here has made it so I might never want to get in a public pool again,” She laughed, scrunching up her nose a little bit at the thought. “Trust me, if we used those the entire pool would be deep blue,” She murmured under her breath, knowing that they’d have to empty out and replace the water daily. “But yeahh. Let’s go lay out and not think about the lack of proper sanitation policies, maybe? Or a nice clean shower? Just make sure if you’re showering here to wear flipflops because foot fungus is a real thing and, trust me, it is nasty.”

“Okay, smart ass,” he shook his head, scrunching his nose right back at her, “thank you for that. I don’t really look at it as stuck, but  But speaking of your brother, he was telling me I should come with him to a full moon party some day. I’m kind of terrified he’s forgotten I’m only human  and can’t protect myself.” 

“I don’t know, I was thinking something lowkey. I’d be wearing shorts. There would be the Beach Boys playing as a Roomba with a bowl of kimchi on it came down the aisle… Actually I think the joke is dead now. What do you wanna eat?” 

“Oops?” She laughed, pressing her nose against Pax’s as he scrunched his up at her. “And you know I don’t mean it like that either. I love having you around. If I could be handcuffed to you all the time- welp, actually not all the time, but 95% of the time, I would without a second thought,” She told him, giving him a playful nudge as she spoke. “I’d offer to lend you my mace, but then you’d have no reason to hang out with my lame human ass back home. It’s pink by the way. And bedazzled.”

“So romantic,” She laughed, kicking off her shoes as they entered her and her brother’s apartment. “Oppa?” Gemma called out, double checking to see if Tae was there. “Nae namjaga wass-eo,” She called out again, peaking around the corner, before turning back towards Pax. “The coast is clear,” She smiled as she headed into the kitchen, cracking open the fridge as she pulled out the tubaware container that said Pax’s Kimchi. “Oh. I was going to eat your wife with you? And some instant noodles?”

“Drama queen! Jjoda doeneun geoya.” He laughed, rolling down the window and leaning out slightly to speak into the drive-thru microphone. “Two Oreo McFlurries, uh, medium. Two medium fries, and uh–” he looked back to his sister next to him. “Did you want anything?” He stuck his head back out the window before she could respond. “And a kids’ meal. Does that have the Minions toy with it?”

“I am not a loser!” She exclaimed, her mouth dropping open as he laughed at her, whacking his arm playful as they pulled up next to the drive through. Rolling her eyes lightly and crossing her arms when he asked if she wanted anything. Of course she did, but if she had to pay, she was just going to wait until she got home to eat the leftovers. “sadonnammalhasine,” She rolled her eyes once more as Tae straight up asked for a kid’s toy. Yeah, she was the loser. Sure. Gemma almost told him that the Kid’s Meal better be for his second stomach, but quickly decided against it, knowing that even if the order was slightly degrading, she still wanted those chicken nuggets.

“You can’t tell me Pax doesn’t ask questions.” He sighed, looking down at the other girl. “Plus I’m way cooler than him.”

“Maybe a few questions- but never about why I’m talking to him,” She argued. A small smile spreading across her lips as she realized he had caught her. Before, she quirked her eyebrows up in his direction and asked, “Oh yeah? Prove it.”

“You’re welcome.” Smiling over at Gemma and she wrinkled her nose. Linking her arm through Gemma’s as they walked. “I mean I would hope that adults know well enough to have any random chocolate bars show up.” Feeling a shiver run down her spine at the thought, she really had seen enough chocolate bars for one day. “Deal. I have to change too.” Stopping by her locker and she grabbed her gym bag from it. “Want to meet back here in ten?”

“You haven’t spent much time in a college dorm than, have you?” Gemma teased as they walked towards the locker. “Sounds like a plan,” Gemma grinned, changing in the locker room, before quickly adjusting her hair and her make up. “I still reek of suntan lotion, but I think this is as good as it’s going to get so, I’m ready!”

Growing up, Selene didn’t have any brothers or sisters to fill the house halls with laughter and footsteps. In consolation, however, she did make plenty of friends and occupy her parents time with all of them instead. They had become the surrogate parents of quite a few of her friends over the years. However, after the incident, she preferred to be alone and in the quiet. “ A good quiet, ” she reassured the other. “ You know me, though. I’d much prefer a good night in with Netflix than any party. ” She didn’t hold it over anyone, though; didn’t feel herself superior for her preference. If anything, she disliked that about herself. The response to the comment was a little confusing, if not surprising, and yet it was gone in a moment. “ I do like mango, ” she agreed with a little laugh. “ My dad used to make mangos and chile on a stick for me and some of my friends growing up. Y’know, during the summer and stuff. ” Despite her demure appearance, the brunette loved spicy foods.

“That’s good then,” Gemma told her with a happy little smile. Before giving the red head a little nod. “You and me both, sister,” Gemma told her with a little nod. Gemma was always down for a night out, being someone who always seemed to take to the dance floor. But, if someone didn’t ask her to go out with them and if she didn’t have to work for living, she’d probably never leave her couch. “Get out of here? You don’t know how to make that do you, because that sounds incredible,” Gemma beamed, thankful that Selene didn’t question her little slip up. 

Juliet laughed while Gemma spoke.  “I’ll see if I can talk Kai into going with me,” she told her.  Of course she could.  It wasn’t hard to get Kai to do the things she wanted to do.  Juliet just didn’t want to go by herself.  “What movie do you recommend I see?”

“Yes. You have to,” Gemma smiled brightly over at Juliet as she said she might swing by the theater. “Out of what’s playing right now? Crazy Rich As-” She started to say without second thought, before second guessing herself. Not wanting to come across as a stereotype, she quickly changed her answer to, “Incredibles 2. Yup. I know it’s technically for kids, but it’s totally a perfect date movie. Yup...”

“I’m currently rethinking every visiting the pool again,” she said feeling dirtier than she ever had. “I should throw this floatie away right now…suddenly everything that touch the water must go…I’m not about it. Not even a little. I feel a new radio segment coming on called people do better. Up first on the docket…please keep all bodily fluids to yourself when in a community pool. No. Just…no no. I quit. I can’t visit you at the pool anymore.”

“I- I’m sorry?” Gemma tried her best to hide her laughter by clamping her hands over her mouth as she spoke. She really did feel bad, but what could she say? That radio show segment was genius, not to mention funny. “Wait! No! Please visit. You don’t have to go in the water. You can just lay out and get a tan?”

“Shit,” Adam hissed and closed his eyes when it became clear to him how this was all coming across. He let her arm pull away from his grip and held his hands up. His inconsequential lure manipulation was wearing off, not to mention they were far enough away from the songs of the other sirens. Well, that and what he had just said and done was pretty creepy. “You need to get out of these woods or at least away from the lake, okay? Maybe call someone? On your phone? Have them pick you up? I can walk away, back to the lake, okay? Just don’t…Don’t follow, ‘kay?”

“Uh... That’s not really an explanation,” Gemma mumbled, holding onto to her pepper spray in one hand before giving the overly concerned man a small nod. “But, yeah, sure. I’m just- I’m gonna go,” Gemma said taking another step back, before glancing over her shoulder. When she turned back towards the man, realizing that she couldn’t remember exactly how she had gotten here or how to get back. She knew she shouldn’t be asking this or letting some stranger who wanted to know where her friends were aware that she was lost. But, she also had watched enough horror movies to know, she didn’t want to wander around the woods alone for too either. So, she quietly asked the man, “You don’t- you don’t know where the road is, do you?”

The younger girls choice wasn’t exactly a horrible one since Gianna was more than happy to place numbers next to desserts instead of other symbols. Then she could just look at everything with a ‘1′ to put together everything later on. “Okay, so bread pudding is number one,” she repeated as she wrote a little number one beside the dessert before turning towards the girl, “Have you not? Oh, they’re absolutely wonderful. Have you ever had cookies with almonds in them? It’s kind of like that but with a much softer consistency. If you haven’t, just this cake but with an almond flavor to it.”

“Nope. I guess I just never go out of my way to get nut flavored deserts? I mean outside of pistachio and peanut butter. Maybe I should though, if it’s really that good,” Gemma told her with a little shrug, followed by a small smile.

“I suppose not but you’re brother doesn’t strike me as the type to judge in general? He seems a little to carefree - which kind of just proves your point even more, now that I realize,” she stated as her brows knitted together for a moment before twirling a strand of blue hair away to the side of her face. “It’s not even just boys, it’s just people in general. Sometimes I just wish it was easier but I guess that’s what baby steps are for at the end of the day. –Pfft! The day that comes will be the day that mystery boy has to realize that he’s only ever meant to be third place,” she offered a delicate smile towards the end. Listening closely, Nova nodded her head, “I can imagine but it’s not like they’ve died. They’re still there for you to see and hang out with whenever possible. And you at least have me until then. —I’m okay. My moms been going away a lot recently for work so I’ve just been trying to keep myself busy with little things here and there. Nothing too major. Just taking pictures, picking out what color I should dye my hair next, looking at puppies online.”

“Ha! I win,” She teased, shooting Nova a playful smile. “I know,” Gemma said, giving Nova a little understanding nod. “But, it will one day,” She promised Nova. Sure, she still got embarrassed and a little insecure about talking about her family or magic or her culture in public, but there was a point in time when Gemma was terrified to even open her mouth for fear of a hint of an accent to come out. She was scared to talk to people and worried that they might pick on her like her brother had been. But, now? Now, she could walk straight up to people without a second thought. As long as she was being Gemma and not Mi Sun, she could at least convince herself that she was confident. “And he better. So,” Gemma trailed off, giving Nova an innocent look as she asked, “I’m first, right?” Before her eyes widened at Nova’s comment. “What? Why would they be dead? I know they are and it’s not like I’m super lonely. But, that like doesn’t change the fact that it’s weird? They’re off at classes and having fun going to college parties and I’m just- here? It’s just- I don’t know,” Gemma said with a little shrug. She just felt a bit stuck is all. It was like all her life there had always been the next step that everyone her age did together. There had always been this future goal or plan and now she was just here? She just felt a bit lost is all. “Have you tried purple? Because you’d look good in purple! And oh. What kind of puppy?”

“In Narnia, you have to fight for your right to eat Turkish Delights, and you don’t have to do that here. You can eat Turkish Delights whenver you want. And by the way, me and your family are great reasons that shouldn’t be minimized. Besides, this is a lot of talk about something that doesn’t even matter.” 

He gathered his things, slung his backpack around one shoulder, and then caught up to her and threw an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t want a gunshot wedding, I deserve better.”

“I don’t even really like Turkish Delights though?” She said, giving him an innocent expression as she scrunched up her nose a little at the thought. “Wait-” Gemma feigned a gasp as he said it didn’t matter. “Are you telling me, Narnia isn’t real?” She whispered over at him, with the widest eyes she could muster, before giving him a playful smile. “Don’t worry, Pax. You’re kinda stuck with me,” She told him with a reassuring nudge, before adding, “My family too. But, don’t tell my brother that. I’m still trying to convince him that I’m going to sell him during a make shift lemonade stand one of these days.”

“Oh?” She laughed, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked towards her and her brother’s apartment. “And what kind of wedding should I put on for you and Kimchi exactly?”

“You know there is so much for you here, even if we weren’t friends. I don’t think you’d ever need Narnia. You can’t deprive the world of Mi Sun Cho, you know?” Pax rolled his eyes as she shook her head, “The Kimchi is the real draw, I’m gonna be honest. I’m craving it.”  

“Oh yeah? Like what? What’s so great about here other than you and maybe my family that I can’t get in Narnia?” She teased, shaking her head lightly over at Pax as he mentioned her full name. “Not true. I’ve spent twenty-two years attempting to leave my house as little as possible and the world has been just fine with it, thank you very much.” The corner of her lips tilting up into a little smile as he mentioned actually liking her kimchi. “Don’t worry. We can put on a marriage ceremony for you two when we get home,” She laughed, picking up Pax’s textbook from the table as she waited for him to grab the rest of his stuff before they headed over to her and her brother’s apartment.