angelic.

“The culture is really different.  I mean, I grew up with some of it in the house, but I’m still getting used to the change.  I can only imagine experiencing it the other way around,” he let out a nervous laugh as he realized that he probably should have dropped the subject.  She didn’t seem like she wanted to talk about it, so he shouldn’t continue on.  Rubbing at the back of his neck, Theo nodded his head, “It’s definitely not healthy.  I should probably pick a favorite dessert that’s actually good for me, like fruit salad, but I just can’t kick it.  Oh, those are good!  They’re probably even better when you only have them as a special treat.”

“Yeah, it’s confusing... There’s such a lack of manners. I think that’s what stood out to me the most. Especially where I was. People were so rude, and for no reason.” Once again, Najeong sensed that she was putting her foot in her mouth and tried to backtrack. “Please don’t take that offensively... It was just an observation. But I haven’t been in a while. Maybe it was just that once.” Was that appropriate enough to cover up her blunder? She could only hope so. “As long as it’s in moderation, it’s not too bad. Even fruit salads have a lot of sugar.”

Haeun nodded her head as the female spoke, poking her rice with one of her chopsticks. “Mmm,” she hummed, her shoulders shrugging up slightly. “I do enjoy this weather and all, but it’s definitely making me lazy. Took me about 10 minutes to get out of bed this morning!” she laughed. She nodded her head again as the other spoke up, and her eyes brightened with the idea of dinner – which was silly, since she was eating lunch. But dinner was definitely her favourite meal of the day, so she couldn’t help but let her mouth water.

“I only like it sometimes. The aesthetic of it more than anything else, I suppose.” Najeong responded in agreement. The thought of sitting inside, wrapped in a blanket with a warm drink, and not doing much besides relaxing and playing games sounded nice, but in reality, a rainy day like now was nothing but disappointing. Since she was able to get such an eager response from the girl, she began to wonder if maybe she should invite a few other people she was close to as well. Part of her was fearing the possible rejection, but how many people would really turn down a free hand-cooked meal, especially the people who she fed often? After a bit of internal debating, and racking her mind to remember exactly what ingredients she had in her fridge, she nodded, now confident in her plan. “Only if you want to. If you can’t, don’t stress over it. I don’t mind picking up a few extra things if I have to, besides, I may have a few spare drinks lying around... That’s really sweet of you for offering, Haeun. I can let you know later if there’s anything I’m missing that you can bring. For now, just think of it as a treat.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” At least the girl was aware of her faults, but sometimes being self-aware could be even harsher than insults from other people. That was her own case, but she could understand where Sumin was coming from. “You just have to find the way of learning that works best for you. I can study with you, if you want. I may not be in the same classes, but I’m kind of a nerd, so... I might know it.” Najeong offered, nudging at the other gently. She was an Honors Lister at one point, even if it was only for a year. “Yeah, I can drink flavored waters. We can do that.” She couldn’t help but chuckle at the girl’s enthusiasm, some of the energy rubbing off on her as well.

“Really?  That’s awesome!  It doesn’t matter where you were, it’s still cool that you were able to do it. Like, it’s amazing for me that I’m even here, so I can imagine what it might be like to move to America for a while,” he grinned, not sure if he was making any sense.  What he was trying to convey was the fact that he thought it was cool that she had had the opportunity to study abroad.  Did it actually come across that way?  Probably not.  “I don’t actually eat it that much.  I wouldn’t have much of a career if I did.  I just could eat it every day, like if I really had to.”

“Yeah, it was nice...” At the time, it was one of the most exciting points of her life, even if it did only consist of studying and the occasional trip to Wall Street while her mother was working. But now that she was older, and traveled to dozens of other countries since then, America wasn’t all that appealing to her anymore. “Oh, that’s right. And all that sugar can’t be healthy.” She nodded. No one ate ice cream to be concerned about health, but still. “I used to be like that, with the little mochi ice creams. But it’s really hard to find vegan alternatives to it, so I really only get it if I’m at an amusement park or somewhere similar.”

“Not only that. People itself are already so into the holiday spirit you’d think Christmas is just right around the corner. Wasn’t it like, Halloween less than two weeks ago or something?” Just then, by seeing how her facial expression fell upon his reply did he let out an inaudible ‘ah’. The answer was simple really, Kyuseok didn’t have either the money or well skill to buy gifts like other did. “I bought Dani a Christmas present once. Turns out she hated it, a lot. Both me and my wallets’ kind of been scarred since.”  He says with a shrug, not really expecting her to sympathize with him but get the drift of it at the very least.  “Oh, yeah? Any places you’ve got in mind?”

“I don’t pay that much attention to Halloween. But I think so... Even then, it’s more like torture to see everyone getting so prepared for the holidays when it’s still weeks away.” Perhaps the wait wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t do her shopping so early, but the thought of running out of time and disappointing someone because she didn’t have a gift for them (or the right gift for them), absolutely scared her. “What did you get her?” She asked, eyes narrowed as she wanted to determine whether Dani didn’t like gifts or just didn’t like that gift. In the past she had gotten gifts for the girl before without it being much of an issue, or seeming like one. “I have friends in London that I want to visit. I haven’t been to Italy or Greece before, either. They’ll only let me pick one country, so I have to choose wisely, I guess. Any more than that and they think that I just might not come back.”

Kitae nodded, agreeing. Despite still being quite young, time did pass so much quicker now. “Maybe it’s because when we were younger we didn’t have so much to do– we didn’t have school as much or deadlines to meet. We’re more aware of time passing now than we were before.” He suggested quietly. Her response left the boy silent for a few minutes. Friends. His friends were back in Seoul and he had no one here, but still maybe she was right. He’d always felt happier surrounded by friends more so than family. He smiled a little, nodding after a few moments. “Here’s hoping that works out for me then. I think making friends is the first thing I need to do for that to happen though.”

“I’ve read in an article before that time feels much slower when you’re younger, because you’re having so many new experiences. First day of school, first lost tooth, first trip away from home, first high mark in school, first this, first that. But as you get older, you end up just doing the same things over and over. Wake up, school, homework, sleep. Later on get a job, and it’s just that day in and day out. Everything blends together.” She frowned slightly, wondering if all the time she’d just spent speaking was even making sense to the younger student. “It makes sense to me, anyway.” Najeong shrugged, her eyebrows slowly raising up as she took a moment to interpret exactly what he was saying. Why wouldn’t he have any friends? Even some of the worst people managed to have a group of friends, with help of the clique system, and he didn’t seem that bad to be around. “Oooooh, oh. You’re new, are you? I’m assuming, correct me if I’m wrong.”

“Have you ever been to America, or did that not make any sense?”  He wondered out loud with a small laugh, realizing that most people in Korea had no idea where the states were located.  Maybe he should have thought about that before he listed them.  “What?  No, don’t worry about it.  I’m hard to offend, I promise.”  He was pleased to see her smile return, hoping that she understood how fine he was with her opinions.  It wouldn’t be fair for him to voice his own opinions and not listen to what she had to say.  “I could eat ice cream all day, every day.  It’s my favorite snack.”

“I studied in America for about half a year. But it was a few years ago, and I was only in one area.” Najeong nodded, choosing to omit the fact that she was glossing over it a bit-- for the most part, she was under a nanny’s watch or with one of the in-home tutors while her parents worked. “Alright. If you say so.” Even though Theodore had reassured her multiple times that it was fine, she still couldn’t help but feel otherwise. With how many times in the past that she’d told people things were fine when she really didn’t like it just to avoid conflict, it didn’t seem at all unlikely that he could do the same. “Ah, but wouldn’t that make you sick? Eating that much, that often? I can’t imagine, I’d get so sick.”

“They do,” he answered with a nod of his head, trying to remember where his brothers were located. “One’s in California, one in Florida, and the other is in New York.”  He was pleased to know that Najeong was happy with his offer of having her over for dinner, making a mental note to tell his mother that they would need to pick up some vegetarian ingredients.  It would be nice to have someone new at the dinner table, and he had a feeling that she would fit in nicely.  At her apology, he found himself frowning, uncertain as to what she thought that she had said wrong.  “What?  No, it’s okay.  I’m not offended at all.  There’s no reason to apologize,” Teddy promised, hoping that his words would be comforting.  “That’s probably the easiest route for most people.”  His grin returned when she agreed to try pumpkin pie, happy that she seemed a little bit enthusiastic about it, “I promise, it’s worth it.  Especially with vanilla ice cream on top.”

Najeong nodded, only faintly remembering where each of those states were located. Her time spent in America was so short, she really only remembered that she stayed in one of the ‘New’ states and visited other places on occasion. Would she sound stupid if she asked him where each of the states were? Probably, so she decided to not say anything at all. “I really should think before I speak.” Or not speak at all, she thought, placing a hand over her mouth to avoid accidentally saying those thoughts aloud. After a quick exhale, the hipster put a smile back on her face again to hopefully keep Theo from changing his mind and deciding she was a total weirdo he didn't want around. “Is it? I don’t eat ice cream all that often. Only every once in a while, usually summertime.”

“Naaah, I’m only going just ‘cause.” Sumin reassured, lips pulled back into a thin line. She shrugged her shoulders, certain that even if the pair didn’t go to the party - her coworkers wouldn’t give her too much grief. So what if this was a party that they had been planning for months? Her absence wouldn’t change the turn out whatsoever. “School’s been in session for a few months and I’m already failing, I wish I wasn’t such an idiot.” Sumin chuckled, eyes forming small crescent moons at the reveal. “I shouldn’t be out partying too late, you know? Should be hitting the books… or whatever people say.” Sumin grinned, “isn’t that a given? I was practically made for parties. But I think you might have fun too. Promise. I won’t make you talk to anyone, it’ll just be us girls - maybe Jack.” Sumin chuckled, head tilting - “although I know Coke is a little more your speed, eh?”

If Sumin was only going just because, then why did she absolutely have to drag Najeong with her? It was a question that lingered in the hipster’s mind, but she knew better than to actual ask it unless she wanted to make the situation turn more awkward or possibly hostile. “Don’t call yourself that. You just need to dedicate your time differently, that’s all. Focus on your studies, then go to a party once it’s all done.” She answered honestly, nodding her head as she spoke in hopes of her words being convincing. “Alright... But uh, I don’t drink soda either.” Because yes, it was possible for her to get even lamer.

Haeun was beyond relieved when she made it to the cafeteria, her eyes brightening with joy as her gaze fell upon the food on the counters. Her stomach had been grumbling for hours, and the idea of finally eating something could not leave her mind. After getting some food, she wandered around the large room, looking for an empty spot to sit at and avoid any sort of awkward interaction with students she didn’t know. Her bag was bulky as she squeezed passed groups of friends, standing on her toes as she peeked over their shoulders to see if there were any open seats. After a few minutes of this process, Haeun was about to give up and sit in a corner before hearing a familiar voice call her name. She turned her head to find Najeong before making her way over to the female. “Sure!” she replied, a wide grin spreading across her features. She pulled out a seat beside the other and placed her things on the table.

Relief washed over the second year’s face once Haeun agreed to sit with her. Being lonely was no longer a problem, but now she had to figure out what to even talk about that wouldn’t make the girl regret choosing her as company for the next half hour or so. Najeong was basically pushing herself towards panic mode trying to figure out what to say next, and the only thing she could do was stuff more rice in her mouth to give herself an excuse to not talk and buy herself some time. Awkward, awkward, awkward-- why did so many people enjoy being around her, again? After clearing her throat, she smiled at the younger girl. Thank goodness, it was much easier to answer a question than to ask one.

Sumin could sense Najeong’s discomfort, hands immediately dropping by her side. She cleared her throat, not sure if she should apologize - perhaps it’d make things a lot more awkward. Sumin just to ignore it and move along. “Well then you’re in luck it’s not a party just… a big get-together. Seriously, there’s not a lot of…” She snapped a few times, trying to think of the right word to use to describe the type of ‘party’ she invited the other to. “-commotion. It’s ust loud but that’s because of the music and people trying to be heard over it but everyone usually minds their own space, they’re pretty chill. Until idols and other celebrities from one of the bigger companies show up. Buuuut they usually finish their stuff way later and we’ll be gone long before then. I’ll leave when you do.”

Oh great, now it was awkward. That horrible, stuffy feeling was in the air and it was all her fault, and apologies would probably only make things worse. Najeong exhaled through her nose, hands covering her cheeks once more as she imagined how great it would be to just disappear from this one moment and erase it from their minds. As much as she wanted a reason to think positively about her new plans, she couldn’t help but pick every detail apart in her head. Large crowds of people always created a commotion, whether they intended to or not. Besides, this was the person that could hardly even stand visiting the cafeteria. How was she supposed to handle a get-together? “But what if you want to stay? It’s okay if you do, I don’t mind.” She reassured the younger girl. “You’re probably going to enjoy it more than I do.”

“Of course they would. You’re so attractive it’s almost criminal. You know how many people would kill to look like you?” Sumin commented, lifting a hand to play with a lock of her hair before ultimately tucking it behind her ear. “Seriously -” She wasn’t lying, but she figured that overly complimenting the other would help steer their decision in the direction that she wanted to hear. Hearing Naeong’s final answer made her let out a cheer of happiness, wiggling a finger at the other. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down. You’re literally the best. I owe you my freakin’ life.” Sumin grinned a cheek-splitting grin, nudging the other like before. “Know what you’re gonna wear?”

Lies, lies and lies. Najeong didn’t respond, not beyond a slight frown on her face as she waited for all the close contact to finally end. She could only take one or the other, compliments or touching, but both was putting her into an overload. “Yeah,” was all she could manage to say in response. It wasn’t even the night in question, but she already had a bad feeling about it and was wishing she could find a way out without disappointing Sumin. “No. I don’t go to parties.” Even if she wanted to, she was never invited to them in the first place.