She squatted under the biggest tree in school crying. I think she cried because her lunch is being tossed away and she left with nothing to eat. I came closer and asked her what happened, she didn’t respond.

“ya! If you’re crying and someone asked you’d better answer them.. you won’t have any friends if you’re being arrogant.” I snapped at her after trying to console her without any positive result.

“I don’t understand what you said.” She answered in English. “all the kids here are making fun of me because I look different and talk differently. I don’t know why they’re being so mean, and I don’t know why you’re yelling at me!” she continued.

I’m raised as a son of a diplomat, my dad travels a lot and one time, we’re stationed in the States. That’s why I understand what she was saying. Because to a pair of eight years old like us, English hasn’t really been a second language back then.

“I’m sorry, I thought you’re Korean.” I replied.

She lifted head and looked stunned. “You know my language?” seeing her facial feature, it was clear that she’s not Korean. Her hair was auburn, her eyes were deep blue.

“U-huh, I used to go abroad before.” I lifted my chin proudly.

“I see.” She snorted her nose.

“I’m KyuHyun, Cho KyuHyun.” I offered my hand.

“I don’t remember who I was, but they call me AeRi here.” She shook my hand in return.

We were eight years old back then. From that day on, we were inseparable