I thought that my trip to visit my aunt that was stationed for in work purposes in South Korea would be a wonderful experience for the summer. I mean heck, an entirely different culture, people, food, traditions, you name it. It all sounded great in my head, but little did I know things would turn out differently than I imagined in my head…

“Come on sweetie, you’ll be fine it’s only for two to three weeks, and then you can go back to being a couch potato.” My mom joked while seeing me to our minivan. Let’s just say today wasn’t exactly a “good” morning for me. My alarm woke me up 30 minutes late, I had to rush to brush my teeth and throw on a hoodie and sweatpants, because for an 18 hour flight I wanted to be as comfy as possible, and I had to eat something before bolting to the airport. It was around 3:38 by the time we were on the main drag to head to the Seattle Airport. As we arrived my mother helped me gather my baggage and rushed me through the gates to the check-in center. She waited with me until I got everything set up and ready on the airplane. By the time we finished baggage check, sign in, and ticket approval, it was around five. My mom said she wanted to spend as much time as she could with me before I left for the journey, so she waited at the terminal waiting room with me and made me take a bunch of dumb selcas with her until the intercom told me that the flight to South Korea, Incheon was boarding. As soon as my mom heard the intercom voice, she inhaled and looked me in the eyes. “Have fun sweetheart, and just enjoy this trip okay?” My heart sank. My mother was always caring, and I loved her for that. But seeing her like this, almost made me feel guilty for leaving her alone in Seattle for three whole weeks. My eyes grew a little watery, but I still managed to get out a, “Bye mommy, I’ll be back soon okay.” Before giving her a massive hug. She rubbed my shoulders and then wiped her eye lids, and said “Go now, you don’t want to keep Aunt Grenda waiting do you?” I gave her a kiss on the cheek and began to drag my luggage past the terminal, and towards my flight. I looked back one more time, to see my mom waving goodbye to me, and I waved back.

The wait time for the flight was super long, but it managed to get started and before I knew it we were already Alaska. I was positioned between a girl that kept checking herself in her phone mirror, and a guy that was literally the Pokémon Snorlax, smell and all. However, I managed to get past the crying babies, Massive amounts of B.O, and obnoxiousness of the people on the plane by plugging my headphones in and listening to some good old K-pop. Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself, how clumsy of me. I’m Gwen, and no not Stephanie. Gwen Pallas. I’m 19 years old and live alone with my mother. Although that’s a lie, we have a dog that’s 8 years old. Her name’s Honey. Anyways, I just finished my last year of high school, and as a cool vacation idea, my Aunt Grenda thought I could visit her in South Korea. I was familiar with Korea, because from time to time I’d listen to music from there. K-pop. My favorite band I think would have to be BTS because they’re so awesome. I’m rather shy, or as my mom puts it antisocial, but I’m completely fine with that. Who needs fifty million friends anyway? My mom made me dye my hair blonde about two weeks ago in hopes of raising me chances of meeting an attractive boy, but all it did was make me look like something I’m not… But yea, besides that there’s really not much to say other than I work part time at Wendy’s…

Long story short, I completely blanked out during the flight and when I woke up, I was there. In Korea. Wow, I actually did it. And it didn’t seem long at all. Since I was at the very front of the plane I was one of the first to exit and didn’t have to go through all the trouble of escaping the cesspit of people in the middle and back of the plane. I only had a back pack and one big carry on, with all my clothes and accessories and what not, so I didn’t need to go through baggage claim which was a huge relief for me. I texted my mom and told her that I arrived safely, but seeing as though eleven in the eight in the morning here, is midnight back at home, chances are she didn’t see my message yet. I messaged my aunt and told her that I was waiting at the airport for her, and she said to give her 30 minutes to get there. I sighed and pulled out my phone charger the charge my phone and maybe doze off some more. However to my surprise I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to face a tall, black haired, handsome guy that had a phone charger and phone in both of his hands. His expression didn’t seem too chill either. “Yah, naega wanjeon palli jeom, keurumnyo?” He said to me while staring directly at me. I realized a probably looked crappy, because I had no makeup on, my hair was in a high ponytail, and I was wearing a grey hoodie and sweatpants. I looked into the eyes of the guy who was almost a foot taller than me and said in a low voice, “Sorry.” I assumed that he wanted to charge his phone in that slot before I came and snatched it away from him. His angry facial expression, soon turned into a sorry one, and his shoulder drooped as I un-plugged my charger and began packing my things up. “Uh I-I’m so sorry.” He said in a somewhat broken English, with a heavy accent. “It’s okay.” I said while raising my eyebrows and throwing my bag over my shoulder. I felt a hand grab my wrist forcefully, and I turned back at him. This time a little annoyed. “I’m sorry. You can um, sit if you want?” He said as if he were confused with his own English. I turned my head away and proceeded walking away from him. Are men in Korea really this bi-polar? “Wait, wait! What’s your name?” He said this time a little more confident in his English. “Please leave me alone.” I said looking down. I was getting a headache, and he was only making the situation worse by continuing with the apologies and not just freaking using the phone charger. “My name is Hoseok, but you can call me Hobi.” He said with a cheerful grin. I put my hand to my forehead and began massaging it, because the pain was really starting to pull through now. I reached into my bag and pulled out some Advil and also a water bottle that I bought at the Seattle Airport. “Gwenchana?” He said as his eyes widened at my sudden weariness. I zipped up my bag and began to walk to the terminal exit that lead to the entrance of the airport. I looked back to see that guy Ho- whatever, going to grab his things hurriedly. I sat down on one of the chairs in the beginning waiting room, and what do you know he followed me. “Seriously what do you want…?” I said while snuggling into my bag. “You have be safe?” He said in an unsure voice again. I got a message on my phone and it was from my aunt. I’m waiting outside, come on out. I put my phone in my pocket and began to head outside when I felt a hand prevent me from doing so, once again. “Please, tell me your name.” He said honest sincerity in both his voice and eyes, which were a dark brown; rather pretty. “Gwen.” I sighed before stepping outside the doors and breathing in some fresh air. I saw my aunt waiting by her car at the very front of the airport, with a big grin plastered across her face. “Gwennie!!” She yelled as I approached her. “I thought I told you not to call me that any-.” Before I finished my sentence she squeezed me and almost lifted me off the ground. “-more.” I managed to get out when she let me out of her bear hug. “I know, I’m just teasing you.” She said with a slap to my back. “Ow! What exactly was that for?” I said while rubbing my back. “Oh sorry, people from here consider that as a friendly banter sort of thing, it must’ve rubbed off on me...” She said while rubbing the back of her neck. Aunt Grenda hadn’t aged a bit since I saw her two years ago for my birthday. Her hair was still a silky chestnut brown color, and her skin has yet to develop any wrinkles or blotchy spots on them yet. She looked like she was thirty even though she was forty-two. During the car ride to her house, we just caught up on basic things that happened during the last two years. Who would’ve known she got a promotion, and was elected as vice president in her office? As we pulled up into her driveway, I looked in awe of her huge house. I was two stories high, with a massive backyard and a porch with a table and two chairs to make it look even more elegant.  “Wow you live here?” I said while looking around in amazement. “Yup. Make yourself at home. By the way you room is on the second floor on the first left, and I also have something to tell you after you shower.” She said with a small smile. I nodded and took my bags up to the room she told me was my own. As I looked inside, it looked rather plain but it had a cozy feel to it. A bed, dresser, desk, window, and a lamp was all that was inside. I didn’t mind though, as long as I had somewhere to sleep. I checked my phone and it was already 10 A.M.  I decided to shower and await what Aunt Grenda had to tell me.

I got out of the shower, got dressed, took my air out of that disgusting ponytail and brushed it. I walked down the creaky stairs, only to see Aunt Grenda and some girl on the couch talking to each other. Both of their eyes focused on me, and Aunt Grenda got up, motioning me to sit down. I gave her a confused look before taking a seat, ready to receive further explanation. “Gwen meet Youngji, Youngji meet Gwen.” She said a monotonous voice. “It’s nice to meet you.” Youngji said in a straightforward voice, while giving me a bow and a professional handshake. “Uh, nice to meet you too?” I said in a meek voice, no bow, and barely returning the handshake. I had no clue what to do in the situation. To be honest it took me by surprise. “Now I heard there’s a great breakfast place in town that maybe two lucky ladies would enjoy going to? Hmm?” Aunt Grenda said while pulling out 500,000 won. Youngji’s eyes grew wide with surprise, while mine grew wide with confusion. “Wait how much is that in dollars?” I asked. “Oh who cares, just go and order anything anywhere. Just go!” My Aunt Grenda exclaimed almost as an order rather than a request. Youngji grabbed the money and her car keys and made way for the door before saying goodbye to my Aunt. I soon followed and repeated what she did. We got into her car and she immediately said, “You’re funny.” While igniting the engine to her Lexis. “Thanks I guess?” I said while rubbing the back of my neck frantically. My mom was right about one thing, I am very socially awkward. As in, I can’t take compliments or favors very well, I tend to avoid conversations or small talk with new people, and often decide to hermit myself in any social occasion, this being one of them. We drove for five minutes in silence, until I decided to break the ice by saying, “So how do you know my aunt?” “My mom works with her.” She replied still keeping her eyes completely in front of her, not giving me one glance. “Do you have any siblings?” She asked me while giving me an extremely quick glance before gluing her eyes back to the road. ”Nope just me, myself, and I.” I replied with a sigh. “You?” “I have a brother. He’s really funny and he just returned from his tour with his band so it’ll be my first time seeing him in a year. If we’re lucky we might meet him.” She said with excitement in her eyes. “Cool. Umm so where exactly are we going?” I asked her a bit skeptical of the whole situation. “We’re going to an all you can eat buffet. You must be starving right? Airplane food is pretty y.” She said while giving me a glance filled with pity. I had to agree with her on that one, I hadn’t eaten real food since the bowl of cereal I ate before my flight from Seattle. So saying I was starving, was an understatement. We talked a bit more about America and Korea, and even a bit about K-pop before we arrived at the buffet restaurant. ‘Deokpokki Palace’ the sign read which made me chuckle at the similarity between my last name and the name of the restaurant. We entered and the smells of rice and noodles and meat permeated the air, giving me a sense of pleasure to the aromas. “Mm smells good!” I said while rubbing my aching stomach that yearned for some nourishment. My phone beeped and alerted me of a new message. I opened it up to see that my mother had responded to my message with a, Glad to hear you got there okay, Have fun! J. That warmed my heart that she was at least sleeping okay. Not long after we ordered our food, well Youngji ordered our food but that’s beside the point, Youngji received a message on her phone. She gasped in shock and immediately started squealing like a little pig. “What?” I asked her with a puzzled look on my face. “My brother, wants to know where we’re at so he and s can stop by to say hi!!” She said almost screaming. “Okay, calm down. That’s pretty cool I guess.” I said while looking down at my phone, worrying about my mother who was home alone with no one to talk to, or do anything with. Maybe coming here wasn’t such a great idea, I mean my mom in the past was known for having panic attacks. Even though they weren’t frequent enough for her to take medication for them, it could still happen while I’m not there and who knows what could happen. “Ahh he just texted me that they’re outside the building!” She screamed while motioning me to get up. “I’m too lazy and jet lagged you go greet him yourself…” I said while putting my head down to sleep until my food arrived. She left the table and I was able to get lost in my thoughts again. This trip already seemed kind of risky since my mom wasn’t coming along with me, meaning she would be home alone with adds anxiety and depression to the human brain, which could stimulate and panic attack or even worse, a heart attack. However, my mother didn’t eat unhealthy food too often so that’s very unlikely to happen, but still just the thought of it scares me. I felt a hand touch my shoulder and I jumped at the sudden interruption to my thoughts. I looked up to see who it was and my jaw dropped to the basement floor when I saw who it was. “Oh yea Gwen, this is my brother, Hoseok! And these are his band members. Hoseok Oppa, this is Gwen.” Youngji Said while pointing at me like a museum exhibit. “Oh don’t worry, I know her.” He said with a smile that didn't make me feel too flattered. I couldn't believe my eyes, seeing the guy that was so persistant at the airport have his hair parted to the side slightly. He was wearing a green vest jacket with black sleeves, with black leather pants, accompanied by a very fragrant cologne. He, contrary to the first time I met him, seemed somewhat attractive. But would I be stupid to think that? Yes. Yes I would. 

A/N: Hey Guys!!! Sorry that I haven't continued my story about V, but I felt like that fic wasn't very intersting so I wanted to make a new one that was a bit more personal to me, and hopefully to you too. I'm still new to this website and would love to hear your comments, but frankly I have no clue on how to activate the comment section, so if you could message me directly and tell me how to figure that stuff out that'd be dandy! Sorry for the long author's note, and have a super duper day! <3 [Also I apologize for any spelling errors or gramatical mistakes, I wrote this pretty late so...]