Soojung Pov

“Agasshi, here is the passcode of your apartment. You can change it directly once you’ve decided on one” the land-lady offers me a piece of paper with numbers scribbled on it.

“Thank you ajhumma” I bow to her for the last time before getting into the elevator with all of my luggage.

----------------------------------------------------

Last month, I just had my 18th birthday which means that I’m now legal to live by myself. I spent almost my all my childhood years at the orphanage located just outside the borders of Seoul, but now that I’m legal, I finally have the freedom to go anywhere I like and live wherever I want to. It’s not that I don’t like the orphanage, but you know, living for more than 10 years in one small place can get a little stuffy and also a little isolated from the outside world. One thing more, I really hate being a burden to others. Now that I’m 18, I deel like should be able to be independent enough to not further burden the orphanage and later work to feed myself without having others to do so.

So I decided to pursue my studies, well if dancing counts as studying then yes, at Seoul University. Yes, I know, people say that going to that particular university requires a lot of money. Do you think I’m rich? Hell no. I’m an orphan, remember? Fortunately, although I major in dance, my academic studies in high school, not to be boastful, were pretty good that quite a lot of people wanted to sponsor me. That’s how I got through high school and now college, good amount of scholarships and sponsors. And now, this decent apartment that I’m renting is also a result of my part time jobs salary, sponsors, and also the cash I got from the orphanage after I left them.

*Ding*

The elevator opens and struggling, I drag all my bags and suitcases out. Once that is done, I walk through the hallway searching for the right door with ‘205’ sign in front of it.

202..203..204...205!

Punching in the passcode the land lady just gave me, and hearing the sound of the doors unlocking, just like in the dramas I used to watch with the kids back then, makes me happy and excited at the same time. Going into the new apartment with all my baggage, I smile to myself, feeling satisfied with what I’m seeing.

The apartment itself is quite simple and tiny I guess, because honestly I never been into one and all I saw were apartments from drama which I know are impossible to have for someone like me. Just a little kitchen in the corner of the room, a small dining table that could only fit maybe 4, a sofa with a small tv, and also a bedroom.

I spend the night tidying up the apartment and also preparing for tomorrow’s orientation. It’s 3 AM already, I should go to sleep.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I heave a sigh after I turn off the alarm that had been disturbing me for 5 minutes. I should’ve slept earlier yesterday.

I walk into the unfamiliar campus hall, tired but nervous, greeted with a whole bunch of students cramped together with their suitcases ready beside each one of them. I see most of them are either busy with themselves, chit chatting, or just simply staring at nothing. Quickly scanning the hall, I look at what seems to be stalls, scattered around the area with different kinds of banners hung on top of them. Guessing, students are lining up based on their majors, registering for the orientation that will be held in a camp site.

Computer science, business management, economics, mathematics.

Pointing to each banner i read them silently, hoping to find the right one, but I still can’t figure out where is the heck is the dance department stall.

Someone taps my shoulder, interrupting my thoughts,  “Hey, you lost, pretty?”

Feeling disgusted at first, I decide to not judge a book by its cover. Just as I’m about to answer him, i hold my breath and take a minute to look at his face. I admit that he looks more than an average guy, but anyways, hey, looks doesn’t guarantee anything.

“Yah, you still there?” his lowered his head until his face is in lined with mine, smirking.

Realizing that I got too hooked up, I cleared my voice, hoping that he would not catch me admiring his whole existence, “Sorry. And yes, I’m kinda lost right now, I couldn’t see my department’s stall here” I explain sheepishly, scratching the back of my neck.

“Cute.” He says in a voice that I could barely hear but I shrugged it off.

“What’s your major sweetie?” he casually asks.

Urghh, not again. I almost rolled my eyes, but assuming that he could be any of the seniors, I hold it in.

“Mmm...dance?” I answer hesitantly, afraid that he might laugh at me just like my friends back in high school when they knew I decided to take dance as my major.

“Why do you look so unsure?” One of his sharp brows lifted. “Anyways, you’re in the wrong hall. This hall, hall A only consists of booths for majors that involves academic knowledge like science, math, and blablabla while yours is in hall B which contains stalls for arts and sports major. Want me to take you there?” he asks smiling, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No thanks, umm…” I pause thinking of a way so that I wouldn’t be stuck with this weird and flirtatious guy, “I’m sure you’re busy too… So thanks for the info…” I wait for his reply.

“Kris” he takes out his hand, offering a handshake.

Not wanting to be rude, I take his hand, feeling his gigantic hand wrapping my petite one, “Thanks kris”

“That’s nothing for a pretty y lady like you” sending me a wink that almost, almost made my heart jumped, if not for the flirtatious remarks he blurted, considering me as a stranger.

Before he gives more flirty insults, I give him one last awkward smile that doesn’t even reach my eyes before leaving the cramped hall. Looking at my watch I realize 15 minutes are wasted already.

Don’t want to be late, freshman.

In a hurry I search for the campus map, take a picture of it and just hope for a miracle that my sense of direction would take me to hall B.

‘Hall B’

Hallelujah for my good sense of direction!

As I am walking to the hall, I noticed that there are not as many crowds as in hall A. Maybe the number of students are not balanced. But wait, why are they cleaning the booths?

True to my words, some booths are already taken down. Looking at my watch, 10:05. ! The schedule said that the bus will be leaving at 10:10 and I haven’t even registered yet.

Take back what i say about having a brilliant sense of direction.

Running around with my heavy backpack like a crazy woman, I quickly run towards the dance stall that is just about to get cleaned up.

“Hey sorry I’m late, i got lost for awhile. Is the registration still open? And please don’t tell me the bus is already leaving?” I try to talk as fast as I could without spitting on her.

The girl in front of me takes out a folder and flip through the papers, “your name?”

“Park soojung” I answer nonchalantly.

“Well unfortunately your bus that you’re supposed to be in had left just now, you should’ve come faster.” she said. Wow, thanks for the reminder. “ I guess you’ll miss this orientation which will deduct your credits” she said showing her i don’t give a face.

Great, just great, Soojung. “Well i guess I have no-”

“WAITTT--!!” Someone shouts from behind. Turning around, I see a tall pole running towards my direction.

He continues, panting in front of us, “sorry I’m late too. Need to take care of some business before.”

He turns to my direction. “Guess this lady too is in the same position as mine. Has the bus left yet? I’m sure i told my friends to wait for me.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes and he laughs.

The girl who just talked to me suddenly answers with a shy voice while she puts her hair on the back of her ear, “H-hey Kris..Ummm, your bus is just about to leave, m-maybe you should h-hurry”.

She points towards the door located in the corner of the hall. I could already say that this girl has a crush over this pole human. Before i ask her what the she just said and why would she lie to me, i feel myself being dragged.

“Kajja~” he says in an excited voice. The .

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: That is it for the first chapter!! Sorry if it's kinda flat, but this is just the beginning. Thanks for those who took their time in ready this fanfic. <3333