“Umma!” I shouted from my room.  “Have you seen my swimming suit?”

“No, I haven’t,” she answered.  I puffed out my cheeks in annoyance.  “Have you checked your drawers?”

I looked at all of my clothes strewn across my floor and the dresser drawers that were now half empty.  “Yes.”

“Check your closet,” my mother suggested.

I snapped my fingers.  “The shelf,” I muttered.

I grabbed a chair and dragged it over to the closet.  Up top there was a high shelf with things that I hadn’t wanted to deal with just shoved up there.  I rummaged around, searching.  It was almost noon.  I had everything except my swimsuit.

“Aha!” I lifted up the top triumphantly.  “Now where are the bottoms?”  I continued my scavenger hunt, grabbing desperately at anything yellow. 

Finally, I found that as well and quickly changed.  The halter top had orange straps and was white with small orange and yellow flowers.  White ruffles with gray polka dots trimmed the end and top.  The bottoms were a bright yellow with white edging same as the ruffles. 

I’d gotten it this past summer and loved all the bright colors on it and the way it fit.  It wasn’t revealing and I felt comfortable in it.  No sooner had I tugged it on and pulled on a pair of white shorts and a yellow shirt did I hear a knock on the door downstairs.  Snatching up my bag, I flew down the stairs.  Youngmin waited at the door, talking amiable with my mom.  I groaned.  Why did she have to answer it? 

“Hey, thanks Umma!  I’m going now, I’ll see you later!  Goodbye!”  I practically shut the door in her face on my way out.  I looked at Youngmin, his face showing his surprise by my disrespectful actions.  “Let’s go,” I said, quickly walking past him.

The door opened behind me.  “Bye!  Have fun!” my mom called after me.

I groaned inwardly, plastering a smile on my face as I turned around and gave her a small wave.  Then I faced Youngmin, my smile gone.  “Let’s go.  Where are we headed?”

“Um, this way,” Youngmin gestured down the street and I noticed Kwangmin and Hyesoo standing by the street.  “It’s not very far from here.”

I nodded, following the others.

“So, that was your mother?” Youngmin questioned, looking at me curiously.  I nodded again.  “She’s very nice.” 

“Yeah, she’s great.” I tried to smile.

“And very much Asian.”

I scratched the back of my head.  “Um, yeah… You see, I’m adopted.”

Youngmin nodded as if he met adopted kids every day.  “Are you their only child?”

I shook my head.  “I have an older brother, well, adoptive brother.  He’s their biological son.  He’s graduated already.”

“Is he going to college?” Kwangmin asked.

“Yeah, he goes to a college in New York.”

“That’s cool,” Hyesoo said.  “Is he doing well there?”

I gave a small laugh.  “That’s an understatement.  That kid is fricken’ smart!”  I was very proud of my brother.

Youngmin laughed.  “I’m sure you’re just as smart.”

My smile faltered briefly.  “Um, sure.”  I laughed uneasily and then cleared my throat.  “So where is this guy’s house?”

Kwangmin answered.  “It’s about two blocks away.”

“Do you know how many people will be there?” I asked.

Hyesoo laughed.  “A ton!  This is going to be so much fun!”

I smiled with her, but my stomach was doing nervous flips.  A ton of people?  How was I going to handle that?  I took a deep breath, steeling myself to be brave and to bear through it.  This was supposed to be fun, right?  I should just have fun.

I didn’t notice the way that Youngmin stared curiously at me as my face went from scared looking, to determined, to a little excited. 

“What should I be expecting when we get there?” I asked timidly.

“Have you never been to a pool party before?” Heysoo looked incredulous.

“Well, I’ve been to a few when there was only a couple of close friends, not so many people.  And I’ve never been to one in Korea.”

“You’ll like it,” Hyesoo sounded positive.  “I don’t know how Americans do summer, but here, it’s a blast.”  She then went off on experiences she’d had in past summers and the different pool parties she’d been to.  The way the girl described it made it sound really fun and enjoyable.  Maybe it wouldn’t be so scary after all.  I began to relax as she told a funny story including her friends, a birthday party, and a dad dressed in a chicken suit.  I laughed with Youngmin and Kwangmin as they also remembered that time.

After a while, I heard music blaring softly from an unknown location in the distance.  I looked around at the houses on this block.  They were fairly large and expensive looking with large, green yards.  I became intimidated at the sight.  The longer we walked down the street, the louder the music got.  At last, we stopped outside one of the large houses.  I was wondering if we were going to go up to the door or simply walk into the backyard where a gate was open, revealing a glimpse of a spacious backyard, a pool, and most importantly, a lot of people.

I felt my breath catch and my heart rate increased.  Forcing myself to take slow, calming breaths, I managed to keep myself from hightailing it out of there and to stand strong.  As I remained paralyzed, the boy from yesterday walked out from the gate and came toward us.  The others moved to meet him and I followed.

“Hey guys!  Glad you could come!”  He welcomed us.

“Hey Changjo!” Youngmin greeted our host enthusiastically.

“Come on in!  The party’s already started.”  Changjo led us to the backyard.

I stayed behind the others, hiding.  There were so many people, all of them unfamiliar.  The place was filled with half- people, most of the girls more so with their skimpy bikinis.  A make-shift dance floor used up most of the patio and the music blared loudly in my ears.  I wondered if coming here was a bad idea.  Unexpectedly, a hand reached out and grabbed my arm, turning me around.  I gasped and prepared myself to fight back when I realized who it was.

“Minwoo-ah!” I cried.  He was smiling at me.  And shirtless.  I couldn’t help but notice his well-defined body.

He chuckled at me.  “Happy to see me?”

“Happy?  You scared me half to death!”  Actually, I was quite relieved to see him there.  I was afraid I would miss him with so many people around.

“Ah, well, you still have half a life left, more than enough to stay alive for today.”  His smile was contagious and I smiled with him.  Usually I had trouble trusting people, but with him, I felt… comfortable. 

“Jin!” I heard someone call out my name.  Turning around, I saw Youngmin looking around.  Was he the one who had called out for me?  He scanned the crowd until he saw me and then ran over.

“Jin!  I thought I lost you!”

“You did,” I pointed out.  “But then you found me again.”  I gave him a smile so he knew I was teasing.

“Aish!  You’re so mean,” he complained.  That’s when he noticed Minwoo.  “Hey Minwoo.  What’s up?”

“I was just talking to Jin Haneul-ah.  Did you guys come together?” Minwoo asked, looking between us.

Before Youngmin could respond, I answered, “Yeah, I didn’t know where this place was, but the Jo twins and Hyesoo let me come with them.”

“Oh, I see.  But now that you’re here, let’s swim!” Minwoo jumped up and down like a little kid.  He pulled on my hands, leading me to the pool.  I couldn’t help but give a little laugh.

“Wait!  Let me put my stuff down first!”

He seemed impatient at the inconvenience.  “Okay, fine, you can put it with my things.”  He dragged me to a place a ways off from the others where there were already some bags and T-shirts and sandals lying in the grass.  Seeing all of the possessions, I wondered if Jeongmin and Hyunseong were there too.  I set my bag down, taking off my flip flops.  I stripped off my white shorts and yellow shirt.  It was awkward with Minwoo watching me, but I acted indifferent.  Then I turned to him and realized that Youngmin was still there with us.

“Are you ready now?” Minwoo asked.

I nodded and he grinned, taking my hand and dragging me to the pool.  We stopped at the edge and he let go of my hand smiling at me.  Without warning, he jumped into the pool, which was already full of bodies.  I closed my eyes and protected my face with my hands as water sprayed everywhere from the splash.  Minwoo came back up, shaking his head back and forth, spraying more water in all directions.

“Come on!” he yelled to me, waving me over.

I hesitated as I thought of being in that pool with so many others, being squished between so many bodies.  Just as I was about to back away, someone pushed me in.  I squealed as I was knocked into the water.  Luckily, it wasn’t too deep; probably 5 ft.  Even so, I had to stand on my toes to keep my head up.  When I resurfaced, I turned to face my attacker.  Youngmin stood at the edge, laughing.  I glared at him.

“Yah!  I can’t believe you did that!” I yelled indignantly.

“Can’t you?” was all he could manage between his chuckles.

I looked to Minwoo and we locked eyes.  A silent conversation passed between us and we swam to the edge, each grabbing hold of Youngmin’s ankles and pulled him in.

“Whoa!” Youngmin crashed in and it was mine and Minwoo’s turn to laugh.

The blonde-haired boy quickly recovered from his assault, blinking water out of his eyes.  His hair clung to his face, his bangs swiping across his eyes.  I gulped at the dark, mischievous expression.

“Oops.” I hurried behind Minwoo, making myself small.

“Oops is right,” Youngmin said.  “You’re going to pay for that.”  His words were serious, but his voice was playfully scary. 

“Minwoo-ah, don’t let him get me,” I pleaded in my cute voice, which I rarely used, but decided that this situation called for it.

“Minwoo, don’t do this,” Youngmin warned.

“Do what?” Minwoo asked innocently?  “I’m just keeping Jin Haneul-ah safe from a creeper.”  I couldn’t see, but I heard the grin in his voice.

Youngmin growled.  “What did you call me?”

I giggled and peeked around Minwoo’s shoulder.  Youngmin looked at me, his face set with determination.  “I will get you back,” he promised.

“But we’re even!” I complained.  “You pushed me in, so I dragged you in.  It’s only fair.”

He shrugged.  “Too bad.”

“Yah~!” I whined again, pouting.  It’d been awhile since I pulled cutesy on anyone, so I wasn’t sure if he would fall for it, but I went for it anyway.  His expression softened and he grinned.  Inwardly, I smiled victoriously.  Slowly, I pulled out from behind Minwoo.  But as soon as I was completely exposed and away from the safety of my hiding place, Youngmin grabbed me.

“Ani!” I screamed. 

He held me against his chest, his strong arms encircling me securely.  I fought against him, kicking and squirming, desperately trying to pry his fingers away.

“Minwoo-ah!  Save me!” I yelled.

Youngmin turned away from the other boy when he started to make a move, still holding me tightly.  “Don’t even think about it.  I know where you live.” 

I shuddered at the cold threat.  Even though I knew he was kidding, it was still slightly scary.  I stopped struggling and decided on a different tactic.  I looked up at him with big eyes.

“Please, Youngmin-oppa?” 

He stared at me, dumbfounded.  I felt his arms relax slightly.

“Aigo~!” Minwoo pinched my cheeks.  “So adorable!”  Youngmin’s grip tightened again.

“Ani!  Ani!  Ani!” I cried.  “Minwoo, he was about to let go!”

“Oh, mian Jin Haneul-ah.”

Youngmin chuckled darkly.  “Don’t think I’m going to let go of you so easily,” he whispered in my ear.  My body froze.  Crap.  What have I gotten myself into?  Just then I caught sight of another familiar face.

“Kwangmin-ah!” I yelled.  He looked at me, his eyes taking in the situation.  “Help!  Your ert of a brother is molesting me!”

“Mwo?  I am not!” Youngmin protested.

Kwangmin chuckled, amused.  “You’re not what, a ert, or molesting her?  ‘Cause it looks like both accounts are true.”

“She pushed me in!”

“You pushed me in, I got revenge and dragged you in,” I corrected.

“With my help!” Minwoo put in, not wanting to be left out.

“Youngmin, let go of her,” Kwangmin ordered.

“But, but,” Youngmin seemed at a loss of words.

“Now, Youngmin.”

Sighing, the boy released me.  I quickly swam away, once again hiding behind Minwoo. 

"Thank you Kwangmin-ah!" I shouted.  The other boy gave a small nod and continuted on his way.

“Don’t think that this is over,” Youngmin wagged a finger at me.  “Remember, I have to take you back home.”

“I can find my own way back,” I returned.  He glared at me, making it known that wasn’t an option.

“I’ll take you home, Jin Haneul-ah,” Minwoo offered.

I looked at Youngmin.  “See, Minwoo-ah can take me home.”

His glare deepened but at that moment, a girl attached herself to Youngmin’s arm.

“Youngmin-oppa!” she squealed.  The girl was pretty with a nice body and light brown wavy hair.  She was one of those that wore a skimpy swimsuit. 

“Ah, Chung Ae-ah,” Youngmin said.

Chung Ae?  Why did that name sound familiar?  Oh!  This was the girl that used to have the fastest time for the one mile.  Actually, now that I thought about it, this was also the girl that had said that I didn’t look like much at lunch the other day.  I immediately didn’t like her.

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