Ri Ah returned around 8 that evening to Mr. Park reading and Mrs. Park knitting in the living room.

“I’m home,” Ri Ah called to them once she entered the house.

“Oh Ri Ah, how was school? Mrs. Park told me that you were staying later. You have that much work already?” Mr. Park said, looking up from his book.

“Yes, I wanted to make sure I don’t get behind.”

“That’s good. Are you hungry?” he responded.

“Actually, I ate the dinner that Ajumma packed,” Ri Ah replied. “Thank you again for the food,” she said with a bow to Mrs. Park. “Where’s Chan Yeol-ssi?”

“He’s upstairs in his room. Oh yes, how was Biology class? Chan Yeol ignored our question when we asked him at dinner,” Mrs. Park asked.

Ri Ah giggled. “It was interesting. The professor seems like a fun teacher.”

“Really? That’s great!” Mrs. Park exclaimed. “Then why did Chan Yeol seem upset when I asked him?” she asked herself to the side.

“I’m going to go to my room now. Good night Ajumma, Ahjussi.”

“Good night, Ri Ah!” the two replied back as Ri Ah went into her room.

Ri Ah decided to go ahead and take a shower and then try to sleep early since she was feeling tired.

As Ri Ah showered in her bathroom, Chan Yeol came downstairs to see if Ri Ah had returned. He knocked on her door but didn’t hear a response, so he opened the door and peeked in. He could hear the shower running and smiled knowing that Ri Ah was back. Out of curiosity, he went over to her phone on her nightstand and looked for his name in the contacts. He was disappointed to see that she had used his full name, “Park Chan Yeol”. He thought she would at least use just his first name, “Chan Yeol” but was hoping for something more along the lines of “My Puppy”.

Chan Yeol put the phone back and his eyes wandered to the picture of the boy. He was in deep thought when the bathroom door opened and Ri Ah came out in her towel.

Ri Ah’s eyes widened at Chan Yeol, who was staring back at her with the same expression. Chan Yeol quickly turned away with a blush and Ri Ah grabbed her clothes on the dresser as quickly as she could before returning to the bathroom.

She was only in her towel! Chan Yeol thought to himself still blushing. Should I leave? Should I stay? Aish, I didn’t even apologize for being in here without her permission.

Ri Ah came back out in her pajamas, her hair still wet. “Chan Yeol-ssi. Did you need something?” she asked him awkwardly.

“Huh?” Chan Yeol said in a fluster, turning to her. “Uh, no….I mean yes. Um…” Think of something, Chan Yeol! “Do you want me to give you a ride to school tomorrow?” he blurted the first thing that came to him.

“In the morning? But I leave at 8. You’re not up then,” Ri Ah responded dubiously at his offer.

“8?!” Chan Yeol said with wide eyes before regaining composure. “Well, I mean, it’s better if I start waking up earlier anyways. I don’t want another Three Bears incident to happen,” he said rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

“It’s okay, Chan Yeol-ssi. I don’t mind taking the bus. Plus, what would you do on campus so early? Your first class isn’t until 11.”

“I can…do homework,” Chan Yeol responded uncertainly. “How about this? You can be my alarm and wake me up when you do. I tend to snooze my alarm anyways, and I’ll count it as a favor. How about 10,000 won?”

“Well, if you’re sure,” Ri Ah replied hesitantly.

“Yes, and don’t fail me this time,” he replied with a smirk. “You lost your chance of being 5,000 won less in debt today.”

“I’m sorry about that. I was running late too,” she answered in embarrassment.

“It’s okay. Can you save me a seat for the next class then?”

“Well actually, I promised to sit with Hye Ri, the girl I sat next to today.”

“Oh,” Chan Yeol’s face fell. He was beginning to dislike Biology class even more. “Okay. Guess there’s nothing you can do then. Well, I’ll uh, leave you to finish whatever you were doing then. Good night Ri Ah,” he ended awkwardly before turning to leave.

“Good night, Chan Yeol-ssi.”

Ri Ah soon went to bed, but the thought of her first class tomorrow was upsetting her. He won’t ask for an impossible wish, right? Why did I agree to play his stupid game? How am I going to face him tomorrow in class? Thoughts of Tae Sung were going through her head before she fell asleep.

Author's Note

Me: Big News! I’m in the double digits with subscribers!

Imaginary Friends: Really?! How many? 50? 60? 70?

Me:…10

Imaginary Friends:……

Me: Haha, I get excited too easily, don’t I?

Imaginary Friends: [All in unison and with bored faces] Yes.

Lol, I got on AFF to add this chapter and found a new subscriber making  me hit a decade!

What did you guys think of this awkward situation? Lol Chan Yeol-ah, how can you just enter a girl’s room like that? But then again, what girl would actually mind if Chan Yeol ran in on them in a towel? [Mental slap in the face] Get a hold of yourself and stop fangirling!

Well, here’s a preview as celebration for my 10th subscriber:

“Ri Ah, are you feeling okay? Your cheeks look red,” Mr. Park asked in concern.

What could have caused Ri Ah’s cheeks to turn red? Hmm… - 6/23/12 12:36 AM