"Minhee-yah, did you really get a job?!" my best friend screamed the moment she entered our classroom. I had told her the night before on the phone and her reaction was still the same.

"Neh, what's wrong?" I asked her. Why was she so surprised? Was it that big a deal to get your very first job?

"Normally, everything would be alright," she frustratedly started. "But this is you we are talking about. Innocent, sweet, and too-kind-for-my-life Minhee. How the heck are you going to survive?!"

"Calm down Jessica-yah," I giggled at her reaction. "You're treating me like a kid when I'm not."

"That's because you are still a kid! Think about it, customers and co-workers are always going to be mean and rude to you. Because of your personality, people are going to take advantage of you without you even realizing it. Just the thought of it makes me so mad! Seriously, without my protection, you're going to die!" Jessica shouted, not caring about how others stared and thought of her at that moment.

"Jessica-yah, I promise I'm going to be alright," I tried assuring her. "I won't let anyone hurt me."

She looked at me intently then sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'm going to trust you with this one, but the moment I sense any trouble, I'm going to drag you out of that place you work in,'' she promised me and herself.

"Yes, unnie,'' I agreed to her terms. Even if Jessica and I only met two years ago, we had already gotten so close. She's like the sister I always wanted, except a bit overprotective, which I actually really liked.

"So, tell me about your new job," she suddenly plopped herself down on the desk in front of me, faced back, and smiled at me.

"Yah, why did your mood suddenly change?" I asked her in surprise. "That's creepy...''

"Aww, you're so cute Minhee," she pinched my cheeks for no reason I knew. "Anyway, when and where do you start working?"

"I start tomorrow, Saturday. I'm working in the new fast food restaurant that just opened," I casually told her.

Jessica instantly shot up and screamed at me, ''WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU?! ARE YOU CRAZY?! Fast food restaurant?! Tomorrow?! You've got to be kidding me!"

"What's with your mood changes?" I worriedly asked her. "Are you bipolar?"

"Nothing's wrong with me. What's wrong with you?! How can you of all people work in a fast food restaurant?! Are you aware of how much you'll have to talk to people and interact with them? Minhee, face it. You can't even recite in class. The most you have ever raised your hand was twice in one week. Twice. Even if I allow you to work there, I will still need to give you practice, which will last at least two weeks. Why are you only telling me this now?" Jessica asked me in annoyance.

"That's because I wanted to surprise you. I thought you'd be happy for me," I said, filled with disappointment.

Jessica sighed again. "All right, I'm sorry. Just remember that if ever you're having a hard time, I'm always here to help you, and drag you out of that resaurant. Okay?"

"Thanks unnie, you're always so reliable," I grinned. "Oh, but I'm sure I'll do well. I guarantee it!"

 

 

"Annyeonghaseyo!" I bowed to all of my co-workers. "My name is Park Minhee. Please treat me well!"

"Yes, a cute girl!" one of them muttered happily, but that caused his girlfriend to hit his arm.

"Minhee, you'll be in charge of washing the dishes today. Do well," my boss cheered me on.

"Neh!" I energetically replied. I wanted to do my very best during my first job, even if I was only washing dishes. My parents were against my job decision, but I had told them I really wanted to improve my social skills, and this was my best option. If I could talk with others properly, I thought I wouldn't be shy anymore. That was why I chose a fast food restaurant, because I would be forced to have conversations with others.

 

 

1 month later

 

"MInhee-yah, are you still washing dishes?" Jessica asked me with pity in her eyes.

"Even if I don't want to, there's nothing I can do about it," I sadly replied.

"Can't you be promoted to cashier at the very least?" she suggested.

"I doubt it. My boss wants his employees to focus all of their attention on only one job," I told her.

"Well, why don't you quit? It's not like you can talk to customers while washing plates and utensils," Jessica reminded me.

"But if I try harder, I'm sure something will happen," I forced myself to stay positive. "Don't worry, unnie. I'm alright."

"Fine, if you say so. Fighting!" she encouraged me.

 

 

I continued to do my best in all that I did. Finally, one day my boss gave me what I had wanted and worked hard for.

"MInhee-ssi, would you want to work in the cashier and sometimes help clean tables? Someone quit and we really need a replacement soon. How about it?" he asked me.

''Yes, of course! I'd be glad to!" I replied in ecstasy.

"Great you can start tomorrow," he smiled.

 

 

The next day

 

"Annyeonghaseyo! What would you like to order?" I energetically asked a customer. Usually I would be terrified, but I was just so happy to have finally been placed in the cashier that I didn't notice much.

"Anything. I didn't even come here to buy food," muttered the customer.

"Would you like our house special? It is composed of a very special burger, fries, and one brownie," I happily suggested to him, unfazed by his cold attitude.

"Whatever," he replied and paid for his order. After getting the food, he left to eat in one of the empty tables. Suddenly, I heard squeals coming from my co-workers,"Oh my gosh, isn't he so cool? He's more than cool, he's good looking! Do you think he has a girlfriend? Don't you think he likes girls that are just like me? No way, I bet I'm his type!''

"Unnies, what are you talking about?'' I wondered at what they were so interested in.

"Oh, an innocent girl like you wouldn't understand," they said and faced me for a split second before focusing all of their attention on the guy who looked like he was my age.

"Yeah, I don't understand..." I confusedly said to myself and began serving a customer who had just arrived.

Around thirty minutes passed, and the man was still sitting alone. Another few minutes came by and a very pretty girl entered the restaurant. She didn't even order anything. The girl just immediately went up to the man. The girl was the only one who talked for a while, and soon after, she stood up and walked out of the restaurant. The man didn't seem to move for a very long time. Finally, he stood up and staggered outside of the restaurant, leaving his untouched food behind.

"What happened to them, unnie?" I asked my co-worker. I didn't want to seem like I was prying into the business of others, but this was the first time I really wanted to know what had happened.

"Obviously, the two of them just broke up, and it was the girl who did it. I know she was pretty, but how can she even think about leaving that guy who I'm sure many would kill for, no matter how good you look? I bet she'll regret it later on," she predicted, disgust evident in her tone of voice.

"That is too bad," I nodded my head in agreement. "But we should get back to work now before the boss scolds us."

"Neh, unnie," they teased me.

 

 

"...And that's how I am now working in the cashier!" I happily retold the events of past weekend to Jessica.

"That's great. I guess I don't need to protect you anymore, Minhee. I'll miss the old days when you were still shy and quiet," she pouted.

"Unnie, you know I'll always need your protection!" I protested. "RIght now I'm just trying to help myself for the better."

"Of course I know that,'' she laughed. "Just don't change yourself completely."

"Definitely," I promised her. The both of us were walking back home from school. We were just passing the neighborhood park when I saw a boy I recognized swinging on the swings. Unknowingly I shouted, "Oh! It's that man from the restaurant yesterday who got dumped by a very pretty girl!"

Really, I hadn't meant to shout that. It just accidentally slipped from my mouth. Unluckily, the man heard me and stared straight at me. I thought I was going to die when he stood up and started making his way towards me.

"Yah, who told you that?" he looked down and glared at me after stopping only a few inches away from me.

"No, I just happened to see the both of you in the place I work in. I'm really sorry!" I tried apologizing but he just stepped another few inches closer to me and raised his arm. I unconciously also raised my arms over my face to defend myself, but before even Jessica could do anything to help me, the man immediately placed his arm back down. He took one long, last look at me and walked away.

"Dongsaeng, are you alright?'' Jessica frantically asked me.

"Don't worry, I'm not hurt, just a little surprised,'' I told her.

"Aish, that Kevin Woo! I thought he stopped that attitude of his, but apparently, it's back," Jessica angrily shouted to herself.

"Hmm? Do you know that guy?" I curiously asked her.

"You mean you've never heared of him? Kevin Woo, the most heartless man on earth?"

"Never. This is my first time," I honestly told her.

"Well, I guess that's just like you,'' Jessica nodded. "Anyway, that guy is always expressionless. I don't know why, but that only makes girls really like and adore him. But is it true that he broke up with Jiyeon, the only girl who ever melted his heart of steel?"

"I'm not 100% positive, but I think I witnessed their break-up when I was at work," I said.

"No wonder he's a mess right now. You see, he really seemed to love her. I thought their relationship was going well. I wonder what happened..." Jessica trailed off.

We walked the rest of the way home in silence. Kevin Woo, I'll remember that name.

 

 

It was a Sunday so I didn't have any work. I was walking to the grocery store to buy some snacks when I saw Kevin. I tried to hide but he immediately walked over to me after he spotted me.

"You're name is Minhee, right?" he asked me.

"Y-Yes," I stuttered. He was talking to me.

"I want you to pay for what you did to me last Friday," he slyly smiled at me.

"Me?" I wanted to clarify. Why would he ask me?

"Since rubbed salt to my wound, you have to go with me to wherever I want," he said.

"But you almost hit me," I countered.

"A few moments before that, I was in tears from my break-up. How do you think you would react if some boy shouted to the entire world that you were just dumped?"

"Well, I guess I would kick that boy and beat him uncouncious, but I wouldn't know. I have never dated anyone in my life," I innocently told him. "Fine, I forgive you for almost hurting me, but in the first place, how can you go out with another girl after you had just broken up?"

"Do you think I'm going to take you seriously today? I just want to enjoy myself because I have only been hurt lately. Come with me," Kevin demanded.

"No, I don't even know you. My parents said I shouldn't talk with strangers." I suddenly found my strength at that moment. For my nineteen years in life, I never disobeyed my parents, and I wasn't planning on breaking that now.

"But I know you. We go to the same school, didn't you know?" he raised an eyebrow. "Anyway, one person knowing the other is enough. Let's go." With that, Kevin got ahold of my arm, forcing me to follow him wherever he would go.

"Where are we going?" I curiously asked him.

"I want to have fun today," he told me. "Let's go to an aquarium."

"Fish?" This time, I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Not only fish, aquatic animals," Kevin corrected me.

 

 

"Omo! Did you see that crab! When it opened its fists, I thought it was going to grab my face and eat me!" I squealed in excitment. I hadn't thought this would be fun, but I seemed to be enjoying more than Kevin. For some reason, the both of us just naturally became comfortable with each other. I learned that Kevin wasn't really heartless, just shy like me. He was actually really fun to be around and he makes everything surrounding him sparkle and become so bright.

"Fists? Eat you? But it was contained behind a piece of glass...'' Kevin wondered at my strangeness. "Anyway, where do you want to go next?"

''Umm...I want to see the seals!" I imitated the way they clapped their hands on tv and Kevin laughed again.

"Okay, the seals it is."

When we had arrived, I was disappointed to see how the seals were all so far away from us. "Aww...I wanted to pet them," I pouted.

"We can't do anything about that. Let's go," Kevin started pulling me away again, but I forced him to stop after I saw a "feed me'' sign.

"Look oppa! We can feed the seals fish! All we have to do is throw them! That looks like so much fun!'' I started jumping up and down in happiness. If I wasn't allowed to touch them, at least I could feed them.

"Yah, calm down. If we don't buy the fish first, then you won't feed them," Kevin warned me.

"Ah, you're right. What are we waiting for? Let's go!" I raced him to the shop that sold the tiny fish.

"Oppa, this fish looks like you," I raised one up beside his face.

"How can that ugly thing look anything like my beautiful face?'' he scrunched up his nose.

"Now you're just bragging." I threw the last fish to the seal and watched it chew the meal we had given it. The both of us leaned against the railing separating humans from seals and just stayed like that for a long time in silence.

"Let's go home," Kevin finally said, breaking our comfortable silence.

"I don't want to. Let's look at more fish," I stubbornly requested.

"No, didn't you hear? This place is closing in ten minutes," Kevin told me.

"Oh, really? Fine, let's go,'' I disappointedly agreed. We got onto his motorcycle, and as he drove, I didn't know if I should wrap my arms around his waist or not, but a sudden brake forced me to. I felt my face burn but I didn't let go even after I knew I would be safe. Instead, I leaned my face on his shoulders and watched the city pass by me in a blurr. At that moment, I wondered how Kevin felt. I know we had just met not long ago, but it's like something woke up inside of me. I felt feelings I never felt before, and I didn't understand why. Kevin's a troublemaker, right? Then why did he seem truly kind to me today? I wish he was really a gangster, because then I would know that we really can't be.