The day had been really nice. I had attended interesting lectures at the university. Then, Na Yeon and I had gone to our favorite shops at the city center. I enjoyed spending time with her. Na Yeon had been my best friend since our high school years. When we had started studying at college, we had chosen different majors which made it difficult for us to meet again. We would always be busy with lectures and homeworks. Whenever we had an afternoon to be together, we would make the most out of it.

          Na Yeon and I had gone to a nail shop in order to get a new manicure. Then, we had spent some money in shops for new clothes and jewelries. We had also discovered a shoe shop that had just opened.

          The day had passed by quickly and Na Yeon soon had to go back to her place. I did the same. My older brother, Jin Young, was sitting at the table when I got into our apartment. He looked serious. I had not seen him like this often and I knew something was bothering him.

 

"What's wrong Oppa ?"

 

          I poured myself a glass of water before sitting in front of him.

 

"Jin Ae, we need to talk."

"Ouch.. have I done something wrong ?" I asked.

"No. I just need to tell you something."

"What is it ?"

"Well.. actually.." he hesitated. "Jae Bum Hyung is going to live here."

"What ?"

 

          I almost choked on my water upon hearing his announcement. Jae Bum was one of my brother's friends. He was a good-looking guy, with a good sense of fashion and a cute face. His body was well-built. He was hot and popular. Many girls were fond of him. Except for one. And that was me.

          Although I was aware of his incredible looks, I wasn't tricked. There was something about him that I didn't like. I could not tell what. We had never had a fight, he would only tease me, but I disliked him. Maybe was it because he had always seen me as a child. And I wasn't one. I hated the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me, I just hated him.

 

"Jin Ae, I know you don't really like him. But our apartment is too big for the two of us." Jin Young explained. "The rent is expensive and if he lives here, he'll help us gather the amount."

"Can't we just ask our parents ?"

"They help us a lot already. You spend all of their money on shopping-"

"I'm spending the money I get from my part-time job." I cut him off.

"Still, we need to find a roommate."

"Can't it be someone else ?"

"Why would I search for someone else when my friend needs my help ?" he argued.

"Oppa.. I can't live with him.."

"Hyung is a good person ! You'll get to know him."

"Oppa.." I begged.

"I can't go back on my word Jin Ae. He'll bring his belongings tomorrow."

 

          I sighed as he stood up. Jin Young and I had been living in our own apartment for two years. It was a beautiful place. The rooms were spacious, luminous and modern. The lounge was opened on the kitchen. The bathroom was located next to the bedrooms, at the end of a corridor. There were three bedrooms, one for Jin Young, one was mine and we used the other one as a closet.

          Living in an apartment like this one was expensive. That was the reason why we had looked for a part-time job. Fortunately, we also received help from our parents. I knew Jin Young was right when he said that having a roommate would be helpful. But I couldn't accept the fact that he had taken such a decision by himself. Moreover, I didn't want Jae Bum to be my roommate.

 

          I was dumbfounded as I opened my bedroom's door. The clothes that I had placed in the former closet were on my bed. Jin Young had taken everything away from Jae Bum's new room. Anger took over me as I realized I would have to tidy up.

 

. . .

 

"Welcome home !" Jin Young greeted me.

"Thank you for letting me stay here." I said.

"It'll be nice to have you here, Hyung. We can call the guys over sometimes."

"Well, we'll see. I don't want Jin Ae to kill me."

"She's going to do that anyway." he giggled.

"Gosh.. what have I done ?"

"I have no idea."

"Where is she, by the way ?"

"She has a course this morning. She will be back later."

"Okay.." I smiled.

"Don't tell me you came here because of her."

"No.. actually, I'm scared." I laughed. "I don't think she's going to welcome me as nicely as you did."

 

          Jin Young laughed along. Jin Ae had something against me. I didn't know why, but she disliked me, she hated me maybe. I had been nice to her though, in the past and in the present. Yet, it wouldn't change a thing. She was very nice to our other friends, not to me. There was no way I could understand her.

          Our relationship was weird, she would always glare at me when I enjoyed teasing her.

 

          It was lunch time already and Jin Young had gone out to buy us some food. I had been busy tidying up my room. I was happy to be able to share my friend's house. The apartment was amazing. Ever since they started living here, I had told myself that I wanted a place like this one.

          A smile played on my lips as I recognized Jin Ae's bedroom in front of mine. Living with Jin Young and his sister was going to be funny.

 

"What are you doing here ?"

 

          Jin Ae was standing behind me, her hands locked to her hips and her gaze scrutinizing my face. I couldn't help but laugh. I had expected Jin Ae to welcome me so sweetly.

 

"What are you doing in my bedroom ?" she repeated.

"I'm not inside." I rectified.

"You have your own space." she clenched her fists. "I would appreciate it if you could respect my private area."

"Omo.. you're so cute Jin Ae ! You're so.. adult like." I japed.

"Im Jae Bum, leave me alone." she mumbled. "At least, don't come into my bedroom. You shouldn't be here."

"I'm not inside." I repeated.

 

          She glared at me and I stepped inside. She looked helpless as I sat down on her bed.

 

"Now, I am inside." I giggled.

"Get out !" she yelled.

"Your room is beautiful. You've got nice furnitures."

 

          I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes.

 

"The bed is so comfortable !"

 

          I heard Jin Ae take a few steps closer. She leaned down in order to grab my arms. She tried to pull me up but I was too heavy. In fact, I didn't try to help her. I was simply letting her do her best. She pulled me up, harder, but my body didn't move. She tried again and, this time, she lost her balance and fell onto me. I laughed as she blushed.

 

"So, this is what you wanted." I whispered as I wrapped my arm around her waist.

"Im Jae Bum !" she begged.

"You're not polite Jin Ae. I'm older than you."

"I don't care. Let go of me."

"No, I won't let you go." I refused. "I like holding onto you."

"Hyung, I'm back !" Jin Young shouted from the lounge.

 

          Jin Ae took this opportunity to get away from me. Then, we walked to the lounge. Jin Young had bought a lot of food. He wanted to celebrate my first day at their place. Jin Ae sat beside her brother and she tried to act as if I wasn't here. It was funny. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was such a cute girl.

 

. . .

 

          I had been able to avoid talking to Jae Bum for almost two weeks. Although I couldn't avoid seeing him, I had not spoke to him. Finally, being his roommate wasn't as horrible as I had thought it would be. He was letting me live peacefully. After his first day at our place, he hadn't tried teasing me again. Little did I know, it wouldn't last.

 

          I got back to the apartment after work to find Jae Bum with a girl in the lounge. I sighed as he introduced her as his English tutor. From the way she was sitting close to him, it seemed to me that she wanted to teach him something else. Anatomy for example. Jae Bum was unbelievable. He hadn't thought about us before bringing his girlfriend home.

          I locked myself in my bedroom so as to leave them alone. However, Jae Bum didn't want to give me a quiet time. He started knocking on the door.

 

"Jin Ae, I need your help !" he shouted.

 

          I opened the door and gave him an annoyed look.

 

"Can you buy us some drinks ?" he asked.

"What ?"

"Please, buy us something to drink. There's a convenience store nearby, right ?"

"There are drinks in the fridge !" I said, upset.

"Amy likes aloe vera juice, but you've got none of that."

"She can drink water !"

"You're not good at welcoming a guest." he blamed.

"I don't care ! She's not my guest." I argued. "Take care of her on your own !"

 

          I closed the door quickly so he wouldn't say anything. I was so upset. The next minutes were silent, calm, as if they had gone out. I unlocked the door and listened carefully. Not a sound was heard. Slowly, I walked to the lounge and found it empty. Jae Bum had probably taken his girl out.

          I went to the kitchen to get some snacks. That was the best way to forget about my anger. Each time I got mad, food was the sweetest downer. I thought that he would come back later, after having fun with Amy, but I was surprised to notice someone opening the front door. It was Jae Bum.

 

"You have no manners." he said.

"The well-being of your girlfriend is none of my business."

"It's not so difficult to go out and buy something."

"Right. It isn't. So, why can't you do it yourself ?" I argued.

"That's not the point Jin Ae."

"I'm not your maid."

"I've asked nicely."

"And you're mad at me now.."

 

          He took a deep breath while looking at me. He looked down. I had never seen this expression on his face before. I couldn't understand why he felt that way. Why was he.. disappointed ?

 

"Let's forget about this." he sighed. "You're too stubborn, just like a child."

 

          His words intensified my anger.

 

"This is the reason why I hate you ! You're always treating me like a child when I'm not. I am a woman, just like the girls you hang out with, I can be clever and attractive." I yelled. "I'm a woman too."

 

          I walked away as soon as the words left my mouth. I didn't want him to see the tear that rolled down my cheek. Not after I had claimed that I was a woman, a strong one. I locked my bedroom door and, once I was on the bed, I let out my emotions, anger, sadness, disappointment. There were all mixed. I was aware that living with Jae Bum would be hard. But I had not thought that we would be so broken.