***

It was summer season when I met her . Our first meeting is not really planned. It was my first day in the city that time,since I came from the province. My father decided to bring me here in Seoul to live with him and to continue my study here. My aunt Tiffany and I leave Daegu that same month. It's really new for me. The place,the surroundings,almost everything. The next day after our arrival,my dad decided to go out to buy stuff for me including school's stuff. I hesitated first because I don't really feel going outside meeting different people. I'm really an introvert type of person. It's not like I don't want to socialize with them, I just don't feel doing it. 

My auntie Tiff and dad were busy talking with the salesclerk. I just got bored so I decided to take a short walked around the store when I spotted someone standing outside one store as she keep on staring at the bracelet that is displayed behind the glass wall.

As the curiousity struck me,my feet immediately move on it's own towards the girl with blue hoodie's direction

I side glance her but she didn't even budge with my presence. I tried to clear my throat to get her attention but she didn't even take a glance on me. I tried it again but the same result happened so I make sure that the third one will going to succeed. I cleared my throat again but more harshly this time(like your having a very serious health problem like t.b lmao). And finally it succeeded,she look at my direction but with a confuse look or more likely wary expression.

I flash my sweetest smile to her but she remained with her serious look.

"Hi! You like that bracelet? It looks beautiful. Are you planning to give it to someone special?" I blabbered a question but she didn't even answer any of those as she look away and stared at the bracelet again. Is she mute?or deaf?. I heave a deep sigh as I do the same thing as her but what surprises me was when I glance at her direction she was walking away from me.

That girl! Such a snob!

I frowned as I stamp my foot and walked to the other direction

***

"Dad?" Irene called out as they walked to the parking area of the mall

"Yes,honey?" Her dad replied as he put the shopping bags on the trunk of the car.

"Can we visit mom,now? I just want to see her" Irene said in pleading tone of voice

Her dad and aunt exchange looks before looking at her again

"Hyunnie,your dad is a little bit tired now. He need to take a rest. You can visit your mom next time" her aunt answered followed by a nod from her dad

"But I want to surprise her. I haven't seen her for months now. I really miss her" she said in a low tone of voice,a sign that she's upset

Her dad heave a deep sigh after signalling Tiffany that he can handle this. He put his hands on his daughter's shoulder.

"Honey, I really want to give your request but my body is already worn out. There is always another time. We can still visit your mom next time" her dad softly say

Irene didn't want to object her father but she really want to see her mother as soon as possible. She really miss her. 

"Dad. Is it ok if I go there by myself?" She carefully asked or more like suggesting it as she expectantly looking at her father who has a serious expression on his face.

"Irene. No. You will not go there by yourself,your not yet familiar withSeoul it's very dangerous" her aunt tiffany object

"Don't worry auntie. My phone has a GPS. I can handle it" she assured her with a smile

"Are you sure honey?" Her father asked concernly

"Yes dad. So,I'll better go now. Bye dad,bye aunt tiffany" she said as she kiss their cheeks and rushes towards the exit without giving them the chance to say something else

***

"Ajusshi,why we stop?" Irene asked the cab driver

"Sorry kid but I think there's trouble happened infront,so we can't passed"

"Does it takes long?"

"I don't know" the cab driver shrug

Irene heave a deep long dissapointed sigh as she slump her back on the backseat. She fixed her gaze outside the window trying to focus herself somewhere else to forget her boredom. It was a minute of silence when someone caught her attention causing her to abruptly jolt from her seat.

"Kid?where are you going?" The man aked as she saw Irene getting out of the car.

"Oh? I change my mind. It's better to take a walk sometimes. Heres the payment,thanks for the ride,ajusshi" she bowed before rushing to somewhere else

 

***

"Com'on kid,give that bag to us. We promise to keep you safe as long as you promise to be good to us and give us what we want" One guy with a gun on his right hand said as he inches closer to the harmless girl who was trying to distance herself from the dangerous guys infront of her

"No. You wish! but I will not give this to you" she retort trying to sound brave but deep inside she's really scared it didn't help that the two guys where holding a deathly weapon who can cut her life in any minute

"Your hard to deal as we expected. I think you need to have a mini lecture for showing no respect to your elders" the other guy with long hair said as a smirk was plastered on his face

The harmless girl continue moving backward but not until her back hit the cold concrete wall causing her heart to beat faster.

"Now. You don't have chance to escape. Because your already cornered" the first guy with a gun said

She was gripping on her bag so badly as her knuckles were already white but she doesn't even care about that because what she care is the biggest danger she is facing right now.

She was lost in her thought when one of the guy cry in pain as she clutch on the back of her head

"Hey! Why did you hit me?!" The guy with the gun asked the other guy with long hair

"What? I didn't hit you-Ouchh! Why did you smack me?" 

"What? Now your accusing me with your own dirty works you bastard?"

"Bastard? How dare you call me bastard? I'm your hyung!" The two continue with their argument as they started to hit and punch each other until they ended rolling on the street.

What just happened? That was the question running in the girls mind at that moment but not until someone approached her with a wide grin on her face

"Whoosh! I never thought that will became easy" says the othergirl who approached her which she recognize the girl that also approach her in the mall

"Are you ok?" Irene question her as she face her. 

"Y-yes. Thank you-"

"Irene. Bae Irene and you?"

"W-Wendy. Son Wendy"

"Nice meeting you,Wendy" Irene cheerfully says as she offer her hand for a hand shake to Wendy which Wendy gladly accept but Irene didn't let go of her hand as she started dragging Wendy away from that place.

***

"Thank's for saving my life earlier,Irene" Wendy started as they walked along the sidewalk

"No big deal. I just do what I think is right to do" she said as she flashes her sweetest smile that made the latter smile too.

"By the way,sorry about what happened at the mall. I know I acted rude by not answering your question it just that I'm not really used to talked to someone that I barely met. I'm a little bit shy to do it" she confesses

"So that's explains everything. Don't worry I'm not mad. I have a longer patience in me" Lier Irene,such a good lier.

"Oh? That's made me feel better" Wendy said as she heave a deep sigh causing Irene to giggle

They continue with their trance in silence but not until Irene suddenly stop from her causing Wendy to do the same

"Irene?"

"Oh my God!"

"What's wrong? Are you ok?" Wendy asked in concern as she saw Irene's trouble expression on her face

"I forgot, I'm going to made a surprise visit to my mom now. But it's already 8:00 in the evening and I have only 1hr left before her out. But I don't think I can still make it,there's no cab passing in this side of the street" she said as a sad expression was visible on her face

"Do you want me to take you a ride,then?"

"Huh? But..do you have a car?"

"Yes, I have. I park it near the park"

"Oh? Is it ok with you?"

"Of course. It's my pleasure to help the person who save my life"

Irene smiled to this as she nod her head

"Great! So,let's go?" Wendy offered her hand to Irene which Irene gladly take as they continue with their trance towards Wendy's car.

 

***

"She already left?" Irene repeated in questioned 

"Yes ma'am" the guard answered

"Thank you for the info" she said as she slightly bow and approached Wendy who was standing beside her car

"What did the guard said?" Wendy asked as soon as Irene was infront of her

"She already left" Irene said in a low tone of voice as a sadness was still visible on her face

"Why you look upset? Is not a great news? Your mom was already at your home. You can see her there."

"You don't get it. My mom was not living with us. She has her own family now. Her and dad got separated when I was 11."

"Oh? Sorry to heard about that"

"No it's ok. I'm used to it. I already accepted this kind of family set-up" Irene said as she heave a deep sigh

Wendy felt sorry for bringing the topic when she saw the sad expression on Irene's face.As she felt herself being carried away by the emotion

"Hey" she snapped of her thought when Irene called her attention and now she's looking at her with a concern look

"Don't blame yourself for bringing those topic. I told you,I'm used to it. I'm ok." Irene assured with a smile followed by a slight nod from Wendy

 

"Now I was thinking" Irene started" Are you a full grown Korean?"she finished trying to change the topic

"Not really,Yes.I'm a korean but I live for almost 15 years in Canada"

"Oh? But you still familiar with the place here in Seoul?"

"Yes. My friend and I usually stroll along the city. Why did you asked?"

"Great!"

"Great?"

"Yes.Great! Can I asked you a favor?"

"Shoot"

"Could you tour me along the city? As my tourguide. You know,I'm not really a city baby I came from Daegu so it's hard for me to stroll along the city. Don't worry, two days is just enough. I'm a fast learner." She blabbered that made Wendy giggle because she really finds it cute

"Aigoo~Daegu baby,no worries. I'll still grant your wish even if you didn't blabbered that much"

"So?"

"So..yes is the answer"Wendy said as a smile was plastered on her face.

Irene was surprise to hear those words but because of her too much happiness she suddenly hug Wendy with wide smile on her face. It shocked both of them but Irene is faster to react and she pulled away as they both flashed an awkward smile

"Sorry" 

"It's ok"

That's the last word they uttered before Wendy offered Irene for a ride at her house. Irene hesitated at first but when Wendy insisted she soon accepted it.

When they reach Irene's house they bid a short goodbyes but not before exchanging phone numbers. Sooner,Wendy was inside her car and drove away while Irene was inside the house and locking the door.

 

***The next day***

Irene texted Wendy to pick her up at the bus stop since it's much more convenient rather than going inside the village where she lived and she don't want to disturb Wendy that much.

Wendy didn't take too long as she arrived 20 minutes before the agreed time. They exchange short greetings before Wendy open the door for Irene,being a gentlewoman she was,Irene teases Wendy for this but Wendy didn't got annoyed unless she just laugh it off. Sooner,the car already drove off.

Wendy brought Irene to different historical places(which is according to her was the best place to go for a newbie like Irene). They spend almost all of their times strolling along the city. Visiting different store,trying different foods and street foods. They ended their journey near the bay. Sitting beside each other on the seawall as they stared at the view infront of them

"The sun will about to set. You know,how beautiful it is? " Irene started as her gaze was still fixed infront

Wendy nodded

"Very beautiful" 

"That's right. Are you always coming here?with your friends? Or someone special to you?" Irene asked observing Wendy's expression

Wendy heave a deep long sigh

"Before,when I was a kid ,we usually came here"

"Alone?"

"Nope. With my parents" she said as a small smile was tug at the edge of her lips

"How about now?"

"Nope. We can't"

"But why?"

Wendy paused for a moment as she lowered her head a bit a hint of sadness was visible on her side profile causing Irene to worry

"Because...My parents were both gone"

 

Hearing those revelations from Wendy shocked Irene. She also felt guilty for asking the latter to bring it up. How rude she was.

"Sorry" she apologized immediately

Wendy glance at her with her small smile but Irene was sure enough that it's  just Wendy's way of hiding her true feelings

"No need to apologize. It's not your fault you know. Just like you I'm used to it. I already accepted that they're both gone" Wendy assured as she gently pat the latters hand that was on her lap.

Irene became quite after that but not until Wendy get her attention again.

"Irene,would you tell me about yourself?"

"Why?"

"No specific reason actually. I just want to know something about you" Wendy said with a smile

"Ahm..well. My full name was Irene Bae Joohyun. I was born in the beautiful province of Daegu. I am 19 years old. Hmm...what else? Oh I like purple,that was my favorite. I like carrot cake too. I love doing laundry because I like the smell of fabric softener. Oh! I also love dancing. That's it! Is that enough?" She asked as she glance on Wendy's direction but when their eyes met Wendy suddenly burst into a soft chuckled

"What's funny?"

"Oh.Sorry.It's just rare to hear someone love to do laundry because they like the smell of the fabric softener but still awesome to hear" she said with a smile causing Irene to blush but she immediately hide her pink cheeks behind her long locks lucky for her that Wendy immediately look away after saying those words.

"How about you? Tell me something about yourself" 

"Are you sure about that? Nothing more interesting about me"

"I don't care! Just tell me something about you. I want to know something about my tour guide"

This made Wendy giggle. Irene indeed is cute when she's acting like this.

"Ok. So.I'm Wendy Son Seungwan"

"Son Seungwan?" Irene questioned with a wi