Three Years Ago   Since an early time, I have made an interesting observation about human beings. People tend to take more than they are willing to give. Sometimes they kept on taking, like leeches on human blood, but had zero capacity to return what was given. Were human beings truly incapable of giving, or were we selfish beings by nature to begin with?   “Wanna go out shopping with us?” Fei, another one of the Chinese transfer student had asked.   The suggestion was so heartwarming, I couldn’t help but think they may have come to accept my existence. Despite their bullying in the past, maybe they tried to reconcile and get on my good side. So I easily agreed. What was the worst that could happen?   An empty promise.   I should’ve known never to trust those leeches. I never knew shopping together was a one way communication kind of action. I had to watch those bunch of girls go in and out the fitting room, holding up an entire queue due to their indecisiveness. Everytime they walked out, they’d ask me for my opinion, which I so generously provided. I wasn’t allowed to try out any outfits before they finished selecting theirs and ended up waiting outside. Like a boyfriend, I had suddenly been given the task to hold their shopping bags, and even lend them some money to pay their new dress in full.   When it was finally my turn to try out some clothes I’d been eyeing since the start, I did not expect my friends to have left me behind. I did not expect the waiting room to be empty the moment I wanted to ask for their opinion. Along with it, they left the shopping bags I had to carry, knowing they’d accuse me of being a thief if I did not take it with me.   It was my fault for trusting those pests. In the end, I trailed them from behind—not like a dog on leash, but like a pet snake waiting for a good opportunity to crush its owner. I wasn’t scared—not at all. Rather, I was scared of how low I’d be able to stoop in order to seek my revenge.   As much as they had treated me no different from garbage, I yearned to return the favor. But I was much better than that. I had to blend in with society after all. The society took, but never gave. People demanded attention they were not willing to bestow upon others—such was the fault of humanity. To become selfish defined what humanity was all about.   I, too, am human.   ***   Present   “Wow!”   Suzy’s voice was extremely obnoxious when she was happy. It increased by a few decibels, so shrill it could destroy the defenses of my ear drums. I kept the sweet smile on my face whenever Myungsoo turned to look at the two of us. But whenever he looked away, I took a break from the early facade, not caring if Jongin might have noticed.   The four of us had arrived at Everland, one of the biggest amusement parks in South Korea. I had only been to Six Flags or Great America  back in the United States, and being an adrenaline junkie, I was excited to try out the rides. It almost made me forget my real intention of coming here today.   “Here are your wristbands.” Myungsoo returned from the ticket booth with four blue slips of paper in his hand. His sense of responsibility, which landed him as our class president for four years straight, was clearly evident even outside of school.   I secretly hoped he would’ve helped me tie the wristband around my wrist, but before I could ask, he had already gone off to Suzy as if she had used some dark magic to constantly gain his attention, 24/7.   “Let me help you,” he told her in a sweet and velvety voice. My heart shrank when I saw Suzy extend her hand out to him. It constricted me when I noted his hand faintly brushing against her skin. It completely shattered when I realized the two looked like a couple. He wore a denim jacket, and she wore a denim dress, like they had coordinated their fashion the night before. I hated it.   “Myungsoo, I can’t get it right.” I lied as soon as he was done. I ran to them, holding my hand up while trying to be polite. I did not shove Suzy aside, perfectly making it clear I only needed some help. To my relief, Jongin was quick to act, and pulled Suzy aside to keep her busy as Myungsoo tightened my wristband.   “The amusement park is quite a romantic place, don’t you think?” he suddenly asked. Knowing Myungsoo, I knew he wasn’t making a small talk to start a conversation. His words always bore purpose and meaning.   “Why do you say so?” Though I honestly feared knowing his answer, my greatest fear was to live with regret.   “I feel a little bad for asking you, but, could you do me a favor?” he suddenly asked, his voice tainted with hesitance. He avoided my eyes, and I immediately knew what he wanted to do.   “Are you going to confess to Suzy?”   It mentally hurt when the words left my lips, but I felt a physical stab to my heart when he nodded.   “Do you realize I still like you?” I bluntly questioned him, to which he abruptly looked at me. There was a look of disbelief, as if he didn’t expect me to be so direct or to confess to him for the second time. But I did. “It’s quite cruel to say that to me.”   Myungsoo’s expression changed, panicking at the realization of his mistake. Somewhere along his ha