The ride to the hotel was very awkward. Lu Han was driving since he was the oldest, I sat in the

passenger’s seat next to him, and Se Hun and Min Young were flirting in the back seat.

 

I rolled my eyes when I heard them giggling and whispering in Korean. I guess I really don’t know my friend

as well as I used to….we both used to be really shy around boys….

 

“So, you’re here because of the Harvard-South Korea exchange program, right?” Lu Han suddenly asks to

start up a conversation.

 

“Uh, yeah” I reply, surprised that he even remembers me telling him that. “It’s starts pretty soon.” I

quickly add.

 

Lu Han just nods. “How do you like Seoul so far?”

 

“Ummm, it’s beautiful, but I haven’t seen much of it yet” I answer.

 

“Really?” Lu Han says raising an eyebrow. “Maybe I can show you around sometime.”

 

“Oo..ok, that sounds nice” I calmly as I can trying not to spazz out at the thought of exploring Seoul with

Lu Han.

 

“Great!” Lu Han says as he pulls up to the hotel lobby entrance. “Well, we’re here. Se Hun and I will be

heading off to dance practice. Call us when you’re finished packing so we can come pick you up.” He adds

with another one of his heartwarming smiles.

 

I smile back and get out the car. Then I wait for Min Young to get out, and watch as Se Hun switches to

the passenger’s seat.

 

Min Young and I wave as Lu Han and Se Hun drive off.

 

When their car is out of sight, I turn to Min Young.

 

“What was that all about?!? Spending the night, flirting with Se Hun, and LIVING with them?!?!” I ask

wanting to get everything strait. 

 

“Ya, aren’t you suppose to be thanking me? It wasn’t a coincidence, running into Lu Han. You, me, Lu Han, Se

Hun… we were meant to be!” She says while throwing her head back and looking up at the sky. “I was just

making sure this opportunity doesn’t slip away.”

 

“But there’s got to be a catch. Don’t we have to pay rent or something? It’s not like they’re just going to

take in two strangers, right?” I continue to question.

 

“Well, you see…the exo members are all busy with their schedules and they don’t have anyone to cook and

clean for them. So, I said I could clean the house once in a while and that you would….cook.” Min Young

says wincing.

 

“What?!!?! Min Young, you know I can’t COOK!!!” I scream.

 

“I’m sorry Mei; I was over excited and panicked!” She screams back. “There’s nothing we can do now. Come

on, just give it a shot.” She pleads with puppy eyes.

 

“Oh….alright.” I say reluctantly. How could I say no to Min Young’s puppy face?

 

…

 

Min Young and I spend quite a few hours packing all our things. She had made a huge mess the other day,

trying to pick out an outfit and doing her hair.

 

When we finally finish, we walk down to the hotel lobby with our suitcases. Just as Min Young and I were

about to argue over who was going to call Lu Han to pick us up, we see his car already waiting outside.

 

They’re here? I wonder how long they’ve been waiting? I think to myself.

 

“Hurry up!” Min Young shouts as she runs out to greet Se Hun.

 

I quickly rush over, and put my suitcase in the trunk.

 

The ride to Lu Han’s house was long and awkward. Lu Han and Se Hun were both starving and exhausted

from dance practice.

 

When we get to the house, some of the Exo members were already there.

 

Lu Han turns to me and takes my suitcase. “I’ll just bring this up to the guestroom since I’m going to shower

upstairs. If you need any help getting around the kitchen, just ask Lay.” He smiles then walks towards the

house.

 

Crap!! I had totally forgotten Min Young had mentioned I would cook for Exo….ahhhh!!!

 

I quickly run up to Min Young who was following Se Hun into the house.

 

“Min Young! What am I going to do?!?! Exo is expecting me to prepare a delicious meal, and I can barely

cook?!!?” I feel myself start to panic.

 

“Calm down Mei, I’ve tasted what you’ve made before. It’s not as bad as you’re making it sound.” Min Young

says soothingly. “Well, good luck!” She sprints away to link arms with Se Hun before I have the chance to

say anymore.

 

Geezzz…thanks a lot. Now I have to figure this out myself.

 

I cautiously walk into the kitchen and open the fridge. Wow…so much food.

 

There are a ton of vegetables, many I have seen and others that don’t look familiar at all. I grab a few

vegetables that I’ve stir fried before and start heating the pan. I get the rice going in the rice cooker and

put a handful of kimchi in a small dish. I have no idea what Exo likes to eat, but I have to bluff anyways.

 

…

 

An hour later, I’ve laid out a variety of dishes on the table. At least everything looks edible.

 

I slowly head to the living room where everyone’s watching T.V. I notice that, other than Lu Han and Se

Hun, Tao, Lay, and Kai are the only Exo members there. Whewww…thank goodness, fewer people that the

last time.

 

Lu Han notices me standing by the kitchen and signals to the rest of the members that dinner is ready.

They all walk over to and sit at the table eyeing the food I prepared.

 

Se Hun and Min Young sit next to each other. Of course. Tao sits across from me with Lay next to him. Lu

Han walks over and sits in the empty chair next to mine, and Kai then sits next to Lu Han.

 

Tao picks up a piece of chicken with his chopsticks eyeing it suspiciously.  He slowly puts it in his mouth

wincing a little. I notice that Lay is watching Tao’s expression intently.

 

“Mmmm…not bad.” Tao says as he chews the piece of chicken. “Lu Han ge ge, you picked a good cook!”

 

Lay then picks up his chopsticks and starts trying some of the stir fry vegetables.

 

I turn to look at Lu Han who was already enjoying the food. I feel the lump in my throat subside.

 

“Thanks for the delicious meal, Mei” He says with a smile that could light up the world.

 

I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I can’t believe Lu Han just complimented my cooking! This

is the best day of my life!

 

When everyone finishes eating, I stand up and begin clearing the table. Lu Han jumps up and starts helping

me.

 

“I’ll take it from here” Lu Han says patting my shoulder. “You go ahead and take a break. I left your stuff

in my room and cleared out a place you can unpack and put your things.”

 

“Yye..thanks” I say and head to the stairs. Whewww…glad that was over, now for some alone/calming down

time.

 

As I’m unpacking my things, I decide to turn on my laptop and check my e-mail, which I hadn’t done in a

while.

 

There were a few e-mails from my high school buddies, two from my parents, and one from the Harvard-

South Korea exchange program.

 

I immediately open the latter.

 

Dear Student,

The Harvard-South Korea exchange program will start a week earlier this year. We apologize for this late notification. All students must report to orientation Monday, September, 2nd.

Harvard Exchange Committee

 

I cover my mouth to prevent myself from screaming.  September 2^ndis tomorrow!!

 

“MIN YOUNG!!!!” I shriek as I run down the stairs.

 

 I must’ve been running too fast because the next think I remember is slipping and falling like a complete

idiot. Then everything goes black…