Chunji POV

Some people might call it weird for being excited for the first day of school but whatever. I walked into the classroom with a huge smile on my face. As I passed by, I heard guys mumbling to one another, questioning why I was so happy for the first day. Just then, I saw my reasons. L. Joe and Neil. I ran towards them and opened my arms to both of them. “L. Joe-hyung! Neil-hyung! I’m so glad to see you after so long!” I shouted. L. Joe grinned that foolish grin of his while Neil whispered, “Don’t talk so loudly. Aish~ Are you deaf?” I nodded at him but I still hugged. Just then, Neil suggested we go our seats and we did. “So,” began L. Joe. “What did you do for the summer, Neil?” Neil looked up thoughtfully and rubbed his chin. “Hmm..I can’t remember so well. What did you do L. Joe?” L. Joe’s face lit up. “I thought you’d never ask,” was all he said as he launched off into L. Joe Land, talking and laughing at the times he spent with his sister in Seoul. I really wasn’t listening though. I knew it was rude, but at the back of the class, a boy who I’d never seen before was there, as quiet as a mouse. Something about him made me instantly not like him. I couldn’t explain why. I just didn’t. At that moment I caught what Niel had asked me at the time. “Who are you looking at, Chunji? You look memerized.” He wiggled his eyebrows comically. “Huh? Me? Never. I’m Chunji. Someone is yet to impress the master of style and swag.” Niel rolled his eyes and L. Joe was still talking, clearly in a parallel universe on his own. “Whatever, Master of Swag and Style. Who were you looking at?” I sighed. “Neil, have you ever seen that kid in this class before? I know I haven’t. Have you? Tell me!” I pretty much didn’t give Neil a chance to answer my questions. “Yah! Chunji! Can I answer?” I laughed. Neil still had his sense of humour. “Yes. Now tell me.” Neil motioned for me to lean closer so he could tell me. “I heard,” he whispered. “That we were getting a new kid here. It was just a rumour at the time. Now I see that its true.” I bit my lip as he spoke. A new kid? Sure, ok. But why didn’t I like him and why’d he look so familiar.

“What are you two talking about? Me?” This was L. Joe. He finally decided to rejoin the world again. “No, no. We were just….uhh…talking.” L. Joe pouted.”So you guys didn’t hear what I said about Kim? Wow. You guys are so considerate, you know that?” I patted his back. “L. Joe, we were listening…we just wasn’t..you know…looking at you.” I mustered a smile. Apparently, it worked. He smiled back. “Ok, good.” I looked at Neil and he winked at me. Probably saying nice save. 

Ricky POV

I didn’t want to draw any attention on myself, me being the new kid and all. But then I saw this guy looking at me. He seemed pretty fazed. Or was it angry. I wasn’t sure. But this guy kept looking at me until his friend asked him something. That was weird but he looked oddly familiar though. Impossible, I thought. I hope they weren’t talking about me though. You see, I hadn’t come back to Korea in 15 years. I left when I was 2. And I wasn’t too hot on my Korean…or Hangul. How could I go to school here if I couldn’t speak my language properly? I sighed. The guys beside were talking about something. By the look on thier faces, it was something exciting. What did that guy say? Something about a fish? Or was it guy? Girl? Aish~ This was so hard. I did hear what the last guy said. “She’s super cute too. I thought she wouldn’t be allowed to teach here but…wow….she’s awesome.” The guys laughed. Were they taking about a teacher? I wish I knew.

Just then, the teacher walked in. She wore a plaited red and blue skirt and a dressy looking blouse tucked in. She wore platform heels too. Maybe they were talking about this teacher. Wow, I thought. Did all Korean girls have to be so pretty? It wasn’t like that in America. “Hello boys, how are we doing?” One guy wooted at her. She shot him a look. “What is it now, Tae Joon?”  The guy grinned. “Nothing Ms. Park. I just wanted to show my appreciation.” Ms. Park put her hands on her hips. “Well, I do appreciate it but this an institution of learning, Kang Tae Joon.” The guy shrugged. “Well before we begin….” No, no, no. Don’t call me. Pretend I’m not even here. Please! “I want to introduce a new student among us. Ricky……?” I sighed. I got out of my desk and dragged my feet up to the front of the class. Ms. Park rested her hand on my shoulder. “Boys, this is Ricky, Now, I want you to be nice to him ok? He’s from the U.S. and he wants help with his Korean and Hangul.” “Is he stupid?” That was the guy who was looking at me earlier. The class laughed. Ms. Park looked serious. “No. He hasn’t been in Korea or practicing his native language in 15 years.” One guys arm shot up in the air. “I’ll help him.” That was the guy who stopped the other guy from staring at me. The other guy (the one who was staring and called me stupid) then shouted, “Me too.” I was a little chocked that he volunteered. Ms. Park looked impressed. “Wow. Chunji. Making a redemption are we?” Chunji blushed.

Ms. Park then told me that it was best I sit with Niel and Chunji (I found out their names after) in case I had any questions with the words. I looked over to them and saw the one called Niel grinning brightly at me. I looked across at his friend, Chunji to see his reaction towards me. It was unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad. His face was blank. I decided that I didn’t want to make an enemy on my first day of school. And I certainly didn’t want it to be him. He looked like a nice guy to hang out with. Really. I brought my desk over to them. I sat between them and tried to smile at Chunji. He did nothing then the lesson then soon started.

Niel POV

I don’t exactly know why I raised my hand to help the new kid. Probably the way Chunji wanted to know more about him or I was just curious about him too. It was the least I could have done. But what surprised me was Chunji raising his hand too. Did he really want to help? Or was it something more……The new kid settled between Chunji and I as Ms. Park began the lesson. “So, you’re from America?” I whispered. “Yeah. Ever been there?” he asked. “Nope, but I will. Soon enough.” Just then Chunji said, “Shut up! Do you want us to get in trouble because of him? Well, I don’t, ok? So stop talking to the new kid, Niel.” Wow. Talk about controlling. What was up with him? “Hey, Chung-Lump, what’s up with you?” He shot me a don’t push it look. The new kid looked a little uncomfortable. “Hey, kid. I didn’t catch your name.” “Ricky,” he replied.

Chunji POV

Why was Niel talking to this guy? It’s not like he wouldn’t get a chance to, but it’s not like I was interested in what Ms. Park was teaching. I listened to Ricky and Niel converse, completely ignoring me. “Did you not hear what I just said!” I shouted. I shouted it a little too loud though. The entire class was looking at me now. “Chunji? Is everything ok?” I nodded, a little embarrassed at my actions. Aish~  This kid was getting on my nerves. I raised my hand. “Yes Chunji?” “Can I move to another sit please?” I saw the shocked look on Niel’s face. The new kid didn’t really look in my direction. He had to notice me. “I said……I’M MOVING TO ANOTHER SEAT.” I practically shouted it in his ear. That’s when he decided to say some. “Oh. Ummm…..ohhhkkkaaayy..?How am I supposed to respond?” I felt my face turn red when he said that. “I WANT YOU TO CARE! TO TRY AND STOP ME, YOU DORK!” The class laughed. Someone said, “Chunji, you got a crush on the new kid already. What about Niel-oppa?” The class laughed even louder. I felt my face turn red as I sat back in my seat. “Do you still want to move, Chunji?” asked Ms. Park. I shook my head and she continued the lesson. “What was that about, Chung-Lump?” asked Niel. I felt even angrier at the fact he didn’t know. “Oh. I dunno. I figured you wanted to continue your bro-mance with the new kid alone,” I said, my words dripping with sarcasm. Niel looked hurt. “Chunji, I only wanted to know a little more about him. That’s all. You think I’m trying to replace you?” I suddenly felt hurt of the accusation. “It’s ok, Chunji. I understand.”

Ricky POV

Chunji shouting out like that in class was pretty weird. It also confirmed that he really didn’t like me. So why help me? I have no idea. When he sat down again, I wanted to ask him what was wrong but Neil beat me to him. I just listened as Niel talked to Chunji and helped him understand that he was never being replaced at all. Oh, I thought. He’s the jealous type. I wouldn’t exactly say that’s a good thing. Especially since we go to an All-Boys High School.  When Neil was finally finished I asked, “Chunji, you ok?” Chunji nodded. “Yep. I just thought…….well….never mind kid.” “Umm..yeah. That’s another thing. My name’s not kid. It’s Ricky. I’d like it if you call me Ricky. Arraso?” Chunji was taken aback. “Ooh. We got a sassy one don’t we.” He grinned. I tried to smile at him but things were getting too weird. Every time I saw this guy he reminded me of someone. Back in America, I didn’t have any Korean friends. And my American friends didn’t look anything like us Koreans. So why do I feel a spark of recognition going on? Gah! I’ll forget about it for now. Suddenly, I heard my stomach grumble. Neil and Chunji laughed. “Don’t worry kid….I mean Ricky. Lunch will call in…..” Just then the bell rang. “Right now,” finished Neil. “Ok, boys. That’s all for now. We’ll continue after lunch. Good-bye.” She left and everyone poured out of their classrooms and headed for the cafeteria.

Neil and Chunji decided to walk there with me since I didn’t know where it was. When we got there, my jaw dropped. Their cafeteria was awesome! It was this huge glass room so you could see the huge garden and pond outside. The buffet tables were laid out in one area so you could just grab n’ go. The chefs were professionally dressed like the ones you only saw in resturants. The tables and chairs looked expensive. Neil saw my face and laughed. “Dude. What’s with the face?” I quickly wiped the drool from the corner f my mouth and smiled. “I’ve never seen a cafeteria like this. The one at my old school was really small and cramped. The place smelled bad, the lunch lady made terrible food and she was mean.” Chunji cringed. “Ew. That sounds bad. You make me think about NOT going to America one day.” As we walked over to the buffet table, we were greeted by this tall guy with blue hair. Yep, blue hair. “L. Joe! Where were you? We were waiting for you after class. So we just decided to leave.” L. Joe passed his hand through his hair. “Aish~ Sorry. I was really hungry so I thought I’d just meet you guys here.” His eyes fell on me. “Ah. I see you made friends with the new kid? Another one of us to add to your collection, Chunji?” Chunji rolled his eyes. “Byunghun, you think I use you guys as collectable toys? I’m hurt. Really.” L. Joe laughed and Neil frowned. “Do you then?” Neil asked. “Do what?” “Think of us as collectables.” Chunji stopped. As if surprised by the question. “Of course not! I’m not a bad guy, am I?” L. Joe kept looking at me. “So kid…” he began but Chunji cut him off. “He doesn’t like to be called kid. That’s not his name he says.” I smiled at Chunji for remembering. L. Joe sighed. “So Ricky, –that’s your name, right?- you gonna eat with us? “Well…..I..” before I could finish, Neil shouted, “Of course he will! After all, he’s got no friends but us. Right?” “Right!” shouted Chunji. “But,” he continued. “I have to sit next to Byunghun, ok?” “Ok,” was all I could say. We got in line for lunch. The food looked delicious. I wanted to try them all but my stomach wasn’t that empty. When we got our food, we sat near in the area near the huge pond. “This place is so cool,” I said as we ate. Chunji’s mouth was full but he nodded in agreement. “You gonna stay in the dorms?” asked Neil. I was shocked. “Y-you could do that?” The guys laughed. “Yeah. Where do you think we stay? On the street?” “In your houses. You parents’ houses,” I replied. They laughed again. “Are you serious?” asked L. Joe. “I mean, come on. If you got the opportunity to get out of your parent’ house before you turn eighteen, wouldn’t you take it? In fact, don’t answer that.” I sighed. “Sorry. I’m new to this.” The guys whispered to each other as if discussing something among themselves. Suddenly, L. Joe stood up and said, “The Guy Code of Genie High has decided to allow Ricky Don’t-Know-His-Last-Name to room with us. Does Ricky Don’t-Know-His-Last-Name accepts?” I thought about it. Maybe this is a good thing. I’ll get to know more about this school and the guys here. “Sure, yeah. I accept.” “Very well,” said Chunji. “You just have to answer one question.” “Which is….?” “Are you gay?” I laughed so loud I thought my stomach would explode. But soon I realize I was the only one laughing. “Wait. You guys are serious?” “Yes!” They all shouted in unison. “Then no! I like girls. Pretty, pretty girls.” The guys breathed a sigh of relief. “Well congrats. You’re one of us now. Well, officially.” “What do you guys call yourselves?” “What! Guy Code of Genie High? Oh. That. Well..umm…some of the guys here aren’t exactly straight. They been here so long…..i-it>>>it’s terrible I tell you! Terrible.” I swore Neil was about to cry. “There, there. It’s not that bad. There’s an All-Girls High School right down the street. Some of the girls are really cool there. Maybe even dating material….maybe even further..” “Enough!” shouted L. Joe. “Let’s just give the new kid (I mean, Ricky) a run-down of the Guy Code.  Rule one, no gayness of any kind allowed. Well, except Chunji. His gayness….it’s..it’s cute.” The guys nodded. This freaked me out a bit. “What? You guys think I’m gay? Ani! I’m straight! I’m straighter than a strait-jacket!” “Yeah. Whatever you say Chung-Lump. Whatever you say.” Chunji pouted and frowned.  “Rule two, if you gotta bring any lady friends here, don’t get caught. It’s against the school rules to have any females in the school buuuutttt…..time and again we tend to break that rule.” Niel smiled in triumph. “And rule three, touch my stuff and I’ll break your neck. Got it?” I nodded a little scared. He looked dangerously serious. “St-Stuff like what?” “Oh. You know, my clothes, my shoes, my collection.” “What!? I won’t touch those! Those are….” “Dude, we tend to get lonely in this place. And guys aren’t really an option.” I wanted to try, at least, act like I understood their plight but I wasn’t accustom to this. Chunji then patted me on the back. “Yep. Don’t touch Byunghun’s…uhhh… ‘special stuff’ and you’ll be just fine. I honestly don’t know how he watches those. Just unsanitary I tell you.” he scoffed.

Neil POV

The new kid seemed to be warming up to us. Yeah, the fact that Byunghun owned , I didn’t know about it but I didn’t argue. Byunghun was a special guy with…uhh…special needs. “So, Ricky, you decide you gonna stay in the dorms?” Ricky nodded. “Great! Where do you live? I wanna help you pack your stuff.” Ricky rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, you see, the thing is…..I live in a frap house with some college guys.” Everyone’s eyes narrowed on Ricky. “Jinja? How’s that been? How long have you been staying there?” “About a month. It was either that or hotel/motel. I can’t afford that so I’d have to get a part-time job. The frap boys just asked me if I had a criminal record and if I could cook really good.” Chunji laughed. “Yet you guys call me gay. Tsk. Tsk.” I rolled my eyes. “Chung-Lump, a guy who could cook doesn’t make him gay. It just makes him a bigger catch for the Serin High School girls.” I winked at the new kid. He blushed. Chunji scoffed. “Whatever. I make the meanest ramen in Seoul. Nobody could top my ramen.” “Unless they want to have food poisoning,” I whispered to the new kid. “I heard that!” Chunji pouted.

We spent the rest of the lunch talking about the extra-curricular activities Ricky could try. “I’m the Taequanduo master of this school,” I beamed. “I’m a master at tennis. I serve a tennis ball better than Novak Djokavic,” sing-songed L. Joe. “I’m the pretty face of Genie High,” grinned Chunji. “What are you good at, Ricky?” I asked. Ricky took a minute then said, “Back in America, I was a track star. Maybe I could do…..” “Oh No! No! No! Not track and field. Anything but that,” said L. Joe. “Why not?” asked Ricky. “Oh. We already have one of those buuuuutttt he’s a bit of a….” “JACKASS!” I finished then frowned. “Sorry,” I apologized. “Who is he?” asked Ricky. “Choi Minho. Aish~ I hate that guy. Him and his ‘posse’. Those jerks.” “W-Who are they?” “Umm…I think it’s best we stray from that topic for now.” Ricky nodded in agreement. He clearly didn’t want any trouble with those guys, even though he didn’t know them. The bell rang soon after signaling for the end of lunch and back to class. We left abruptly.

Chunji POV

Ricky…Ricky….Ricky..Where have I heard that name before? Or where have I seen that guy? Aish~ This was frustrating. He clearly didn’t know me so why did it seem like I know him? Bell rang and we made our way to Ms. Park’s class. L. Joe decided to sit in front of us this time, shooing Kang Tae Joon from his seat. Of course, Tae Joon obeyed. Byunghun was a big guy who wasn’t afraid of a little fight. Ms. Park took awfully late to get to class but when she did she looked…different. Her hair was a little messy, her clothes were wrinkled and you could see that her skirt was on backwards. Wise guy Tae Joon shouted, “Yah! Ms. Park! Did you just come from a fling with Dr. Jang or what?” He was the only fool giggling like a little school girl. Nobody was laughing. He probably thought someone would but no one did. Things like that weren’t funny. “Shut up, Tae Joon. At least Ms. Park is…straight.” That, the entire class laughed. Laughed and laughed hard.  Tae Joon kept his mouth shut alright. “Sorry, boys, if I look a little…inappropriate but I was rather quite occupied this luncheon.” She tried to straighten up a little bit. “Ok, boys, back to where we were,” and she began her lesson again.

Two-thirty came and the bell rang for everyone to head home or to their dorms. “Yah! Ricky! We’re still up for coming over to your house?” “Yeah. When are you guys coming?” “Right now!” shouted Neil from a distance. He ran towards us. Ricky looked a little started. “H-How’d you….?” Neil rolled his eyes. “If everything is going to freak you out…” “No! No, I was just curious.” “Well, I read lips really good.” I pushed Neil’s face away. “Anyway, it’s best we come now. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish.” “What about that L. Joe guy?” I got a little annoyed by the way he said ‘L. Joe guy’. “Who? Byunghun? He can come too, if he wants to.” “He probably will,” said Neil. “’cuz you’re going, Chunji.”  I rolled my eyes. “Yeeaaahh. Sure. Anyway, Ricky, you got a ride.” He shook his head. “Aish~ How did you get to school then?” “The..umm..the bus?” I rolled my eyes again. “Fine. I guess we’re gonna go with my car.”  “You got a car?” “Well, yeah. Obviously. I just said that didn’t I?” We all made a dash to the school’s parking lot.

L. Joe POV

Aish~ Where did Chunji go? Since school was over I’ve benn looking for that kid. I decided to call him. I took out my phone and dialed his number (he was already on speed-dial and I memorized his number too). “Hello?” “Yah! Lee ChangHee! Oe dare you dessert me like that!” “Oh! Byunghun! Where are you? I’m in the parking lot with Ricky and Neil. I gotta help him pack, remember?” It totally slipped my mind. “Oh! I’m coming! Wait for me.” I hung up and ran to the lot.

When I got there, I saw that Ricky was sitting in the front and Neil was in the back. “Yah! New kid! Get in the back! Everyone knows that my place in Chunji’s car is front.” The new kid looked started. But he got in the back anyway. I heard Neil whisper something to him. “Yah! Secrets among friends isn’t nice!” Neil made a face. “You and Chunji do it all the time! Why can’t I?” “Cuz…” “Hmm? I’m listening…” “Shut up!” shouted Chunji. I grinned at Neil and he made a face again. Ricky just sat there. Aish~ this kid is so boring. “Seat belts, you guys. I almost got banned from my car because of those tickets.” He glared at me then at Neil, who rubbed the back of his neck in apology. As we drove, I couldn’t help but realize how much Neil whispered to Ricky. That was really weird. “Yah! Why are you guys whispering so much in the back there? Didn’t I say that’s not nice?” “Sorry, Dad,” mocked Neil. I looked back at him and shot him a I’ll-stab-you look. He shut up alright. Well, Ricky? He did nothing. “Ricky! Why are you so boring? Do you do anything else but sit still? That’s pretty lame.” Ricky shrugged. “I just met you guys.” “So?” “So…..so wait.” Ricky directed us to the frap house where he lived. There were  a lot of curves and turns to get there though. When we got out of the car, I felt sick. I held on to Chunji’s shoulder for support. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked. “I…felt…sick,” It barely came in breaths. I wanted to hurl. “Yah! Don’t barf on my new shoes. I don’t wanna smell like hurl on the second day of school.” I quickly swallowed it back. Gross, but I did anyway.  The frap house Ricky lived didn’t look like a frap house. It looked like the house my grand-ma lived in. “Yah! Ricky! Why’d you bring us to my grand-ma’s?” I teased. The guys laughed. “Ani. It looks like that outside. Wait till you see the inside.” I rolled my eyes. This kid’s bluffing. He directed us inside and I quickly ate back my words. The inside really looked like a frap house. Beer bottles, toilet paper everywhere. “Ew,” said Chungji. “How do you live in this filth? There’s this new thing called brooms and mops. You should use ‘em sometime.” Ricky scoffed. “These guys don’t believe in those things. They’re pigs.” Just then someone yelled, “Yah! Who you calling pigs!” A tall guy with blonde hair came down the stairs. “Who are these loons, Ricky? Why are they calling us pigs?” Another one came from behind a door. I figured it probably was the bathroom, by the smell that came from it when it was opened. “Yeah! These loons can’t just come here and tell us what to do. Like clean! You almost sound like my mother.” Another one? Where were these guys coming from? “Guys, guys. They’re just some friends from school. They came to help me pack.” “P-Pack….? Where you going Ricky-hyung?” asked the blonde headed one. “I’m leavin’ you guys. Turns out, you could live in the school, I mean, they got dorms. Isn’t that great?” The one who came from the bathroom looked shocked. “So..you’re just leaving us like that?” “Yep. Pretty much.” The three guys sat down on what looked like a couch and huddled. What’s up with them? I figured they’d be happy to have the space in this dump. Why were they reacting like such babies? “Yah!” I shouted. “Why are you acting like babies?” Bathroom Guy said, “You wouldn’t understand. This kid’s…he awesome.” He almost sounded like he wanted to cry. “Awe….some? You guys think I’m awesome?” “Yeah!” they shouted in unison. “Aw, but….I can visit…” “No! We want you here! Who’s gonna cook delicious food for us?” Ah. That’s why. I saw Ricky roll his eyes. “Whatever.” “Yah! Ricky! You haven’t told us their names.” “Oh. The blonde guys is Minwoo, the other guys are twins. That one’s Youngmin and the other’s Kwangmin.” “They don’t look like twins though. One’s eye….” I quickly kept my mouth close when the big-eyes guy (Kwangmin) shot me a look. He probably knew about his huge eyes. Not the cute huge eyes though. “Fine. Whatever. Hope you have fun at your stupid dorm.” The three guys walked outside and left us. “What was that all about?” asked Chunji. Ricky shrugged. “I’m a pretty bad- cook. Maybe I can show you how to make a few American dishes like hamburgers and..oohh….hot dogs.” Chunji rolled his eyes. “We know what those are…” “But can you make ‘em?” asked Ricky. Chunji rubbed his neck in frustration. “Ok,” I said. “Enough chit-chat. Let’s get packing.”

Neil POV

I gotta say, that frap house was my kinda style. The mess and all. I mean, I can’t be messy in the dorm. I room with L. Joe and he’s a clean freak. What’s up with that? Aren’t guys supposed to be messy? Aish~ L. Joe’s pretty side-ways. Those guys we met. My kinda people. They looked really cool to hang with. Reason why I didn’t say anything since the car was because they was no reason to. I could have said something long ago, just refused to. L. Joe seemed to be doing all the talk. Him and Ricky. Ricky’s growing on me. He’s pretty cool. He’s the only one who got my dirty jokes. Even if I didn’t get, he’d explain it. Finally! Someone to whisper to! I’m tired of seeing Chunji and L. Joe do it all the time and I couldn’t. I kinda liked the way L. Joe got upset that he didn’t know what I told Ricky. Jealous much? Ha! The guys left us alone and L. Joe suggested we start packing Ricky’s things. As we got upstairs, I tugged at Ricky’s shoulder sleeve. “What?” he whispered. “Don’t you just love the way L. Joe gets upset when we whisper?” He nodded and smirked. “Yah! What you guys saying?!” asked L. Joe from the front. “Nothing!” Ricky and I shouted back together. He looked back and rolled his eyes. Aish~ You two love birds should get a room.” “Dahtemnida! If you didn’t kept whispering to Chunji I probably wouldn’t do it. Ever thought of that? Huh?” Chunji then turned around and said, “Don’t bring me into this. I’m an innocent witness. Innocent I tell you!” Drama Queen!!