I puffed my cheeks and made my way to the bus station. 
It was a few minutes past 5pm, and I've just missed the bus as I've reached the station. I groaned in annoyance. I've never been this late before, so I took my phone out of pocket and texted my mom, telling her I'll be late, and ranting about the reason why. I sighed and put it back. As I sighed for the nth time that day, I felt someone tap my shoulder. I looked back and marveled at the sight before me. A tall, well-built boy, with black hair, and sharp eyes looking straight at me. I gawked for a moment until he spoke.

"Excuse me, you've dropped this." He was holding a gray Totoro pen that I recognized to be mine at once. I stuttered and bowed, taking the pen and thanking him. He just nodded and looked away.

The bus came not long after. We both hopped on and he sat on the opposite side from where I did. During the whole ride, I couldn't help but to steal glances at the guy. A university student by the looks of it. When he got off two stops before mine, I bit my lip and smiled to myself.

The next day, I didn't leave when the bell rang to signal the end of classes.

"Jihae, what are you waiting for? Let's go." one of my friends called out. 

I shook my head. "You go ahead. I'll stay for a while. "

I sat in the room and tried to get myself to review the lessons that day. I took the most notes I ever did in my life, and it felt so different as much as studying did. I glanced at the time and it was a quarter to five. I fixed my things and left.

On the way to the bus stop, I couldn't help but smile to myself. I skipped along and hummed a happy melody. When I got there, the stop was pretty empty. I took a seat and pouted to myself, thinking I might have failed in my plan. The bus would be arriving at any minute and the person I'm waiting for is still not here!

Just when I was about to lose all hope, the same tall guy from yesterday stood in front me, his back to me. I smiled and stood up.
 

"Oh! It's you again! Thank you again for yesterday!" I beamed at him.
He turned to look at me and had a surprised expression that disappeared in to a serious one at once.

"Don't high school students end classes by four? Why are you going home just now?"

I smiled. I wasn't going to lie. "I waited for oppa!"

"What?" He gawked at me.

"Hello! I'm Jihae. Kwon Jihae from Buyeon High School! What's your name?" 

"Uh..."
 

I squinted, trying to read from his ID. "Choi Jonghyun, Class 1AB, Seoul University." 

"Are you a stalker?" He said.

I shook my head. "Ani." I pointed to his ID. "Oppa, you're really good looking, but please don't grow a big head even though I like you."

"What?"

"I like you. Oh! The bus is here, let's go sit together." I grabbed his hand and waited for the bus to stop in front of us. I pulled him in and dragged him to sit next to me.

I let go of his hand as soon as we sat down. When the bus started moving, he looked at me and said "Are you always this straight forward? And aggressive?"

"Only when I like someone."

He pressed his lips into a line and didn't say anything more.

Nearing his stop, I heard him. "Totoro girl."

I looked up and glared at him. "Jihae. I told you my name is Jihae. You should get used to saying that name, you'll be saying it often."

"What?"

"Didn't I tell you I like you? We'll be spending more time together."

"Eh?" 

"I'll be looking forward for more bus rides with you. See you tomorrow oppa." 

And as if on cue, the bus doors opened as it reached his stop.

"Jonghyun oppa!" I ran to the bus stop, seeing Jonghyun oppa already at the bus stop.

"I told you, call me Changjo!"

It's been over a month since I've been meeting Jonghyun oppa at the bus stop. He insists on calling him Changjo, he told me his friends gave him that nickname. But I insist on calling him Jonghyun. Besides, where did Changjo even come from? Did he invent a lot of things?? Tss.

"Sorry, I was studying, I didn't notice the time. Did you wait long?"

He pushed my forehead with his finger playfully.

"I was waiting for the bus, not you."

I pouted, looking forward. "Bus is here." I grabbed his hand like I did every time the bus approaches, and pulled him next to me as I sat down, letting go when he sits.

I nudged him. "Yah, oppa. The exams are tomorrow. Do you know what college I'm applying for?" 

"Gee, let me guess," he started.

"Seoul University." We said at the same time, me being a bit too enthusiastic.

"We'll be in the same university!" I told him, picturing the school in my head.

"That's only if you pass the exam." He said flatly. I pouted. "You're no fun." 

"Totoro girl." He said, standing up as the bus slowed down to his stop.

"My name is Jihae!!" I said, half-shouting. He rolled his eyes. 

"Good luck." He said softly, then turned to leave.

My mouth fell agape, trying to take in what he just said. 

"Good luck." I repeated. "He wished me luck!!" I smiled to myself. It was the most thoughtful thing he has ever said to me.

“Oppa!” I called out to him. It was my first day at university, and I freaking passed for Seoul University! I ran over to Jonghyun oppa, moving away and dodging everyone else in the packed hallway. I was searching for him since morning, and right now is my only break for the day.

“Oh, it’s you.” He turned, looking away from the girl he was just talking to, which I tried so hard to ignore.

“I’ve been looking for you since morning.” I said, trying to catch my breath.

“I’ve been in class rooms all morning. This time is the only break I have.” He said, stuffing a book into his bag.

“Oh, me too!” I beamed. I grabbed the piece of paper sticking out of his bag, which turned out to be his schedule. I ran my eyes through it and grinned.

I waved the piece of paper in the air. “Oppa! We have the same break and dismissal time.”

“Are you sure you’re not a stalker?” He asked, grabbing his schedule from me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Pff. I told you not to grow a big head. It hasn’t even been that long. This is pure coincidence!”

“Yeah right.” He started walking and I followed him.

“Oh! Maybe it’s destiny!”

“Shut up. Don’t be silly.”

My shoulders sank as I pouted.

“Ya, stop following me.” He said.

“Wae? Are you embarrassed of me?”

“No. I’m going to eat with my friends. Don’t you have any?” He looked down at me, which was really looking down because he was so tall. I shook my head and hooked my hand on his arm.

“It’s my first day and no one was talking to me.” I pouted, not looking at him.

He rolled his eyes and kept walking.

I met his friends that day. All of them were good looking, I thought I was in an ulzzang show. For the rest of the days, I always had lunch with them. I still followed Jonghyun oppa around, and we still went home together. Later, I found out he and his friends were pretty popular. They had girls confessing to them every day, which I should’ve expected with faces like those.

Jonghyun oppa had a lot of girls around him, not including me. At first, I thought they would be all over me, for hanging around their “Dearest Changjo Oppa” all the time, but they weren’t. They hardly paid attention to me. Then I found out they thought I was his little sister. Stupid idiots. They call Jonghyun oppa oppa even though they’re older. Don’t they know he will never look at them?!

I caught the flu and missed school for almost a week. I haven’t seen Jonghyun oppa in a few days and it already feels like forever. I miss him. L

Changjo walked out of his classroom and was surprised to not be greeted by a giddy Jihae. He looked around and shook it off, thinking he’ll see her later. He walked in the cafeteria and looked through the sea of people; still no Jihae.

“Are you okay?” Chunji, one of his friends asked. Changjo was in a daze, so he had to tap his shoulder to get his attention.

“What? Ah, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” Changjo answered, shaking out of his trance.

“You didn’t finish your food. Usually you gobble it all down and pick on the other’s food.” he asked again, taking a bite from his apple.

“What? I just have no appetite. Our professor flashed some gruesome photos in my last class. Not really appetizing.” Changjo lied.

“Have you lost someone? You keep looking around.” Another friend, Byunghun, chimed in.

“I know. He’s looking for Jihae!” Ricky, another friend, said before Changjo could even open his mouth.

“What are you talking about? Shut up.” Changjo threw a breadstick at him.

“Come to think of it, where is your little pet?” The oldest, Minsoo said.

“She’s not a pet. And I don’t know. I haven’t seen her all day.” Changjo was already talking against his teeth. His friends were being very annoying.

He got to the bus stop, and for some reason, he let three buses go, before realizing he was waiting for no one.

The next day, no one clinged to Changjo during his break. It was only him and his five other friends during lunch, and rode on the fourth bus home again, waiting for no one.

In Chemistry the next day, Changjo found it hard to listen to what the professor was babbling about. He had his brows knitted together, his fingers clasped hardly on his pen, pressing it down and making a mark on his paper. He was uneasy. He felt like he was missing something.

On his break, Changjo pulled a freshman out, recognizing her as one of Jihae’s classmates.

“Oh! Changjo oppa!” the girl beamed.

Changjo raised his eyebrow, “You know me?” He sounded hopeful.

The girl giggled. “Of course! Who doesn’t? You’re one of the most popular guys in school!”

“Oh.” Changjo’s shoulders sank. “Are… are you from Class 1CE?” The girl nodded.

“Do you know Jihae?” Changjo asked.

“Oh, her.” The girl’s expression darkened. “Yes. I’m her classmate.” Changjo was fazed, but he didn’t show it.

“Where is she?”

“You don’t know? Sheesh. She clings to you every day and she didn’t tell you?” Clings. Changjo cringed up at the word. He shook his head.

“Is she your girlfriend?”

“No.” Changjo firmly said, annoyed the girl wasn’t giving him what he wants.

“Oh! Then why does she cling to you all the time?” That word again. “So, you’re available right?!” The girl was too giddy, her voice was starting to get high. Changjo was getting pissed.

“JUST TELL ME WHERE THE HELL SHE IS!” He exploded.

The girl shook under Changjo’s voice. “S-she’s sick. Caught the flu. I-I don’t know when she’s coming back.”

Changjo sighed. “Thank you.” And left.

Yah, pabo! Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?! –Changjo

Jonghyun oppa? Is that really you? –Jihae

Yah. Are you stupid? Of course it’s me! –Changjo

Eyy, prove it! –Jihae

Totoro girl! Stop playing games!! –Changjo

Woah! It’s you! I’m not playing games. Just making sure. Hh. –Jihae

Don’t laugh. Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?? –Changjo

How could I? I didn’t have your number. –Jihae

Aren’t you supposed to ask someone you like their number? –Changjo

I’m not fond of using my phone. I didn’t think it was important. :P –Jihae

Stupid as usual. –Changjo

TT TT where did you get my number?? –Jihae

From your classmate. You’re missing a lot of school work! Get back to school soon! –Changjo

Ne~ -Jihae

Goodnight. –Changjo

I had a check up with my doctor the next morning. He told me I was still sick, but I can now go to school. So I didn’t waste any time and attended my afternoon classes. When classes ended, I went to the bus station. I checked the time and I was earlier than usual. I sat on the bench to wait, then felt someone sit next to me. I looked up and saw that it was Jonghyun oppa.

“Jonghyun oppa! You startled me!” I said, but looked away when he didn’t say anything. I fished the notebook I borrowed from my classmate and looked at the notes I’ve missed. As I was reading, I heard something from him that I’ve never heard before.

“Jihae.”

I looked up from the notebook, only to see him looking right at me. It was as if he was bearing holes into me with his eyes.

“You called me Ji-“

I didn’t get to finish my sentence. He cut me off by gently placing his lips over mine. He kissed me. His eyes were closed, mine stayed open. I didn’t respond at all. Then, he pulled away, boring holes into me again.

“Pabo.” I said.

“What?” he looked at me innocently.

“I’m still sick! Now you’ll get sick too!” I cried.

His lips broke into a smile. Then, he leaned down and kissed me again, smiling into the kiss. This time, I closed my eyes and kissed back.

That day, I found out Jonghyun oppa liked Totoro.