Dara was nowhere to be found once the bell rang, signaling it was the end of school. At lunch I had missed her since my home room teacher had asked to go over my transcripts and what I'd learned in America, so other than the one class I had with her - which had been, horrifyingly enough, gym - I hadn't seen much of her. 

"You looking for Dara?" I glanced up at the speaker to find a slim, bright blond haired guy watching me. 

He had pretty features, and though he was slight, he lacked the height to be truly lanky, making him simply slim. His uniform was messy and he had a smile on his face like it was permanently there. I hadn't seen him before around school.

"Um yeah..." I cleared my throat. "Sorry I don't think we've met, I'm Jung Yoon-Hana, Dara's new neighbour."

"I'm Kwon JiYong. Myungsoo's already told me all about you." The way he said it made it seem like he knew something about me, which of course was ridiculous.

Myungsoo didn't know anything about me, other than my name and where I lived. JiYong may be frail looking and smiling, but something about him made me want to run, just like it was with Myungsoo. I pushed down the feeling and lifted my chin higher.

"Oh yeah? Good to know he's suddenly an expert on me." He chuckled at that. "Do you know where Dara is?" 

"She has a fashion club after school." He explained, crossing his arms and leaning against the lockers. "And after that she's hanging out with her friends." 

Something about the way he said 'her friends' made it obvious that it didn't include me. I felt a stab of jealousy, which was of course ridiculous. She wasn't just my friend, after all, and it was silly of me to assume she'd spend all her time with me.

"Ah right, okay." I nodded, keeping the hurt I felt from my face.

I turned to leave.

"Oh and Hana?" He called. I paused and glanced over my shoulder curiously. "Stay away from Dara. Myungsoo may have decided you might be safe, but I haven't. This is my warning, don't ignore it or you'll regret it." JiYong gave me a charming smile before he himself walked away, his steps full of confidence.

I stared after him, stunned. 

"What is it with these people and warning me to stay away from Dara?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head.

Really, this was all getting too... Weird. What were they, bodyguards? Was she secretly a Princess? I didn't care if I watched too much k-drama or not, but this was seriously beginning to feel like one. Beginning the walk back home myself I noticed that there weren't many students about. Cram schools, I remembered. Didn't Korean students study until like, 11pm? I was lucky, I supposed. Back in America I had been a top student at my school to the point where I had been offered a scholarship to a private one in New York. I had declined - it was too far from home, but now, all my studying back home had paid off, since I was caught up with everyone else here, which seemed to follow some accelerated curriculum. 

"We meet again." I jumped at the voice and whirled around in confusion. Huh...? "Over here." The same voice chuckled. I peered into the alleyway at the side of me cautiously just as a tall figure emerged.

"Tao!" I gasped, holding my heart. "You scared me.