falling slowly。    CHAPTER twelve... mydnitesorm      Looking at the house in front of her Lee Shiyoung couldn’t stop the scowl that happened to appear on her face. Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly – thinking that this would somehow return her back home to Japan. But realistically she knew that would never work out.

“Just give it a change Shiyoung.” He felt her father nudge her forward as they walked into her new ‘home’. “I am giving it a chance, just a very small one. But why now?” She faced her father, a small pout on her lips as her father shook his head at her. “Why couldn’t we have moved once the school year was done? Do you know how hard it’s going to be to make friends and…”

Her small rant was interrupted by her mother’s voice. “Our laid back Shiyoung is going to have trouble making friends and adjusting?” Her mother’s words earning a chuckle from her father her mother gently pat Shiyoung’s cheeks. “You know Korean perfectly and knowing just how easy going you can be you’ll have no trouble meeting new people, even if it may take you a while to get used to everything dear.” Shiyoung’s father couldn’t help but nod in agreement to his wife’s words before adding a few extra words of wisdom and telling her to get settled in her room.

With a small grunt, Shiyoung made her way to her room, thinking about what they had told her. It was true – considering her personality she would have no trouble making friends and she was fluent in Korean so she was extremely lucky in that department. Setting her box down she looked around her bedroom and taking her parents advice and going out. Taking a light jacket she threw it on before making her downstairs and into the main entrance, saying a quick bye to her parents before putting in her ear phones and starting her small adventure around Seoul and its little districts. Looking around the street she couldn’t help become confused. How on earth did she end up on the same street again? She mentally scowled herself for not paying just a bit more attention to her surroundings. A sudden voice beside her pulling her back into reality.

“Are you okay Miss?” She turned her head and was faced with a boy slightly older on then herself. Shiyoung couldn’t help but look at him slightly confused and surprised by his sudden appearance. Noticing the confusion the male couldn’t help but laugh before he bowed his head slightly in a greeting. “I’m Mark. I noticed walking around here looking slightly lost.”

“That would be because I am actually very lost.” She shook her head as she laughed; strangely feeling relaxed by his presence. “I’m Shiyoung and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Finishing with a bow before looking back at him. Amusement flashed in his eyes as he watched her, noticing that her Korean had a slight accent. "You aren't from around here?"

"I'm not and that would explain why I'm so lost. I just moved here from Japan actually and my parents suggested I go out and see what this place has to offer."

"Japan huh? I've been there a few times although I didn't really get a chance to sight see." He looked around the streets noticing that it was slowly starting to get darker now that the days where slowly getting cooler. “How about we continue our talk while I help you home? It’s going to be dark soon and your parents are going to start worrying about you.” She nodded in agreement as she told him her address which made Mark stop in his tracks. “Are you serious?”

“What?”

“So you must be the new neighbours then…” His head nodding approvingly, glad that he would now have someone else he could bother. Shiyoung grinned at his words, not only had she made a friend today but she had also found out that her new friend was her neighbour.

The two were in stiches by the time they had arrived at Shiyoung’s driveway, grins spread across their faces as they tried to catch their breaths. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much…My goodness.” Shaking her head as she placed a hand over her chest, hoping that it would calm her down.

“I’m glad that you found my embarrassments so amusing.” Mark rolled his eyes as he playfully nudged her before looking at her house and back at her offering her a smile. “And now you’re back home all thanks to me.”

“Yes, all thanks to you.” Giving him a thumb up before she bowed and started to make her way to the front door before turning back and waving at him. “Thank you Mark! I’ll see you around sometime right?”

“Of course! We live right next door to each other.” Mark returned her wave, waiting till she entered before he walked right next door to his home.

▁

It had been a couple of weeks since the two new friends had last had a proper conversation. Both busy with their lives that they only had a chance quick ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ as they past each other during the day.

In all honesty Mark was one of the few friends she had in Korea, yes she had gained a few friends while at school and exploring here and there but she didn’t seem to connect with them like she did with Mark.

She was startled when an arm was wrapped around her shoulders, a yelp leaving her lips as she looked at the culprit, his laughter filling her eyes.

“To busy dreaming that you didn’t even notice your best fr