As we walk home 1,800 won drags me into the tteokbokki stall.

I ask him why he brought me in here when I’m not even craving for tteokbokki. He gives me a shy smile and replies, “Because I know you always like to eat tteokbokki after school, but today you didn’t get the chance cause you were moving.”

Suddenly the ajjumma comes with a big smile. “Is this the two love bird the neighbourhood has been talking about?” She chuckles softly and looks as at us as if we were the cutest little ducklings.

I shake my head, while 1,800 won nods his head.

-brrrnnng-

Luckily 1,800 won’s phone vibrates in his pocket. Ajjumma goes back behind her steel pan and prepares our tteokbokki.

Suddenly 1,800 won’s face freezes and turns into a dark shade. He looks overly upset at the caller and he seems angry to take the call.

“Sorry, I have to take this.” He abruptly gets up from the plastic chair and walks outside the stall.

Worried about him, I always creep behind and listen.

“No. I’m not going back. I already said I won’t be back for a while! Tell him I don’t even plan….that stupid gala is meaningless to me!...Fine…no…ok, I’ll think about it.” He slams the phone shut and closes his eyes. He lets out big sigh.

I feel like asking him what’s wrong…I feel like giving him a little hug to make it all better. I wish I could be there for him, how he tried to help me every time. But, I know he doesn’t want to share, and he hopes I won’t know more, so I walk back to my chair and act like I wasn’t listening.

He comes back into the stall forcing a smile.

You don’t have to fake it…

_________________________________________________________________________________

As we reach home, 1,800 won opens the door slowly and walks into in his room directly. He closes the door behind him and doesn’t come out for the rest of the night.

I stare at the empty living room and already feel lonely.

The next morning, I carry my bag out to the living room and see that 1,800 won is already waiting for me on the couch. As soon as he sees me he gives me a smile, and I realize that he’s all ok now.

“Did you pack a bikini?” He asks teasingly.

I roll my eyes and we walk out of the house to take his stupid bicycle to school again.

As we arrive at school, the girls start to stare at me again, and immediately I feel like an idiot.

I should have gotten off his bike outside of school and walked in separately!!

I quickly run into the bus and grab a seat next to Yeseul and Jinhee. They both look at me with a billion questions in their head.

“What’s this?” They ask at the same time while staring out at 1,800 won’s bike.

I give a loud sigh. I guess it’s time for explanation!

“We just…well, we kind of live together…” I mumble on my words softly

Immediately Yeseul and Jinhee jump and scream, “LIVE TOGETHER?!!”

The whole bus turns they attention to me, and at that precise moment 1,800 won hops on the bus. He gives me a small wave and walks past me to his friends. All attention is set on me and from every corner of the direction I feel whispers and glares.

“Did he just wave at you?!” Jinhee demands and stares at 1,800 won.

Yeseul is dumbfounded at the whole situation.

Aargh, why did he have to wave?! Couldn’t he just walk by? Didn’t I say that we should act like we don’t know each other at school?!!

I look back, and behind the bus I see some of the girls giving me death stares while some of the girls looking at me with jealousy filled eyes.

“No, well yes. But it’s not what you think. We aren’t anything. We have nothing betwe