Lee Chun-Ae
“I namjaneun syopingmol-eseo mannagil wonhaeyo! Jega dangsin-ege yagsoghalgeyo! Geuneun na-ege jeonhwaleul haessgo, geuneun naui eomeoniga geuui eomeoniege nae beonholeul allyeojwossdago malhaessda. Geuneun neomu geonbangjyeo. Geu salam jeongmal yeoggyeowoyo!” I yell into my phone, emphasizing words. “Chun-Ae, calm down! You’re literally screaming at me in Korean. I can only understand a little bit, bestie.” Zhi says.
I sigh and close my eyes, rubbing temples. “Aeya, I know you’re angry but calm down. Talk to me in English.” Zhi says. “I said that this guy wants to meet at the mall. The guy I’m ‘married’ to.” I say and roll my eyes. “I caught that part. Also, I caught ‘disgusting’ and 'cocky’?” Zhi asks. “Yeah, he’s so cocky. It’s disgusting. He said he doesn’t want to marry me either but he’s so cocky that it seems like he does.” I say, my eyebrows heavy with anger.
“Well, what exactly did he say?” Zhi says. “Geuneun mareul mani handa.” I mumble. Zhi laughs. “I understood that.” She says. I try not to smile. “Basically he said that we should get to know each other before we do the ceremony. He was like, ‘I don’t want to marry you either, but I at least want to know who I am marrying.’ Like, uhm, I don’t want to know you. I just have to cook, clean and satisfy you. Not talk to you and have a relationship with you.” I say, glaring at the wall. “Well, Aeya, wouldn’t it be better if you knew him instead of moving into a random man’s house and ‘satisfying’ him?” Zhi says.
I frown and think about it. She watches me. “Well, yeah. But we’re not sleeping in the same room or anything so I won’t have to see him all the time...Right?” I say. “Bestie, I think you should get to know him. You can hate him all you want but at least, know him more so you’re not moving in with a stranger. Please?” Zhi says. I look down at her. “Okay, bestie. Only for you.” I say and glare at the wall again. Zhi starts to laugh. “That was so cute! I need to hurry up and come to Seoul to visit you again.” She says.
“Yes! You’ve been in America for so long, you almost lost your Chinese accent.” I say. She smiles. “Remember when I first moved to Seoul and I could not speak any Korean and you couldn’t speak any Chinese?” She says. I smile at the memory. First day of grade school. We ran into each other and she tried to speak to me in her language, Chinese, and I tried to speak Korean. But she started cursing herself in English and I laughed. “You know English!?” She said, smiling. I nodded and that day on, we were best friends.
“Yep. Those days in grade school.” I say. “Yes. We graduated so soon. I miss school.” She says. I frown. “Ew. Get off my phone.” I say and hang up. She texts me.
Bestie🥳✌️: Damn ;-;237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryT0qBNC7W
Me: lmao i love u.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFg01AUcAt
Bestie🥳✌️: Love you too but damn. That hurt.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxacGVPQIm
Me: sorry <3237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSmYTT8LP6
Bestie🥳✌️: You should be asleep.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6nhE1U3gb
Me: you’re right but maybe ur ass should come back to Seoul so I don’t have to stay up because of timezones.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WJ5oJEqAJ
Bestie🥳✌️: I know but I’m getting ready for college here, abroad.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSvMyppKnH
Me: and u miss school…*shakes head in disappointment*237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBpWRWjOnu
Bestie🥳✌️: Go to sleep.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhs65iqeX9
Me: neverrrrr! *runs away*237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpZUHJyKqJ
Bestie🥳✌️: Good night, rat.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EhyXgll8O
Me: argh. good night.
I set my phone down. “She is crazy if she thinks I’m gonna go to sleep.” I say and grab the remote.
Bestie🥳✌️: Put the remote down, child.
I smile at my phone.
Me: i didn’t pick it up!!237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7kvShkEUW
Bestie🥳✌️: Lying ass.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ2sm4TsH8
Me: BYEEEEE!
She doesn’t answer. I grab my comforter and get underneath it.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhyNZ3Hg8x
Lee Yiane
“Do you think it was a good idea?” I ask, laying in bed next to my husband, Jung-So. “Honey, I feel like Chun-Ae is going to fall in love with him. At first I didn’t like the idea but I can tell, in my heart I can feel it. She’s going to love him.” Jung-So says. I toss over. “And what if she doesn’t?” I ask. “Yiane, I don’t know. But I feel it. We should just let them do their thing.” He says. He rubs my head until I fall asleep.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrqaWVlDMK
Min Yoongi
I climb out of bed and walk to the kitchen in my flannels. I open the refrigerator. I grab a cup for milk and pour the milk. “I wish I had meat to eat.” I say. I down the cup of milk and put the cup in the sink. Holly runs over to me. “Hi, puppy.” I say and bend down to pet her. She jumps in my arms. I laugh and head to my room, passing the room that the girl will stay in. I scowl at the door and walk into my room. Holly jumps out of my arms and onto my bed. I smile and lay down on the bed. She finds her comfortable spot in my bed, against my legs. I turn my TV on and let it play as I finally get tired and start to fall asleep.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qECHPGRDX
Lee Chun-Ae
I rub my eyes as I stare into the mirror. “Ew, I look disgusting.” I say. “No you don’t, so shut up, Aeya.” Zhi says. “You should go to sleep. We've been on the phone for hours.” I say. “I know, but I miss you and I want to stay on the phone with you. Please~!” She says. She yawns. I sigh. “Fine.” I say. She smiles. I set my phone down against the wall on the counter. I bend down and brush my teeth then wash my face. I scrub at my face, feeling the water enter my pours. “Why wash your face if you’re gonna get in the shower?” Zhi says.
“Because I literally cannot see out of my eyes in the morning. Also, because my face feels dirty.” I say. She laughs. I walk out of the bathroom and I grab all the things I’ll need and lock myself in the bathroom. Zhi’s eyes are closing, she’s so tired. I sigh and start to take my clothes off. I look at the camera. “You’re a pervert.” I say. “Hm.” She hums, smiling then closing her eyes again.
I turn the water on and get into the shower. “Do you think I should still go to college here, Aeya?” She asks. “I mean, I miss you so much, and I want you to come back. But you’re smart, unnie. I think that you will do good in America. I mean, I could never go to America to study abroad, so…” I say and bend my neck back, a small double chin appearing as I talk.
She chuckles. “You’re annoying.” She says. I sigh and listen to her laugh. “I really miss you, Chen Zhian.” I say. “ I miss you a lot, too, Lee Chun-Ae.” She says. I smile at her tired voice. “I’m so tired.” She says. “Go to sleep.” I say. “No!” She says. I smile. Next thing I know, she’s asleep and snoring quietly. I turn the water off and get out of the shower.
I sigh and frown at myself in the mirror, wrapping the towel around my body. I look down at my phone and see Zhi’s sleeping face. I smile and bend down to see clearly. She’s laying in the dark. It should be 11:00PM in America. I grab my outfit and start to change. I yawn constantly. I pull the hoodie over my head and then the beanie onto my head. I look in the mirror again. “Ew,” I whisper in disgust. I grab deodorant and lotion. After I put my perfume on, I frown at myself in the mirror. “I am so ugly.” I whisper and push away the memories in my head.
I grab my phone, my car keys and my mini-backpack. I roll my eyes when I get in the car and see a text from that guy.
jerk: see you in an hour
I ignore the text and start my car. I hear Zhi snore. I pull out my phone. I smile and pull out of my parking spot. I take my time and drive to the mall address that guy sent me last night.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssMUGCtzXr
Min Yoongi237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQFjk7axBi
I drive up to the mall. “I mean, is she pretty?” Hoseok says. “Why does it matter?” I say, glaring at the phone. “I was just asking, hyung.” Hoseok says. I look at the mall entrance. “I have to go, Hoseok. I’m here at the mall.” I say. “Good luck.” He says. “Thanks.” I say and hang up the phone. I jump out of my car and stomp into the mall, feeling like a child.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPFg8tcqvL
Lee Chun-Ae
After I pull up, I decide to be annoying and sit in my car for another 30 minutes, making myself seem late when I was here right at noon. I laugh when that guy texts me. I actually laugh. Like, belly laugh and not just a giggle, I find it so funny.
jerk: where are you at?
I stare at the text and laugh for two minutes straight, struggling to get my composure back. Finally I answer his text.
Me: in the parking lot.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Br1XmXYTS
jerk: you’ve just gotten here!?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBU8YM9VG5
Me: nope, i’ve been here for almost 45 minutes :)237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mKCDua2kb
jerk: ugh! you’re annoying. come inside, dummy.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCNJFr8SpZ
Me: i mean, i don’t have to since u called me a dummy. i am your wife after all.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDgcGtWy4h
jerk: just come inside, dammit.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAub6unD1mz
Me: when i feel like it, i will.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhaehG0c5g
jerk: i will come and find you.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWJcWSf2RM
Me: you’re fucking weird. i’m coming, damn. where are u?237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMXzGYhLs4
jerk: at door a.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkmGRqEn0X
Me: okay, i’m coming.
I frown and walk towards the entrance nearest to me. Door A. I sigh and walk through the door and see that guy right there. He looks at me. “Move.” I say. “This is no way to treat your husband, is it?” The guy says. “I hate you, what-ever-your-name-is.” I say and glare at him. “It’s Yoongi, thanks for asking.” He says. I roll my eyes. “And your name is?” He asks. “Chun-Ae.” I say. He nods.
“How old are you?” he asks. “Listen, jackass, can’t we just go shopping or whatever? I don’t want to be here.” I say. “And you think I do? Ha. That’s funny.” He says. “I never said that but obviously you don’t listen.” I shoot back. “Damn.” He says and smiles at me. I glare at him. “Smile at me again, pretty boy and I’ll--” I start. “You’ll what? Hm? Divorce?” He asks and smiles again. “You’re so fucking rude. You know that? You’re a piece of shit and I wish I never signed those papers yesterday. I hate you, Yoongi!” I say. He chuckles.
I smack his face, hard. His hand flies up to his face where his cheek is now bright pink. “Go fuck yourself.” I say and walk out of the mall. “Chun-Ae, come back.” He calls. “Don’t call me by my name, you’re not worth it.” I yell and jump in my car. I start my car. The passenger door opens and he jumps in. “Get out! Leave me alone!” I yell and those words send me into a terrible flashback.
“Why’re we doing this?” A boy asks. “To show her how ugly she is.” Jeong says. I frown and more tears come out of my eyes. “Please, no. Please, leave me alone.” I cry. Jeong leans down. “What was that?” He says. He reaches his hand up and I flinch away. “Come on, guys. Hold her down.” He says, laughing at me when I flinch. “No! Please! Please, stop! Stop!” I cry. Jeong rips my skirt off. “Stop! Please!” I cry. “Shut up!” Jeong yells and punches me. “Leave me alone! Please!” I scream. No one hears me.
“Chun-Ae! Stop! Stop!” Yoongi yells and holds onto my wrists. I open my eyes. His eyes are wide with shock. “Chun-Ae...Are you okay?” He asks. “Go away...Please.” I whisper. He doesn’t loosen his grip on my wrists. “What happened?” He asks. “Dammit, don’t you know what depression is! I hate myself and I hate you!” I yell. Yoongi frowns and his eyes fill with worry. “Don’t pity me. Just leave me alone!” I scream, tears streaming out of my eyes.
He pulls me into his chest and hugs me. I try to push him away. I punch at him as I cry. But it’s like he doesn’t feel anything. I cry harder and punch softer and softer, pain in my heart. He says nothing, he just holds me. Soon I’ve cried myself to sleep. 237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMuKmSPBpj
