Best Friend?

Chapter 2

Somi's POV

Renjun and I have arrived at the gate of our school, 'Seoul International School'.

I walked strolled away leaving Renjun without saying goodbye, by chance we were also in a different class. Have I said that Renjun was indeed my senior? His age is a year above me, but I never wanted to call him 'Oppa'.

Since we were little, even though I am a girl, my body posture is bigger than Renjun's body, so doesn't it feel very strange to call a smaller child as 'oppa'?

Besides that, I also quickly separated myself from Renjun because I didn't want him to be seen as being with me. Since we went to school here, no one knows that we are friends.

Who will believe? this exemplary and intelligent student like Renjun is a friend with me who is just an ordinary student?

Ah, not really, I can't say that I am an ordinary student because, in fact, I am not 'ordinary'.

No, not because I have mystical powers or aliens or something. Oh come on, aliens and such are not real, only Renjun believes in their existence.

Oh, sorry I almost forgot to explain why I'm not an 'ordinary' student. To be honest, I also don't understand when it started, but not long after I went to this school, there were a lot of rumors and uneasy talk that said I was a player and lover usurper.

Yeah, I did date a few times but hey, it's not just me who dated at this school and all the students I've dated have never been someone else's lovers, so why am I being told like that?

Since getting such a bad image and finding out that Renjun is the chairman of a student organization at school, I decided to cover up our friendship.

I just did not want Renjun to be affected by my reputation and on the other hand, I could be further abused by Renjun admirers.

Thankfully Renjun was always so busy with his academic activities and organizational responsibilities that he did not need to know this rumor. If he knows, I'm sure he will defend me. Yes, he is indeed my best friend.

As I walked down the aisle of the school to get to my class, I received many stares but I acted indifferently because yeah, I could not control each of their eyes and what they wanted to stare at. I am used to it anyway, I don't care at all whether they like me or not.

"Hey, Somi! Come here," shouted Dahyun, one of my friends in class while waving her hand to me to her place.

"What's the matter? Are there actors and actresses who have been caught dating?" I asked, no less enthusiastic. Dahyun and I are good friends because we both love watching dramas. Dahyun was also one of the few students at my school who didn't stay away and talk about me like the others.

Maybe this is also one of my reasons why I can ignore all those people who talk-s**t behind me. See? In the end, there will always be people who won't like you but there will always be those who want to accept you. Instead of thinking of those who hate you, isn't it better to think of those who want to accept you? Wow, didn't I sound very wise?

While waiting for the teacher to come in, Dahyun and I were having a great chat about the drama we were watching. In the middle of our conversation, suddenly someone patted my shoulder. Of course, I reflexively looked at that person, and I found Lai Guanlin smiling while waving at me. Oh, it turns out he's the culprit.

"Good morning, Somi," he said, smiling faintly.

"Good morning Guanlin, you look happy today," I replied and Guanlin again just smiled at me.

It's a lie if I say I'm not stunned by his smile even though it's only a just a glimpse, but instead of me staring back and later it will lead to some mischief, I decided to continue my chat with Dahyun.

Lai Guanlin is a fairly new student at this school, he is a transfer from Taiwan. I guess if Renjun met him, they would start speaking in Mandarin, which of course I would not understand at all.

If I'm not mistaken, he entered as a student in this school about 3 months ago or rather during the middle of the semester this year.

In a short time, Guanlin also managed to attract a lot of attention, especially female students. With a handsome face and a cool personality like that, which woman will not be interested?

I, myself also admire Guanlin. He is not only handsome but is also talented to the point that he managed to get a vocalist position in our school band.

Not long after the teacher who was expected to come and the first lesson began. I half-heartedly moved from Dahyun's place to my original seat near the window.

During the lesson, I didn't pay much attention. I was busy staring at the clouds outside. But something or rather someone who is currently in the field caught my attention.

Renjun? He looks so busy, I think about how he can take care of his health. I mean, hey look at his little body hauling boxes from the warehouse behind the school, who wouldn't worry seeing him work so hard?

Amid my happiness daydreaming about Renjun, again someone tapped me on the shoulder, awakening me from my daydreaming activities just now.

"Guanlin? What's wrong?" I asked, surprised to see Guanlin standing in front of my school desk even though the teacher was still in class. Guanlin chuckled to see me as if newly awakened from his reverie

"What are you daydreaming about?" Guanlin asked and I replied with a shy smile. It's impossible if I admit that I daydreamed about Renjun, isn't it?

"Ah, it's nothing hehe, um so why are you here and not sitting in your place? Don't get me wrong, I just don't want you to be scolded by the teacher if you get up from your seat in the middle of a lesson like this" I asked while trying to explain that my question wasn't intend to send him away.

"Oh, didn't you hear? We were just given a pairing assignment and I was paired with you," Guanlin explained.

"Really? Ah sorry, I did not pay attention, can you explain the task once again?"

Guanlin pulled out a bench near my seat and sat beside my desk, "the task given is quite simple, we were only asked to make up a story, and actually, I was lucky to be in a group with you," he replied.

I was immediately stunned to hear praise from him, who won't be confused and mischievously praised by men as charming as Guanlin?

Unfortunately, Guanlin realized my surprise and continued, "as far as I have heard and seen, you have been very good in English, so of course I call myself lucky to get you as my partner."

Ah, it turns out that he only praised me for my English skill which is not needed because I am Canadian-Korean after all. But I was already blown away by his praise, what a shame of me.

"Hahaha, thank you for your compliment but believe me I'm not that good, I'm just a little lucky because English is the language that was often used when I was a kid before moving to Korea, I was able to settle in Canada with my family," I explained and Guanlin just nodded at my explanation.

Then we both talked again about this task. As long as Guanlin in my school, the two of us never really talk to each other like this. We simply greeting each other whenever we are crossing paths.

I never expect the charming and cold-looking, Lai Guanlin turned out to be a pleasant conversation buddy. He asked a lot of things about me and I did the same thing.

Some times Guanlin had a little trouble catching my point because his Korean language was not yet perfect. It turns out that this is the obstacle that makes Guanlin tend to be quiet and not talk too much in class.

"So this Saturday, at 10 am at the cafe near the school?" I asked to ensure the time and location we agreed on to meet to do our task.

"Yeah right, see you on Saturday," Guanlin agreed and said good-bye to end our conversation.

I, who was still sitting on my bench could only be silent staring at the departure of Guanlin. In my heart, I continued to admire his figure. My heart still beats quite fast. Thankfully during the conversation, I did not make stupid mistakes that would embarrass me.

To be continued...