Secrets of Attraction

Twenty-One: SUZY

Chum-Churum and Tteokbokki were not cutting it in yearbook today. My mood was a complete flatline. I sat, head down, waiting for Bogum to hand over our next assignments while random thoughts scrambled around in my brain.

It was Wednesday and eomma and I were still not on pleasant speaking terms. I wasn't sure  is she was just giving me space, letting me find my own path to forgiveness, or if that Buddha statue had secretly been something she'd wanted to bring on Antiques Roadshow and she was heartbroken it was now in smithereens in our garbage can. We spoke, but it was day-to-day details. We hadn't even dished about my weekend.

And then, Joohyuk.

My feelings for him were too raw, new. I hated the way I'd acted about that stupid napkin. Samsan had been on fire at 2STO - why wouldn't he get some attention? Getting so close to him, in such a short time, was scary. Pushing him away was much easier. Now I was in control. Only it didn't make me feel any better.

"CJ E&M dance staffs, can I talk to you for a minute?" Bogum had his serious editor in chief face on. I glanced at Stephanie and Yoona, who both threw me a perplexed looks. We got up and walked to  Bogum's desk. He motioned for us to come around to his side to look at something on his computer screen.

The CJ E&M layout was pulled up on her laptop. I managed a smile. Out of everything I'd done for the yearbook so far, this made me the most proud.

"So no final tweaks or changes? We can put this to bed?"

The three of us looked at each other and nodded at Bogum. "Excellent. There's something else I'd like to tell you. It's not completely official - well, not until the end of the term - but I wanted to let you know I'm recc'ing you three for editorial positions next year. This doesn't mean you can slack or anything. I'm telling you as incentive to keep up the good work."

"Well where's the fun in that?" I asked. "Aren't there any perks?"

"You'll find there are a lot of people who suddenly want to be your friend - not that I take advantage or anything." Bogum grinned. "I'll have more assignments next meeting. You're finished today if you'd like to leave early."

That was perk enough for me at the moment. We collected our things and walked out to the locker bay.

"I'm already thinking about all the ways I can make Yoo Chulsan suck up to me," Stephanie said, grin so wide it made my cheeks hurt just looking at her.

"We don't have the job yet," Yoona said.

"Don't be a buzzkill. We should celebrate - how about an after-meeting coffee or something."

"Can't today - I'm meeting Changwook for a run."

"Really? So this friend thing with Changwook is really working out," I said.

"Yeah, weird, huh? It's like, after we hooked up, we realized we're better as friends."

"Can't kiss to save his life?" I closed my locker and put on my jacket.

"Soo."

Yoona laughed. "Nah, he knows what he's doing."

"You can really just be friends even after you swapped spit?" Stephanie asked.

"It's weird, I guess, but I'm trying to take a play out of the Bae Suzy handbook."

"I have a handbook? News to me. You should loan it to me sometime."

"You know what I mean - I've always liked the way you can be cool, not let the physical stuff mess with your head. Changwook's been a great running partner. Keeps me on pace, challenges me on the trail. Kind of better than a boyfriend right now. Beats always running with appa, too."