The New Girl | 𝘈𝘛𝘌𝘌𝘡

Quasi-Introductions

I turn around slowly, anticipating a ghost behind me as my childhood nickname invades my ears. Instead, I find Johnny, my brother's best friend, standing only a few feet away. He might as well be a ghost to me too.

"Oppa?" I stare back at him, unsure if he's truly here or if the shots I just took are making me see things.

"Thank god," he rushes over to me and scoops me into his arms. His voice is soft in my ear, almost like he's holding back tears. "Oh my god, I am so pissed at you right now."

"Why?" I giggle into his neck. "Aren't you happy to see your dongsaeng?"

"Beyond happy," he chuckles shakily, "but not drunk with some guy."

"Be nice," I scold through giggles.

"I'll be nice when I know you're not being taken advantage of." He pulls back enough to look me in the eyes. "You don't get to disappear for months and then tell me what to do as soon as I find you."

"Um, Anna?" Rose taps me on my shoulder. "You want to introduce us to your brother?"

"I'm not that kind of 'oppa'," Johnny tells her as he finally loosens his grip on me.

"Oh?" Sue pipes in from behind us.

"Annie, we need to talk," Johnny says in a low tone, and by the way that Seonghwa is watching us, I have a feeling he doesn't like that idea very much.

"Hwa..." Yeosang is holding onto Seonghwa by his arm to keep him from coming over to us. I guess that answers that.

"Seonghwa," I reach an arm out for his as I pull away from Johnny. "Come meet my oppa."

"I thought your brother was... dead," Seonghwa mutters with his eyes fixed on Johnny.

"Jason was my best friend," Johnny explains. "I've known Annie all her life."

"She goes by Anna now." Seonghwa reaches an hand out for me, and I take it to ease his frown.

"She's gone by Anna since she was 13, but I've known her since she was a baby. Jason wasn't much of a dancer, so I grew up in the dance studio with little Annie over here, hours of dance together everyday."

"Johnny oppa is the only reason I can talk to you, silly." I boop Seonghwa on the nose as if this will somehow emphasize my point.

"I was the only other Korean at the studio, so I taught her the language, and I was her partner for every routine until I started college." Johnny smiles at me without regard for the annoyed Seonghwa beside me. "Annie, I really need to talk to you."

"Anna, we need to go," Seonghwa cuts in before turning to Johnny. "I'm Seonghwa by the way, Anna's boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" Johnny looks back at me in surprise and laughs. "And here I thought I was the love of your life."

"Anna, jagi, let's go," Seonghwa urges me.

"Oppa, come with us!" I tug on Johnny's hand as a means of convincing him. "You can meet my new friends!"

"Annie, I don't..." he looks between me and Seonghwa before letting out a deep sigh. "okay sure, if that's alright."

"Of course!" Rose chirps.

"In that case, hi I'm Johnny. It's nice to meet you all." He gives me and hug from the side. "Thanks for taking care of Anna since she's been here."

"It's my pleasure," Seonghwa says through his teeth before putting his arm around my shoulders.

"Hey, grumpy pants," I look up at him and pout, "ready to go to the party?"

"Yep," Seonghwa kisses my temple before leading me towards the exit once again.

"Come on, oppa!" I call after Johnny as I'm led out by my friends.

"Keep calling him 'oppa' and I'll have no choice but to introduce you to Mr. Kim later," Seonghwa whispers.