An ordinary love

I'm not giving up

I was sitting at the dinner table with my parents and Jiwon, eating our breakfast when suddenly someone rang on our door.

Mom: I don't think we are expecting anyone this early in the morning. Are you guys?

Mom looked at all of us but we just shook our heads. Mom stood up from her seat and walked over to open the door.

Mom: Jahoon honey! Your friend is here!

My friend? Who could it be? None of the girls were here in town right now. Some were in the countryside and some were out of the country, all visiting their families. So who could it be? I looked up from my bowl of cereal to see Yujin standing beside my mom with a big smile on her face.

Yujin: Hi Jahoon unnie! And hello Mr. Heo and Jiwon sunbaenim.

She greeted my dad and Jiwon with a big smile on her face. I bit the inside of my cheek as I looked at her with a glare. Why is she always following me around like a dog? I thought she would stop following me around after all that I have done to her.

Jiwon: Just call me Jiwon unnie. You are my precious little sister's friend after all. So that is why you asked me for our address yesterday. You are coming to fetch Jahoon, aren't you?

I snapped my head so hard to look at Jiwon, that I felt something crack. I tried to disgust it by holding a hand behind my neck and acting like I was cracking my neck but dad looked at me with such suspiciousness in his eyes, making me gulp. I just looked back at my cereal bowl and continued eating.

Yujin: That is right, sunbaenim! I mean Jiwon unnie! I also found out that we are not living that far away from each other, so we can walk together to school every morning!

Jahoon: Why are you so happy early in the morning?

Dad: Did you say something Jahoon?

Jahoon: Nothing! Nothing at all.

I chuckled nervously while waving a hand in front of me. My dad tilted his head to look at me but I just stood up from my seat and placed my bowl in the sink to wash it.

Mom: Well it seems like you came at the right time. Jahoon honey, just let your bowl stay in the sink. I will take it. You should go with Yujin to school now, instead of letting her wait here.

Jahoon: What about Jiwon unnie?

Jiwon: My first two lessons got canceled, so I will go later.

I smiled at her with my lips tightly closed together and then turned to look at Yujin, who was still looking at me with a big smile. I sighed and grabbed my bag from the end of the stairs and put on my shoes.

Jahoon: Come on Yujin. Let's go before we are getting late.

Yujin: Goodbye Mrs. and Mr. Heo. Goodbye Jiwon unnie.

Yujin bowed to my family and followed me right outside the house.

Yujin: Wait for me unnie!

I just continued walking down the road as Yujin ran to catch up with me.

Jahoon: Why are you always trying to be with me? It is not like I'm any special or anything.

Yujin: But you are special to me unnie.

I stopped up to look at her and Yujin did the same. I looked at her with crossed eyebrows in confusion.

Yujin: I mean unnie is not like everyone else. Unnie isn't gossiping in every break that we have in school or mostly talking about boys like the other girls but unnie is always studying and reading during our breaks, which makes me want to befriend unnie.

Jahoon: Because I look pitiful?

Yujin: No, because unnie is like the role model I want to be and also because I don't like gossiping and talking about guys like the other girls.

Yujin sheepishly smiled as she scratched her neck. I tilted my head as I looked at her. Me? As a role model? I think she may have hit her head hard or something. We continued our walk to the school.

Jahoon: I'm not a role model or anything for you or anyone. Again there is nothing special about me to have me as a role model. Also... I have not been that great towards you lately... Why do you still try to get close to me even after all of that? You should be hating on me or already be giving up.

Yujin: Because I'm not giving up on you.

Jahoon: What?

We stopped up in front of the school gate. I turned to look at her and expected her to joke around or anything but all I saw was the serious look on her face.

Jahoon: Why?

Yujin: Because I-

Before she could finish her sentence a big group of her fangirls ran over to us and surround us while they were swooning over her. I used the opportunity to slip out of the group and make my way to the classroom. I sat down at my usual seat in the back corner beside the window. I sighed as I propped my head in my hand while looking out of the window. I felt like she was going to say something important but what was it? If it hadn't been for those girls, then I- Wait a moment... why do I think so much about it? Didn't I want to keep my distance away from her? As I were in my own thought, someone slammed their heavy books on my desk making me jerk back to reality.

???: Hey nerd! What is it that is so special about you that our Yujin is so interested in you and trying to get closer to you?! I mean look at you and then look at me! She should be trying to befriend me more than trying to befriend you!

The boy in front of me grabbed me by my collar and lifted me a bit up. The guys and girls around him, all cheered in agreement with his words.

Yujin: Because she has a much better personality than you if you even have one and not copying like everyone else around you.

We all turned our heads to the entrance of the room to see Yujin looking at us with a glare. She then quickly made her way towards us, pushing through the crowd before grabbing the boy's shoulder and yanking him away from me. She then made her way to stand between us.

Yujin: If I ever see you or anyone else in this school bother her again then I will personally hunt you and make you regret messing with my girl.

Yujin talked loudly and confidently while looking around at every other student who had turned all of their attention toward us. I looked at Yujin's back, questioning why she was doing this to me. Before she could do anything more the teacher walked inside and ordered everyone to sit down, so she could begin her lesson. Yujin sat down beside me. I looked at her side profile in amusement over what she did just now. Suddenly she turned to look at me with a smile and leaned closer to me.

Yujin: I know that you are being bullied by the others to not get close to me and I also know about the incident in the canteen that day. I told you that I will never give up on you and I will protect you even if you one day push me away.

Yujin whispered. She looked at me with such a genuine smile on her face that somehow warmed my heart. Not like I am a cold-hearted person but it's not easy for someone to do that. Yujin leaned closer to me and quickly placed a kiss on my cheek before turning back her attention to the teacher. So she was going to say that she like me back there at the school gate.... Wait! AHN YUJIN LIKE ME?!!!