Learning Again

One

'" Means English

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'"Mom, seriously, you know this is what I really want!"' I told my mom into the phone as I opened the box with my clothes, taking them out of the box to put them away.

"'I know, sweetheart, I just worry! You're halfway around the world, and-"'

"'And I am happy!"' I laughed, grabbing my phone from between my ear and shoulder, holding it and giving my neck a break from being awkwardly bent.

"'Look, I'll call you later. I have to go get something for dinner."' I said and she sighed.

"'Fine, just let me know you're okay."' She said and I smiled, hanging up. As I got my bag together, I slid my shoes on and left the apartment. I took a deep breath then went out into the street of Seoul, my dream city! As I walked, I looked around for something to eat then gasped as someone hit me, knocking me to the ground. I groaned as a large weight fell on top of me, the person dropping their glasses.

"Ah, I am so sorry!" The man said and pushed himself up, but I blearily blinked at him as my ears rang and my head pounded.

"Ow!" I whispered, reaching up to hold my head.

"Where are my stupid glasses?!" The man asked, blindly reaching around for his glasses. I turned my head, seeing his glasses on my hair that was spread around my head, then I grabbed them and slid them onto his face. When he looked at me, his eyes widened and he shot up, standing on his knees.

"I am so sorry! I-I was cleaning my glasses, I wasn't looking where I was going! Are you alright?!" He asked and I slowly pushed myself up onto my elbows, blinking to try and focus my eyes.

"I'm alright. Are you okay?" I asked and he stood, grabbing my arm to help me stand.

"Did you hit your head?!" He asked and held my shoulders, bending down some to check on me. That's when I realized he was easily 6'0" and I barely reached 5'4".

"No, I didn't hurt my head." I smiled and rubbed the back of my head that hadn't hit the concrete, but it had hit something that was just a little softer.

"I really am sorry!" The man said and bowed at the waist.

"Hey, it's okay!" I said and grabbed his arm, making him look at me.

"You... aren't mad?" He asked, looking worried, but I shook my head.

"No, I'm not mad. In fact..." I trailed and gripped my bag strap, smirking at him.

"If you buy my dinner, I'll completely forgive you." I said and he nodded.

"What were you looking for?!" He asked, but I bit my lip.

"Got any suggestions? I just moved here, so I'm not sure what there is." I said and he lit up.

"Do you like hot pot?" He asked and I nodded, following him to the restaurant. As we sat to eat, I learned his name was Song Min Gi, he worked a lot but wouldn't tell me as what, and he was surprised I didn't recognize him.

"I am so sorry! What is your name?" Song asked and I smiled.

"Madison Smith, but everyone calls me Maddie. You can call me Maddie too." I said and looked at his phone as it vibrated with a text. He frowned then quickly replied, locking his phone and setting it in his jacket pocket.

"Maddie, it's nice to share a meal with you!" He said and I smiled, holding my chopsticks and eating dinner.

"You don't look like you are from Seoul." Song noted and I nodded, eating the dumpling.

"I'm not." I finally said and he smiled softly.

"Where are you from?" He asked and I looked at the food in front of me.

"California. Anaheim, where Disneyland is. It's always been my dream to live in Seoul though, so I learned Korean, ate the best Korean food I could get in Anaheim, just did all I could so I could live here some day. And, now, here I am!" I said and Song smiled.

"Here you are!" He said and looked at his phone as it rang. He sighed and answered it, holding it to his ear.

"No, Hong Joong! I'm okay, I'm just getting dinner with someone! No, you don't know her-" Song sighed and closed his eyes, but I heard many voices on the phone yelling.

"Please quiet down!" He begged and looked at me.

"Excuse me, I will be right back." He said and I nodded, watching as he stood and set his chopsticks down. As he left the restaurant, I turned to the window to watch him then watched him rub his neck in embarrassment. After a few minutes, he hung up and came back inside.

"I'm sorry, my friends are..."

"They're caring." I smiled and he smiled at me.

"Yeah, they are." He said and we kept eating dinner, talking to each other. After he'd paid and we left the restaurant, I smiled at him and went to say goodbye.

"Can I get your contact info?" He asked and I stared up at him, my mouth slightly open.

"Sorry, just... you're a nice person, and you seem like you could use someone who knows Seoul pretty well. I know some of the best food spots in the city." He said and I grinned.

"Sure!" I said and opened my phone, handing it to him. He grinned and put in his information then sent himself a text, taking a photo of himself to use as his contact photo in my phone. When he handed me the phone back, I locked it and grinned at him.

"I will see you later, Song?" I asked and he nodded.

"See you later, Maddie! And, please, call me 'Min Gi'!" He said then bowed his head and watched as I smiled and turned, going home.

Mingi's POV
I got home then shut the door behind me, kicking my shoes off. As I went to the kitchen, I had a grin on my face and opened the fridge, grabbing a water.

"MINGI!" I heard and turned to the living area, seeing all of my friends in their pajamas on the couch looking right at me.

"Were you on a date?!" Yeo Sang asked right as Yun Ho stood on the couch on his knees.

"Who were you having dinner with?!" He asked, but I grinned and shook my head, going to my room.