Missed

Chapter 1: Fallon Kim

Fallon, meaning Superior in Gaelic is the contrary of who I am. I've always been quiet, shy and reserved. I always feel inferior to others. I don't want to draw any attention to myself if I can help it and this is why I hate, HATE school reports. Highschool is bad enough for me, I get overwhelmed easily with all the people around me and I really only have two friends, Mary and Kay. Yes, just like the Mary Kay marketing company but separate.

I have always depended on them, when there's events in school or after school, I won't go unless they're there. They have other friends aside from me but they are my only friends, only real friends.

"Come on, Fallie. Stop being upset." Kay said as she fixes her red hair in the mirror.

"Yes, please. We'll still be in the same university." Mary chimed in, while pulling my arm, trying to get me off my bed.

"Kay's going to be thousands of miles away and you're in a different college department. Have you seen how big the campus is?" I snap.

I hate that Kay is moving to a different state for college. She's always been the smartest one and bravest. She's moving to Austin, Texas and studying accounting leaving her family and friends... leaving me.

Mary and I both decided to stay in Michigan. We're both going to MSU but she's going to be studying Business Management and I'm going to the School of Hospitality Business. Same University but different colleges, and the campus is huge. It's one of the largest colleges in the State.

"It's going to be fine. We'll still have lunch together and meet each other between classes." Mary says as if that actually reassuring.

"Sure." I shrugged.

"See? Everything is going to be fine. You'll live." Kay says as she winks at me and proceeds to brush her hair.

"Now let's finish getting ready. You need to change, Miss." Mary says, eyeing me from head to toe, unimpressed of what I look like. And I can't blame her.

I've been in a rut the last few weeks after our High School graduation. I can't even believe I survived all the process involved in college admission and I don't really want to re-live it. Right now I am dreading the fast approaching Freshman Orientation, so Mary and Kay decided to take me out and hang out with some of our other high school friends. It's also Kay's going away party.

Looking at the mirror I see myself and thought, hopeless. My dark thick wavy hair is out of control, dark bags under my eyes and I'm wearing an old oversized faded and stained black shirt as a dress.

I clean up nice and I thank my parent's genes for that. My dad's Korean and he's not at all small or short like the Asian stereo type but I'm guessing I got my petite frame from my Asian side. My mom on the other hand is Irish - American, she has a very wavy auburn hair and big almond eyes. Like her I have long wavy hair but instead of auburn hair I have dark black hair like my dad. I have almond eye shape like my mom and light brown eyes like my dad.

My parents met each other in college, they both attended the same university I decided to study in, Michigan State University. My dad told me to never have a boyfriend until I finish college while my mom is more open to me dating in college. I guess this is one of the reasons why I am shy, and try to deflect any attention to myself. To not attract any boys.

I forced myself to go to the bathroom, shower, straighten my hair, put on some lip tint so I am not very pale. I've put on blue jeans, plain white t-shirt, my white Puma sneakers and a small purse with some cash, credit card, lip tint and car keys.

"Ready." I unenthusiastically say. Mary and Kay both looked at me and frowned. "Maybe we should pick something different for you to wear." Kay said and to which Mary agreed to.

"You should wear this." Kay pulled out a black dress from my closet, it's cute. No, sexy. It has straight neck line, mesh long sleeves and about six inches above the knees. It still has it's price tag, my mom probably bought it for me and slid it in to my closet. "Nah-uh. No way, Kay" I looked at Mary and say "A little support, Mary?"

"You'll look bomb in that dress Fallie, come on just wear it. We'll take lots of pictures and plus there will be cute guys there!" Mary shrieked. Despite having a boyfriend she is very excited to be around other guys. "Mason will be there, Josh is bringing him." I was wrong and now it's clear she's excited for me. Mary, Kay and Josh, Mary's boyfriend is trying to set me up with Mason.

Mason Gutierrez, he's got his Mexican dad's built, tall but not too tall, buff but not Arnold Schwarzenegger buff, sharp jaw. His hair is sandy and blonde and he's got the bluest eyes which he got from his mom.

Every girl in our high school have a huge crush on him, including me. Of course no one knew about it, not even my best friends. So I try to not be affected when Mason and I sometimes make random eye contact in the school hall way although I wonder if he actually sees me. And I think Mary & Kay can see right through me seeing that they now want to set me up with Mason.

"Fine!" I said as I throw both hands up in defeat. Not really in defeat, I do want to look good because of Mason. I know my dad doesn't want me to date anyone until after college but my mom is okay with it. May it's time for me to try not to be so shy and get to know guys, well Mason.

I put the dress on, brushed my hair more and curving the ends with my flat iron inwards to give it a blow out look, I also decided to put on some tinted moisturizer, blush, winged eyeliner and I kept my cherry red lip tint for my lips.

"Wow!" Mary & Kay said in unison. "I guess we should have told you sooner Mason will be there." Mary is such a tease. "What?" I grunted. "Really, Fal? We know you've always liked Mason. And we kinda think he likes you too, all those looks he gives you. Puh-lease!"

Am I really that obvious? Is Kay right? Does Mason like me? I wonder. "I don't know what you're talking about." "Okaaay" Mary sings.

"Hey girls, are you ready? I can drop you off on my way to the grocery store." my mom asked while peeking in to my room. "Whoa, honey, you look very nice, I'm glad you're using the dress I got you. I wasn't sure if you were ever going to." She's shocked when she finally sees me, even I am shocked at my self.

"Thanks mom but we'll take our own cars." I drive a black mini cooper and I want to have my car incase I need to get out of there.

"Okay, well enjoy. Text me if you need anything, ok?" "Ok. I will" I answered. "Love you!" my mom yells as she goes down the stairs.

Mary, Kay and I each drove our own cars to the restaurant. My heart is pounding all the way to Prime Hall, a very classy restaurant that serves one hundred dollar prime ribs. It's one of its kind here up north so they can get away in charging their food that much. Kay's parents will be paying the bill as this is kay's going away party, very generous people.

I have my eyes closed and hand still on the wheel, trying to keep calm in the car after I parked. I'm not ready to go in the restaurant, I'm shy and scared at the same time. Then a knock on my window startled me. It's Kay. "Let's go, Fal"

I got out of the car, Mary wrapped her arms around mine "Here we go. You'll be fine Fallie, I promise." she said smiling and as she walk me towards the door. I love how my friends accept how I am and they try to help me as much as they can. I really don't know what will happen to me now that I won't have them by my side in college.

I didn't even realize we reached the door to the restaurant as I am deep in my thoughts about my friends leaving. And there he is, Mason.