When He Showed Up

Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

Jess’s POV:

I looked at my timetable AGAIN.  That has to be my least favorite part of first days.  Let’s see...English class.  Ha! My favorite!  This one should be easy, at least.  I walked in and looked for a place to sit (thank God Brie isn’t here), until I saw one right next to some guy in the back.

So, I strolled over and sat next to him.  I saw he had a greasy brown paper bag sitting next to him on the desk, and for a moment I questioned the wisdom of sitting there after all.  But then, I could smell its contents...fried chicken.  Mmmmm, my mouth was watering!  It reminded me of home...and of Jake.  Argh!  Is it too much to ask to be allowed think of something without him coming to mind?

My dire thoughts were abruptly halted when I noticed a piece of fried chicken dangling in front of my face.  "Do you want it?"  Instead of just answering like a normal human being, I caught it deftly and began devouring it.  "Gamsahamnida, [Thank You]" I said after pausing briefly to catch my breath.  "So, I see I have fellow chicken lover!" beamed the guy, looking highly amused.

"Yep, that's me!"

"I'm Lee, by the way."

"I'm Jess. Nice to ‘meat’ you! Haha! Get it?"

We both laughed uproariously, even though that was undoubtedly the dumbest joke I've ever told.  Lee and I spent the entire class whispering about music, America, Korea...and chicken, of course!

When class ended, I was packing my stuff up when Lee grabbed my shoulder and asked, "Hey, Jess, do you want to come eat lunch with me and my gang? I'll buy you chicken!" He sang, trying to convince me.  "Sure!" I agreed readily, grinning.  We strode happily out of the classroom, where I found Min Su waiting in the hall. Lee said she could come; “The more the merrier, after all!”  As we entered the cafeteria, I started to wonder just exactly who his friends were.  Were they girls, or a bunch of fun, chicken-obsessed guys? Then, all my hopes were dashed.

"Jess!  Babe!  Well hot damn, you just can't stay away, can you?  I’m irresistable, I know." What a pathetic, narcissistic jerkwad.  "Actually, Lee invited me to sit with his friends at lunch," I snapped.  The lunch table was pretty much filled; there was me, Lee, Min Su, Key, Tae, and Brie.  “Hey, Brie!  Should I get an extra chair for your ego?” I jeered.

Key, chortling at my jest, quickly said, "Jess! Come sit by me!" I saw Brie looked rather irritated by this, almost as if he was...jealous?No, not him.  But it would be fun to see how he would react.  "Ok!" I said perkily, and plopped down next to Key.  So when Key leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Jess, will you help me tick off Brie? I'll do all the work, all you have to do is play along.  It’ll be fun!", I quickly, but subtly nodded then kicked in my long-suppressed inner flirt.

"Key! Stop it!” I giggled teasingly in the girliest voice I could muster.  “You're making me blush!"  Key, looking impressed, put his arm around me possessively. Normally I wouldn’t allow that sort of thing, but this was definitely an exception.  He then whispered softly in my ear, "Hey, you're pretty good at this." I giggled again and scrunched my neck adorably, making it look like Key was tickling me. The look on Brie’s face was absolutely priceless.  If this was a cheap romance anime, the animators would have drawn flames in his eyes by now.  It was too funny!

Key and I kept up the act until it was time to get back to the last course of the day.   First, I wanted to walk up to Min Su’s dance class,  but I, being the clumsy ignorant American that I am, tripped down the stairs, fell on my arm, and smacked my face on the wall, all in a matter of about two seconds. "Agh! Seriously?!" I growled to myself, frustrated.  I eased back up, wincing in pain, but quickly got over it. I was never a wimp and I wasn't about to become one. Feeling like a mighty warrior returning from battle, I walked into my next class and sat down next to Tae.  His eyes widened in concern when he saw my condition. "Jess! Are you ok? You have a mark on your arm, and your face.... It's starting to bruise! Did you get in a fight?"  I cracked up.  "No, silly.  I fell down the stupid stairs and smacked my face against the wall."  Tae looked at me in disbelief before replying, "Well, I'm taking you to the nurse, at least." "I'm fine!" I insisted, yet feeling touched that he had offered to do so for someone he'd just met.  "It's just a little bruise! I'll live." At last, class began.

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