"X-O X-O, Kiss me, Don't say no"
Eun Ae's dreams are coming true as she secures a scholarship to a prestigious dance academy in Seoul. Leaving her hometown behind, she steps into a world filled with promise and challenges. Her parents' approval and...
The shrill sound of my alarm pieced through the haze of sleep, jolting me awake. I squinted at the clock on my bedside table—it was 4 AM. My heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Today was the day I had dreamed about for so long. I was finally heading to Seoul, South Korea, to start my scholarship at one of the most prestigious dance academies in the country.
I stretched, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and quickly remembered the whirlwind of emotions that had been building up over the past few weeks. The anticipation of starting fresh in a new place, the thrill of reconnecting with my Korean heritage, and the challenge of roving myself in a new environment—all these thoughts swirled around my mind
I jumped out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower felt refreshing, helping to clear my mind and energize me for the day ahead.
After a brisk shower, I dressed in the clothes I had carefully picked out the night before wearing blue wide-legged jeans, a black cropped top, a beige open carigan, and white shoes. I grabbed my pre-packed luggage and bags, taking a deep breath as I surveyed my room one last time.
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When I went downstairs, the aroma of breakfast greeted me. My parents were already up bustling around the kitchen with smiles on their faces. They were excited for me, and their enthusiasm only added to my own.
"Morning, sweetie," my mom said, setting a plate of pancakes and bacon on the table. "Are you ready for your big trip?"
I nodded, trying to hide the butterflies in my stomach. "Yes, just about. Thanks for making breakfast."
My dad joined us at the table, his face beaming with pride. "We're so proud of you, Eun Ae. It's amazing that you're going to South Korea to study at such prestigious acadey. You're going to do great."
I took a quick bite of breakfast, my mide already focused on the journey ahead. After eating, I loaded my lugging into the trunk of the car, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as we drove to the airport.
My parents chatted animatedly about how thrilled they were for me, offing words of encouragement and advice.
As we reached the airport, I felt a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving home but was quickly swept up by the anticipation of what lay ahead. I hugged my parents tightly, thanking them for their support and love.
"Goodbye, Mom. Goodbye, Dad," I said, my voice wavering slightly.
"Take care, Eun Ae. We love you," my mom replied, her eyes shining with tears.
With one last wave I turned and headed to towards the check-in counter. I retrieved my barding pass, which directed me to Gate 13. My nerves began to kick in as I tired to navigate the bustling airport.
As I was scanning the area for directions, I accidentally bumped into someone. Startled, I looked up to see a boy about my age with a friendly smile wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray wide-legging pants, and Converse
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"괜찮아요?" he asked in Korean
I was momentarily flustered, struggling to recall my Korean language skills. "네, 괜찮아요." I managed to reply, feeling a bit self-conscious.
The boy smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Glad to hear. Have a good flight."
White that, he moved on, and I continued searching for Gate 13. Once the announcement came over the intercom that Gate 13 was now opened, I made my way there quickly.
As I entered the plane and found my seat—7B—I was surprised to see the boy from earlier was sitting in Seat 7A.
"Looks like we're neighbors," he said with a thick Australian accent, extending his hand. "I'm Jake."
I shook his hand, feeling a sense of relief. "Eun Ae. Nice to meet you."
As the plane took off, I found myself feeling more at ease. Jake and stuck up a conversation, and the hours seemed to fly by. We talked about our shared love of dance, our favorite choreographers, and how I'm excited about the new experiences awaiting for me in Seoul.
Jake mentioned that he also attended the same dance university and was a part of a group there. I was impressed and intrigued by his stories.
After a while, Jake began to feel sleepy and leaned back in his seat, eventually drifting off. I used thetime to study a bit a Korean and tried to absorb all the new information. Eventually, I too succumbed to the fatigue, dozing of as well.
Thirteen hours later, the plane's intercon crackled to life, announcing our arrival in Seoul, South Korea. I stirred awake, my excitement reignited. Jake rubbed his eyes and stretched, a smile spreading across his face.
"Welcome to South Korea," he said cheerfully. "I guess I'll see you around at the university."
I smiled, feeling grateful for his friendly presence. "Thanks, Jake. I'm glad we met."
Jake nodded and gave me a friendly wave as he disapperwad into the crowd. I gathered my luggage and made my through the airport. After calling a cab, I settled in for the drive to the university.
