Exchange Student || PURINZ

chapter 9

KIM CHAEWON

I woke up and got ready like every normal day. Though yesterday was interesting, it was Saturday now. Which means I have no school. Bummer, right?

I went downstairs to see Yunjin sleeping at the dining room table. I chuckled softly and walked over to her sleeping body, and shook her shoulder. She woke up with a sour expression on her face. "Hm?" She hums, clearly not happy. "Morning to you too, you slept at the table" I say, smiling a bit for a teasing effect. She groans. "I know, my neck hurts" she says, moving her hand to the back of her neck, her eyes squinted shut.

I moved her hand and start rubbing and applying pressure to her shoulders and neck. "What are you doing?" She asks, clearly surprised by this. "Giving you massage, is that ok?" I say, stopping for a moment. "Yeah" she replies softly and I continue. I can hear her soft praises. I used to give Yena massages all the time because she would always party and wake up with a sore neck because she slept wrong.

Just then, the front door opens and Kazuha is standing there. Her eyes widen at the sight, but that doesn't last long. A teasing grin forms on her face. "Oh, I see there's something going on between you two now?" She says, wiggling her eyebrows, the grin is plastered on her face. I roll my eyes.

"Nothing is going on between us Zuha" Yunjin says. "Really? Then explain what I'm witnessing" Kazuha says. "I fell asleep at the dining room table and woke up with a sore neck, Chaewon offered" Yunjin explains and I nod my head to confirm it.

"Ok ok, I believe you" Kazuha puts her hands up in surrender. I smile innocently. "So what are you doing in my house on this lovely Saturday morning" Yunjin says, in a mock teasing tone. "What? I can't visit my friends? Your mom said I could come over when I seen her this morning" Kazuha explains.

I finish giving Yunjin the massage and she moves her shoulders in circles. "Wow, my neck doesn't hurt anymore, thanks Chae" Yunjin says, smiling at me. I feel hear rushing to my cheeks and I stutter. "O-oh it's n-nothing" I stutter.

Gosh, I'm so embarrassing

"So? What should we do?" Kazuha says. I shrug and look at Yunjin. "We could watch a movie" She suggests. My eyes light up, remembering the first time we watched a movie. "Or we could go to the mall" Kazuha says. "How about both?" I say. They both look at me. "Yeah, we can go to the mall first, and then relax and watch a movie after" I say. They both look at each other and they smile. "Yeah, that's a great idea" Kazuha says. Me and Yujin rush to get dressed.

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We arrive at the mall, and it's huge. My eyes widen at how big it is. Back in Korea, they never had a mall this big. "First time in a mall special needs?" Kazuha says teasing. "Zuha! Don't call her that, she's capable of functioning perfectly fine like the rest of us" Yunjin says, giving Kazuha a stern look. "Sorry, I was joking around but I won't call you that" Kazuha says, looking genuinely sorry. "It's ok Zuha, I forgive you, I know it was harmless" I say, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She smiles, accepting my forgiveness. "Ya know Zuha, you and my friend Kkura would get along great" I say, and Kazuha eyes light up. I smile and I look around at all the stores, wondering which one to go to first.

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"Where did Zuha go?" Yunjin says, walking back up to me with a coffee in her hand. "She said she was going to a different clothing store, she said she'll call me when she's done shopping" I say, still looking through the tops. I can't decide which one I want.

First option: a cute white crop top.

Second option: a cute baby blue cropped tube top

"Having fun?" Yunjin says, I can feel her smirk. "I can't decide which one I want" I say, a little frustrated. "Why not get both?" She says. "I'm trying to save money" I say. "Then let me buy them for you" She says, grabbing both the tops off the rack.

"You would do that for me?" I say. "Of course! Your my best friend" She says, already heading to check out. I blush and smile.

She's so pretty

Yes. Recently, I've been thinking of Yunjin as more than friends. Weird? Yes. But is it normal? Also yes. I had a girlfriend once. But when she found out about my autism, she dumped me and started making fun of me.

But Yunjin isn't like that. She's different. I quickly snap out of my thoughts and run to the checkout. I get there and I see Yunjin, already paying the guy.

He had a smile and he's acting friendly. too friendly. I can feel anger rising, suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder from behind. I jolt and turn around to see Kazuha. "You ok?" She says softly. I was still incredibly angry seeing the guy being so friendly with Yunjin

my Yunjin

"No" I say in a cold tone, still staring at the scene. "Ooh is someone Jealous?" Kazuha says in a teasing tone. "I'm not Jealous!" I say in a annoyed tone. "Mhm, sure you are" She says, then winks and waves over Yunjin.