Two White Roses

Chapter 3

Kim Nam Yoo knelt down to pick up the books So Hwa had dropped. So Hwa also knelt down, all the while hoping she wasn't blushing too hard. "Sorry", she muttered, "I'm such a clutz". She could hear him laughing. She looked at him, and their eyes met. So Hwa felt immovable, even though Nam Yoo was gesturing a book towards her, "I think this is yours", he said, "Sorry if I startled you". So Hwa still couldn't force herself to move. Kim Nam Yoo was talking to her. To her ! Not to ask if she knew Eun Hee. Not to ask where Eun Hee lived. Not to ask if Eun Hee had a fiancé. But because she had dropped a book. She, So Hwa. Not Eun Hee.

Suddenly she felt someone tug her shoulder. She turned around, thankful for the interruption. One more second and Nam Yoo would have thought she was dumb. It was Eun Hee. "It's late, we should be getting home" she said. So Hwa turned towards Nam Yoo. "Sorry, I have to go", she said, quickly pulling her book from his hands. Nam Yoo smiled. "I hope I will see you again", he said," I'm Kim Nam Yoo, we will meet again, right ? " . So Hwa felt her cheeks grow pink. "I'm Min So Hwa, and yes, we will see each other again" she said, before turning around.

It was two days. No one knew what had happened to So Hwa. She was much more cheerful than she used to be, and she sang songs from morning to evening. She had a dreamy look in her eyes, and her maid Hyang had gotten tired of buying make up and accessories for her. It was clear to Eun Hee though. So Hwa was in love. At least that was what it appeared to be. Though at this age, it was probably just a small crush. She also knew who he was. The young boy at the bookshop. What was his name ? Ah yes, Nam Yoo. How could she forget, when Nam Yoo was the word that So Hwa used inall the song parts she had forgotten ? Nam Yoo, Nam Yoo, she had grown tired of hearing his name. Tomorrow was So Hwa's birthday. Perhaps that would take her mind of things. She hoped.

Eun Hee stepped out onto the porch. Sunlight streamed on her dress. She couldn't understand why So Hwa would stay in her room trying lipstick, when she could just come out and feel the sunshine. She was heading to the house to call her, when she heard someone knocking on the gate. She turned around, and went to the gate. She hesitated between opening it, and not. "The lord isn't home, neither is the lady of this household, " she said. "I came to meet Min So Hwa ", the voice said, "Are you not allowed to ask strangers in ?" "Of course not, the lord always accepts visitors " said Eun Hee, opening the gate. She wondered who this was, asking to meet So Hwa.

She was startled to see Kim Nam Yoo standing in front of her." May I see So Hwa ? " he asked. Eun Hee nodded and rushed to So Hwa's room. She opened the door to see So Hwa sleeping like a kitten, her knitting in front of her. She was wondering if she should wake her, but decided not to. So Hwa hadn't slept nicely in two days. She rushed out to tell Nam Yoo to leave.

Nam Yoo was waiting outside. Eun Hee went up to him, and informed him that So Hwa was asleep. Nam Yoo looked at her curiously. " You won't wake her ? " he asked. " It's just that, So Hwa hasn't slept well in days, so I thought waking her wouldn't be so nice ", she said. Nam Yoo felt both frustrated and pitiful towards Eun Hee. Who was this curious girl, so loving towards her friend and so unrespectful of him ? He suddenly felt affectionate toward her. If only he could start a conversation.

" You must be good friends, right ? " he asked. Wait, was Nam Yoo talking with her now ? What was wrong with this guy ? He was supposed to be leaving now. " I'll stay here for a while, it's a pity having to leave as soon as I come in, right ? " Eun Hee had to agree, Nam Yoo was charming. She just hoped So Hwa wouldn't be hurt if she talked to him.

So Hwa pretended to be asleep as Eun Hee came to her room. She just couldn't face Nam Yoo. What would she say ? What if she tripped in front of him ? What if he found out she had a crush on him ? So she pretended to sleep while Eun Hee came in, and went back out. In a few minutes, she crept towards the window. What was she afraid of ? He had probably left already.

But as she looked out from the window, she could tell something was different. Nam Yoo was still there, talking with Eun Hee. She couldn't mistake the looks on their faces. In a matter of minutes, Nam Yoo had forgotten all about her ? They were talking like the best of friends, maybe even, more ? She felt furious. She watched from the porch now, behind some stacks of barrels. They were holding hands now. Then Eun Hee blushed. She said something and turned to walk away, when she tripped on a stone and fell. Only she didn't reach the floor. Nam Yoo caught her in his arms, and they were immovable, each looking into the others eyes. So Hwa gulped. She knew what was coming next.

She watched as their eyes closed, and Nam Yoo started pulling Eun Hee's face towards his. So Hwa felt her fists shivering. She couldn't let this happen. She quickly toppled the barrels on the porch, sending them crashing into the giant metal heap in front of them. The sound startled Nam Yoo so much it made him drop Eun Hee, who crashed on the ground. Now was the time to act. She pretended to have woken by the sound, and ran to Eun Hee. " Are you alright ? " she screamed, helping her off the ground. Kim Nam Yoo looked ashamed and turned away to leave as So Hwa started to ask Eun Hee how she fell down. So Hwa couldn't help smile at her genius idea, as Nam Yoo left in embarrassment. She was never going to smile at HIM again !