I Like You the Best

4) Meeting the Lee Family

Nudge Nudge. "Wake up. We have landed." A voice said. I jolted my head up and regained conscious. We're here already? How far did I get in my "Beginner Korean for Kids" book? I took a glanced at the book on my lap. The farthest I got was "Chapter 3: Counting to 10 with Kim-chi Rice Balls" before I dazed off. So much for becoming a pro before I got here. I grabbed some of my belongings in the storage compartment above my head and left the airplane.

The Seoul Airport was overwhelming. There were rushed businessmen with blue tooth earpieces and tiny black suitcases. Mothers bouncing their crying babies. And nothing but foreign phrases streaming from ear to ear. It's sort of intimidating. I felt like I was the odd one out and didn't fit in. You could defintiely tell I was a foreigner. Hopefully I'll get used to it.

I followed the English written under the Korean words on the signs, leading to the conveyorbelt with all the luggage. I snagged all six suitcases with 3 in each hand. Now where in the world do I go from here?

Glancing around the glass airport there was a white piece of paper ahead that lured my attention. Written across the paper was the name Sabrina. A nicely aged woman was holding it up with a father figure and two boys around my age lined up next to her. That must be the Lee family. I began heading toward the direction of the sign. But the suitcases were obstructing my smooth walking. They kept bumping into the  each other like they were trying to make a handshake, resulting them to continuously slip out of my hand. The youngest boy from the family noticed me struggling from afar and smiled. He turned to his older brother and started a conversation. Great. I'm already making a complete fool of myself.

Eventually I made it to them. The mother looked at me strange and then realized that I must be the girl they're looking for. "Oh! You are Sabrina?" The mom said in very broken english. "Yes I am." Her face broke into a very welcoming grin. "Welcome to Korea! You may call me Eomma!" She bowed.

"Konnichiwa Eomma!" I bowed in return. Her oldest son bent down and broke out into a booming laugh.  He covered his mouth trying to block his laughter. The Dad glared at him, warning him to stop. He stood up straight and faced me again, replacing his laughter with a giant grin.

The father pretended nothing happened and introduced himself. "You may call me Appa." Appa bowed in respect. The youngest brother spoke after. "My name is Lee Haekyung." He smiled and bowed. And then there was the giggly guy. "I am Lee *snort* Kikwang." He bowed, still choking out a little snort here and there holding back his giggles. I don't get what was so funny. Do I still have a drool on my chin from sleeping on the plane or something?

"It looks like you have a lot of luggage. Let me help you." Appa grabbed four of my suitcases and handed one to each person. "그것에 대해 말해 ... (Tell me about it...)" Haekyung whispered under his breath. Kikwang elbowed him in the side. "아야! 에 대한 것이 무엇입니까? 그녀는 우리를 이해할 수있는 것처럼 아니에요! (Ouch! What was that for? It's not like she can understand us!)"

We walked outside of the airport with rushing cabs and taxis. we got to the car and loaded the luggage in the trunk. Appa and Eomma were in front with me, Haekyung and Kikwang sitting in the back.

I glanced out the window as we make our drove out of Seoul to Naju. Seoul was absolutely breath taking at night! The towering skyscrapers filled the night with dancing lights. The colorful lights from the shopping strip added the excitement to the city. People were walking up and down the sidewalks taking pictures or engaging in conversations. There were multiple booths selling Korean food for on-the-go. Little souveniour shops were selling Korean flags and postcards...Which reminds me.

"So I've gotten each of you a present back at home to show my appreciation." I started. "Really!?" Haekyung shot his head up from the arm rest. "Yes! Here let me get them out." I got out my bag from under my chair searching for golden wrapped gifts.. "This one is for Eomma." I stretched my arm toward the front to hand her the gift. "Thank you so very much! I will treasure this."

"Appa."

"Thank you!"

"And..."

I paused.

Oh my gosh. I remebered what I got Haekyung and Kikwang. I got them dinosaur figures and a snicker bar thinking they were toddlers. Ugh that was a bone-headed move. Now Kikwang is going to think I'm more of a joke! But I can't hold back their presents, That would be incredibly rude. I'll just  have to wing it.

"... Uh here's yours Haekyung and Kikwang."

Haekyung rips it open like it was Christmas day and started playing with the toy dinosaurs. For a 12 year old I guess these kinds of presents still work. Kikwang was gentle, unfolding the tape and slowly pulling out it's contents. He's acting like it's a baby's diaper or something. To my surprise his reaction was opposite from what I expected.

He locked eye contact and gave me a sweet smile. "I'm so happy you gave me this." I couldn't help but smile back "It's my pleasure!"

After a few hours we arrived at the house and I grew excessively tired. It's 7 AM back at home and 10 PM here. I noticed the house was made with brown bricks and the fancy designed windows were outlined in wood. It gave it a very triangular look.

They all helped to get my luggage into the house. The inside of the house was very white. The Kitchen table had no legs and there were cushions instead of chairs. The family room consisted of white leather sofas with a flat screen TV.

"Here let me show you your room." Eomma lead me up the stairs. The second floor was one very long hallway with 4 rooms, two on both sides. She guided me to the very first room on the right. "This will be your room. There is a bathroom you can use across the hallway. If you have any trouble Kikwang's room is next door and Haekyung's room is across Kikwang's room. My room is downstairs."

She left the room and all of my suitcases made it up. This room is pretty cozy. There was a desk for my studying, a matching wooden closet and drawer against the wall, and a low leveled bed in the corner.

Well, I better start unpacking. I placed the bags on the bed and began shifting my clothes to the drawers. In the corner of my eye I noticed a figure by the doorway. It was Kikwang leaning on the side on the door frame with his arms folded. That's not scary. "Can I help you?" I asked him. He smiled and walked into the room.

He sat down in front of me and  supported his body off the floor with his legs and arms. His crotch area thrusted forward as he moves his legs inward in a circular motion. He brought one arm up, rubbed it against his chest, and it brought back down switching to his other arm.

My innocence.

Someone better not walk in.

"W-w-what are you doing?!" I could feel the blush burning in my face. This motion he's doing on the floor is making me nervous. He was so close too. He leaned his head back and began laughing at the ceiling. He must of seen the fear and shock in the redness of my face.

"Do they do this in America?" He asked.

"M-m-maybe if you're trying to get some booty or give me a heart attack! Other than that no!"

He chuckled. "I call this the American dance!"

Sounds pretty accurate.

"Hey uh...Kikwang... I'm really tired. I need t- WILL YOU STOP THAT?" He finally stopped his dance and got up.

"Hehe alright I'll let you sleep," He walked to the door and rested his hand on the light switch. "Good bam!" He turned off the light and quickly turned it on again. "Oh yeah just to let you know konnichiwa is japanese, we don't speak that here. Good bam!" The lights were turned off once more and he left.

I was standing in the middle of the room in complete darkness. To be honest after watching him groove his body like that, I'm not tired anymore. So he calls the American dance huh?

I like that stuff.

Then embarassment overwhelmed my body after realizing what he just said.That's why he kept laughing earlier! Konnichiwa, Pfft. Gah, I'm so stupid!

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Fun Fact: In Kikwang's language: He say's Good bam instead of Good night!