STARS

Ch. 7

BJOO'S POV

I don't really like school. Not really at all. So when I'm in class I just look around the room and imagine I'm in space or something. Just floating around talking to the stars not having to worry about anything. It's nice in space. But elementary school isn't that hard anyway so it's ok. In my first grade class there was 26 kids and only one really peeked my interest. She always looked interested when the teacher was talking but she never asked questions. She didn't talk to anyone really I noticed. She doodled when our teacher was reading and I always wander what she's drawing. Until a certain day I never actually went up to talk to her I thought she might think I was weird. But on that certain day I didn't have to go up to talk to her because she came up to me, in a way. I was waving bye to my parents even though they were inside. I walked to school everyday because I want to. I'm not exactly sure why I do. But I was outside my house ready to walk to school when someone bumped into me. Honestly I was kind of scared but I was trying hard not to jump, so I just laughed and turned around saying, "Yah what do you think you're doing?" Her expression was kind of scared. That's what I was afraid of  i thought. So I tried to cover it up and hope I dint come off rude. "I'm just kidding I'm not mad at you it's ok don't be scared I'm sorry" I tried to comfort her by putting my hand on her shoulder, I couldn't tell if it worked or not so I smiled. I was still feeling slightly awkward and I'm not usually that way but I'm still young. "I-it's ok." She was shy, maybe I can help with that. "Anyway I'm Byungjoo, Kim Byungjoo. The neighbor kid." I introduced myself thinking that she might already know my name. And after I did she said, "oh." I had to laugh once more. "And you are?" "I'm Mina, Kim mina the neighbor kid." I was surprised and relived at her final reaction when she copied me. Maybe she'll come out of her shell easier than I thought. Finally I could stop freaking out inside. Since I always walk by myself I usually just hum or sing random songs but today was different, Mina was walking with me. She laughed with me at first her shy laugh but as the day went on I could here her real laugh more. During school or recess or lunch I'd try to tell her funny jokes to get her to laugh more. Laughing makes you live longer and I wanted to live forever.
The next day I left the house saying a loud goodbye to my parents and waved as I ran out the door. I stood outside and faces myself toward the school so my back was to the neighbor kids house. I heard her close the front door and say good bye to her mom. "Remember Mina the school is that way." I couldn't see but I was sure she was pointing her finger in my direction. "I know mom ok?" Hearing the annoyance in her voice I laughed a little bit. Then I could hear her start walking. But a second after that I couldn't hear anything. All of a sudden I felt her jump on my back on top of my back pack. She was smiling wide I saw as I turned my head. "Yah what if I didn't catch you?" "Well Byungjoo you didn't really have to anyway because I'm holding onto your neck with my arms. Now lets go to school so we can learn stuff." I laughed as I began walking like a monkey. "I don't wanna learn stuff." "Well ya gotta Byungjoo or else when you're older you won't know how to do anything." "Hmm ya I will I'll know how to eat and sleep that's all I need to know right?" "Ya sure paboya." I walked with her on my back about halfway to school then I had to set her down. I'm still little. "Soon I'll be strong enough to carry you all the way Mina but not today." I patted her head and started walking again. I saw her smile from the corner of my eye. "Ok you better get strong fast. I don't like walking." I laughed, "Now you'll have to wait longer." She shrugged, "Well I'll probably have to wait a lifetime anyway so that's ok." I stick my tongue out at her. She's so funny i thought. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.