smitten.

first.

Lara 

I was greeted by the harsh cold wind, sure it was almost zero degrees or less. All I saw was so foreign to me.

No blondes, not a single artificial tanned skin, instead all I saw wandering around the streets of seoul were like me. Average height, small figure, and a very pale complexion.

I was born and raised in the US but both of my parents were korean, explains why. I was so insecure about myself back at home when I was still young.

I had a small body frame compared to girls there, there was nothing special, I was no blonde, I didn't have that glowing tanned skin. All I ever did during middle school was study.

All of it changed tho. When I started highschool, I met my bestfriend, Tess. She was quite popular yet very sweet. She introduced me to parties, boys, etc. Wherever she was, I was there too.

Didn't expect I was going in that direction, I just went to a point where I wasted myself. I got boyfriends and as worse and cliche it sounds, I just didn't love. I just went for it for the thrill, I guess?

Now, here I am in an escape to find new beginnings. I have applied to Konkuk University, luckily I got accepted. I majored in business and was very lucky to know they had it with English courses.

It has been a week since I came here, trying to adjust still. All I ever did was went to school, aparment, the store for groceries, and repeat.

My apartment is just near the university, one bus ride away. I was so happy my parents were on my side on this decision. They helped me a lot on this one.

My thoughts were suddenly intteruped as I was walking down the street to the store, a small girl bumped into me, probably not looking to where she was walking.

"죄송합니다 "  I didn't still quite understand korean but I know she said she was sorry, I just replied to her with a smile. She was such a cute kid after all.

I saw her run back to the store where I was about to go to. When I entered, I saw the kid with a guy, I assume her brother? since she was calling him "오빠" which I know is used by girls to call their older brothers. She wanted to buy a candy and was persuading her brother about it.

I can't see her brother's face since his back was facing me, and damn those shoulders are just so wide. I mean they could be the width of a table already!

I just giggled my thoughts away and continued to buy my groceries. When I was about to pick up one of the stuff I need to buy, I saw the siblings earlier leave. I saw a glimpse of the mysterious, broad-shouldered man, and I must say, he looked kinda cute.

-

It's Monday and I have lectures all Morning. I also signed up for some korean language learning class so I can improve my Korean skills. All I know was the basics, we didn't really used Korean back home even though we were a Korean household. My parents think there was no need to anyways. They had a stable business there and all, that they never thought of the possibility that their child would go to where they actually came from.

"Choi Lara?" I was snapped from my thoughts by my professor. He was talking about the law of supply and demand I think and I already studied that. I may not be much, but I study at least two topics before the actual lesson.

"Yes, Mr. Lee?" 

"So what is the concept of Law of supply and demand?"

"The law of supply states that the quantity of a good supplied rises as the market price rises, and falls as the price falls. Conversely, the law of demand says that the quantity of a good demanded falls as the price rises, and vice versa."

It was obvious my classmates didn't expect me to answer that way.  Well, what can I say? I may not look that much but I can offer a lot. My parent's raised me to be this way. 

That's the sole reason why I chose to be out and independent. To find who I really am and not be manipulated to what they want me to be. 

-

A lot of lectures, notes, and endless chats with my classmates, I'm finally on my way to my apartment. 

As I was walking down the road to my apartment, I saw the broad-shouldered guy again. Is he from here? 

I was carrying my books when I was so lost into my thoughts I didn't saw what I was stepping on. Due to the shock of trying to maintain my balance, I dropped my books.

I was picking them one by one when I saw a hand reaching for one of my books. It went slow-motion from then on. It sounds like a cheesy-rom-com film but heck, when we were about to stand up, I saw his face. 

The broad-shouldered guy's face. 

"안녕하세요"  he said then smiled.