You Are My Compass

a sparkle in the past

  I've been living in Vancouver for almost half my life and when I heard that we'd be moving to South Korea, I was in a way devastated. I had to let go of my friends and many possessions that were dear to me. But I had no say in it because the matter was very important. My dad has been working at the Canadian embassy ever since he and mum got me and my twin brother. That post was his favourite and he never had the impression that he was working because he genuenly enjoyed it. And when the time came for him to move abroad he gladly accepted it, although he did discuss it with mother. As for my mother, well, she was a German translator and she could work from wherever, even Alaska. My brother didn't seem bothered by it. He was an outcast at  school and never really had real friends, only one and his name was Mark. I used to go to kindergarten with Mark. My brother went to the primary school with him. In a a way he became important to both of us. A friend. My Kindergarten crush, too. Mark was Korean and according to my mum "a very cute and dear friend of her kids". He was a year older than the two of us. He didn't care, though.

I remember the episode when we first met. We were in separate groups and when the meal time came, all age groups dined together and after that played in the yard. 

I was four. He was five. I remember we had just eaten and went outside. I loved to play in the sandbox. Honestly, my biggest preoccupation was collecting shells. I don't know about Mark. I do know that his friend, as he said, was sick, so he came to the sandbox too. We were both digging in silence. I used my hands, he used a spoon. After some time, I started rambling something, and he joined. He also gave me a shovel he found around. We talked like kids do.

"I heard your dad is a big guy. You know," he said.
"I suppose so."
"That's cool. Anyways, I must tell you a secret."
"Yes?"
"Half of these shells are plastic."
"What?", I felt betrayed. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Anyways, I see you like digging stuff."
"I do. I want to be a scientist one day. An archaeologist."
"I will tell you what I wanna be if you give me that lollipop you have in your jacket pocket."
"But, that's mean!", again, I felt betrayed.
"Hhh, I was just kidding. You know what I want to be...?"
"What?", I was kind of intrigued.
"I want to be a rapper!"he mumbled.
" A wrapper? You mean, like wrapping gifts for people? That's nice."
"No,not that!", he seemed slightly annoyed. "A rapper! You know, a singer..."
"Ohhhh. You mean like 50 Cent?"
"Yes, something like that."
"Well, I like that idea. You might make it."
"I will make it!"
"Well, okay. Let's make a deal then! If you become a rapper, you owe me free tickets to your concert!"
"Deal!"
"Deal!"
"Pinky swear?"
"Pinky swear!"
"Good!"
"Excellent."
That's where our conversation ended because my mum came to pick me up

"Hey honey. Anything new happened today?"
"Oh, mum, yes! I made a deal with a wrapper!"
"Wrapper???", she looked at me all confused.
"A rapper, mum. A rapper."
"Oh. Who is it?"
"Mark!"
"Mark who?"
"Oh you know, that black haired boy from the other group, he's got slanted eyes like grandma Kim."
She chuckled, "Those are not slanted eyes. I suppose you mean Mark Lee. I saw you two in the sand box."
"Yes, that boy!"
"I hope you two made a good deal", she smiled, amused.
"We did, mum. He promised me free entrance to his concert!"
"Well, that's nice of him. You found yourself a very nice friend."
"I did!"

From that day onwards, Mark and I were inseparable, scamming, planning, investigating.

Update every Thursday and Saturday.