You're My Target

Chapter 21

 it was friday already. everything Troy had on his mind seemed to take a back seat with the weekend approaching, he was anxious about his plans with Soyeon, though he still had no idea what they'd be doing together. when the bell sounded the end of the day, Troy eagerly headed to the exit feeling like he was walking on air. as he walked out of the doors of school the cold air filled his lungs, but the sun was still brightly shining down. Troy took it as a good sign, things were going well. he took a deep breath and exhaled and headed to his moped, parked along the bike rack. he picked up his helmet and placed it on his head. as he got on, someone knocked on his helmet."hello, anyone home?" said a cheerful Boram popping out from behind him.

"hey Boram. whats up?" Troy said surprised to see her. "you need a ride or something?"

"no, not a ride but..." Boram replied, Troy noticed she was holding some extra papers in her hands, it looked like a bunch of school work.

"is that what i think it is." Troy asked opening the wind visor on his helmet.

"yes. its Eunjungs missed work from this week." boram said with a big toothy smile.

"just Eunjungs, you're not gonna dump Hwayoungs on me too, right?" Troy sighed.

"hey watch it smart mouth." Boram said thrusting the papers into his chest. "lucky for you, im taking Hwayoungs work to her. they live out of the way of each other so i cant do both. and i figured it would be easier for you to take Eunjungs cause you know where she lives. so are you going to do me this favor or what?"

"you know im not gonna say no." Troy said placing the papers in his bag.

"you're the best, you know that." Boram said reaching up through his open helmet and pinching his cheek.

"hey uhm, do you wanna come over tomorrow?" troy asked her suddenly.

"what for?" Boram asked raising her eyebrow.

"i don't know. just because ...?" Troy shrugged. "we haven't hung out in awhile."

"not because you need me to help you get ready for another date with Soyeon?" Boram giggled. she could see right through troy.

"you're sharper than you seem." Troy replied.

"i think im busy tomorrow... but ill swing by if i have time. sound good?" Boram asked.

"yea sure." Troy answered sounding relieved. "thanks."

"no problem. i gotta go catch my bus and get these to Hwayoung! see you later Troy!" Boram said turning and jogging off. troy waved and started his moped, then headed off to Eunjungs.Upon arriving he parked outside her apartment. he made his way to the door and knocked gently.

"who is it?" Eunjung called from inside.

"its the police." troy responded altering his voice to make it sound deeper. "you're under arrest for missing too much school."Eunjung answered the door and she had a look on her face that clearly was not buying, even for a second, Troys act. she also looked like she just rolled out of bed. her hair was messy and her eyes were puffy,

"arrested for missing school?" Eunjung asked rolling her eyes.

"happened all the time in the city." Troy joked and smiled.

"yea, i totally believe that." Eunjung said pushing him playfully.

"Boram asked me to bring you this" Troy said entering her apartment, showing her the stack of missed assignments.

"thank you." Eunjung said. "you can just put them on the kitchen table."Troy and Eunjung entered her kitchen. he noticed all the curtains in her house were shut, and the lights were off, except a dim glow coming from a laptop monitor that was on the couch in her living area.

"did you not pay your electric bill?" Troy asked wondering about the darkness. "at least open the curtains."Troy pulled open the curtain in her kitchen letting some sunlight in. Eunjung squinted when it hit her face. "wake up, its almost night time." Troy added.

"you didn't come here to lecture me too did you." Eunjung asked, sitting down at the table looking through the papers Troy brought.

"i just don't like seeing you like this." Troy said to her. "and i feel guilty... responsible... for it."

"Troy i just wasnt ready to go back to school its not your fault." eunjung sighed.Troy just looked out the window. his gut felt as if it was twisting. his mind raced. keeping the truth inside was eating away at him.

"are you okay?" eunjung asked him noticing troy looking out the window, with grimace on his face.

"i am fine. yea." troy said turning around to face her, leaning on the counter. "how about you?"

"i don't know. i don't know what i feel anymore." eunjung shrugged it off, but a hint of sadness could be sensed in her voice.

"you shouldn't be sitting here in the dark all day. if you don't feel like hanging out with your friends at least go for a walk.." Troy suggested to her.

"you said you weren't gonna lecture me." Eunjung said.

"im not, im just trying to give some caring advice." Troy explained. "i just don't think this atmosphere is helping."

Troy noticed a lot of empty ice cream cartons in her trash can. "and im sure this diet of ice cream isn't as well."

"it's all i have to eat." Eunjung said with a pout on her face, but a smug tone.Troy went and checked her fridge and pantry. and there was not alot of food."doesn't anyone here shop?" Troy asked seeing her lack of food.

"my parents do, but they are out of town." Eunjung explained.

"did they leave you any money?" Troy asked her concerned.

"i spent it already." eunjung said, beginning to chew her thumbnail.

"on ice cream?" Troy said in disbelief. "well then im going to go shopping and stop by tomorrow."

"no Troy." Eunjung said protesting.

"yes Eunjung. and im gonna shove it down your throat if i have to." troy laughed.eunjung also cracked a small smile.

"so its settled then." Troy nodded. "but for now ill leave you to your school work. i got my own to do."

"you can do it here, we can do it together.." Eunjung said as Troy went to leave.

"well, okay i guess." Troy said. "better than you sitting alone in the dark..."

Troy and eunjung sat at her kitchen table. their various school homework papers and books cluttered the surface. Despite missing many days, Eunjung seemed to have no trouble doing hers. she easily was getting her work done. Troy sat across from her chewing his pen and rubbing his head, struggling with his.

"having trouble over there?" Eunjung asked him noticing troy squirming around in his chair.

"just alot on my mind." Troy said not taking his eyes off his homework.

"maybe i can help?" eunjung offered raising herself up in her seat trying to look over at Troys work.

"no, no. you have too much of your own to catch up on, i cant have you worry about mine too." Troy said motioning for her to sit back down. Troy dropped his pen in frustration and closed his textbook.

"relax." Eunjung said, noticing his frustration.

"i will now." troy smirked before slumping his face down flat on the table.

"you sound like Jang right now." eunjung said. Troy lifted his head up and glanced at her, as she rested her chin in her palm, looking down at him smiling.

"can i ask you something." Troy said to her suddenly.

"yea what is it." Eunjung answered."have you talked to Hwayoung?" troy continued.

"mm. no. not recently." Sunjung said, she started to go back to her homework.

"because of how she feels about what happened to with Jang?" Troy asked again. Eunjung stopped writing and remained still for awhile.

"why are you asking me this?" she said, still not looking at him.

"shes just trying to help you, you know." Troy said to her.

"Troy, you of all people saying this right now, makes no sense at all." Eunjung said getting upset.
"yes at first maybe Hwayoung and her crazy imagination was understandable. but after everything you told us, i thought she would stop."

"well she doesn't believe me i guess." Troy shrugged. "and i can understand how, what she thinks makes you upset, but shes still your friend you know and.... and i just want you all to remember that."

"if shes my friend she wouldn't say such things about Jang." Eunjung said stubbornly.

"maybe you're right." Troy sighed. "and have you talked to Hyomin?"

"she came over .. a few days ago. but i heard she was sick, and has been spending time with her Agriculture club friends..." Eunjung said, trying to remember. "why?"

"no reason. just wondering." Troy said

"anyone else you wanna ask about?" Eunjung asked.

"nope." Troy shook his head.

"not even Soyeon?" Eunjung egged him on.

"ha. ha." Troy laughed with a hint of sarcasm.after finishing some more work, Eunjung decided to take a break.

"uhm. so do you want to stay a bit longer? watch TV or something?" Eunjung asked as she cleaned up her scattered school work.

"actually i should probably be going." Troy said. the sun had already gone down, it was getting late. "but whats going on, with getting your stuff and Jangs stuff..."

"oh, i don't know yet actually. i still have to get in touch with his parents." she told him. "ive just been putting it off i guess."

"well, let me know then." Troy said as he picked up his bag and went to the door.

"are you sure you have to go?" Eunjung asked again. troy had a feeling she was sick of being alone... "it's friday night."

"im surprised you don't have plans with your friends." Troy said.

"so am i actually." Eunjung giggled.

"but yea sorry, i should be going, but remember im coming back tomorrow. with food, that you WILL eat." Toy said pointing his finger at her.

"ok" Eunjung smiled.

"alright then. thanks for lettin' me stay and get some work done." Troy said

"thanks for visiting" Eunjung said, hugging him suddenly, catching him off guard.

"yea, no problem" Troy said, half-heartedly hugging her back. "have a good night ok? ill see you tomorrow."

"ok, good night Troy." she said letting him go.he waved to her, and smiled as he left her house.