Just One Chance, Please?

Strangers

Although that day when Krystal responded with more than a one-word reply surprised them, the next day shocked them even more. During the lunch time that day, they witnessed Krystal smiling the whole time she was with Amber.

“Did they really put you into a senior class the other day?” Krystal asked, her face showing an expression of amusement.

“Yeah, that’s why I came here on the second day of the semester,” Amber responded.

“That’s so weird,” Krystal commented, “How could they mistake you for a senior?”

“I have no idea either.”

“Krystal,” they heard a voice call. Soon, they saw Sulli and her friends coming over, “Introduce us to her,” she said and then stifling a tiny laugh.

“Yeah, Soojung,” Myungsoo butted in.

“Oh, right,” Krystal sat up straight and began introducing everyone that was there, “Amber, these are Sulli, Luna, Gayoon, Min, Myungsoo, Sungyeol, Sungjong, Wendy…” and she continued on, pointing at each one of them as she said their names.

“Nice to meet all of you,” Amber responded and waved at them with the same smile she gave them the previous day.

After the introduction, everyone else left.

“Hold up,” Amber spoke, “Did that Myungsoo guy just call you ‘Soojung’?”

“Yeah. It’s my Korean name,” Krystal replied, “Jung Soojung. Say it backwards and it’s still Jung Soojung,” she joked with a smile.

“Really? That’s cool. Mine’s somewhat hard to pronounce.”

“What is it?”

“Liu Yi Yun.”

“That’s pretty easy,” Krystal commented.

“Most people can’t, that’s why I go with Amber. My real name’s Chinese,” Amber responded.

“Wait… you’re Chinese?”

“Yeah, I forgot to mention,” Amber then let out an awkward laugh, “Sorry about that.”

“That’s alright,” Krystal stated.

“Say,” Amber began again, “Do you wanna hang out after school?”

“H… hang out?” Krystal stuttered. She was taken aback with that sudden question. Did she hear right? Was someone actually asking her to hang out after school? Impossible.

“Yeah. You can just show me around the place so I don’t get lost,” Amber immediately answered, “Telling me the nearest food stalls and the best ones would be much appreciated, of course.”

Blinking in confusion and not knowing what to say, Krystal responded with, “S… sure.”

“Great!”

Krystal found it surprising getting asked to hang out by someone she only met the previous day. It was definitely something she hasn’t experienced before.

“And we could go get some coffee for this lovely winter weather!” Amber exclaimed, “Do you like coffee?”

“Love it,” she immediately replied.

“Then we will get along just fine!”

Their conversation was interrupted when they saw the boys chasing each other around the classroom, and just messing around. Krystal accidentally saw Myungsoo. There was nothing between them, really. They were nothing but mere acquaintances who give each other friendly waves and greetings, and sometimes a tiny chat.