How to Catch an Oppa (#Wattys2015)

Step One- Be Single

            Monday was on my ass like a too-tight pair of jeggings. For starters, I'd slept through the snooze alarm and had to scramble to get ready. With ten minutes to spare, I arrived on campus, but that evaporated when I ended up playing parking wars. After fifteen minutes, two nearly struck pedestrians, and four bumpers bumped, I whipped my black, Wrangler into a space, and caught a shuttle bus.

            I was supposed to get off at the Kellum business building, but I'd dozed off and woke up three stops later. I jogged to class only to fall asleep when I got there.

            It was Gina's fault. Her and those damn Korean dramas. It was supposed to be double-date weekend, but both our boyfriends had other commitments, College sports and such. I'd suggested we go clubbing, but she turned me down in favor of some "good show" she just had to watch. Twelve hours later and my eyes were still bloodshot and dry as a brut champagne, from reading subtitles.

            Still, as I headed for my next class, I had to admit I could see their appeal. They were just like the stories most women conjured in their heads: the rich and handsome bachelor, who shirked his family and responsibilities to "save" her from life as a maid's daughter or—

            "Hey!" I yelled when someone covered my eyes.

            "Hey, yourself."

The sound of Julian's voice brought memories of Jacuzzis, whipped cream and movie theaters. I turned to him and smiled.

            "What happened this weekend? You were supposed to stop by, at least." I asked, squeezing his bicep, taut from years of pitching no-hitters.

            "I know, but after practice, the boys had an MLB2K tournament so..."

            "So, you could have called."

            "I know, I'm sorry." He said, tugging a strand of my kinky-curly hair. "It's big today."

            "That's what she said." I grinned, watching his hazel-eyes intently. They were his best feature. Well...them and something else hidden from view. I stepped into him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

            "Come on, Kat, not in public."

He pulled my arms down and kissed my forehead.

            "Fine, I have to get to class anyway." I turned to leave. His "no public displays of affection" rules were getting on my nerves. Why should it matter if some random, local papers learned of his girlfriend?

            "Hey," he grabbed my arm, "I wanted to ask you something."

            "Is that all?"

            "Don't be like that. You know how it—"

            "Yeah, I got it. What's up? I'm going to be late if I don't hurry."

            "Alright, well, can you meet me at the Rec'Room later?"

I narrowed my eyes. He knew I hated that place.

            "Can't you just text me or come over later?"

            "Got practice." He answered. "Will you meet me?"

            "Whatever."

Julian smiled, swatted my arm and left me feeling...anxious.

******

            The Rec' Room was its usual blend of too many people, too much noise and not enough space. It was literally the size of a large bedroom, yet they'd managed to fit a number of items inside, including a café, foosball tables and old-school arcade games.