April 2013.
1:20 PM.
I went to school feeling conflicted with my emotions. Jessica stayed with me until lunch and parted ways when we reached school. She was in a rush for practice of her own interpretation of Legally Blonde to which she’ll present to class. Before she left she hugged me tight and assured me that my secret is safe with her. After I cried in her arms, I told her that I'm not yet ready to talk about it. I just needed her support. She was very understanding of me, and I could only feel thankful.
I could not help but feel relieved knowing that I have Jessi to comfort me now. I sat on one of the benches in the school grounds as I waited for my 2:00 PM class. I know I’ll be seeing Taeyeon later. We have been classmates since our first year at school. We’ve been inseparable since then. I smiled at the memory of our first meeting.
January 2009.
9:30 AM.
It was a cold morning. I was 17 years old back then. After passing the written exam, interview and live performance; I finally got my lifelong dream. I was accepted at the Arts and Music Academy. I stood by the gates of the school taking it all in. I felt happy yet terribly scared. I was so unsure. It was so surreal to me as I slowly made my way into the large campus. I found my way into the Admissions Center of the school where I saw boys and girls from different walks of life lining up to complete the admission and registration process.
I scanned the room hoping for someone familiar. I felt so alone and unsure of things. It has only been a month since I have lived in South Korea. My sister accompanied me here from States and helped me as we settled my apartment which was located 4 blocks from the school campus. She had to go back to States for her job so I’m left all by myself now in an unfamiliar environment. My Korean still sucks. I was still having a hard time understanding some words but I still pretended to act confident.
I was lost in my own thoughts when some guy bumped into me causing me to fall and hit the ground butt first. “Ouch!”, I yelped. The guy immediately apologized and sped away. I was furious. Suddenly, a girl approached me and helped me up.
She grabbed my wrist and asked, “Miss, are you okay?”
I was still busy patting my butt and muttering curses to look at the person talking.
But there was something in her voice that made me turn my head towards its direction. I was probably gaping with my jaw open. She snapped her fingers at my face.
“Ehem. Did you by chance hit your head on the ground too?” She asked with a look of concern on her face. She looked like 10-year old kid with her bangs covering her forehead. She looked so cute. She was like a baby. Fluffy. Squishy.
Cuddly.
“Uhhm no. I’m fine, just a bump. Nothing serious. Uhm. My butt is okay. Errmm.
I mean, I’m good. I’m cool. Yeah. I am.” I mentally smacked myself. What the heck was I saying? I was totally lost for words with the look she was giving me.
Her eyes were like glistening marbles. It’s as if those pair of round crystal-like marbles were staring straight into my soul. I did not dare break our eye contact.
We stood there for a few minutes until she slapped my butt lightly. My eyes widened. “Hey! What was that for?”
“Checking your butt? I mean, if it’s okay now? Hehe.”, she grinned.
“You’re unbelievable.” I tried to hide my embarrassment.
“Nope. I’m not unbelievable. I’m Kim Taeyeon. Incoming freshman majoring in Vocal Music. And you?”
“Really? I’m an incoming freshman too. We have the same major! That’s cool! Oh well, I’m Hwang Miyoung, but please call me with my American name since I’m from America. Tiffany Hwang.” I smiled as I extended my hand towards her direction. I tried to act cool in front of her.
“Tippani?” She asked. “No, it’s Tiffany. Teee faaaa neeee.” I tried to emphasize my name.
“Whatever Captain America.”, she grinned. “Are you done with the registration?”
“I was just about to register. If you don’t mind, can you help me with it? Since we’re both Vocal Music majors. I hope it’s really okay with you.” I sounded like I was begging her. Maybe I was just desperate for someone to be with me in this unfamiliar place.
“Sure. It’s my pleasure!” She smiled and did something with her hands trying to imitate a cartoon character or something. What a dork. I felt relieved. I'm not alone now.
“Thanks!” I gave her my eye smile. She smiled at me too showing her chin
dimples. She grabbed my hand as we walked towards the room. Little did I know that it would be the first of our many moments together. Since then we became the best of friends. Until my stupid heart decided to mess it all up by falling in love with her making me feel like the first time I stood by the campus gates. Happy, scared and unsure.