Star University

I could not make out who this girl was, was she a friend who I had completely forgotten about? A cousin? But why would she be on a family picture?

These thoughts passed through my mind relentlessly, it was getting late, I decided to go in and check on my sisters. I knocked the door to MinJi’s room and there was no answer, I opened up to find her curled up on her bed clutching a small white teddy that she must have had from appa. I undressed her trying not to wake her although she was a deep sleeper. I put her pyjamas on and tucked the teddy under her arm and put the blanket over her. No doubt she was exhausted she had only had three hours sleep since yesterday morning due to her being scared of planes and flying. I put away her clothes in her new wardrobe and tidied up a little. I turned the night light on and the big light off and shut the door leaving her to rest.

I walked next door and knocked on EunJi’s door, “Come in,” her little voice called from the other side of the door.

“Gwenchanha EunJi?” I asked her.

“Neh, gomawo unnie” she replied “look at all this stuff!” She exclaimed looking at the boxes and room she had been given “It even comes with a bathroom and another room just for clothes!”

“I know I have the same in my room,” EunJi and MinJi had been given the same style of room.

“Shall we put all your stuff away? And get to sleep or are you not tired yet?”

“I am not tired just yet, but I’ll help put my stuff away.” She gets to her feet and wheels her suitcase to the wardrobe she unpacks whilst I put away. Although we already had nice clothes, they couldn’t compare to the stuff we had been given today. “I even got a phone and a credit card unnie, I probably won’t use them anyway but it’s nice to think we can use them when we are older,” she said showing me her phone. I gathered that they would have had all this stuff, it has been way too long since dad had younger children to look after so he probably didn't know what they needed or used.

Her stuff was the same as MinJi’s and it was cute considering they were twins and all they’re stuff matched everything. I picked out some pyjamas for her and told her to have a quick wash whilst I finished packing. They had both received school equipment and their uniforms which were very cute I placed them on a shelf and tidied everything up and put her suitcase away in the wardrobe. I tucked her in bed and turned her light off.

I decided to go and have a shower and sort out my stuff before I went to sleep. I put on my night clothes and placed all my new things in their right places around my huge new bedroom, I opened my suitcase and started putting things away. I was glad the rest of our things would be coming soon we could not have brought all our possessions with us, after all my clothes and shoes had been put away I found all my old school things like my year book and shirt, I did miss England. The people there were nice and polite and I hadn’t met anyone here yet. I really wanted to fit into my school, but I could not sing or act or take pictures or draw or make clothes, what was I meant to do? Speak English? I could do that.

Why couldn’t my dad have waited, and let me choose? I know CheongDamDong Primary school, I went there when I was eight years old, it’s pretty and not too far away. I was getting angry at the thought of being surrounded by beautiful people who were all talented. And then there would be me, your under-average potato looking girl with no talents at all. I was frustrated, I quickly packed everything away and went to sleep. I will admit it was a lot easier getting to sleep on a luxurious double bed rather than a plain old single spring mattress bed.
I woke up the next morning to a knock on my door. It was JiYong oppa.

“Ya, dongseng,” he called me, he knew I hated that word. “Time to wake up, appa told me to tell you to have a wash, get dressed breakfast would be ready in ten minutes.” He opened my curtains and one of my windows.

“Shireoyo” I said and went back to sleep but before I knew it MinJi had climbed on my bed.

“Unnie, oppa is going to take us out to see what the gardens and the rest of the neighbourhood is like, we might even explore the shopping centres. I am so excited.”

“Gwenchanha, ok, I’ll get up, MinJi why don’t you go with JiYoung oppa and help him out while I get ready?”

“Neh” she said grabbing hold of JiYoung’s hand I quickly got ready throwing together a cute but casual outfit, and tying my hair into a messy bun, it was nice to finally get ready to go out and not be on a plane or travelling anywhere far away.

I came downstairs and headed toward the huge dining room where I saw everyone eating and I joined them.

“Jwehsonghamn-” but before I could finish apologising appa interrupted “Don’t apologise, you’ve been on a long flight, you can sleep all day if you wish.” I looked at JiYoung and squinted, he just smiled widely and continued eating.

EunJi had been awake for a while, and she had chosen one of her new clothes to get dressed into. I wonder how he knew our shoe sizes and style, because it pretty much matched us completely. Everything seemed to be going perfectly, I just couldn’t understand why but I still held some bitterness at my appa for not being in my life for eight years and now with the school thing. I decided I would confront him about it later that night.

After appa excused himself from the table I did the same, I wanted to walk around and see my car before I went out today, I gathered we were going to be chauffeured around. Junsoo, decided to go out early in the morning for a run and was going to take a relaxing day off so he just hung out by the pool today. It was as much of a change for him as it was for us, he didn’t have any family back in the UK, so he didn’t have anything to lose by coming here. He was an only child, and his parents died in a house fire, so he didn’t have anyone other than us.
I took hold of my sister’s hands and bowed to appa, before heading out into the garage. Where JiYoung oppa pointed out my car. Good god, it was beautiful, A pearly light pink and white car, convertible. Very nice, I wasn’t much of a driver, but I could do it.

Today I wouldn’t be driving though, JiYoung wanted to take us in his car. EunJi and MinJi got in the back and I sat in the front. He drove past the primary school where my sisters would be attending in two weeks, and on the way into where ever we were going he stopped off at Seoul University and School of the Arts, it was more pretty then I expected, reminded me of Hogwarts with a modern twist there was more glass than brick and all I could think was how high does the window cleaner have to go? JiYoung then began to follow a similar car to his in front of him. We pulled up on a car park in Samseoung-Dong. I got out of the car and got my sisters out, JiYoung had already got out and was heading directly toward the white version of his car.

As he approached the boot of the car, a young man got out. He was wearing a baseball cap, a plain white tank top but with black skinny jeans and a black leather jacket. He looked rather cool, with his shades on. He hugged oppa, and I thank god I didn’t have to witness a fight. They spoke a little and I closed the doors as they approached. EunJi hid behind my back and MinJi gripped my hand tightly. I didn’t know who this guy was so I smiled, making a friendly gesture.

“Wow, Hwang JiEun, you haven’t changed a bit,” he said smiling back at me.

“Jwehsonghamnida, noogoosaeyo?” I didn’t have a clue who this guy was but he obviously knew me, if I were honest, I tried to forget everything that happened in the past.

He laughed “You don’t remember me do you?” I shook my head and he pulled his squared sunglasses off. It took me a moment to realise, but as soon as I saw JiYong laughing it become apparent.

“YoungBae oppa??” I squeaked with excitement. He nodded and pulled me into a hug, I let go of MinJi’s hand and embraced his hug.

“It’s been so long, it’s lovely to see you again.” He paused letting go.

“Eugh, he hasn’t stopped talking about it since I told him you were coming, im pretty sure you even had a countdown on your phone, am I right?” JiYoung teased. YoungBae oppa punched his shoulder whilst blushing.

“JiEun, who is this? And why did he hug you? Do you know him? “ EunJi asked.

“Annyeong, my name is YoungBae, but if you want you can call me oppa, or TaeYang. When unnie was little, before you were born, she used to fancy me so much she would sneak into your oppas bedroom whenever I came round to sleep.” YoungBae said crouching down shaking hands with them both.

“Ya! I did not do any of that.” But of course I went red, I was only eight and he was 10 but he was so nice to me when we were little.

--FLASHBACK—
I am seven years old, running down the field in the park near primary school, but suddenly a big kid comes out in front of me and I fall to the floor.
YoungBae sees me and rushes over. He puts me on his back and carries me home singing the three bears song. It’s a good job it wasn’t too far for him to walk and I felt guilty for him doing that. When we reached my house he put medicine on the cut and a band aid. He then helped me to my bedroom. I will be forever grateful, because even at the age of nine, he still cared for me.
--END—

“She did,” he whispered “where would you like to go. COEX Mall right ahead of us if you want to do some shopping or exploring?” YoungBae hadn’t changed at all, he was still good at looking after children.

We walked into COEX Mall it was so big and busy I told JiYoung to look after EunJi and I would look after MinJi. That way only one of us could be blamed if one got lost. YoungBae immediately suggested that he would look after us all, and said “drinks are on me.” We walked a little further on, and turned into a quieter part of the mall, there was a small café and we sat down in there.

“What do you want to drink?” he asked.

“Strawberry milkshake please.” Eunji said she was definitely the more confident and MinJi whispered “The same as EunJi please in my ear.”

“MinJi wants a strawberry milkshake too, I will have a fruity strawberry bubble tea with raspberry and cherry bubbles please. Green tea and ice please.” I said. I practically lived off bubble tea back in England I loved it, there was a city in the middle called Birmingham, and not many people knew about it but there was a small stand and it sold the best bubble tea ever.

“I’ll have peach ice tea please.” JiYoung said, I also loved Ice tea.

When YoungBae returned we spoke about what we would do later, but I wasn’t sure of anything about the COEX mall as I had never been here before. We agreed we should go to the aquarium and to a huge bookstore as well as eating and the entertainment place. Our drinks arrived, and so did some frozen yogurt. “excuse me ajumma, we didn’t order this,” YoungBae stated.

“I know, call it a gift, I over heard you saying you’ve just moved back to Korea,” she was looking at us now and I nodded. “Well then, be sure to come back often.”

“Neh, gamsahamnida unnie.” She was really nice, and not too old, I saw her smile as she walked off. I got up and went to the counter. “You don’t happen to have any jobs going do you?” I asked hoping she would know.

“Mianhae, I am not sure, I’ll ask, wait here. Whats your name?”

“JiEun, Hwang JiEun.” I replied.

“The Hwang JiEun.” She asked and I nodded that was my name “Are you, Hwang JiMan’s daughter?” I nodded again. She went off to a door at the back and an elderly man stepped out.

“Ah, Hwang JiEun, bangawayo.” Why is it that everyone seemed to know who I was, I’ve been back one day. “I don’t suppose you remember an old man like me do you?”

“Anieyo, Jwehsonghamnida.” I said bowing.

“Aneiyo, Gwenchanha. Here, when would you like to work?” He asked, and I gave him a few times, Friday four – nine and Saturday twelve –six. “The job is yours, when can you start?”

“How about next week?” I asked. He told me next week was fine, but to come in a little earlier as we will need to file details and fill out forms. I nodded and headed back to the group. “Ya, I just got a job here.”

“Congratulations unnie,” YoungBae and JiYoung said.

We ate discussing how exciting it was to be back in Korea.

After our delicious drinks we headed to the aquarium where we saw lots of fish, sharks and dolphins and had our fingernails cleaned by a shrimp or some sort. My favourites were the octopus and turtles. EunJi especially liked the Jellyfish and starfish. I couldn't believe how long it had been since I had came here, I had missed the aquarium me and Big Bang used to come here a lot with Mum and YoungBae's dad before he died.

"Remember when we used to come here?" YoungBae asked, I nodded and pointed to the shark that swam above us. "I miss your mum, and my dad, we used to have such good times together didn't we?" he finished.

"I miss Dong Youngdo too, he was like a second dad to me and JiYong, I can't believe it has been nine years."

"Yeah, same" JiYong replied.

We went back into the mall and to a bookstore. In England, we have relatively large bookstores, but nothing I had seen compared to this. I was a huge book nerd, and everything here was amazing, from English novels to classic Korean literature. I was having so much fun looking at the comics and Japanese manga. YoungBae and JiYoung oppa had to watch EunJi and MinJi for me.

“Ya JiEun, want another job?” YoungBae said, pointing out a poster, which had ‘Work wanted, must be available to work Monday – Wednesday, five to nine.’

“I may as well try for it, what harm can it do?” I picked the poster off the wall and headed to the desk, I wanted these jobs so I could start building my confidence levels up and meet new people. There was a boy at the desk not much older than me and he didn’t really look Korean either. I glanced at his badge. ‘Zitao’ cute name, it means humble son in Chinese. I knew that much. “Ni hao, I am looking to apply for this.”

The boy looked at me and smiled. “Hey, okay urm fill out one of these forms now if you want. I’ll hand it to the manager and we will see what happens if you want to wait. Please feel free to do so.” He spoke in chinese but I understood, he smiled. He was rather handsome with cute panda-like eyes and gorgeous hair, and he was obviously into books too.

I filled in the form gave it to him, and as he walked off I heard him say “Hwang JiEun, I’m sure I’ve heard it somewhere.”

I waited in the comic book area and picked up a few new manga’s I hadn’t heard of in the UK. I was about to purchase Hana Yori Dango and a few others, when I had a tap on the shoulder.

“Annyeong Ms.Hwang, I am Mr.Lee and I own this book store. Your application has been accepted and all I have to do is ask you a bit of knowledge on a few books. I understand you lived in England for eight years?” I nodded and said I agreed “First who wrote the novel ‘The Road’ in 2006?” I replied ‘Cormac McCarthy “Who wrote Lord of the Flies in-” “William Golding.” I saw his face light up. “Lord of the rings?” “Tolkien” “Cement Garden?” “Ian McEwan” “How much do you like books?”

Now that’s a question I didn’t know how to answer. I’ll have to think about this. “ Urm, I-I-I l-like books because,urm, an average person on lives on life, but someone who reads lives over one hundred lives.”

Mr Lee smiled, “Can you come in Monday? At three?”

“Neh,” I replied. “Gamsahamnida Mr Lee-sshi.”

I purchased my comics and so did everyone, MinJi and EunJi had copies of My Little Pony,
which yes was still one of my favourite things ever, there’s something’s you just cannot get over. My Little Pony was one of them. At least working in a bookstore would help me prepare for my exams and I could keep up to date with new mangas and marvel comics. In England I had all that were released, especially the avengers and x-men comics, I wasn’t too bothered about ‘the fantastic four,’ but I still read them, they should be over here in a week, fingers crossed. I turned out the door and looked back Zitao confidentally waved to me and smiled brightly, I shyly waved back. He seemed nice enough.

It was at that moment YoungBae pulled me in to a CD store. I loved this one too. It’s a shame I already had jobs otherwise this one would have been perfect. I love music. Especially new artists. YoungBae oppa pulled me into a specific genre pulled out a CD dragged me to the desk where he bought it and then signed it and handed it me. “what is this?” I looked at the front cover, “YoungBae? Why are you on the-, did you debut solo too?” He nodded. “OMO! This is awesome, gomawo!” I hugged him. Without realising, I quickly pulled back.

We ate some noddles and sushi at a bar that was close, but I could tell EunJi and MinJi, were tired so we went back home.

At home, appa was waiting for us, “come and have something to eat, did you have a good day?” I told him everything that had happened, he congratulated me on the jobs and making a new friend. I felt at ease now that appa was happy about me working, I realised it would be a lot of work but he wanted me to get a job and three – four places, I was already one two the second day of being in Korea, but it was obvious appa had instructed them to give me a job of some kind if I came asking. This was made clear when I saw that on the list of workplaces appa had written down for me the café and the bookstore were both there. I tucked in EunJi and MinJi and said good night to appa and Junsoo, who looked like he caught the sun a little.

I turned to go back into my room, when I walked into room four, and that is where the guest room is, YoungBae, starred at me he was just wrapped in a towel and I didn’t know what to do. I ran out, quickly shutting the door, and lay on my bed.

Notes

I'm slowly but surely getting more information in the story.