New Beginnings

‘I’ll never hurt you, never.’ I’ve replayed those exact 5 words over and over again in my head. Every time I meet with Woohyun I mean to ask him what he meant by such words but it never feels right. It’s been 2 weeks now since I’ve started my new school. I call my parents every Friday night just before I indulge in Kdramas. Woohyun and I meet every Saturday to tutor each other, he surprisingly grasps things pretty easily which I didn’t expect or ‘maybe my teaching skills are just amazing’, I tease him. We decided to study at different locations as Woohyun likes to show me around but most of the time he ends up choosing to study on my outside porch under the tree, so I brought a new chair just for him. The work here in Korea is defiantly harder then it is in England but I’m studying hard and that’s all I can do. Compared to my first day at school things have gotten much better, I’m not sure if it’s because of what Woohyun done or because everyone is just used to seeing me around. There are still a few students who don’t like me but I don’t care since I get on with most of my class. The students who don’t like me are the ones who always try to impress Sunggyu, so of course they’d hate me, “I’m team Woohyun” it’s expected. On Sundays I work at the minimarket but Ahjumma has cut my hours short insisting I close early and go to her house instead so she can teach me how to cook ‘we can’t let a girl who lives on her own not eat healthily’ she always says.

Today is Sunday and instead of working at the minimarket Woohyun and I have decided to take Ahjumma out as a surprise for her birthday. We decided to make Ahjumma’s favorite dish Bulgogi-marinated beef. Luckily it’s easy to make so I get started while Woohyun packs the picnic basket.

‘What else should I put in here?’ Woohyun asks.

‘What’s in there so far?’ I reply, cooking away.

‘Tissues, a cloth to sit on, I have cushions in my backpack, chopsticks, kimchi, rice, glasses…erm that’s it’.

‘We need drinks,’ I say turning towards Woohyun, ‘but I don’t have any’.

‘What? Why don’t you have drinks?’

‘I finished them, I need to go shopping and buy more food but just haven’t had the time, you’re going to have to go to the minimarket and get some drinks’.

‘I can’t do that she’ll know what we’re doing. I’ll go to another shop. You finish the beef and I’ll get the drinks, in that time you can get ready as well then we’re good to go, okay?

‘Okay.’ I reply smiling back.

Woohyun leaves the house and I go over our plan on getting Ahjumma to the open gardens. The open garden is a really big area that’s basically like a big garden full of grass, trees and flowers. People come here for picnics, dates or even to study. It’s beautiful there and we know Ahjumma loves being surrounded by nature so thought that this would be the best place for her birthday picnic.

I finish the beef and leave it on the side to cool. I then quickly have a shower and get ready. I decide to wear a light pink dress with a nice brown belt around it. I leave my hair open and put on my brown sandals that have a little heal. Once I finish my makeup I put my perfume on and head towards the kitchen packing the marinated beef.

I text Woohyun.

‘Where are you? I’m ready.’

But just at that moment he walks in.

‘Ah sorry I’m late, I met some of my friends,’ he says out of breath.

I take the drinks off him and pack them too, ‘what about dessert?’ I ask.

‘We’ll just get some ice-cream from a stand, there’s plenty there and it’ll be refreshing to eat in this hot weather.’

‘Ok have you got your clothes? I ask, Woohyun nods holding them up. ‘Well you know where the bathroom is so have a shower and set up the picnic at the open gardens. I’ll get Ahjumma a present and then I'll call her saying I’m lost, she’ll have to come and we’ll make our way to you, just text me when you're ready.’

‘Yes boss,’ Woohyun laughs. I pick up my bag and grab my phone. As I leave Woohyun calls out, ‘thank you for everything, she’ll love it!’ I smile back and make my way to the bus stop.

Seoul is massive! I have no idea what shop to go into, everything looks good enough to buy. Woohyun told me to buy her bag; we went halves with the money. On the bus journey there I again go through our plan, I really don’t want to mess this up. Today is going to be amazing I just know it! The bus stops and I’m already there. I get off looking at the pictures Woohyun and I went through. I walk around the town center spoiled for choice. I decide to go to the upstairs apartments, as there seems to be a lot of rush in one particular store. As I enter I look around holding my phone for reference. This place is always busy but for some reason today its extra busy. I look around and all of a sudden the workers begin to line up while somebody walks past them. I move closer to get a better look at whom this special person is, and by my surprise it’s Sunggyu. He seems to be the boss? I don’t know, but a lot of people are lining up bowing to him and there’s a group of workers following him from behind writing down his every word. I stand there mesmerized by it all; I’ve seen this in Korean dramas but didn’t think it happened in real life. Is Sunggyu the boss? He can’t be, I always thought of him as a gangster who had troubles therefore resulted in hurting people. I hide behind a rack of clothes and watch how he slowly walks along carefully checking everything out; I can see the employees too are scared of him. How can anyone not be? He seems to be this rich child who has his secret life of being a gangster and a cold-hearted high school student. A few girls behind me begin to admire Sunggyu by taking pictures and getting happy whenever he looks their way, it’s like he has his own fan club.

‘Aww he looks so handsome’.

‘Wow he just looked here!’

‘Oppa work hard!’ One girl shouts and he doesn’t seem to like her comment, he replies, ‘I always work hard’ and turns away.

The girls begin to ‘awww’ again.

To be honest I never really looked at Sunggyu in such a way. I admit he’s defiantly good looking but I never really truly looked at him sincerely. I just labeled him as ‘the bad guy’ listening to other people’s views on him. Seeing him now Sunggyu doesn’t seem like the evil person they all say he is. I can see he’s actually really hard working, his passion and love for his job clearly shows. Evil people don’t have fans right?

I turn away from my distraction and head towards some more bags. One bag on the top shop has caught my eye; it resembles the images Woohyun and I were looking at. I stand on my tiptoes trying to reach the bag but I just can’t reach it. I hear some mumbling behind and while trying to get the bag I say,

‘Ahjusshi-sir (older male)’ please can you help me get this bag down?

No reply.

‘Ahjusshi’ I start again.

‘Get her out of here,’ a voice behind me says, I recognize that voice, I’ve not heard it often but I know whom it belongs to.

I turn around and there’s Sunggyu standing behind me with two big bodyguards. Each one grabs onto one of my arms and begin to pull me away. With all my force I hold my body strong and turn my head towards Sunngyu.

‘You can’t just kick me out for no reason! What did I do? What’s your problem?’ I shout shocked with what’s happening and embarrassed with the people looking.

He laughs and replies, ‘this is Korea, I can do what I want, when I want and no one will stop me, not even the police, they all work for me. Oh and other thing, this is MY shop and I never want to see you here again!’

The bodyguards pull at me and drag me out of the shop, from all this humiliation and in the heat of the moment I shout ‘if I knew this was your stupid shop I would never have come, anyway what does a high school student know about running a store anyway?’
And with that I was thrown onto the marble floor just able to get a glimpse of people running over to Sunggyu asking him questions about the incident. ‘That’ll teach you to mess with me’ I think to myself. I make my way to another department store still angry at what just happened. I’m so confused, why did Sunggyu turn on me like that? I’ve never done anything to him, is it because I’m friends with Woohyun? ‘Aishhh!’ I say to myself. People turn around and look at me like I’m mad. I think I am. Woohyun told me not to go on his bad side and I’m sure I’ve just got added to his list.

After a few hours of shopping here and there I finally get the bag and head towards the direction Woohyun mapped out for me. I call him to let him know I’m ready.

‘Ahjumma’, I say on the phone ‘I’m lost, I don’t know where I am and I’m really worried. I’ve been asking people for help but no one is giving me a clear answer and Woohyun isn’t picking up his phone…’

‘Its ok, its ok, just calm down. Describe to me where you are and I’ll come’ Ahjumma says comforting me like her sweet self. I feel guilty but I know it’ll all be worth it in the end.

After about 15minutes of waiting Ahjumma finally arrives. I try my best to look sad and worried.

‘Ahjumma!’ I shout running towards her.

‘Aigooo’ she replies hugging me and lightly hitting the back of my head at the same time. ‘What on earth are you doing out here? Ahjumma asks wordily.

‘I wanted to buy a new dress but they only sold it in this store and then I got lost and ended up here’.

‘That better be a nice dress then, let me see’. Ahjumma says trying to look into the bag.

I don’t know what to do, Ahjumma is quite strong despite looking weak I quickly say, ‘Not here I’m scared it’ll get dirty I’ll show you at home.’ I text Woohyun and let him know we’re on our way.

‘Lets walk Ahjumma it’s a nice weather today,’ I say linking arms.

‘It’s always like this,’ Ahjumma replies frowning.

‘Ahjummaaa,’ I reply trying to act cute.

‘Ah araso araso, for you but I was busy running the minimarket since you’re not working today. Today of all days, and I don’t know where Woohyun has gone. I’m going to kill him when I find him.’

---

We reach the open gardens and their Woohyun lies on the blanket. Ahjumma doesn’t see him lying there with his arm under his head enjoying the sunlight. I grab hold of her hand and take her to Woohyun.

‘What’s going on?’ Ahjumma asks finally seeing Woohyun. He quickly sits up once he hears Ahjumma’s voice and comes running over.

‘Halmeoni, you’re here!’ Woohyun shouts hugging Ahjumma and giving me a cheeky wink.

Ahjumma turns around and looks at me, ‘what is it? What are you two up to?’

‘Saengil chu-ka hamni-da!-Happy birthday!’ Woohyun and I sing.

‘Ahjumma quickly sit down,’ I say after singing.

‘Halmeoni, you didn’t think I’d forget your birthday right?’ Woohyun says pouting.

‘Ahh is this what you were both up to? I thought I had to work on my birthday,’ Ahjumma says patting Woohyun on the head ‘Aigooo’.

I hand over some rice and marinated beef. ‘I cooked this just for you, I hope it tastes nice’.

‘Wow’ Ahjumma says looking amazed. ‘It smells delicious, I’ll eat well’ she says picking up her chopsticks.

‘I’ll eat well too,’ Woohyun smiles taking the food from me.

Ahjumma takes a few bites and says, ‘Umm it’s tasty, I taught you well’ Ahjumma chuckles to herself.

‘Chincha? You really like it Ahjumma?’

‘Ne, it’s delicious, gomawo-thank you Rachel’ she says.

I smile back and look over to Woohyun, I can see in his eyes he wants me to give Ahjumma her preset. This boy has no patients.

‘Ahjumma’ I say picking up the gift, ‘Woohyun and I got you this’.

‘Aigoo what have you guys brought?’ She says with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. She opens up the bag and pulls out the handbag I chose for her.

‘Aigoo aigoo, how did you know I like this? How did you afford this?’

‘Woohyun helped me choose’ I reply smiling.

‘Ye Halmeoni, you’re amazing grandson knew you’d like this. See I’m the best right?’ Woohyun mocks and pretends to stab me with his chopsticks.

‘Ya stop I’ll drop my drink’ I giggle trying to avoid his chopsticks while balancing my drink at the same time. ‘STOPP!’ I shout but it’s too late. I spill the drink all over myself.

‘AHAHAHA Halmeoni ahahaha look at Rachel,’ Woohun laughs hysterically.

‘Eyyy pabo!’ Ahjumma hits him on the shoulders.

I slowly pick up the can and throw some drink on him he’s socked through. His top goes tight on him and I can see his muscles. ‘HAHA’ I laugh, ‘now who looks funny?’ I say.

He stands up and starts throwing water at me, I quickly pick up a bottle of water and run after him. ‘Aigoo what am I gong to do with you two?’ Ahjumma says laughing to herself.

---

We pack everything up and head home. Woohyun and I stink of juice and literally stick to everything we touch.

‘Ahh this is disgusting,’ I say pushing him.

‘Come here,’ Woohyun flirts putting his arm over my shoulders.

We walk home laughing and joking while getting told of by Ahjumma at the same time. As we get closer to home I tell Woohyun what happened at the store with Sunggyu.

‘I knew something was going to happen but I didn’t think he’d stoop that low,’ Woohyun says seriously.

‘What’s the deal with you two?’ I ask hoping he’ll finally tell me. Ahjumma calls out and Woohyun goes running; I bet he was relieved.

‘I’m just going to get something from the shop, you go home first.’ Ahjumma says while hugging me.

‘Ne Ahjumma, anneyeong’ I say waving.
I watch Woohyun and Ahjumma walk towards the shop; they both turn around and wave again. Ahjumma motions her hand for me to go. I wave back and head home. I walk up those big stairs and instead of turning left to the direction I should have I walk straight down the street. Something’s not right, I’m not sure what help I’d be but I’m too nosy and just have to know what’s going on. I see three black cars parked up and rubbish from bins everywhere. At first I thinks it’s a car accident but I see there’s no one in the cars and no damage to them either so that can’t be the reason. I turn right and there I see two groups of people, some people are on the floor and others are limping, most have cuts/bruises.

‘Oh my god’ I whisper to myself. I quickly turn around and run back in the direction of my house. I’m out of breath but I’m too sacred with what I’ve just seen. I don’t understand how a human can hurt another, why? Why would you do that? I keep running but someone from behind me grabs my shoulder and pushes me against the wall. His eyes are deep and stern; it’s Sunggyu.

‘What did you see?’ He asks aggressively. He’s so close to me. He bends his arm and holds it against my neck not hurting me but enough to scare me. I want to answer his question but I can’t, I keep seeing the face that used to hit me. My legs feel like jelly and I can’t move. The world begins to go black and all I can hear is ‘are you mad? What’s your problem? I’m going to kill you for what you did in the apartment store! Are stalking me now too?’ I hear the anger in his voice and am scared with what he might do.

‘I…I’ I begin to say but just can’t seem to extend my words.

He pushes his arm into my neck again. I lift my hand and hold onto his arm trying to loosen his grip. He looks down at what I’m doing and begins to back away. I think he realizes I can’t take it. Out of nowhere someone comes and punches Sunggyu in the face, its Woohyun.

‘WHO ARE YOU TO TOUGH HER? HUH!’ Woohyun shouts. His eyes are blank I’ve not seen him like this, he wasn’t even this angry with the girls; I didn’t know Woohyun had such a side. Sunggyu just laughs back and licks his lips.

‘Aah, look what you’ve done Woohyun,’ Sunggyu says teasingly.

I don’t feel good. I hold onto the wall for balance and Woohyun comes running over. He holds me in his arms and asks if I’m ok.

‘Well look at you both’ Sunggyu says evilly, ‘you both look like shit and you stink, a match made in heaven if you ask me’.

‘Shut you mouth Woohyun says turning to face him’.

‘What? Do you want to say that again!’ Sunggyu shouts walking closer.

Woohyun opens his mouth and PUNCH! Before I know it they’re both fighting each other, one punch here and two punches there. I close my eyes and feel my body slowly go numb.

---

I wake up and my vision is blurry. I’m in my house and someone is sitting next to me, it’s Woohyun.

‘What what happened?’ I say touching my head.

‘Are you ok? I was really scared. I’m so sorry, this is my fault…’ he trails off and I reach out for his arm.

‘It’s ok,’ I say, smiling slowly getting my vision back’.

He comes over and I’m able to clearly see him face. He looks down and tells me how he and Sunggyu had a fight, and then they saw me on the floor and brought me inside.

‘Did Sunggyu bring me in as well?’ I ask curiously.

‘Sunggyu?’ Woohyun says pulling a face, ‘that guy would never do such a thing’.

I look down and try to stand up but I’m still shaking

‘Oh take it slowly,’ Woohyun says standing up.

I don’t know why I do this but I just feel so weak and all of a sudden I miss my parents, I just want some comfort. I turn around and lay my head on Woohyuns chest. Luckily he doesn’t push me away but bring me closer and wraps his arms around me.

‘Are you ok?’ he asks concerned.

I nod back and move away. I see him looking down at me smiling; I smile back and move towards the door to see Woohyun out.

‘Take care’ he says waving.

‘Oh Woohyun are you ok? He didn’t hurt you right?’
‘I’m fine just worry about yourself,’ Woohyun replies. He has no cuts or bruises on his handsome face so he’s all right, right?

---

After my shower I go lay in bed thinking about the awful end to my day. I’m so confused with everything I don’t know what’s going on and no one tells me anything.

‘AHHH’ I scream into my pillow frustrated. I must have been exhausted because before I know it I’m fast asleep.

---

‘RING’ the school bell goes and everyone walks to class. I slowly make my way but someone trips me up catching me before I fall. I turn around and see its Sunggyu. I slowly back away but he quickly grabs hold of me before I can go. He pushes me against the wall and stares deep into my eyes with his face just inches away from mine. I push him trying to get past but he just won’t budge.

‘What’s wrong? You seem flustered being so close to me.’ He says smiling. ‘What thoughts are you having? You seemed so confident yesterday embarrassing me in my own store. I would have killed you yesterday but lucky for you Woohyun came!’

I can’t believe what he’s saying; from nowhere without thinking I get my knee and hit him hard in his thighs running into class. Our classmates begin to laugh and take their phones out to record what’s happening.

‘GET RID OF THAT!’ Sunggyu shouts walking over to them. ‘DO YOU WANT ME TO KILL YOU ALL? YOU KNOW I WILL!’ And with that everyone puts their phone away and run into class. I sit in my chair and Seo yeon’s avoids me, I know I’ve done something really bad. I think about how Sunggyu uses the phrase ‘I’ll kill you’ so lightly. Before I know it he walks into class slowly, looking straight at me. He grabs hold of my arm and pulls me back out of class.

‘Let go!’ I shout but its no use.

He pins me to the wall this time standing really close so I’m not able to kick him again. He looks so angry I wish someone would do something but I know everyone’s really scared. ‘What have I done?’ I think to myself.

‘I just wanted to talk but you hurt me’ Sunggyu says angrily gritting his teeth. ‘Looks like I need to teach you some manners’.

‘If you want to talk you don’t do that to someone, we can talk somewhere else, not like this’ I reply trying to get Sunggyu away.

‘What have you and Woohyun got going on?’ He says raising his eyebrows.

‘What? I don’t know what you’re talking about’.

‘He’s pretty protective over you, this just makes it more fun?’

‘Fun?’ I repeat confused. ‘Do you like Woohyun? I’m not sure with what’s going on. You seem-‘

‘SHUT UP!’ Sunggyu shouts and I jump. His face has gone red and the class begins to laugh.

‘Do you think what you’ve just said it fine? Huh? Because its not! You made a fool of me and no one does that! First in me department store and now here! You’re just a lonely afraid sad little girl. You’re pathetic! From now on you better keep out of my way. You messed me with me and you’re going to regret it, I’m going to crush you and you won’t survive. From now on I’m going to make you’re life hell. You will suffer and because of that Woohyun will too. It’s about time I do something about him and hurting you will be a bonus, you’ve just made things easier for me, now I can really kill him’. He moves back and laughs.

As soon as Sunggyu walks into class I breathe out. Myungsoo comes running down the corridor.

‘I’m late,’ he says catching his breath, ‘sorry, but why are you outside? …What did Sunggyu want?’

I look up at Myungsoo feeling pathetic for not being able to answer.’ He knows something’s going on.

‘Are you okay?’ He says looking concerned.

‘I’m f…It’s fine, its nothing’. I manage to mumble.

He smiles and heads to the door. Before we enter he turns and says ‘I think it’s best you stay away from Woohyun for a bit. I do study groups at lunch and other random times when the group is free, give me your number and I’ll give you the details, you can stay with me’. I want to say no, Woohyun and I are already tutoring each other but after Sunggus threat I’m really scared, Myungsoo’s idea may just save us both.

‘Okay I say giving him my number. I look up at him as he saves my details in his phone. He’s a really good-looking young man with fair skin that doesn’t have a single blemish on it; he has an L shaped nose and perfect sized lips. I thought Myungsoo was awkward but I can see he’s just preserved and is actually really kind hearted. He’s the only one who’s not scared to be around me, its like he’s saving me from Sunngyu, even Seo syeon is avoiding me.

I walk into class and everyone’s looking, from nowhere I get water thrown at me, then a shoe, then some rubbers and then other items I can no longer see as Myungsoo blocks them from hitting me. He grabs hold of my hand and runs out of class.

‘Aish where’s the teacher?!” He yells running down the corridor holding my hand. I have one more quick look into the class and see Sunggyu sitting there with a grin on his face looking at me.

‘This is it.’ I think to myself, he’s really going to make my life hell. There’s no avoiding Sunggyu now.

Notes