AE-CHA'S POV:

I bound across the school hall. I'm late for class!

As I arrive into Room 14, I look around. All the other kids are watching, laughing.

"Ms. Choi. Late again? Go stand in the hall." Mrs. Lee demands. That damn teacher!

A tall, silky-haired boy walks, then stops in front of me. I feel myself blush.

"Hello." He says. "What are you—oh. In trouble?" He giggles. I scoff

"Yes. Can you get away?" I spat. He rushes into the boy's bathroom.

I take out my phone and open some cheap dating site I found like . . a week ago? I don't know.

I turn down the volume so no one hears my phone.

I scroll left for almost everyone, barely paying attention. I've lived in Seoul for my whole life, and never, not once, had a boyfriend. That is about to change.

I stop abruptly in awe, at this muscular, Asian boy with steaming blue eyes.

My heart sinks as I read his bio;

Hi! My name is Bao Kwak, and I am 21 years old. I'm looking for someone to spend my life with!

I don't read the rest. He's legally an adult, I can't date him. 

Mrs. Lee screeches so loud I almost drop my phone.

I rush into the classroom, mortified. 

She starts blabbering on and on about some stupid math that I'll never use in the real world. I mean, why the hell do we have to do- whatever.

After what seems like forever, the bell rings. That was my last class! I rush into my car and drive to a coffee shop. On the way there some idiot rushes in front of me and I beep for a million years.

I park in the driveway, and hop out, running into the shop.

"Hello, what can I get for you today?" A man says . I tilt my head, not paying attention.

Some men are speaking English to each other, and I sigh.

"Miss?" The man says. I jolt.

"Uhm, some coffee." I say.

"Just coffee? Are you sure you don't want a latte or—"

"I said a coffee." I blurt. That was rude, I tell myself. Maybe I shouldn't have mean that aggressive.

"Name?" The man says, less enthusiastically.

"Ae-cha Choi." I finish, more softly. He sighs, then nods, then walks away.

I settle on a tall table and bring out my laptop, opening the same dating sight I have on my phone.

Scrolling, I see the same handsome man. I gasp. I then scroll right. Whatever. It automatically opens the chatting part. I write:

Hi, Bao. Meet me at the coffee shop near Ichi's Nails. I'd like to meet you tomorrow at 1:35.

I smile. Not like he's going to come.

~

I settle on my bed, clasping my hands together. My heart pounds as I picture the hot guy I messaged. I feel my body fall limp, and I slowly drift into sleep.

I lift up my hand to his lip. He smiles, rubbing my check. I let go, then hug him tight. Listening to his heart beat and his breath calms me down.

"My dear, we cannot be." He says. I speak quick and desperately, but his chest expanding and contracting bans out my voice as a tear stumbles down my cheek.

I scream silently, my mouth parting as the ground stretches. The sky is black as night, but somehow blacker. I sob. No, don't leave me. He smiles and fades away.

Everyone around me laughs evily.

They.

Won't.

Stop.

I scream and finally, my voice breaks out of its prison. Don't leave me . .