Say Goodnight And Go...

"Why'd you have to be so cute?
It's impossible to ignore you.
Must you make me laugh so much?
It's bad enough that we get along so well...

                                                                                         Say goodnight and go..."

An earsplitting ring interrupted my relaxing music time and my algebra class as well. Before I got caught I removed the ear buds, tucking them into my pocket. I stretched, wincing at the pain my stiff joints were giving me after being still for so long.

"Not another assembly..." I groaned.

Ok, it was literally the 5th one this week! If they had so much to say, they could say it all at once right?

We all shuffled lazily to the auditorium, the principal standing on stage underneath the blinding bright stage lights. I managed to laugh with a few of my classmates at the large sweat stains under his arms, blotched deep purple against his lavender shirt. My friend was out sick, so I was pretty much alone today. I wasn't that popular; I was apparently only good for the odd free pencil or sheet of paper, or as a (unpaid) teachers aid. Other than that I wasn't close to anyone else. I was used to it. Normally I just stayed quiet until the end of the day, focusing on work or my head on my desk taking a nap. Not shy or socially awkward, just a bit...stand-offish?

  Alright fine! Maybe I was a bit shy...Sheesh. But you would be shy too if you looked like I did! Hair that refuses to cooperate (at least with me anyways), tom-boyish clothes that come from anywhere instead of designer stores like American Eagle or Aeropostle; fitting into those yoga pants must take special flexibilty skills that I just don't have. Oh, and glasses. Yea, they're not uncommon, but when everyone starts converting to color contacts and you're still stuck with these bulky thick-rimmed things on your face...you feel sorta out of style.
  
  I maneuvered between the seats, trying to find a place that wasn't around too many people. If I fell asleep and started snoring, I could add 'social outcast' to my growing list of personality issues. The only place available was a spot right beside...oh no.

HIM.

WHY did it have to be him!?

I'm talking about Hyuk-jae. Lee Hyuk-jae, actually, though I have heard people call him 'Eunhyuk' before. My GOD, he was gorgeous to look at! Short, platinum blonde hair...light, creme colored skin...small, lazily-hooded eyes, and the broadest, whitest grin you ever laid eyes on. And GLASSES! But he made them look SOOO sexy... I don't think I mentioned he was South Korean; as if being gorgeous wasn't enough for this guy, he had to go and add foreign to the long LONG list of why he was popular. I couldn't believe my luck (or unluck, considering my casual mid-week appearance)  when I had to sit next to him. I did so reluctantly, breathing in his scent. I thought I would die, he smelled INTOXICATINGLY SWEET. He must have been day-dreaming or something because he jumped when I sat next to him. I forced myself to make eye-contact, enraptured by the soft glow in those coffee brown eyes. I smiled and waved shyly; he acknowledged me by smiling that...that ANGELICsmile...before turning to rest the side of his head on his clenched hand, propped by his arm on the armrest. His blonde hair was so close. I wanted to reach up and touch it, stroke it...heck, I'd be happy to get a close whiff of whatever shampoo he used. Restraint was very hard, but I managed.

The principal began to speak, his usual monotonous voice quickly putting everyone to sleep. I even heard a few quiet snores behind me. Hyuk-jae yawned widely, causing me to yawn as well. He chuckled softly at how contagious yawning was; my skin tingled all over with the sound, a soft, breathy chuckle that literally sends shivers up your body. I couldn't help but glare at him. Didn't he know he was killing me already!?!
  
  My breath caught in my throat as he leaned in, whispering in my ear; his breath tickled my ear, and it smelled cool and minty.

" 이 사람은 농담입니다. 나는 그래서,이 일을하지 않는 지쳤어? "

I didn't know how to respond, so I kept silent and shook my head in disbelief. Ok, I don't look THAT Asian; I've been told (and this was on a rare day when I actually cared what I looked like) that I could pass for mildly Korean,but I mean COME ON. After a minute of waiting and no response from me I guess he became a little annoyed because he turned to me, frowning. I looked at him and shrugged shyly, giving an embarrassed giggle as I explained, "I'm sorry, I didn't understand what you said." He sighed, repeating himself a little slower. I shook my head.

"No. Sorry. I don't understand because I.don't.speak.Korean!" I said, equally slow and urgent.

I saw him look at me, puzzled. Wow, even when he was confused he was adorable! Head tilted sideways...eyebrows raised...eyes bright...like a puppy almost. I placed a hand on my chest, saying "Im...not...Asian." He seemed to understand, nodding his head finally.

"Oh! I see...sorry sorry."

He grinned lopsidedly, obviously embarrassed, before sitting back with a disappointed sigh. I sat next to him uncomfortably, feuding with myself on whether to say anything. I felt really bad for him in a way; he had only transferred here a month ago, and I hadn't seen him talk to or hang out with anyone in particular. He was on the soccer team I knew, which gave him the chance to talk to his teammates. This, along with being the only foreign kid in the entire school and the fact that he was so damn good looking, gave him the added bonus of talking to (or flirting with I wasn't sure) ALL of the girls. And it was always the popular, pretty, talented girls that went after Hyuk-jae; the ones that HAVE everything but will stop at nothing to make sure that none of us regulars have anything. We weren't even worthy of the scraps it seemed. But I digress...

  I sighed, biting my bottom lip before placing a shaky hand on Eunhyuk's sweatshirt and nudging him gently. "Hey..." I began, his focus finally on me completely. I breathed in deeply to calm my throbbing heart while he stared at me blankly; wow, it was really REALLY stuffy in here.
"Um...I don't speak Korean, but I'd be willing to learn...if you're willing to teach me."

Surprisingly, he understood that. He smiled and nodded gently, but it disappeared quickly and his gaze flitted past me, alarmed. I turned in the same direction to see my History teacher staring us both down, her beady eyes burning into us over her glasses. We both shifted uncomfortably, staring blankly once more at the principal until she looked away. Meanwhile, my principal had managed to completely disarray his hairpiece, the ball of grey hanging limply sideways to reveal his glistening pale head. I felt Eunhyuk nudge me gently with one arm, and we both leaned in to hear one another while not removing our gaze from the stage.

"Mi-an-he means 'I'm sorry'..." he whispered. I nodded, robotically repeating it.

"Mianhe...Mianhe..."

I blabbed, trying to curb my American accent away from it. I asked him if I said it correctly, and he nodded.

"Sa-rang-he means...'I love you'."

I blushed a little while mumbling it; if only he knew.

"Did I say it right?" I asked hopefully. He nodded again, smiling broadly. I grinned too, proud of myself and really enjoying the feeling of the language on my tongue.

"This is fun, Hyuk-jae! I like this game. What's my next word?" I asked eagerly, still watching the stage and noticing the occasional glances from my History teacher. I waited, but nothing was said. Growing impatient, I pressed him for another phrase.

"Come on, Hyuk-jae...I'm waiting!" I chuckled. I heard him shift, moving closer to me, and I did the same so I could hear clearly.

  Suddenly, I felt warm, soft lips pressing gently against my cheek. I blushed like mad,not daring to move. THE Lee-Hyuk-jae...the guy of every girl's dream,the high prize of the popular crowd and an idol to the rest of us...was KISSING ME. My entire body shivered, the electricity of his kiss over-powering. It was just a quick peck, but it seemed to last for a long time before he pulled away slowly with a soft popping sound. My cheek still tingled EXACTLY where he just was, and I turned slowly to face him. He had resumed staring emotionless at the principal, but no matter how serious he looked he couldn't hide the dark pink blush lacing his cheeks that glowed in the dim light. I turned back to watch the stage as well but my mind wouldn't let me focus. Instead, it brought to light an idea; a crazy, off the wall, COMPLETELY UNLIKE ME idea...

"Hey Eunhyuk..." I whispered, smirking.

"Hm?" he acknowledged me, not moving from his spot.

Oh, you sly dog you...

"Come here."

I puntuated the words with a hard nod, and he sighed and leaned in. Without another thought I executed my plan, trying to peck him on the cheek like he had done to me; I actually ended up getting closer than expected. I kissed him softly on the side of his mouth, the taste of his cool lips delicious and satisfying. I could feel them grow hot under my own lips, so I pulled away reluctantly. He sat up quickly but looked at me with wide eyes. Realizing what I had just done I blushed, but managed to keep my voice perfectly level when I asked sweetly,

"Did I say THAT one right?"

He didn't look away from me, instead staring me down with those gorgeous walnut colored eyes. "Neh." he said softly, nodding so I understood that he meant 'yes'. He smiled, flashing a row of beautifully perfect teeth at me before slowly interlocking both our hands with our fingers. His hands were so soft, his long fingers gliding smoothly over my knuckles and gripping tightly. Even though I knew (honestly there wasn't any doubting that, now was there?) he liked me, I was still a little heisitant when I rested my head on his shoulder. Once there though, the feeling seemed so right. He was so soft and warm, and I actually felt a few strands of his beautiful blonde hair in my face; I inhaled deeply the scent of...oranges. How did I guess? He did the same to me, snuggling in with his cheek rested in my hair. With a deep sigh of content I enjoyed every minute left of the assembly, silently wishing the old fat slob would talk himself into a coma, just so I could sit here with Eunhyuk. What he saw in me I didn't know...or care. He obviously liked me, and that was all that mattered. Did I consider myself a popular kid because of this? No, not really; I wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with them, choking on their perfume or having to mindlessly converse about what the football players butts looked like in tight uniforms. But I honestly did feel better now about myself.

That day I vowed that everything I ever did ever again, I would always keep Eunhyuk in mind whatever it was…

  My wish didn't come true though, the principal signaling us to return to our rooms before chugging down two bottles of water backstage. Both Eunhyuk and I sighed, reluctant to leave but forced to do so by the crowds. I stood, but I couldn't leave him just yet. Not without hope or...parting words. I turned to him, trying to shield my reddening face with my hair.

"I...I look forward to our next lesson, Lee Hyuk-jae..."