Chapter 4: The Perks of Friendship

The whispers followed me like a shadow, a constant reminder of the envy I seemed to inspire in the girls of SGA. Their eyes, filled with a mixture of admiration and resentment, tracked my every move, especially when I was with Shawn. It was as if my close friendship with the school's newest heartthrob had elevated my status, placing me on a pedestal I hadn't sought but secretly enjoyed.

I couldn't help but feel a smug sense of satisfaction, a hint of mischief playing on my lips as I caught their envious glances.

Shawn and I had become inseparable in the few weeks since his arrival. We spent countless hours together, studying in the library, exploring the vibrant streets of Seoul, and even venturing into the arcades of Hongdae, where our competitive spirits clashed in a flurry of laughter and playful taunts.

Our friendship had blossomed into something deeper, a connection that transcended language barriers and cultural differences. We shared a similar sense of humor, a passion for the arts, and an insatiable curiosity about the world around us.

Shawn's initial struggles with the Korean language had become a source of amusement for both of us. His mispronunciations and grammatical errors often led to hilarious misunderstandings, but his determination to learn never wavered. I found myself patiently correcting his mistakes, explaining the nuances of the language, and even teaching him a few slang words that elicited surprised chuckles from him.

One afternoon, as we were walking home from school, Shawn turned to me, a mischievous glint in his gray eyes.

"The new Marvel movie will be available this Saturday," he announced, his voice laced with excitement. "Wanna see it?"

My heart skipped a beat. Was this a date? Or just a casual invitation between friends? I tried to maintain a composed expression, but my inner voice was doing cartwheels.

"Sure," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of eagerness. "I haven't seen a Marvel movie in ages."

Shawn's face lit up. "It's the first time I'll be in a Korean cinema," Shawn confessed, then cheekily added, "I might need a guide."

My heart melted at his confession. He was asking for my help, acknowledging his unfamiliarity with the Korean movie-going experience. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the trust he had in me.

"Don't worry, Shawn," I reassured him, a warm smile spreading across my lips. "I'll be your guide."

As we continued our walk, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a casual outing between friends. The way Shawn looked at me, the warmth in his voice, it all hinted at something deeper, something that I wasn't quite ready to define.

But as I glanced at the envious stares of the girls we passed by, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Shawn Black, the boy who had captured the hearts of countless girls at SGA, had chosen me, Wan Ryung, as his companion for a Saturday movie date. And that, I decided, was something worth smirking about.

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Saturday finally arrived, and I could barely contain my excitement. The prospect of spending the afternoon with Shawn, watching a Marvel movie, filled me with a giddy anticipation that I hadn't felt in ages.

I woke up earlier than usual, a surge of energy coursing through my veins. I meticulously selected my outfit, opting for a casual yet stylish look: a black turtleneck sweater, dark-wash jeans, and a pair of sleek white sneakers. I even took extra care with my hair, styling it in a way that accentuated my features without being overly flashy.

As I was getting ready, my younger sister, Hana, entered my room, her eyes widening at the sight of me preening in front of the mirror.

"Oh, where are you going?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. It wasn't every day that she saw me putting this much effort into my appearance.

"Watching a movie," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "The new Marvel movie."

"Really? Can I come along too?" she asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

My heart sank. I hadn't considered the possibility of Hana tagging along. This was supposed to be a special outing with Shawn, a chance for us to bond and perhaps explore the unspoken feelings that were starting to blossom between us.

"No," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I'm going with friends."

"But why not?" Hana insisted, pouting.

I hesitated, unsure of how to explain the situation without revealing too much. Thankfully, my mother, who had been observing our interaction from the doorway, came to my rescue.

"Honey, it's a boys' outing," she explained, her voice laced with a knowing smile. "Let your brother bond with his 'friends'."

Hana, though disappointed, eventually relented. She knew better than to argue with our mother, especially when she had that mischievous glint in her eyes.

As I left the apartment, my mother's words echoed in my mind. "Bond with his 'friends'." Was that what we were, just friends? Or was there something more brewing beneath the surface?

I couldn't deny the flutter in my stomach whenever Shawn was near, the way his laughter made my heart skip a beat, the way his gray eyes seemed to see right through me. But I was also hesitant, afraid of jeopardizing our friendship by acknowledging the feelings that were starting to take root.

I pushed those thoughts aside as I made my way to the cinema, my heart pounding with anticipation. Today was about enjoying Shawn's company, about experiencing the thrill of a Marvel movie on the big screen, and about creating memories that I would cherish for years to come.

As I approached the cinema, I spotted Shawn waiting for me near the entrance. He was dressed casually in a black hoodie and jeans, his hands shoved into his pockets, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Guten Morgen, Ryung," he greeted me, his voice warm and welcoming.

"Guten Morgen, Shawn," I replied, my heart skipping a beat at the sound of his voice.

As we joined the queue outside the cinema, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances directed towards us. Two good-looking guys, waiting in line for a movie, just the two of us… it was apparently a sight that sparked interest, especially among the female moviegoers. Their eyes lingered, a mixture of speculation and amusement dancing in their depths.

Are they a couple? I could practically hear their unspoken questions. Just friends? Or something more?

I shot an annoyed look back to those staring eyes, silently answering the questions in their eyes. I even rolled my eyes for extra measure.

Shawn, oblivious to the curious gazes, continued to chat about the upcoming Marvel movie, his enthusiasm infectious. I tried to focus on his words, but my mind kept wandering back to those lingering eyes. Did they know something I didn't? Or were they simply reading into our closeness, projecting their own fantasies onto our friendship?

I stole a glance at Shawn, his profile illuminated by the cinema's neon lights. He was undeniably handsome, his features sculpted to perfection, his gray eyes sparkling with excitement. I couldn't deny the flutter in my stomach whenever our eyes met, the warmth that spread through me when he smiled.

But were those feelings simply the result of our close friendship? Or was there something more simmering beneath the surface?

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The winter break stretched before me like an endless expanse of snow-covered fields, a stark contrast to the crowded hallways of SGA. The long weeks without seeing Shawn Black felt like an eternity, a void that no amount of Kakaotalk messages could fill.

His family had visited Germany to celebrate the winter holidays, leaving me to navigate the festive season without my usual companion. While I cherished the time spent with my own family, a part of me longed for the familiar warmth of Shawn's presence, and the easy camaraderie we had developed over the past few months.

My phone buzzed with a notification, snapping me out of my reverie. It was a message from Shawn, a picture of him standing in front of a snow-covered castle, a wide grin plastered across his face.

"Merry Christmas, Ryung!" the message read, followed by a string of festive emojis.

I couldn't help but smile as I stared at the picture. Even though he was miles away, his cheerful spirit managed to reach me, warming my heart like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day.

I quickly typed a reply, wishing him a Merry Christmas and sharing a picture of my own family gathered around our Christmas tree.

As the days turned into weeks, our Kakaotalk conversations became a lifeline, a virtual bridge that connected us across continents. We shared stories of our holiday adventures, exchanged silly memes, and even engaged in late-night philosophical discussions about life, the universe, and everything in between.

But despite the constant communication, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. The virtual world couldn't replace the warmth of Shawn's physical presence, the way his eyes lit up when he laughed, the gentle touch of his hand on my shoulder when he wanted to emphasize a point.

I found myself counting down the days until his return, eagerly anticipating the moment I could see him again, in person, and not just through a pixelated screen.