Chapter 9

Joon: 11.30.15

My thoughts came back rushing at me so I looked away from her only to notice that I was in my in my apartment. How did I get here?

"Yo," I looked at her again "I've been calling you all day. Why you've been avoiding me?" She pouted. Even though I wanted to laugh at her face I didn't, I just stared at her skin than mine. Was it really that big of a deal? Was everything they saying were true?

"I'm sorry." I apologized "it's just that" I paused with a shake of my head "I had a cultural shock today, I guess." I admitted.

She furrowed her eyebrows "Cultural shock?" She asked dryly "What kind of cultural shock was it?" She asked as she sat next to me.

I frowned as I looked away from her and to my shoes "It was about us, actually our relationship." I corrected, causing her to look surprised "How we're" I paused "you know." I trailed off.

She looked at her nails "What? That I'm black and you're Asian?" She asked casually, I answered with a nod "You didn't think race was going to be a concern in this 'scheme'?" She asked softly then continued "We're in the heart of the south, Joon. Dixie Central. The mother of racism. Alabama. America. Race is always gonna be a problem in this country and you either notice and deal with it or ignore it and keep it moving." She said harshly then I noticed how her eyes went dark "America isn't made for minorities but it's made off the backs of them and the only way to get to the top is to sell out of your own community-"

As I sat there and listen to her speech, I saw her emotions on her face and guessed that she's been through all the quotes she said. What they said had me offended and I'm not even black so there was no way I would repeat what they said about her and her race, I didn't want her to get emotional today.

I tune back in "-So yeah Joon, it was going to be weird from the beginning." She gave me a side eye "I thought you would of thought about that when you planned this." She said.

I hopped up "I didn't expect them to ask those kind of questions." I gritted as I hopped up and went into the kitchen.

She followed me "What did they say?" She asked as she leaned on the refrigerator, narrowing her eyes at me.

I tensed, I really didn't want to tell her so I grabbed two mugs and sat them on the counter "I rather not tell you." I muttered.

She gave me a pout "Tell me." She cooed as she flung herself at me and put most of her body weight on me.

I grunted but kept us from falling "I'll tell you if you get off of me." I promised.

She immediately let go and took a step back "I'm listening." She chimed as she fold her arms before glancing behind me "Oh" She gasped "I have to meet up with Janice." Yes! She pouted then smiled "You can walk me to the student union and tell me." She clapped before grabbing my hand and leading me to the door.

I grunted "I don't feel comfortable-"

She stopped then turned to me quickly and gave me a tight smile "I don't care that you feel comfortable or not, Joon. There was an elephant in the room when you 'picked' me, there was an elephant in the room when I agreed, and now there's an elephant in the room because we're together. And guess what, it's out and we need to address it, not ignore it." She paused and took a deep breath "You obviously didn't know what was going to happen and looked over an important part in this plan so we're going to talk about it, you educate me and I educate you, got it?" She demanded as she put all her weight on her left hip.

I knew I was gaping at her only because I didn't think I could find her more attractive but when she spoke to me in the tone of voice.

I sat up straight as I smirked a bit "Ok," she raised an eyebrow as she leaned away from me "we can address the elephant in the room, Yandy." I agreed as I sat closer .

She glanced at her phone then gave me a smile "Ready?" She asked as she put her phone down.

"Ready for what?" I asked, then it clicked "Oh, yeah yeah, sure. Go ahead." I motioned as I sat next to her.

She sat there and tapped her chin as she bit her bottom lip, I figured she was thinking of a starting point so I took the time to look her over. Her skin was glowing like usual and her hair was really curly today, I stared at her face and noticed she wore red lipstick and black eye stuff. She had on a black cardigan and a long sleeved stripe half shirt and her jeans always seemed to fit her frame, maybe a little too tight but that's what she likes. When I roamed her again my mind went to the picture on my phone and I couldn't help but look at the lower part of her stomach, Why would she get a tattoo there?

"If you keep looking at me like that, you're going to give me the wrong impression, Joon." Her voice knocked me out of my staring. I blinked then looked at her face, she was giving me a mischievous look and bit her lips.

I cleared my throat before looking away "Start, Yandy." I demanded.

She let out a cackle before saying "Are you sure?" She asked with a teasing smile "You can undress me with your eyes some more, I really don't mind." She teased.

I ignored the heat that came to my cheeks "It-I-" I stopped sputtering because that's what she wanted from me "Yandy, start." I repeated, looking at her.

She pouted at me "Ok, Ok" She fixed her face into a neutral expression "Fine."

She spent the next 15 minutes telling me all about being black in America and how the culture is for them here. She went over the stereotypes, bitterly I might add and I caught on to some of the references Ryan said and it was very insightful. I liked how her face brighten up when she got on the subject of about the unity of family but I like how her eyes would shine when she talked about the trends when she was growing up.

"Now that was a brief summary if you want to know more I can tell you but it'll take a day or you can take African American studies next term." She suggested with a shrug before getting more comfortable "Now you." She gestured.

I furrowed my eyebrows "Huh? Now me?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes but nodded "Yes, it's a give and take process, Joon." She said in an obvious tone.

I sighed and gave her at least a five minute summary of my culture and childhood that I learned from TV Show's growing up.

"What about the stereotypes?" She asked as she hugged the pillow.