Down and Up

As we leave the room, I stand in the hallway. I remember yesterday, Kyung-soo checking on me all the time, bringing me down. Even if that wasn't his intention, even if it was to make me improve, I just felt bad.

I take a deep breath and follow them. Just a little more and it will be over. Let's hold on just a little longer.

Like yesterday, we (they) discussed and shared ideas. It didn't take long to decide what to do. After showing me my part, Kyung-soo walks over to Il-sung and whispers something. Il-sung looks at me and turns around quickly when our eyes meet.

What is this...? I feel suspicious, it's as if they are talking about me....

No way, why would they do that? I'm just imagining things, yeah, let's focus here.

The hours pass by as Na-ra approaches me. She is wearing that cold expression, totally different from the smile I saw yesterday.

"Go to lunch." Even her voice is cold.

One would think it's an order, but since I know she's actually very nice, it sounds more like she's worried about me.

Everyone here seems to be comfortable while I'm the only one struggling... maybe I'll come back stronger after I eat something and distract myself a bit.

"Yes, sir." I joke.

She returns with a small smile and watches me go. On my way to the cafeteria, suddenly someone hugs (grabs) me from behind. Very familiar arms.

"Gotcha." Seo-yoon rests her head on my shoulder, smiling mischievously. "You can't run away now."

I'm so used to her that this doesn't even surprise me anymore. The problem is the people around us. Anything is a reason for a good gossip. It feels like we are in high school. Probably they are just bored.

"Stop, people are watching." I try to free myself from her, but she keeps holding my arm.

"It's sad how we need to hide our relationship..." She pouts.

Seo-yoon always jokes like this. It was one of the excuses she used to get rid of a guy who wouldn't leave her alone. She told him that she loved me and that we were in a relationship, but it was a secret. He believed her since she was always clingy with me. Only then he gave up.

"I wonder if he came..." She finally let me go. "Find a table for us while I look for him!"

"Wait...!" I try to grab her arm, but she is too fast.

Seo-yoon never listens to me and never loses! To think how much I have suffered because of her...it's a long list and it doesn't seem like it will end soon.

Giving up, I pick my food and look for empty seats. We usually sit at the corner, near the windows, so that if we don't arrive together, we'll know where each other is.

While I wait, I pick up my phone and watch some videos to distract myself. Even though I'm looking at my phone, I see two blondes coming in my direction. Seo-yoon is shining like the sun, her black clothes making her hair stand out even more. I told her many times to become a model but she said, "I'll do whatever I want".

Won-shik is no different. He has an aura that attracts people. Depending on how he smiles, he can be cute or just handsome, it's the same for his eyes, and then the voice… Walking side by side, they look like a celebrity couple, perfect for each other. And I... I am a side character, the friend of the main character.

"Hyun-joo~" Seo-yoon calls me playfully. "Sorry for taking so long."

She sits down next to me and Won-shik in front of me. It feels so weird to be with them…

"It's okay." I smile, trying to forget these useless thoughts.

"I'm sure you'll love the food here, right?" She turns to me.

Sensing that I was feeling down, Seo-yoon quickly starts dancing on her seat.

"Ah~ sorry for not answering, I was with my friend, shy shy shy~" She pouts, acting cute.

Won-shik looks at her confused. Of course, it's not something you see in a workplace like this. I cover my face since I know what is coming.

"Cheer up baby, cheer up baby, cheer up some more~".

Ahhh this is embarrassing! I'm glad she didn't get up though.

"What are you doing here?" I lightly slap her arm trying to contain my laughter.

"Just get it together and then cheer up baby~"

"Oh God..."

I wasn't surprised at her, but…

"Cheer up baby, cheer up baby, cheer up some more." Won-shik sings with her.

Won-shik followed her, even trying to act cute. I hid my cheeks as I looked at him and laughed.

"Ah~ sorry for not answering, I was with my friend, shy shy shy." He is making the hand dance too!

"Stop it, you two!" I say, laughing. "People are looking!"

"To see you smile, I could even do the pole dance right here."

"Don't!"

I should be angry with her for putting me through this embarrassment, but all I can do is laugh at both. Those around must be laughing too, but whatever. It was fun to see them singing and dancing. And Won-shik... I really didn't expect him to sing and dance as well. After it he got really shy, though. So cute.

"Is she always like this?" He asks me.

"She's worse."

Seo-yoon suddenly remembers the food in front of her, which I forgot too...

"We used to go to karaoke at least once a month." She tells him. "I really miss that."

"Every time, she would sing this song, in high school or college, she would beg me to go with her."

It takes me back to the time when we didn't have to worry about work. Sure, we had school, but Seo-yoon was, and is very smart, she would come to my house to study together and teach me in an easy way, then we would watch TV. We would ride our bikes through the neighborhood and my father would get mad at me for coming back late.

"That must be fun." He laughs.

Dropping her chopsticks, Seo-yoon claps her hands and widens her eyes.

"We should go together!!! Call a friend and let's go!!!"

Wait... Is this part of her plan to hook me up with Won-shik, or does she just want to go...? What should I do? What should I say...?

Pretending to be focused on eating, I leave the conversation.

"Wow..." Seo-yoon stops again. "I just noticed that I ruined my image to Won-shik..."

"What do you mean?" Won-shik asks.

"You know, when you look at me, don't you see a badass woman?"

Won-shik looks at her with his mouth slightly open. He probably wasn't expecting such question. I can be wrong, but I don't think Won-shik is the type who cares about appearance. However, Seo-yoon does.

I approach him slowly so that she doesn't notice. Hiding my mouth from her, I whisper to him.

"Say yes."

He nods at me a little lost but follows me. Won-shik flashes a big smile and even a thumbs up.

"You are super badass! I look at you and think, 'Wow...'" I try to contain my laugh as he speaks. "Your eyes are so sharp that could kill me!"

Seo-yoon turns her head to the side, a little shy. She's so used to hearing compliments, but sometimes she gets shy like that. It doesn't take long for her to come back, faking a cough.

"Anyway, how about Hyun-joo? What do you think she looks like?"

I almost choked on my food when I heard her. Why ask about me??

I was about to laugh and try to change the subject, but then I felt his piercing eyes on me. Won-shik isn't with that pretty face, he is focused on me, so much that I couldn't move a single finger, as if I were hypnotized.

What is this feeling...? I am anxious, nervous and... curious...

"Hyun-joo looks like..."