The Encounter

For most young adults getting into the university is their one means of escaping their parents and being themselves. That newly found freedom can be quite intoxicating and if one is not careful it could lead one astray.

Yoon Ji Won has been nothing but careful and now finally he is in his last days at the University and all seems to be going well if only this final year project would go on smoothly and he will be out of the pressure of the university.

He slowly looked round his apartment he's been living in for five years now and felt nostalgic. He had moved into the apartment because it was not like the other student lodges and the apartment was more of a normal residential area for working individuals.

He sat down at his desk and turned on his computer and opened his project work, it was empty! He knew he had to get things done quickly if he intends to graduate this year. He sighed loudly and closed the laptop, resting his head on it.

...................

It's the start of the new semester and students are seen moving their things into the hostels, some are already in the hostels unpacking their boxes while some are on the phone trying to discharge their clinging parents so they can run off to hangout with friends and do other things.

Lee Jun-oh approaches a room and looks at the number on the door then enters inside, he looks to his left and see a red haired guy arranging clothes in the wardrobe.

' Hello' Jun-oh greeted, I'm Lee Jun-oh a first year student.

The red-haired guy turned to face him and turned back to continue what he was doing without responding to Jun-oh.

' I'm Kim Min-ho' someone said from a corner, Jun-oh turned to see another guy sitting on a bed with his computer, and he is Wang Tae-ri' Min-ho said pointing to the red haired guy, stay out of his way if you want to survive in this room. I'm the only one who understands him and that's why we are best friends Min-ho added giving Tae-ri a back hug. Tae-ri shook him off and Min-ho smiled and walked towards Jun-ho to help him carry his box.

You can take the down bed, Tae-ri is up and the single bed is mine, it's usually assigned on a first come first serve basis.

Ok thank you, Jun-ho said shyly

Loosen up Min-ho said and patted Jun-oh on the back, what department are you in?

" Engineering, computer engineering" Jun-oh answered.

' Ah Tae-ri, your junior colleague is here, are you not happy?

Tae-ri looks back at them and moves to arrange his books.

' I'm in fine arts, Min-ho continued , let me leave you to arrange your things, you can take the last empty locker.

" Thank you', Jun-oh said and moved to start unpacking.

Tae-ri takes his toiletries and moves into the bathroom giving Jun-ho a look that says his not wanted.

...............

It is the first academic day, students are running round to identify their lecture halls on time so as not to miss the first class of the semester.

Min-ho, Tae-ri and Jun-oh are backing up for classes, Jun-oh finishes first and just as he gets to the door Min-ho calls him;

"Jun-ho! Let's meet later for lunch ok?

"Ok! Jun-ho says and hurried out.

"Can't you be nicer? Min-ho said turning to face Tae-ri, he is your junior colleague.

Tae-ri ignores him and starts walking out.

"You should at least tell him how to find the lecture halls easily! Min-ho shouted and you better pick up when I call you for lunch, ah so frustrating .

Min-ho talks under his breath as he finish packing and leaves the room, locking the door and greeting others in the hallway.

...................

Just as Ji won entered his classroom his best friend Si-woon call out to him and directed him to the sit, he sat down smiling as they exchanged pleasantries. Just then the lecturer enters the class and the lecture commenced.

....................

Jun-oh struggled to locate his lecture hall with the map and saw a girl looking at him in a funny way.

"Are you lost she asked?

'No he replied, I'm new and I'm trying to find the lecture hall 5E

'Oh, I'm actually headed there if you don't mind walking with me.

'I really don't mind, that's better than missing my class. They both laughed and walked together towards the class.

'My name is Sara she said to Jun-oh, Kim Sara. "What is your name?

Oh Jun-ho, he replied shyly, are you a computer engineering student? he added.

'No, she said, computer science but we have so many joint courses. 'You look like a freshman she added.

"That's right he said, you?

"Second year, in repeating the course she smiled and walked in and they both picked their seat and sat down.

"Are you smart? She asked him.

'Why are you asking?

'Because I'm looking for who will help me out this semester, I don't want to repeat this course.

'Oh, Jun-oh smiled, I'll help you in any way I can

"Really! Sara exclaimed, thank you so much

'No problem

"We'll be really great friends Sara said excitedly and they both laughed.

.................

Ji-won and Si-woon both carried their food tray and sat down at a table in the refectory where there friends and course mates were already sat. Ji-won looked round and the canteen was filled with new faces, everyone talking and eating, his eyes finally locked with a curly haired kid and they stayed that way for a few seconds before the curly haired kid who happened to be Jun-oh looked away but ji-won kept staring.

"Ji-won! A friend called him bringing his attention back to his table, will you be attending the orientation get together this evening?

"Is it compulsory? Ji-won asked'.

'Of course not, Si-woon said but the thought of you meeting fine freshman girls should motivate you to come and they all laughed.

"Honestly, I've seen most of them and they are really pretty, another course mate added.

Ji-won looked up at Jun-oh who was chatting with Sara while eating, "he's handsome, he said under his breath.

'what did you say? Si-woon asked.

"Nothing, ji-won replied

..............

' I thought you were shy, Min-ho said to Jun-oh, look at you getting a girlfriend on the first day of class.

"She's not my girlfriend.

'What ever you say, Tae-ri you should learn from him'.

"I'm too beautiful to be anyone's girlfriend Sara said.

'So what are you doing here? Min-ho asked her, it was supposed to be just us roommates bonding over a meal.

"The class finished late and we just came together, Jun-oh answered him.

'Wooh! Look at you defending her.

"Stop it! Tae-ri said under his breath, you're embarrassing him.

Min-ho looked dumbfounded, "Me? He said pointing to himself, I was just trying to lighten the mood.

Tae-ri stood up to leave then paused and turned to Jun-oh, "We have an orientation hangout this evening, I'll text you the location and then he walked away.

"But you don't have my number Jun-oh called after him.

' I created a group chat for our room, Min-ho said feeling proud, haven't you seen it? He asked.

" I haven't seen it yet but I'll check.

" Well you can give me your number Sara said, giving her phone to Jun-oh.

He took the phone and dialed his number then gave the phone back to her. She called the number and it rang then she told him to save hers as she excitedly took her tray away and told them goodbye. Jun-oh waved back at her.

' I don't like her, Min-ho said and Jun-oh just laughed.

" You'll like her the more you get to know her.

They both took their tray and went to return it.

' Should your older brother show you round the university? Min-ho asked, like a mini tour he added.

" I would love that Jun-oh said excitedly

' Well, first things first, what do you do after a meal? Min-ho asked. Jun-oh looked at him lost. Well you get coffee, come let me show you were you can get the cheapest coffee in the quickest time.

..............

They stood in front of a vending machine, Jun-oh looked at Min-ho confused. Min-ho inserted some coins and got two canned coffee.

" Tada! He said, handing one canned coffee to Jun-oh, you're welcome he said. Jun-oh took it and smiled. They both opened it and took a sip.

"So? Min-ho asked.

' it's nice Jun-oh said.

Min-ho had a satisfied look on his face. "Come let me take you to the next place.

................

Min-ho took Jun-oh round the university showing him different places of interest and enjoying the look of aww on Jun-oh's face. They saw different couples at the garden having fun.

"Take this piece of advice from your older brother Min-ho said

' What's that? Jun-oh asked.

" Never get into any romantic relationship during your first year, the heartbreak can make you drop out. They both laughed. Come now so can rest before your orientation hangout this night, you'll need your energy.

They both walked back to their hostel, talking and laughing.