XOXO

by Axie Oh

two tacos with bulgogi marinated in his own special sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and kimchi.

That literally sounds so good!

‘People who live for tomorrow should fear the people who live for today.’

maybe you should stop caring so much about your future, about getting into music school, about what’ll come after, and . . . live a little.

There’s a short pause, then he says softly, “If I asked you to save me, would you?” My heart breaks a little. “I can try.”

Awww

He takes one look at my expression and sighs. “Kid’s not leaving, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” He starts to come out from behind the bar, but I hold up a hand. “Wait.” His words from earlier echo back to me. Live a little. “I’ve got this.”

I challenge you to a karaoke battle.”

“Where are you trying to go?” “I’m not sure.” I frown. “What do you mean?” “I’m in the middle of running away.”

The boy and I make eye contact. He reaches for my hand. I don’t have to think twice. I grab it, and together we jump through the closing doors.

“My name’s Jenny, by the way.” “Mine is . . .” He hesitates. “Jaewoo.”

Sure it is...

“What are the odds he recognizes us?” I say to Jaewoo, who’s noticed the direction of my gaze. At that moment the college guy points at us, like we’re in some sort of action movie and Jaewoo and I are criminals. “I’d say very likely.”

Still, it was exciting. My heart is still racing from the adrenaline. Or maybe because, shoved into

I move closer, my fingers gripping his shoulder. He shifts to accommodate me, his good hand sliding against my back. His face is so close to mine, his breath on my lips. There’s a loud bang as someone knocks on the outside of the photo booth.

Ugh

“Can’t you turn your phone off again?” “I think it’s time I go back.” “Are you really okay?” I ask. He smiles, a sweet smile. “I am now.”

Awwwwwww

“Jaewoo, I’m worried.” My voice catches and he looks at me. “It’s not what you’re thinking. I’ll text you as soon as I can.” Then he adds, with a smile I don’t think I’ll ever forget, “Thanks, Jenny. I had a great time with you tonight.”

Almost crying here...

When someone announces they want to talk to me, I always get nervous. Like, just say it. I don’t like the anticipation of thinking it could be something bad.

Right!

The truth is, I don’t like playing games. Life is too short. It’s better to speak your mind, otherwise you’ll only feel regret later.

“My name,” the café boy says to me. “Ian.” “I’m Jenny.” “Wait one sec.” When he returns, he hands me a to-go cup. “My number’s written on the side. I took a semester off from school to pay some bills, so I’ll be in Seoul. If you have any questions about MSM or just wanna hang out, give me a call.” “I—I will, thank you.” “See you around, Jenny.”

Wooow so popular

“Class president, lead singer of XOXO, handsome, and kind. What can Jaewoo not do?” Angela says dreamily. Answer texts, I think to myself, though I don’t say it aloud.

Funny

“Did you know he writes all the lyrics for XOXO’s songs?” Gi Taek says. That surprises me. Though I don’t know why it should. “Sometimes another writer or another member works with him,” Gi Taek continues, “but he’s credited on all their songs.”

Bangchan???

“As for being friends . . .” I step closer, and he leans in, almost instinctively. “I’ll think about it.”

Playing hard to get i see

I aspire to be as sweet as Angela when I grow up.

“Well, I had English and Korean back-to-back,” Gi Taek says. “My brain is fried.”

I bet it is

“Min Sori and I dated for six months before her mother found out and forced us to break up.” “Oh my God,” I say. He shrugs. “Messed up, right?” Nathaniel is the writer of the postcard.

That's So sad

the meaner you are, the uglier you get?

“I don’t need your pity.” Sori shoulders past me and exits the bathroom with a slam of the door.

Ugh this girl

I’m already exhausted and the day’s not even half over.

Relatable

“Is there anyone in the hall?” he asks. I glance around. “No.” “Good.” He grabs my hand and pulls me in.

Ahhhhhh

“I don’t want you to be friends with him,” he says. “Not in the way you’re friends with me.” It takes me a moment to realize . . . He’s jealous. “I meant everything I said.” He looks down, unable to meet my eyes. “But my motives aren’t entirely selfless.”

Youngmin stands outside the door, his eyes trailing from me to Jaewoo. “Why are you in the broom closet with Jenny-nuna?”

His timing cant be anymore horrible, but at least it wasnt anyone else

Youngmin holds up his thumb and pointer finger, pressing the pads together and crossing them slightly until they form the shape of a tiny heart. “If you see me making this sign to the camera, know that it’s for you!”

Awwww

As the camera pans closer to the performers, Youngmin flashes the heart sign to the camera.

When we reach the door to the clinic, Jaewoo holds it open for me. I head over to the desk to check myself in, writing down Jenny Go + 1 in the visitor logbook. When I turn around, Jaewoo’s gone. I’m still looking around the waiting area when he emerges from a small gift shop bearing a bouquet of pink carnations.

What a man <3

She leans in and says, not quietly, “Is he your boyfriend?” “Halmeoni!” I gasp. “I’ve only been in Korea for a week.” She giggles. “When I was your age, boys were constantly bringing me presents and telling me they liked me.” Jaewoo laughs. “It’s still happening, Halmeoni.” He leans over to hand her the flowers.

Oh my goodness

He’s gone.

What!?!

Reaching his destination, Nathaniel plops his tray onto the table next to . . . Jaewoo. Sori’s seated across from him. “Sit down, Jenny,” Nathaniel says, either oblivious of the awkwardness or pointedly ignoring it, maybe even enjoying it. Most likely the latter. “I think it’s about time we all sit down for a chat.”

“I know you’re having a moment,” I tell him, “but you totally interrupted my moment with Sori.”

“It just frustrates me to no end that Jaewoo has something that he wants and he won’t do anything about it.”

“I want to be an idol. For that, I need to know how to dance, sing, and have a personality.” “You definitely have two out of three.” She narrows her eyes, and I say, “Kidding, kidding.”

More like, you need to be strong for yourself first, be healthy and happy for yourself first, before you can be strong and give happiness to others.

Amen

“Plus, come on, don’t you think after falling in love, you’ll just have that many more love songs to write?” She laughs. “We’re jumping ahead of ourselves. I don’t have any fans, Jenny!” “That’s not true. You have me.” “I know we just recently went from roommates to friends,” she says shyly, “but can I hug you? “Um, yes!”

“If cellists have fan clubs, Jenny, I want to join yours.”

A hand grabs my shoulder, twisting me around. I look up into Jaewoo’s face.

Yesssss

“I’m not running anymore.” With the hand that isn’t holding my seat, he lifts my face to his and kisses me.

Ahhhhh

I’m pelted with a Pikachu.

“Wait,” I say, pretending to push him aside when he blocks my view. “I haven’t seen everything I wanted to yet.” He scowls. “Everything you need to see is right in front of you.”

Ahhhhhh

“At least it makes sense now, why you never texted me.” I jerk my head around. Ian’s leaning against the wall. “I mean, I get it. Why bother with a nobody when you could be with a K-pop star?”

He was spying on them!!!!

He smiles, looking into my eyes. “I wanted to ask you if you’d be my girlfriend.”

After the documentary, Jaewoo’s mom goes into her room and returns with one of those long, and in my opinion very unflattering but comfortable dresses that I’ve seen older Korean women wear, complete with a clashing painted flower design. I put it on and Joori giggles. Jaewoo deadpans, “Hot.”

“A few months in Korea,” Sun says. “What a fun time for you, an adventure. It’ll be a good memory when you return home.”

“I think I made a mistake, Uncle Jay, and I don’t know how to fix it.”