Chapter 1: Fragile Heart

"Hi! I'm your new tutor, Kian Park."

Wait! What? Oh no, I think heavens just stopped punishing me now. He's so handsome, what to do?? Okay, calm down, Mina. One, two...

"You must be surprised?"

Yes! Very surprised. Who would not if an angel like you suddenly appears in front of me like this.

"Ah-- ummm yes? My grandfather didn't inform me about you?"

His hair is not neatly done, no wax, gel or whatsoever. But that messy hair looks so good on him. He is like an action star on a black shirt under the grayish jacket, rugged jeans and Converse sneaks.

"I think I should call your grandfather right now. It seems that you don't talk to strangers."

He gets his phone, unlocks it.

But, my phone rings.

"My grandfather." I tell him.

He just nods.

Grandfather is informing me that a new tutor will come, his name is Kian Park. Then hangs up.

I didn't put my phone down. I'm pretending he's still on the phone because I can't look at him. My heart keeps beating fast.

I take a deep breath silently, put my phone back to my pocket and look at him again, which is really hard to do because it feels like his eyes are going to shoot me dead. He looks serious but it's cute in a way.

Smiling, I tell him, "Sorry. Come in."

I open the gate widely, he enters. I can smell his scent - smells like flowers showered in spring rain. What is this guy? Is he even a person? I find no flaws on him even the way he walks. His back is even perfect, his height - I think he's 185 cm tall. His sexy back.

Hey Mina.. stop it! What the hell are you looking at?

"What are you looking at?" he looks back, asking me.

I unknowingly hit his back, trying to remove something, at least I need to pretend.

"Insect! Yeah! On your back." saying these non-sense things while smiling prettily, I hope it's pretty for him. He seems not affected and continues walking.

----------

"In my room?" I repeat what I just heard from him.

I pretend to look shocked but I really like my grandfather's idea that we're studying in my room.

"Yes, is there any problem? You're not thinking something silly, are you?" he asks sarcastically.

"N-not." I answer shyly.

I smile again, trying hard to at least make his heart flutter but I am sure I fail again. We walk upstairs going to my room. My heart is still beating so fast. I can't understand but is this what they are saying love at first sight? I've never been in a relationship. I have crushes but just only until that. But love? At this age? Is that even possible? First, Mina you have to get yourself together. Calm down, okay? He is just your tutor, nothing else. Remember that.

----------

I am solving the Math problems he gave me. I can't focus because I can smell his perfume. I can see his perfection even he is sitting beside me. I guess he's reading a book on the table while waiting for me to finish. I'm curious about his thoughts at the moment. Is he not bothered that he's alone with a girl in a room? Only the two of us? Is his heart racing like mine?

"Teacher.."

"Yes?"

Oh my! When I lift my head and look at him, he is already looking at me. Those eyes. Those eyes can surely melt even the hardest stones in the world. His eyes are very enchanting. He still looks serious but his eyes are enough to make my heart beat faster, no, a lot faster.

"Umm, I fin- finished an---answering?"

It is obvious that I am stuttering. What's wrong with you?

"Good! Now, let's check your answers."

He comes closer to me. His scent, his voice, his minty fresh breath. Somehow, I can see glimpse of his red lips. I am not looking at the book, I am surely looking at his lips. You're not thinking weird things, right? Of course, I am just amazed how his lips are pretty, even prettier that mine? "Amazing!"

"Amazing? You find it amazing?" He asks with a confused look.

"Yes! Really."

"I think your grandfather is right for finding a tutor for you. Yeah, it's amazing how you didn't get even one correct answer."

"Ah, not like that. I mean.." I come back to my senses.

What are you doing, Mina? Are you crazy? Where is your brain? Why can't you keep what you are thinking in your mind only? Why say it? What now? What to do?

"Don't forget your homework. See you tomorrow." He stands up, gets his backpack, walks and opens the door. I follow him. I don't know what to do or what to say?

"Ah, teacher!"

He looks back, "Yes?" This time, he looks more serious.

"My grandfather said we should have dinner together."

"When did he say that? He didn't even call me or call you during our class?"

I put my phone close to him, enough to read my grandfather's text message.

----------

Ms. Kim is carefully putting all the dishes she prepares. He is sitting across me. He is using his phone. I want to clear things up about the thing I just said earlier but it looks like he doesn't want to get bothered.

"Please enjoy" Ms. Kim says, looks at me and my tutor.

"Thank you." He answers, looks serious as expected. Ms. Kim smiles at him and leaves the dining room.

I know the food she prepares is delicious but why can't I swallow them? This time I don't feel shy anymore because of his intimidating appearance but feeling embarrassed because of that word "amazing" that I stupidly said earlier.

He is eating quietly, this is very awkward. Doesn't he feel the same? How come he can make himself composed while I am here, a lot of thoughts running through my mind? Is he numb? No, Mina. It is just clear that he is not interested in you, that's the answer.

Enough! I have to take courage, I'm going to talk to him now and explain that I didn't say amazing because of my zero scores but because of his beautiful red lips. What???? Are you out of your mind? No- think of other reasons. Don't tell the truth. It's a lot more embarrassing!

"Teach..."

He stands up. "I'll go."

"W-wait!"

He stops and looks back.

"Yes?"

He is so handsome just standing that way, holding his backpack, looking so serious with his eyes that are so captivating.

"Take care, teacher! See you tomorrow!" I smile, this time I don't try to look pretty, just smile. Yes, I think that's enough.

He doesn't say anything. He just leaves.

----------

Park Kian. I can't find him on any social networking sites. I keep searching but so many accounts that have the same name. I put my phone down. I can't sleep. I keep tossing on my bed. I have a lot of questions to him. How old is he? Where does he live? Is he still a student? And one thing I am dying to ask, does he have a girlfriend?

If I am just close to my grandfather, I can ask him right away, but we are not. Even though we live in the same house, we are not close. It's actually suffocating but I have no choice. My parents already left me, even my brother who used to tell me he wouldn't, but still he did.

----------

It's 7 AM. I feel lazy to get up. Studying is not my thing. I hate going to school. I used to like it but because I am a transferee, I feel lonely. I have no friends. I don't know why they don't like me. I always try to be friendly but no one cares. I even wrote letters to my classmates that I wanted to be friends with them but I received no response. It's time to prepare for school but my feet feel like glued on the floor. I don't want to move, honestly.

----------

"Your tutor is like an actor, right? Is he still single?"

I cough, it feels like the food I am eating is stuck in my throat. What is with her? She is already 40 plus but looks like she is interested in my tutor.

"Ms. Kim, I know he is handsome, no one can deny that when they see him but.."

"But?" she smiles cutely, not the usual her. She usually frowns at me.

"Do you like him?"

"Ey, Mina. What are you thinking, huh? I am just happy that someone handsome will keep coming to this house."

Ms. Kim looks around to check that no one is around.

"No one in this family is handsome except your brother but he is in L.A now. So, your tutor can definitely brighten up the gloomy atmosphere here. Don't you agree?"

She smiles again.

"Not sure. He looks serious. I don't think he knows how to smile so how can he brighten up this house?"

Ms. Kim comes closer to me, leaning her head next to mine.

"That's why you have to be good. Study hard and listen to him so he can loosen up, okay? If he gets tired teaching you because you hate studying, he will quit. Don't do that please. Give life to this house."

She smiles at me once again then leaves.

Life? It's funny but it's true. This house looks grand outside but empty inside.

----------

The bell rings. Finally, class is over! I can breathe now. I put all my things in my backpack, clean my desk and head out.

"Mina!" It's Yuri, my classmate.

I walk to her and ask why.

Yuri's friend holds my hand and says, "Let us go to Hannan Street, let's hang out!"

"Hang out?" I am surprised because it is my first time that my classmates approach me.

"Yes, hang out! Don't you like?" Yuri smiles at me.

"But.." before I can talk, Dani grabs my hand and walks with me.

"Let's go!" the two say while smiling at me.

---------

Hannan Street is beautiful in the afternoon but lively at night like this. Full of restaurants, shops, bars, food stalls, lights are everywhere. Music is loud. This is definitely a trendy and hot place for teenagers like me.

"Here!" Yuri gives me a green tea flavored ice cream.

Dani is eating chocolate bar while Yuri is drinking bubble tea. We sit down in the middle of the park. Everyone looks so happy.

"Is it good?" Yuri asks me.

"Y-yeah." I answer.

I don't know but I feel strange being with Yuri and Dani. I don't get it why suddenly they ask me to hang out with them. I can still remember when I was introduced to the class a few months ago as a transferee, I saw them smirk at me. Well, maybe they just realized that I need friends? Maybe they felt guilty already that they ignored me in our first meeting? I don't know, I have no clue.

"Is this your first time here?" Dani asks, looking at me strangely.

"No, I've been here a lot of times but not at night. My brother and I used to eat here on afternoon weekends."

"I see." Yuri says.

Dani comes closer to me and whispers, "Night here is like heaven."

Yuri and Dani both giggle.

"I think I need to go. I still have..."

"Oh, they are here!" Dani stands up and waves at the four tall guys who also look high school students.

Yuri holds my hand and lets me stand, "Mina, here are our friends from other school. You know SA Art High School? They are from that school."

Dani introduces them to me; Jay, Shin, Eric and Mark. They are good looking guys but they don't look attractive to me. Shin is holding a cigarette, I can see even though he is trying to hide it.

"Yuri, Dani, why didn't you tell me that you have a pretty classmate?" He smiles at me.

Hearing his compliment does not move me, I don't know. I just have a bad feeling towards him, no towards them.

I look at phone and say, "I'm sorry guys, I have to go because I still need to..."

Jay wraps his arm around me, "Come on, we just met and you're going home?"

I can smell the strong cigarette smoke from his shirt.

I try to remove his arm but it's too muscular for me to handle. The others laugh. This irritates me. I move my left arm and hit the side of his waist. They laugh again.

"Oh, she's strong!" Mark comments.

You're right. I am strong. You want me to hit you hard, huh? I will show you how strong I am. I move forward, get close to Mark, raise my right foot and kick him with all my might. Mark falls. His friends laugh harder.

"You think I will go easy on you, huh?" I get my bag on the bench but someone's hand stops me, strongly grips my wrist. It's Yuri. She smiles with sharp eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?" She warns me. This time, I can see her true evil smile.

"She's going home. She needs to."

A familiar voice answers. I am sure I've heard that voice somewhere.