“Sulli, you’re awake. Come, eat your breakfast.” It was Mom’s daily routine, greeting me early in the morning for breakfast. It was a happy thing to remind to hear her greet me as a day starter.

“Mom, you came home late yesterday.” I said, sulking, as she was bringing the cooked bacon at the table.

“I forgot to tell you, I helped a friend look for an apartment for his son yesterday. She wants the apartment to be near our house because her son will be living alone for now. She and her husband was deployed to Incheon for work.”

I kept nodding as Mom was talking. At least my mom had good friends.

“How about you” How was school?” directing her question at me.

“It’s fine. The usual.”

“Did you drink milk tea with your friends again before going home? You guys really fancy that milk tea shop, don’t you? She asked again.

“Yes. The girls say they love it.” It was a lie. I never drank milk tea with anyone since 2^nd year of high school started. Not even once, except yesterday, when someone drank my milk tea out of the blue. Actually it bothers me so much and I still couldn’t figure out why.

“Sulli, you should invite your milk tea friends here once, I would like to meet them.”

Class was as it was before. Mr. Lee kept on talking about the poem about trees while my thoughts wander as I looked at the trees outside the window. Just then, our homeroom teacher came..

“Teacher Lee, can I disturb you for a bit? Can I excuse Sulli from your class for a moment? I need to talk to her about something.”

“I’ll go straight to the point, “ Ms. Kang in a serious tone as she takes a folder at the top of her desk. “You know well that I am also the adviser of this year’s student council. Eun Soo, the council’s finance manager needs to leave school for a month for her health treatment, but it was nearing the school athletics meet. The council needs someone to take her place for the meantime. The council, teachers and I discussed, and we want you to fill the role for her.”

“Me? But I don’t think I can, Ms. Kang”

“I don’t think so, Sulli. We saw how you managed the freshmen’s fund last year during the athletic meet, and we saw your capabilities. How about we make a deal? If you agree to this, I will not for you to join any event on the athletic meet so that you can focus on your job as a temporary finance manager?”

Exempted from all events? Well, I think managing funds is better than doing team games.

“Okay Ms. Kang, I’ll agree, but only as long as Eun Soo sunbae is in the hospital.”

Standing in front of this door and deciding whether I should enter or not makes me feel uneasy. Maybe I should just leave and tell Ms. Kang that I’m changing my mind?

Suddenly, I felt someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, dongsaeng, is there anything you need from the council?” a familiar girl’s voice. I turned around to look at her.

“Ohmo! It’s you! The milktea girl!” the girl exclaimed. “ Can you still remember from yesterday?”

Oh, it’s her. “Ahh.. yes. You’re the sunbae who was chasing another sunbae.” I answered.

“ Yep, that’s me. I’m Yuri. Call me Yuri unnie. I’m one of the representatives of the student council. Are you looking for the guy who drank your tea? Come inside, he might be here.” Yuri-unnie grabbed my hand and dragged me inside the council room without allowing me to reject her offer.

The milk tea guy was here? What should I do if he really is here? I saw a guy inside the room, but it does not seem to be him. He was a little shorter than him.

“Kibum-ah! Where is everybody?” Yuri unnie asked the guy.

They’re running late, just as you are.”

“Stop nagging. The president was not even here yet so I’m not late.” Yuri-unnie answered.

“But, who’s that with you?” the “Kibum” guy asked.

“Oh her. She’s the one I’m talking about. The one whose milk tea was attacked by Minho. But I realized it just now. I forgot to ask your name. What’s you name?” Yuri-unnie asked.

“I’m…”

“MILK TEA GIRL!” another familiar voice shouted from outside the room. It was him. Why is he here?

He entered the room and came towards me with eyes widening in surprise.

“What should I do? I still have not bought a milk tea since I haven’t sneaked out of the school today.” He said in a concerned tone.

“Aigoo! Minho! You’re too shameless,” Kibum exclaimed. “that thick skin of yours is not fit for the position of being the council’s president.”

“Look who’s talking,” he teased.

“P..President?” I questioned.

“Yes! I’m Choi Minho, student council president at your service!” he saluted.

“Stop showing yourself off. Hove you forgotten about the milk tea?” Yuri-unnie mumbled.

“Oh right!’ he shouted. He took a look at his watch for a second. “Milk tea girl, we still have time before the meeting starts. I can still buy you one.” He grabbed my hand “Let’s buy now, so you can go home sooner.”

Suddenly he dragged me as he ran outside the room.
 

“Yah! Choi Minho! Ms. Kang will be furious!” the people behind shouted.

“Then tell here I’ll be back in a minute!” he yelled as he continued dragging me.

His hand was holding mine tightly. Then here it was again. I felt that heart-throbbing moment. My heart is in a race again. This time, it seems to be louder. Am I too tired of running? Is it because running takes up most of my energy?
 

What is happening? Mom, it seems like I really am going to drink tea with someone else.