Juniper

The rest of the weekend was a total blur for me to be honest. After the studio, Chanel, Min Jun and I hit a few clubs. Jong-dae showed up and hung out with Chanel. I think they had a little crush on each other. They really enjoyed each other’s company. Min Jun and I were basically inseparable the entire weekend. It was like a dream that I didn’t want to wake up from. Of course, I had to go back to work on Monday and Chanel as well. I can honestly say that was one of the best weekends I’ve had since I’ve been in South Korea.

Walking through the office door, I felt as if I had a bit more pep in my step. I just felt happy, and I hadn’t had that in a long time. I didn’t call Se-ra the entire weekend and she seemed curious as to what I did over the weekend. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her or should I keep it a secret. I didn’t want to keep it from her, because it was news that was way too good to keep a secret. But I didn’t want to jinx anything either, so I decided that I was going to keep it to myself. Se-ra and I had lunch delivered and we hung out in the office lunch room.

“So, Juniper, what did you do over the weekend?” She asked curiously.

“Nothing much, just hung out with friends.” I responded.

“You didn’t hang out with me.” She said dryly. “I called you and you didn’t answer, and you didn’t even call me back.”

“Well what happened was that my friend from the States came to Seoul for work. She’s one of my best friends from back home. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back. I was trying to catch up with her this weekend.”

“Oh she came for work? Is she still here? ” She asked. I wasn’t sure if she was getting jealous or not of Chanel.

“Yes, she’s still here. Her job is trying to open a flagship store here so she might be here permanently.”

“Oh, is the friend you went to school with?”

“Yes, we grew up together. Her name is Chanel.”

“So what did you guys do, did you hit some clubs over the weekend?”

“Yeah we did. We hit a few. We had a great time.” I said thinking about the dance class. That was a great time.

“Well next time pick up the phone when I call, or call me back. I would have loved to come out with you and her. You should introduce us. We could have a girls’ night.” She said. If she only knew, it wasn’t just girls.

“Oh,” She remembered. “I wanted to tell you about a position that I heard about. I know that you are always drawing and you said that you wanted to get into game development. I know a game software company that is looking for a new developer with a good concept. I think you should apply.” She said as she slurped her ramen.

“Really? I responded excitedly. My eyes bulged out of my head. Just to think I could actually get the opportunity to present my concept would be amazing.

“Yep, my brother asked me if I knew someone who would be interested and I thought of you. I think you should go for it. Who knows you would be able to get your game launched through them?” She said.

“Oh Se-ra, you don’t know how much this means to me. Thank you. What is the name of the software company?”

“It’s called Arc Interactive. It’s a small company but they have been growing. They just had a big launch of the game, Still Life. Have you heard of it?”

“I’ve heard of it, I’ve been meaning to download it, it’s a mobile game right?” I asked.

“Yup, it is.” Se-ra got quiet and started getting a bit fidgety. I noticed as she was playing with her noodles. She usually does that when she wants to ask me something.

“What is it Se-ra?” I asked, looking at her from across the table.

“What do you mean?” She replied, acting as if I didn’t notice. I gave her a look and she gave in.

“I’m sorry. You know I don’t want to ask but I just have to. How is Min Jun? Have you spoken with him lately? She asked.

“He’s good, I guess.” I said looking down at my plate of spicy ramen. I didn’t want to make eye contact because I didn’t want to lie to her.

“You lie!” she said as she pointed to me. “I have known you long enough when you don’t want to tell the truth. You look away. What is up?” She pays too much attention to me.

“Nothing. Seriously, nothing is up.” I answered.

“Juniper. You know me. You are my friend and I just want you to know that you shouldn’t feel as though you can’t tell me things. I can keep a secret. I know you have your friend from back home, but I’m here too.” She said looking a bit distraught. She was right, I should fill her in on what is going on with me. Especially if I get to the point when I’m not meeting up with her on the weekend as usual.

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“Ok. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“What are you keeping from me? Because I think you are.” She asked.

“I don’t know how to explain. I can’t believe what happened to be honest. It all happened so fast.” I said thinking about the moment at the studio; the moment Min Jun kissed me.

“You mean, you don’t know how to explain this?” Se-ra said as she slid over her phone. I picked up her phone and damn near choked on a noodle. It was a video of Min Jun and I dancing at the studio. It was our first dance and the famous freeform dance. Both had gained a number of likes and views, however the latter had gone viral. It was titled Ex-Trainee Min Jun dances again. I read some of the comments and everyone was trying to figure out who the hell I was.

“Where did you get this?” I was so embarrassed. I closed my eyes and put my head down.

“One of my friends sent this to me. We had a fan club back in the day that followed a few of the trainees and Min Jun was one of them. ANYTHING that comes across the internet with him, I get.” Se-ra moved from the other side of the table to sit next to me.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening.” I said.

“What happened?” She said being concerned.

“I just don’t know if I can deal with this kind of exposure.” I said. She patted my back.

“It’s okay to be honest. The comments are really good Juniper. You guys were HOT! But you should have told me.” She said being supportive and disappointed at the same time.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t even know it would be posted let alone go viral. My friend, Chanel, found out about a dance studio that had evening classes. We decided to do something different since it was our first night out since she landed. She had a long week and she wanted to dance and then go bar hopping and drinking.”

“How did you meet up with Min Jun? The last time I spoke to you, you hadn’t heard from him in a few days.” She asked.

“I know right. We went to this dance studio that just happened to be owned by his friends. I didn’t know but he had been helping his friend out lately, working part-time as a dance instructor.” I stated. Her eyes bulged and she covered her mouth.

“Oh Shit.” She replied.

“Right! I didn’t know anything about this place. It was someplace Chanel found through one of her coworkers.” I just closed my eyes and held my head back.

“And you didn’t see him when you walked in?”

“He wasn’t there. He came in late, but by that time, we had already started the class. Then they had this ‘freeform’ dance and Chanel and I took the floor on a song. We used to be in a dance troupe back in the day and we were just having some fun. We had planned to go out and kick it and have just a girls’ night. It totally changed after that dance.”

“How so?” She asked.

“Apparently he told them about me. So when we finished the dance, that’s when I noticed him across the room.”

“Oh my god. This is like a drama. I’m so happy for you! Tell me more.” She squealed.

“Se-ra, this doesn’t happen in real life, does it?” I asked.

“When it’s destiny, yes it does.” She smiled. “He saw you across the room and he wanted to claim you before anyone. Did he confess his feelings?” She waited intensively on my answer.

“Yes, he did.” She squealed again.

“I saw the video. You guys were so HOT. When he picked you up, it was like a MV! At first I wanted to be upset with you, but whoever posted the video, got the entire dance and you looked so shocked after you guys finished.”

“I was totally shocked. He kissed me and I kissed him back!”

“Yes you did!” She said excitedly. “I saw him talking to you while you were dancing, was he confessing?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“He was singing the song and saying those words directly to me. Have you ever listened to the lyrics of that song?” I asked.

“Oh my god, yes I have! He confessed his feelings in front of everyone.” She held her chest.

“Yeah. What you don’t see on the video, is that he took me back to a room to be alone and talk.”

“What happened? You didn’t do what I think you did, did you?” She asked with her eyes getting bigger.

“I don’t know what you are thinking but if you are in the gutter then get out, pervert.” I pushed her and she smiled.

“Well, you know, in the heat of the passion, people can do things a little fast. But I’m glad you didn’t. So what happened?”

“He confessed his feelings openly. He said he liked me and he wanted to date.” I said smiling. Just thinking about that moment made me smile and my heart skipped a beat. That moment replays in my head almost daily.

“OH MY GOD! Juniper!” She screamed. I shushed her and she covered her mouth. “What did you say?”

“I said, yes.” I said smiling. Both of us squealed.

“Oh my god! I’m so happy for you Juniper! I can’t believe you are dating Lee Min Jun! Oh my god.” She said, giving me a hug. “Oh Shit, I can’t tell anyone.” She realized.

“No, you can’t, so keep it to you, yourself and you.” I said.

“I promise. I am happy for you. He seems really nice.”

“He is, he really is.” I said thinking about him and how he took care of me after the office outing.

“Oh my goodness, what are you going to do when you guys go out and you two get noticed?” She asked. I hadn’t thought about that at all. I’m not used to strangers coming up to me like celebrities do.

“I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it to be honest. I’ve just been enjoying my time with Min Jun.”

“Have you guys, um, you know, yet?” She asked wanting to know intimate details.

“Se-ra!”

“I’m just asking. Can’t a girl be curious?” She said impishly. She grinned and I giggled.

“No, we haven’t, not yet. I’ve been thinking about it myself.”

“I’m not trying to be a pervert, but will you tell?” She asked curiously.

“I will tell you when it happens, but not in detail.” She squealed again and started to fan herself as if she was overheated. I just laughed and blushed. I was honest. I had been thinking about it. We haven’t been intimate yet, but I am curious, especially since the man knows how to move his hips. We already have the passion on the floor, now we just need to get it to the bed.