They arrived at school using her new bike, and the moment they were near the school, almost every kid they passed turned to look at them in surprise. She is the one standing behind him, although it was her bike. She decided to let him ride her new XPX bike because the boy might get some ideas and start hugging her again while she controls the handlebar. They might officially be together now, but there are still things she is not yet ready to do. The thought of that and her hands resting on her broad shoulders gave her an amused smile.

Get a hold of yourself, you idiot, she said to herself. You are acting like a 12-year-old.

They were undoubtedly late for school, but the boy didn't seem to mind. He had this smug, contented smile on his face all day, which irritated her. But she couldn't blame him entirely. It is the expected look for anyone who became my first boyfriend, she reasoned. Any boyfriend of hers should feel like he just won the jackpot. But still, the boy has no subtlety in him.

Being late is not the problem; she's done it herself a few times throughout the years. The problem is that they have to arrive during lunch break, while every kid is walking about the school. He wove his way into the flag ceremony grounds and into the high school building. He did that because the designated bike parking space was in there. Unfortunately, they have to bike through at least a hundred students, and the boy has to use that stupid horn to make way. It only made them much more visible, and she started blushing again.

As soon as the bike stopped, she hopped out of the bike and waited. She would have gone on to class, but it was her bike, and she made sure the boy locked it properly with at least a double loop of the metal chain. Then she demanded the keys to the lock. She did pay for that freaking bike.

The boy laughed and gave the key to her. And then he placed his arms around her, and she had to sigh. She wanted to feel smaller as they walked with his arm over her shoulder, and she had no choice but to lean towards him. Why don’t you just scream to the world that we are in a relationship, Why don’t yah? She thought, getting annoyed again.

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But that is exactly what the boy wanted to tell everyone. A few of the kids were gawking openly at them since this is obviously news to everybody. Of course it is, she thought sardonically. I only made it official last night.

With a kiss.

Even she was surprised by the sudden turn of events. Maybe it is because of all the risky business that they’ve been doing for the last few days, or maybe the relief that their gamble paid off and she is paid what she is due. Enough to save a few dollars stashed away from her family and even get a real job. So, out of the blue, the boy confessed to her, and he took a step closer and leaned down to kiss her. She didn’t protest. She just let it happen.

She smiled wanly. At least the boy was a good kisser. And her mother seems to approve of him after learning that she is the son of the new business venture in town and that his father is an outstanding communist party member.

Even so, after a while, the arm over her shoulder was getting heavy and oppressive. She was about to gently pry him off her when she looked up at the second floor, and the boy she least wanted to see stared down at them in surprise.

His eyes followed the clues he was seeing with lightning speed. Her face, the face of the boy next to her, his arm around her, the way they stood together—she could almost follow the emotions that moved in his face in those few moments. First was the surprise and confusion. Then comes the dawning understanding of what he is seeing. He is the most intelligent person she knew after all. The cloud of argument was in his face as he behemently denied the evidence of what his eyes are telling him. Then there is the gradual acceptance of the reality. The look of hurt lasted a bit longer before it was replaced by a sad smile of understanding.

And acceptance.

Kim Jung Hee nodded to himself, turned away from them, and walked away with hunched shoulders.

For some guilty reason, Eun Mei wanted to follow him for a moment. To explain the situation, and then... then what? She stopped herself, and suddenly she was annoyed with herself.

Explain what? I didn’t owe him anything!

So instead of pushing the new kid, Cho Garam, away, she placed her own arm around his waist, and the chuckle that left his lips told her that he appreciated it.

By the end of the next class subject, everyone in school is aware that Eun Mei has a new boyfriend.