Page 121 of Bookworm

I exhaled in relief—this was normal, comfortable. I knew how to talk to Bo like this. "Thought you weren't a fan of Flower Boy?"

"I'm not," he said. "But Bo sounded good when you said it."

I shook my head. "I actually came up with a new nickname."

"Do I want to hear this?"

"Probably not," I said. "But it's Marshmallow Bo."

Bo scowled then shook his head.

"What? It's awesome and accurate. Plus, it rhymes."

"I think your nicknames for me suck."

"You love them," I teased.

"I'm turning on the radio now, so you'll stop talking."

The drive was actually a fun one. We listened to music all the way back, taking turnson who chose the song. Mine were better, obviously, but Bo had good taste, too. Aswe pulled into his driveway, we got out of the car, and Bo turned to face me, looking over the hood.

"Wait here," he said. "I got something for you."

Before I could ask, Bo was already heading inside his house. He returned a moment later with two circular Tupperware containers in his hands.

"Halmeoni's kimchi and pickled cabbage."

"Sweet," I said as he handed them to me, "I'll be sure to thank her later—and hey, thanks for asking her to make it."

Bo nodded. "Later, girlfriend."

"Bye, Marshmallow Bo."

After waiting until I was inside and shut the door, he walked back across our driveways, into his house, and my heart finally calmed.

The sparks in my chest hung around.

They were therewhen I had dinner with my dad and sister.They were there when I was practicing my violin in my room and when I went to sleep that night—only to dream about Bo.

And the sparks were there the next morning as I woke up, the thought that I'd see Bo today the first thing to cross my mind, bringing an unintentional smile to my lips.

Ugh, this was all because he wasn't just an idea anymore.

He was real.

The dark cloud and the sun, hard yet also soft.

And honestly?Though chocolate would always be my all-time favorite…

I was starting to think I might have a thing for marshmallows.

CHAPTER 19

Five days passed.

During that time, I did (and didn't do) a lot.

I ate all the cabbage Bo gave me and refused to share more than a few biteswith my family.Yes, it sounded kinda selfish.But Dad and Scarlettliked the kimchi better anyway. Ilet them duke it out over that dish and hoarded my pickled veggies (which included cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, and tiny red peppers for flavor) like a dragon hoards gold.Because that's what it was. Delicious, tasty, yummy, pickled gold.

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