Page 66 of XOXO

“We haven’t been assigned activities. I’ll request that one. I’m sure I’ll get it. The other chaperones are teachers, and not a lot of them want to go climbing in the mountains.”

“Okay,” I say. When he continues to stare at me, waiting for more, I add, “I’ll sign up for that one.”

“Awesome. See you in an hour!” He waves, then heads off in the direction of the park services building.

“Who’s the guy? He’s cute.” I nearly jump out of my sneakers. Sori’s sidled up to me, her cat eyes zeroing on Ian’s departure.

“An older man, Jenny?” Gi Taek’s also appeared, giving his best impression of a smarmy sneer, wiggling his eyebrows.

“His name’s Ian. I met him at a café my first day in Seoul.”

“You’re like a cute boy magnet,” Gi Taek says, then pauses. “The cutest boy, of course, being me.”

Angela giggles, having walked over with Sori.

“Yo, Jenny Go!” Nathaniel practically tackles me. I turn to see if Jaewoo walked over with him, but he’s still standing with the girls from earlier, except now there aretwo more girlsand a boy.

“Did you choose your activity for the day?” Nathaniel asks. “I was thinking of doing some white-water rafting. There’s nothing like the thrill of drowning to complete a school bonding experience.”

I sigh. “I was thinking of hiking.”

“I’ll join you,” Sori says.

Nathaniel’s eyes dart toward her, a small frown on his face, but then quickly lock onto Gi Taek and Angela. “Well, what about you two? Don’t let me down!”

“It’s not exactly my style,” Gi Taek says, “but I guess I can give it a try.”

“That’s the spirit!”

“Ididpack a swimsuit,” Angela says, then glances at Sori and me, her expression guilty.

“Don’t mind us,” Sori says, her voice soothing. “We’ll see each other at the barbecue.”

Nathaniel narrows his eyes at Angela, clearly jealous that Sori is being so nice to Angela when she’s always so snarky to... well, everyone else. If Angela doesn’t watch out, she might find herself treading water during this rafting trip.

“What about Jaewoo?” Sori asks casually.

“Dunno,” Nathaniel says. “He’ll probably sign up for whatever his fans want. He’s a sucker.”

“Where are your fans?” Gi Taek drawls.

Nathaniel doesn’t miss a beat. “According to online polls, I’m more popular with foreigners. Maybe it’s my sex appeal and spirit of spontaneity.”

Sori rolls her eyes.

“You’re probably just too annoying for Koreans,” Gi Taek says laughing.

An hour later, Sori and I are standing beside the entrance to the hiking path. A wooden sign staked into the ground reads: “Trail to Sansin.” I stare enviously at Sori’s hiking boots and a windbreaker, which she pulled from her seemingly bottomless bag of outfits, as I hug my LACHSA zip-up hoodie a little tighter. It may be school-disloyal, but at least it’s warm.

“Attention, everyone!” Ian walks over, having changed into a loose jacket over shorts and carrying a large backpack. “Let me introduce myself. My name’s Ian. I’m the group leader for this activity. We’ll spend about forty-five minutes walking to the shrine, thirty minutes there, and about thirty minutes walking back downhill. If at any time, anyone feels light-headed or dizzy, please let me know. I have extra water bottles, energy bars, and bananas. I also have this.” He holds up a walkie-talkie. “We can get a cart up here to take you to medical. Any questions? No? Then, lets—”

“Wait!” Two girls rush up the path from the campsite, on either side of...

Jaewoo! My heart swells. He’s changed from the loosebutton-up to the SAA T-shirt, which he wears beneath his own windbreaker. The girls I recognize as part of the group that was standing with him earlier.

“Okay,nowI think that everyone’s,” Ian says. “Let’s move out!”

I wonder if Nathaniel told him what activity I’d signed up for, and that’s why he decided to join this one.

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