Page 86 of XOXO

But if Jina heard any of our conversation, she doesn’t show it, ordering a plate of tteok-bokki for her table.

“Does Jaewoo have this same photograph?” Angela asks.“Don’t sticker photos get printed in pairs?”

“The printer of the machine broke when printing our photos so I’m the only one with a physical copy. Which reminds me, I should send it to him again.”

I hover the camera over the sticker photo. As I press capture, a text message appears.

Are you free? I’m parked behind the library.

“It’s Jaewoo,” I say, grabbing the photo from the table and stuffing it into my pocket. “I wasn’t expecting to see him this week. He’s been so busy...”

“Did you forget?” Sori asks. “I booked one of the practice rooms for our rehearsal.”

Dammit. I forgot. “Can we reschedule?”

“Are you serious? You know how difficult it is to secure practice rooms.”

“Don’t be mad, Sori-yah,” Angela attempts to intercede. “Jenny hardly ever gets to spend time with Jaewoo.”

“God, this is reminding so much like how it was with Nathaniel. You’re not his beck and call girl, you know? You don’t have to drop everything just because he comes around.”

“He’s the one with the schedule,” I say defensively.

“Youhave a schedule too. We need to practice or we won’t be ready for the showcase. I thought you said you needed something unique to stand out in your portfolio. Are you really going to blow your chances of a future, a long-term one, for a guy who can never, and I meannever, put you first?”

Sori’s voice breaks on the last sentence, her eyes neverleaving mine. I know part of her frustration comes from her concern for me, but also a part of it is stems from her history with Nathaniel.

“It’s okay,” Angela says softly. “When’s the next time you’ll get this chance? You should go, yeah? Every moment is precious.” I give Sori an apologetic look and then get up from the table.

Guilt gnaws at me for abandoning Sori as I run through the school gates and across the lawn toward the library. She’s not wrong. Ishouldbe practicing for the showcase, since a great performance will help my portfolio stand out from all the others applying to music schools next year. That’s what I should be thinking about, next year, my future, notthis moment,running toward a boy who I know can never truly be mine. But I can’t help myself, we hardly get to see each other as it is, and after the showcase, I’ll only have a month left in Seoul. I need to take advantage of every moment we can grab together.

Jaewoo’s car is parked where he said it was, right at the curb of the street behind the library. The passenger door is unlocked and I jump inside. He’s already facing me, a warm smile on his face. I fling myself across the console and kiss him soundly on the lips.

He laughs when I release him. “It’s good to see you too.”

“How long do you have?”

He grimaces. “Not long. We’re filming an episode ofCatch Me If You Canthis weekend. We already filmed the Seoul portion, but we’re leaving soon to film the rest. If I head out in ahalf hour, I should make it in time.”

A delivery van drives close by us down the street, honking at a few jaywalking students.

“Do you think we’re too exposed here?” I ask.

“Yeah.” He shifts the gear into drive. We take a few side roads to a small parking garage where Jaewoo leaves his car, grabbing a ball cap out of the backseat.

The street outside the parking garage is empty, the few open businesses a chicken shop, a beauty store, and three karaoke places with bright neon signs.

Jaewoo and I look at each other, clearly having the same idea.

We pick one at random and go down a flight of stairs into the basement of the building. It’s about half the size as Uncle Jay’s place, with six small rooms on either side of a poorly lit hall, overseen by a crone-like woman sitting on a low stool watching a K-drama.

She gives us a narrow-eyed once-over as Jaewoo hands over cash, paying for an hour in the room even though we have less than thirty minutes.

Once in our room Jaewoo takes off his baseball cap and picks up the controller to queue in a few songs. I glance at the door, where there’s a small window, glazed over from age and debris. Then the first of the songs begins, and I don’t know who moves first but we’re suddenly in each other’s arms, kissing like we can’t get enough of each other. The backs of my knees hit the edge of the seat and we break apart only for me to scoot ontothe faux leather, with Jaewoo climbing over me.

Slowly he lowers his body, watching me closely, to make sure this is okay.

I nod, almost imperceptibly, bending my arm to wrap my hand around his forearm. His muscles are taut as he holds the majority of his weight off me. I close my eyes just as his lips reach mine, and they’re soft, and gentle, and achingly sweet. Everything that was rigid and nervous inside me melts with the touch of his lips.

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