He seen her many times.
Too many times that some of his friend wondered where he has been after school.
There he was, at the animal shelter sweeping up dog poop. If any of his friends knew about his voluntary work, they would have laughed. Or they would have NEVER believed him. His reputation at school was not one of those who cares for animals.
Heck, he was known to be one of those who just didn't care at all.
He can hear whispers across the hallways from girls saying; "THAT'S Changjo. That's the one Andrew talked about. He doesn't care about anything but he's so smart. Honor classes. Without studying. Like OMG,"
Changjo was still, tirelessly he might add, cleaning up the dog poop when the girl he have been coming for (not to mention, sweeping poop off the floor for) came towards him.
"It's nice seeing you here again, Changjo"
"Yeah. I came yesterday but you weren't here, Noona," Changjo replied, slightly bitter.
"Well...I can't be here everyday. I do have a life beside these mutts, you know. I'm still young." 'Noona' replied lightly. Changjo just sort of grunted as an acknowledgement and kept sweeping the dog poop off the floor. He wasn't quite sure why he was angry. What 'Noona' said was true. She was young and she probably had a boyfriend to have a life with.
Jiyu was still waiting for a reply from Changjo but seem to be getting none. She didn't know what made her approach him today. Changjo was quite the man when she saw him for the first time at the animal shelter. She found him quite attractive and started crushing on him soon after.
That was UNTIL she found out that he was just 17. She, on the other hand, was 24. So, at one point, she decided to just come in every Thursday to avoid him. When she started doing that, Chanjo started coming everyday of the week and when he realize that she comes in every Thursday, he started doing the same.
That was till last week, when she just asked JaeIn (the person handling volunteer's schedule and her best friend) to mixed her voluntary days up. Then, Changjo came in everyday ever since. She still remembered the text she got from JaeIn every single day when she was conveniently at home, slacking off.
JaeIn: He's here. Your crush is here.
monday, 25June2012, 1230
Jiyu: HE'S NOT MY CRUSH.
monday, 25June2012, 1231
JaeIn: STOP LYING TO YOURSELF. :p
monday, 25June2012, 1233
JaeIn: Oh, god. He just asked for you...I think he likes you too... WOOOOHOOO. SCORE!
monday, 25June2012, 1245
Jiyu: He's 7 years younger than me.
monday, 25June2012, 1248
JaeIn: So? He's 3 years younger than me.
monday, 25June2012, 1250
Jiyu: Don't tell him my schedule. I need to wash this off.
monday, 25June2012, 1251
JaeIn: But he's giving puppy dog eyes! and he looked so sad now.... :(
monday, 25June2012, 1255
JaeIn: Holy.... He's here. AGAIN.
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1503
Jiyu: WHUUUUTTTTT? Again?
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1504
JaeIn: Yeah. He looked disappointed again. He was looking for you.
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1510
Jiyu: ...
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1514
JaeIn: Why are you doing this?
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1525
Jiyu: You know why. I can't like him.
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1528
JaeIn: But you're suffering! and he is too! and he's too young to experience heart ache, don't you think?
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1530
Jiyu: Are you crazy? I don't like him. Not anymore.
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1535
JaeIn: When will you stop LYING to me? :(
Tuesday, 26June2012, 1545
JaeIn: WHERE ARE YOU?
Sunday, 1July2012, 1030
Jiyu: I am walking there. I'll be there soon.
Sunday, 1July2012, 1033
JaeIn: QUICK!
Sunday, 1July2012, 1034
Jiyu: aww, you seem to miss me. <3
Sunday, 1July2012, 1036
JaeIn: No, Changjo.
Sunday, 1July2012, 1038
Jiyu: haha. Funny.
Sunday, 1July2012, 1041
JaeIn: I didn't update you cause I don't want you worried but Changjo have been coming in everyday. LIKE the LAST 6 DAYS!
Sunday, 1July2012, 1043
Jiyu: I'm going home.
Sunday, 1July2012, 10345
JaeIn: !!!!! No! get your butt here now, miss! If not, I will personally tell Changjo where you live. Plus, don't act like you're not flattered. PLUS, he's sooooooo good looking.
Sunday, 1July2012, 1048
And there she was, standing near Changjo, making small talk with the guy that she was supposedly avoiding. She could feel JaeIn eyes burning a hole on her back with her eyes.
Changjo was still sweeping the floor; almost with all his strength, and Jiyu realized that she was probably not to get more than a cold shoulder. It wasn't always like this with Changjo. Ever since, they got to know each other, talking was a breeze and interest grew. They were really close.
Almost kissed once before JaeIn came in the store asking what was going on since the both of them was taking so long; the mutts were hungry.
But, now, because of her avoidence, everything is ruin. Jiyu felt regret burning in her and she wished she could have taken the week back. Life? Who was she kidding? She was just staying at home doing nothing as usual.
Jiyu sighed and almost walked away, when Changjo stop sweeping and held her arm.
"I'm sorry. I am just not in a good mood today." Changjo said, comforting Jiyu. Jiyu felt her guilt grow bigger. Changjo could see the guilt and smiled for Jiyu.
"So what have you been doing? Skipping voluntary work now, are we? The mutts missed you." Changjo said, with the smile that Jiyu seem to like so much.
"Oh...They'll live." She replied, jokingly.
"Are you sure? I think I know how they feel." Changjo said, seriously. Jiyu could feel her heart skipping a few beats. Her mouth felt dry and she doesn't know how to respond to his some sort of confession. Changjo moved nearer and held Jiyu's hand.
"I really know how they feel when it comes to missing you. I was just like them the past few days. Sad and bored."
