I'm here to pick you up (5)

"You should stay away from a bad student like Miss Bai and focus on your studies.  You shouldn't waste your precious time on her! I know you are aiming for S University and getting a  stain on your record will affect your chances of getting admitted there! You understand what I'm saying, right?"  The teacher lectured again.

          "I understand."  Ji Hoon said. I silently left the door and walked towards the stairs and sat there waiting for him.  While thinking about what they talked about, I saw Ji Hoon's shocked face seeing that I was waiting for him.

          I smiled at him looking apologetic.  "Sorry, you also got scolded by Teacher Kim.  What did he say to you?" I asked him innocently.

          "Nothing much, just avoid getting distracted in class, that's all.  Let's go back to class." He told me and held out his hand to help me stand up.  

          "Oh, that's good then.  I thought he hammered you being friends with me."  I smiled and grabbed his hand. He pulled me and I stood in front of him.  I smiled at him again and rubbed his head.

          I'm happy that even though he agreed at what our teacher said he is still talking to me and that it looks like we are still friends.

**********

          "Ae-Ri ah, wake up we're here!"  I felt someone shaking me gently.  I slowly opened my eyes and looked around.  I saw that we are at the mall. 

          "What are we doing here?!"  I blurted out with my eyes wide open.

          "To buy you a change of clothes, what else do you think?"  He answered me.  

          "Oh okay, but I can just ride a bus and go straight home.  Why should I buy a new one when I'm broke?" I asked him. I mean, it's not like I will go elsewhere, I can just go home, take a hot shower and relax.

          "No can do, you will accompany me today."  He said as if it's a sure thing that I will go with him.

          "Oh yeah?  Why should I~?  I'm tired~ and want to go home, relax and have a drink!  I can come and join you next time." I whined at him and trying my aegyo attack on him.

          He looked at me like he was annoyed.  "No, you will come with me today. End of discussion."  He said. I forgot that this guy hates aegyo attacks, especially if it was used on him!

          With my trump card being a failure, I grudgingly walked with him towards the mall.  We went inside a high-end boutique and talked to a salesperson to assist in choosing a dress for me.

          "What dress?!  You know even since high school I don't like wearing dresses!"  I complained and tried to reject it. But he just stared at me like saying no complaining and just follow the salesperson.

          Without a choice, I stomped my feet, then walked towards the changing area.  I looked at myself in the mirror I just noticed that I look horrible! The coffee had stained my blue t-shirt and my hair is like a bird's nest, maybe from all the scuffle that happened earlier.

          This guy!  Didn't even warned me that I look like this while walking inside the mall!  So embarrassing! No wonder people are looking at our way! I look like a crazy homeless person!

          I really need to shower and not go shopping at all!  Before the salesperson had the time to choose and give a dress for me to try I stormed out of the fitting room.

          "I'm going home!"  I declared and went out of the boutique.  I didn't look back when he called my name.  I hurried my steps towards the exit and ran for dear life towards the bus stop!

          Luckily my bus just came and I don't need to wait long, I rode it as fast as I can not caring if other passengers gave me the stink eye for cutting in.  Since it was rush hour the bus is already full so I was standing near the exit since it wasn't so crowded there.

          I was rush hour, so the bus was jam-packed, I became conscious of the state that I'm in when I can hear someone sniffing my coffee scent.  I hope it's not a pervert or anything! I can feel that I'm being squished and hope on the next stop, a lot of people will step out.

          As if my wish was granted, there was like a hoard of people coming out.  Unprepared I was swept out by the people leaving that I lost my footing and was about to kiss the floor.  How unlucky can I get?!  

          Instead of the floor, I felt I slammed into someone and had caught me.  Feeling apologetic and embarrassed, I immediately move away and started bowing.

          "I'm so sorry!  I didn't mean to bump into you!"  I said with my pitch a little bit high from shame.

          "You should be careful next time!  And why did you stormed out of the store?!"  He said calmly.

           "I…  What?!"  I looked up and saw that it was Ji Hoon who had caught me!

          "What are you doing here!?"  I half screamed. I was really shocked to see him on the bus with me.  I know I had left him there at the mall and I am so sure that nobody followed me out.  So, what is he doing here?!

          "Are you so dense that you didn't think I will definitely come after you when you left me?  I kept calling you and you didn't even turn back? Why did you leave me?" He said with a pitiful look on his face.

          "I…  Was in a hurry?"  I was flustered and the way he is speaking, I feel that there is something wrong with the sentence there?

          I can feel that people are staring at us.  Some grandmas are looking at Ji Hoon pitifully and then glare at me.  What did I do?! I didn't do anything! I defended myself internally.