CHAPTER 25

"Before we go any further, we have to first of all cut out and pair the chromosomes" Ji Sung said

We were now working on our project, the Karyotype Lab

"I'll divide the page, so we'll each have our share to cut. That way it'll be faster" I said

"Sounds good" he commented

We were in the middle of cutting, when my stomach rumbled

"So, what are you going to cook today?" I asked smoothly

"Why? Are you hungry?" he asked, not looking up

"People don't always have to be hungry to ask for food" I said

"For someone who isn't hungry, your response is long" he said

Just then, my stomach decided to agree with him, rumbling loud enough for him to hear

He stopped what he was doing, and looked up at me

"Are you hungry?" he asked with a small smile

"What do you mean?" I asked, feigning innocence

"I guess you were hungry"

"I'm not quite getting you" I said

I pretended to go back to what I was doing, but I was too hungry to do that. I gave up

"Can you prepare something? I'm about to pass out from hunger" I said

He laughed, and stood up

"What do you want to eat?" he asked

"Kimchi Jjigae" stew I said automatically

He thought for a while

"Why don't we eat something else? Don't settle for kimchi jjigae every time" stew he said

"Kimchi stew sounds like the bomb. What else is there?" I asked, not really interested

"Don't worry. You'll love it" he assured

"Why don't I think so" I said, than asked

He smiled

"Come on, Alex" he urged

"Do I have a choice?"

"I wouldn't be waiting for you answer if you didn't" he said

"What's the menu?" I asked

"Jjamppong" he said

"Jjamppong?" I asked

"Yup"

"What's that?"

"Kind of like a noodle"

"You're switching a lovely stew for a kind of noodle?"

"It more than a noodle. So, yes?"

I didn't say anything

"I'll take that as a yes" he concluded

He stood up and walked towards the kitchen

After a long time of delicious, capturing aroma wafting through my nose, something I was in no way telling Ji Sung, the noodle was finally ready

"And you jjamppong is served" Ji Sung announced, placing two served filled with jjamppong on the table

Image

Trying to rein in my excitement, I went it for a bite

"Wait" Ji Sung said

I placed the chop sticks down

"Do you always have to do that?" I asked

"Sometimes" he said

He placed a bowl of kimchi down

"Better with some kimchi" he said

I rolled my eyes, and took a bite. My eyes widened at how wonderful it was

"Are Korean foods always this... this...?"

I couldn't come up with a word

"Amazing. Delicious. Wonderful" he said

I nodded

"You are such a good cook" I complimented

"Well, it's expected" he said

I knew what he meant by that, so I quickly diverted away from the area

"So, how many more recipes do you have up your sleeves?" I asked

He smiled, he knew what I was doing

He leaned in a little

"You'll be surprised" he whispered

I leaned in

"Oh, really?" I asked, following the level of his voice

"Heumppeog" very much he added

"Daebak" amazing

He leaned back

"I'm that awesome" he said in his normal voice level

I also leaned back and smiled

We spent the rest of the rest of the week and the next completing our project

^^^^^

It was clear that the topic of where we were going was on every student's, in my class, mind

"Where do you think we will go?" Tae Woong asked

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question? This is my year in this school, and Korea generally" I said with a smile

"Ah, that's true, I sometimes forget that. Maybe it's because you're blended well" he said

"What are you guys talking about?" Ji Sung asked from the front

"None of your business"

"None of your business"

Tae Woong and I said at the same time

We looked at each other and laughed

Ji Sung scoffed

At that moment, Teacher Han entered, and there was immediate silence without the class president telling us to

"I see you're all eager this morning" Teacher Han said

"Where are we going for the field trip?" a boy asked

"I forgot to tell you guys something important. The field trip is dependent on your class average"

Protest filled the room

"You didn't say anything about that before!" a girl said

"Why don't you hear what your class average for the project is first?" he asked

He looked around and smiled, bringing out a sheet of paper

"95%!" he announced, happily

"So, what does that mean?" I asked

"It means that you get to go for a three day trip!" he said

A second passed before victorious shouts radiated throughout the room. Tables were banged, hands were clapped, voices were being shouted, even Kang Chi didn't bother to silence us, he was also equally happy

Ji Sung and I did a high five, while I smiled at Tae Woong

After a while, we calmed down

"We go on Wednesday, tomorrow, and stay till Friday. Then you guys have the weekend to relax. What do you guys say?" he asked

"We love it!" we all chorused

"There's only one rule, and that's to enjoy yourself without getting hurt. Okay?" he asked, walking out

"De, ssaem" yes, teacher we all said

And he walked out

^^^^^

For some miraculous reason which I didn't bother to question, school was dismissed early

"What are you going to do?" Tae Woong asked

"Sleep" I said

"Sleep?" Ji Sung asked

"Yes, sleep. I have to get refreshed for tomorrow" I said

"Ah"

"Ah"

They both said at the same time

"Bye" I waved at them, as I entered my car

They waved back. And I drove off

A huge smile was on my face throughout the way

I bet mom will be thrilled, I thought

She had always wanted me to socialize

I had out that incident behind me. I actually wanted to socialize myself, and I wasn't going to let something that could be a coincidence disturb me

The first thing I saw when was my mom's car. I scrunched my face in confusion

It's way early for her to be back home at this time. But it worked out well, I would get to tell her the news early

"Om...!" mo...! I was about to call her when the word left my mouth

I keys and bag fell to the floor, making her turned her head to my direction

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers, her face pale with shock and fear

"Soo Joon-ah" she said