tcoh1

Chapter 1


     He smiled as he walked out of the airport. At last! He was back in Korea. How much he had missed the place! After studying in Melbourne for 5 years, he finally came back to where he belonged. He quickly hailed a taxi and asked to be driven to the nearest CD shop. He had promised his sister, who is still studying in Melbourne, that the first thing he would do when he reaches Korea is to help her find the Bits VCD.

      “ Bits concert 2001.. Bits concert 2001..” Melissa muttered as she scanned her eyes across the CD racks. Bits is her favourite boy band and she badly wanted that VCD. Unfortunately, it comes in limited edition and every Bits’ fan would love to get their hands on that VCD.

     “ I must get it. I must get it.” She mumbled to herself as she walked around the shop. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of something familiar. “ Wait a minute, is that the Bits VCD?” She wondered, and she walked back to the shelf. “ Oh my god! I don’t believe this! It’s the BITS VCD!”

      Before she could grab the VCD, a hand reached out and took it. “Ah! Isn’t this that Bits VCD? Yi Joon would be so delighted.” said the guy. “ Hey! Excuse me, but I think I saw that VCD first.” Melissa tapped the guy on the shoulder.

     The guy looked at her and said “ I’m sorry, but I happen to take it first, maybe you should wait for the stock or something.” “ But this is really important to me! And that VCD is the only one left!” Melissa protested. “ Look, it’s not like it’s only important to you only, it’s very important to me too.” the guy said, sounding slightly irritated.

     He had just got down from the plane and was really tired. The last thing he would like to do was to quarrel with someone. With that, he walked to the cashier and purchased the item. “ What a jerk!” Melissa was furious. “ Not a gentlemen at all! Just my luck!” She said angrily as she made her way home disappointedly.

     “ What?! You are in Korea now?! Sure! I can put u up for a few days I think. Let’s meet somewhere first, I’ll call the others to go too! Okay, See ya!” Tony put down the phone. “ Guess what?” he asked Woohyuk. “ Who was that?” Woohyuk asked. “ He’s someone we knew from young and he went to Melbourne about 5 years ago..” Tony hinted. “ Dun tell me it’s…” Woohyuk gasped. “ Yes it is! Let’s call the rest!” Tony said.

     Melissa was opening the door when she heard her phone ring. “ Hello?” She picked the phone up. “ Hi, are you free later? Remember the guy we always talk to you about? He’s in Korea now!” It was Tony. “ Really! I’m going! I can’t wait to meet him! I’ve heard you guys talk so much about him and I feel that I know him already!” Melissa laughed. “ All right, see you later at Alpha Café.”

     “Hello Min!” Melissa called out. “ Oh hi!” She called back. “ I wonder how he looks like! We’ve heard so much about him!” Min said excitedly. “ Yeah, let’s go in now.” Melissa said as the both of them walked into the café.
     To her surprise she saw…

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Chapter 2

     “ Hi, here are the two girls we were talking about.” Hee Jun said to the guy. “ It’s him? My goodness, I tell you, that guy is a jerk!” Melissa said. “ What? You guys know each other already?” Jae Won asked. “ And she’s the girl whom I just told you guys about.” The guy said, rolling his eyes. “ Come on, just introduce yourself.” Tony said. “ All right. Hello, I am Kangta. Nice to meet you guys.” Kangta smiled. “ Hello! You can call me Min.” Min said. “ Yeah, and hi you can call me Melissa.” Melissa said unwillingly. “ He’ll be attending our school! Isn’t that good news?” Hee Jun said.

       “ WHAT? Oops, sorry, my reaction was a little too big.” Melissa grinned foolishly. “ Hey, that’s the first time I see you smile!” Kangta pointed out. Melissa glared at him. “ Oh please, if you don’t open your mouth, nobody would think you are dumb.”

     “ Oh, you still remember the time when we sat here and you..” Woohyuk started talking and soon the five of them were indulged in a conversation on their childhood days. “ Hey, don’t you think he’s good looking?” Min nudged Melissa. “ Yeah, as good looking as the ugliest guy on Earth.” Melissa rolled her eyes.

     Min looked at Kangta dreamily. He IS good looking, in fact he seem to be the best looking guy she had ever seen. Her heart was fluttering around when he looked into her eyes and introduced himself. Those beautiful eyes.. she would melt just by looking at them. His cute and warm smile makes anyone who is around him feel comfortable and relaxed. Not only his good looks, he seemed to be a really nice guy, the way he talked and his actions.

     “ Hello? Earth to Min!” Her thoughts were interrupted by Hee Jun, who was looking at her strangely. Min was startled. “ Yea? Sorry, I was day dreaming.” Min smiled. “ So is that an insult to me or what? Are you trying to hint me that I am a very boring person?” Kangta joked. Min’s face flushed. “ No! That wasn’t my intention! ” “ Relax Min, he was only joking.” Woohyuk laughed.

      “ You don’t have to be kind to him you know. Just tell him the truth! I know he is a VERY boring person.” Melissa faked a yawn. “ Well, I didn’t know you were paying attention to me. Whoa.. I’m so touched.” Kangta said sarcastically. “ Stop bickering guys.” Tony laughed. “ Well, who is bickering? I wouldn’t bicker with someone who has no appeal to me at all.” Kangta joked.

      Melissa glared at him. Now, this guy was getting on her nerves. First, he snatched her VCD, now he was insulting her like nobody’s business. She groaned just at the thought that they would be hanging out with each other often, as he is a very good friend with her buddies.

     “ So, would be staying in Korea for good now?” Min asked curiously. “ Yep, most probably, after all, this is where I belong. So much has changed during this 5 years!” Kangta exclaimed. “ Yeah, you wouldn’t believe how the little hut we used to go during our vacation look like now. It has changed so much!” Jae Won told Kangta.
      “ Really! If only I can see it.” Kangta said. “ Let’s go there this weekend then.” Hee Jun suggested. “ Good idea! It’ll be a good place to relax after such a busy week.” Melissa said enthusiastically. “ She only went there once and she loved that place.” Woohyuk laughed.

     With that, they begin to make plans for the weekend…

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Chapter 3

     “ What? Where are you going? ” Melissa was shocked. She had just reached home and she saw her room mate packing her luggage. “ Melissa!” Michelle hugged Melissa. “ My grandmother is ill and I am going back to America to see her.” She said with tears in her eyes. “Aww.. Michelle, she’s going to be fine, don’t worry.” Melissa consoled her.

       “ I might not be coming back anymore. My mum has been telling me to go London to study.” Michelle said sadly. “ What! I’ll be so lonely here, alone in this house. Who’s going to stay up late at night chatting with me? Who’s going to take care of me when I am sick?” Melissa was very upset.

     She had depended a lot on Michelle and they had been best of friends since she moved into Seoul. She was like an elder sister to her, always taking care of her.

     “ Don’t worry, I heard that the landlord had already rented my room to another person.” Michelle smiled sadly. “ But it wouldn’t be the same anymore! ” Melissa protested. “ I’ll miss you. Promise to write to me?” Michelle asked. “ Of course I will! Thrice a week!” Melissa said. “ I’ll miss you a lot.” Michelle said sadly as they hugged.

     “ Good bye for now. The taxi is waiting for me outside.” Michelle said as they bid good bye to each other. “ I’ll miss you! ” Melissa called out as the taxi drove away. She walked back into the house. It looked so empty and quiet without her. The house even looked creepy for the first time in the many years she had stayed there. She laid on her bed and the tears started falling.

      “ Argh! This is the 6th time I’ve lost to you!” Tony was frustrated. Kangta was at Tony’s house and he would be staying there till he finds a place. “ Can’t I even win you once? After all these years, you are still so good at fighting games!”

     “ Come on, it’s just a game.” Kangta laughed. “ I was planning to get you to help me wash the toilet if you lost!” Tony joked. “ I still can’t believe you are back! ” Tony continued. They lay lazily on the sofa and catch up with the news of each other after 5 long years.

      “ Tell me more about Kangta! ” Min begged Hee Jun. They were talking on the phone and Min had been asking for information on Kangta. “ But I’ve already told you almost everything about him!” Hee Jun pointed out.

     “ There must be something you have missed out. How can you know so little information on him? You are his good friend, have you forgotten?” Min asked. Hee Jun groaned. He had told her everything, from the day he was born to his hobbies and interests to his likes and dislikes…

     “ Okay, how many girlfriends did he have before? Is he attached now?” Min asked. “ Well, how would I know how many girlfriends he had during the past 5 years. But I do know that he is not attached now.” Hee Jun told her. “ I see, that’s nice.” Min smiled secretly.

     “ Then what kind of girl does he like?” Min asked. “ Well, I remember asking him that once, and he told me that there are no reasons to love someone. The feeling just comes, so he said that he could not say what kind of girl he likes, because love can cover all the bad points of someone or something like that, I cannot really recall.” Hee Jun said. “ Wow! He sounds so professional! He must be a love expert or something.” Min laughed.

     “ Wait a minute, why are you asking so much about him?” Hee Jun asked suspiciously. “ Oh, don’t misunderstand! You see, we’ll be hanging around with him more often and I thought it’ll be better if I know some stuff about him so that I would not feel left out when we talk.” Min quickly explained.

     “Min.. Why do you look so nervous?” Hee Jun smiled evilly. “Nervous? Ha, you must be joking.” Min faked a laugh. “ Come on, how long have we known each other, you can’t lie to me Min, from the look from your eyes, I knew it.” Hee Jun laughed. “ Argh, why can’t I keep anything from you oppa.” Min said.

    “ That’s because you are my sister…”

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Chapter 4

     “ That’s about all you need to know.” Jae Won said as he passed the notes to Kangta. He had just transferred into the school and he had a lot to catch up on. “ So how do you find the first day of school?” Woohyuk asked. “ Yeah, with those girls “Ooing and Ahing” over you.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “ Two words to describe those girls. Bad taste.” She made a puking face. “ Is someone jealous here?” Kangta laughed.

      “ Ha, me? Jealous? I ‘ve got all the guys I want. Just one word and all the guys come flocking to me.” Melissa said. “ Hey, did those guys come from the blind hospital or something?” Tony teased. “ Oppa! You were supposed to help me!” Melissa protested. “ Well, today is okay, just that I really got a lot to catch up on. I am way behind.” Kangta said.

    “ Don’t worry, you can do it!” Min said encouragingly. Hee Jun gave Min a sly look, and Min quickly looked away, blushing. “ Bye guys, I’ve reached. See you guys tomorrow!” Melissa called out as she walked towards her home. “ Bye!” The rest chorused.

     “ So you’re moving out today?” Tony asked. “ Yep, I’ve found a place, besides, I didn’t want to trouble you.” Kangta said. “ Hey, that’s what friends are for isn’t it?” Tony gave Kangta a friendly punch on his back. “ Need any help in moving today? I could help.” Hee Jun offered. “ Thanks, but there isn’t much luggage. I’ve just moved here.” Kangta said. “ Oh yeah, how could I forget that.” Hee Jun laughed.

     “ But how come the answer is 19865.438? Argh. Why must Maths be so complicating? Kill me! I rather die than do anymore Maths questions.” Melissa complained. She was on the phone with Woohyuk and Woohyuk was her Math “Tutor”.

      Whenever she met any killer Maths question, she would go to him. And that was like all the time because all the questions to her were “ Killer questions.”   “ Oppa, you are a very nice guy right?” Melissa asked sweetly. “ NO! I am the worst guy on earth!” Woohyuk quickly said. He knew what Melissa was up to. “ Could you help..”

     Her sentence was interrupted by a quick NO from Woohyuk. “ Pretty please?” Melissa begged. “ Let me ask you, how many times have I done your assignments for you?” Woohyuk asked. “ Um.. Once?” Melissa asked. “ Yeah, and add a few zeros behind the one. You should try to do it yourself. No wonder you never pass your maths.” Woohyuk laughed.

     “ Trust you to laugh at me at a time like this. Opps, I hear the doorbell, talk to you later. See ya!” Melissa said.

     “ Coming!” Melissa called out as she went to open the door. It was the landlord. “ Hi! Wait, did I forget to pay the rent or something?” Melissa asked. “ Nope, but I have good news. Your room mate would be moving in today, so I thought I’ll inform you before hand.” the landlord said.

     “ Okay, thanks.” Melissa said. She wondered who her roommate would be. Is her roommate a guy or a girl? How old is he or she? Is he/she still studying? Would they get along? Would problems or conflicts rise between them? Questions keep wandering about in her mind.

     She was a little excited, but at the same time she was a little afraid. What if he/she would not get along well with her? She brushed her thoughts away. She was worrying too much. She smiled at herself for being so silly.

     She decided that no matter what, she’ll try to make the best of things. “ At least I’ll get to make another new friend.” Melissa consoled herself. However, she couldn’t help missing Michelle.

    If only she were here…

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Chapter 5

      The doorbell rang. Melissa gasped. Her roommate is here! Her heart is pounding as a fast rate. “ Okay, here comes nothing.” she told herself as she pulled the door open. Surprised, shocked. She was in a daze. The guy standing outside looked as surprised as she did. “ Don’t open your eyes so wide, they may drop out.” Kangta joked.

     “ So are you letting me in or not?” Kangta asked. “ Oh, sorry, come in. OH man! Why am I so unlucky!” Melissa said. “ Okay, at last you are back to your old self. Seeing you quiet is like seeing a pig fly.” Kangta said. “ Excuse me, don’t compare me with a PIG!” Melissa said, irritated.

     Actually, secretly she was kind of relieved and glad that it was him. Not that she thought highly of him or even like him, but at least he’s better than some rapist or some dirty chap or something.

     “ Okay, first of all, in everything, there are rules and here, it’s no different.” Melissa said.
“ First, No entering each other’s room without permission. Housework has to be divided equally. You have to be responsible for your own stuff, eg. wash your own clothes, unless the other party offers to do it. Keep the place clean at all times and if you want to bring anyone home, you have to seek my permission and vice versa. Get it? ” Melissa asked.

     “ What! So many rules, isn’t it like going to jail?” Kangta asked. “ Well, if you can’t stand it, you can always move out you know.” Melissa smiled. “ Ha, the more you want me to move the more I’ll stay.” Kangta laughed sarcastically. “ Fine then. Enjoy yourself here.” Melissa said.

     “ Is that true? You’re staying with Melissa? Such a coincidence! That’s cool!” Tony said. “ Cool? More like hell or jail.” Kangta said. “ Come on, it can’t be that bad. Honestly, Melissa is a very nice girl. A cheerful and kind girl.” Tony said truthfully. “ Nice? Cheerful? Kind? Somehow does words don’t fit her.” Kangta said.

     “ Maybe it’s because of the VCD incident. She tends to hold a grudge sometimes. Everyone has a bad point don’t they?” Tony laughed. “ Just because of a VCD? That VCD was for my sister in Melbourne!” Kangta said. “ Well, that VCD was very important to her. It reminded her of her first love and she had been telling us for a long time that she wanted it, and it comes in a limited amount.” Tony explained.

     “ Oh I see. Oh man, but I have already sent the VCD to my sister.” Kangta said. “It’s okay, trust me, she’ll be fine after a while. She just need some time to forget about it.” Tony told him.

     “ You’re so lucky!” Min squealed. “ Min? You sound like you are crazy. Tell me, you’ve a crush on Kangta?” Melissa asked curiously. “ I..I..” Min started. “ Okay, I get it. I know you don’t know how to lie.” Melissa laughed.

      “ But the thing is, what do you see in him? I find it hard to believe. What’s so good about him?” Melissa was confused. “ Well, let’s say it was love at first sight.” Min said dreamily. “ So, any decision to tell him? Or do you need my help? Though I don’t like him, I would still want to see you guys together if you really like him.” Melissa smiled.

     “ Aww.. Thanks Melissa. You are an angel!” Min said gratefully. “ That’s what friends are for!” Melissa said. “ Hee Jun know about it too. But promise me, you wouldn’t tell him that I like him unless I want to tell him.” Min said. “ I promise.” Melissa promised.

     “ Could you help me ask him about what he like and all? Hee Jun told me some, but I guess someone can change a lot during 5 years.” Min begged. “ Talk to him! Oh Min, it’s not that I don’t want to, but he gets on my nerves every time I talk to him! Either he has that stupid look in his face or he has some sarcastic answer. I can already predict that. Then he’ll probably think I am interested in him.” Melissa said.

     “ But you said you’ll help me!” Min protested. “ I mean help as in just telling him that you like him or get someone to tell him.. All right, fine, I’ll help you ask.” Melissa finally gave in. “ I knew you’ll help me.” Min smiled.

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