Privacy

           After having such an interesting day, a couple days ago, today was so dull, Alyssa thought to herself as she glanced through a book at Teddy's. Not only was Justin nowhere to be found but Dana wasn't around either. Cynthia was hanging out with her new friends, so that left her alone for the most part. Thankfully she persuaded Cynthia to drop her at the bookstore after school, but it was becoming quite apparent that she needed to get her driver license, especially since her birthday was coming up. Well, since she wasn't in California anymore, she truly needed to study if she wanted her license by the time her birthday rolled around. Sighing, she placed the book on the table in front of her. She had begun to feel a bit snack-y so she walked over to the café counter.

        "Hmm, let me see. I would like a Chocolate Chip Cookie please."

        "Make that two," a voice said from behind her instantly.

        Her heart leaped at the sound of his voice. Turning quickly, she found Justin standing very closely behind her.

        He smiled and offered a wink. "It's on me."

        "Thanks," she softly said, as she received her cookie.

        "Let’s go for a walk. I find it a bit stuffy in here," he said swiftly, holding her elbow and guiding her out of the store. "There's a park just around the corner. It's a nice place to get to know each other."

        Oh, my goodness! He's touching me! Alyssa silently screamed. I can't believe this is happening. Okay reel it in Aly. He's not a celebrity. He's just a classmate and nothing more. "You weren't in class all week." she managed to say.

        "No, there was a bit of a family matter. Everything is resolved now.”

        They had finally entered the park, as beautiful as it was in the fall with the tree leaves changing colors, trying to control her reaction to Justin was taking all her attention. 

        "That's good," Alyssa said but all she could hear were the sweet things he had said about her in her dream the other night.

        "It was actually very annoying not being able to see you."

        Alyssa head snapped up to look at him. "To, see me?"  This can't be another dream!

        They had reached an area of the park that was less crowded when he motioned for them to sit on a bench. "I know you just moved here, but I really like you. I was hoping we could go on a date."

        Not nearly as romantic as my dream now but still very exciting, “A date with me? About when were you thinking of?”

        Justin smiled, “Right now. I think right now makes a great first date. It really makes me look forward to our second date."

        Alyssa's response came as a surprise to herself. "I haven't agreed to that."

        "No, you haven't. Yet." Justin looked her in her eyes. "I am hoping that you will."

        Alyssa smiled softly as looking away. "I suppose this could be a date."

        "Great." Justin smiled taking a bite of the cookie.

        Alyssa couldn't help but watch his mouth as he chewed. Even William was a bit of a pig when he ate. Justin however took small bites and chewed very carefully, not leaving behind a single crumb.

        "Your chocolate is melting." He informed glancing at her fingers sideways.

        Alyssa's attention was brought to her chocolate covered fingers. Just great! Something so childish as that happening on her first date.

        "You should just hurry up and eat it." 

        Alyssa wasn't really hungry for it any longer but took a bite and found Justin's eyes watching her mouth just as intensely as she had been watching his. Oh-my-gosh! She lowered her head causing her hair to become her shield for her heated cheeks.

        His hands gently tucked her hair behind her ears, firmly held her chin to tilt her head up. "Don't do that. Don't hide."

        Even as he said it her eyes were closed. She could feel his breath on her nose.

        "Don't hide from me, Alyssa. You are so beautiful. I can't help but to look at you. Please don't deny me that pleasure by covering your face or closing your eyes." A finger grazed her lips, prompted her to open her eyes, but as usual she made no eye contact.

        This is almost just like my dream, she thought. He's saying sweet things to me and sitting so close. It took all that was in her to not try to hide behind her hair again. 

        "Look at me." He urged her.

        Shyly she looked into his eyes.

        "Perfect." He slowly, pulled her to sit beside him on a nearby bench. "Are you done with that cookie?"

        “Yes.”

        “May I?” He asked with a napkin outstretched hand.

        Graciously she traded the cookie and vigorously cleaned her fingers. Glancing up, she was slowed down to a stop as she watched Justin finishing up eating her cookie. I took a bite from that, she thought but didn't say.

        "Delicious."

        Alyssa feared she was going to faint or drop dead from a heart attack and be totally unable to tell Jenny all about this date.

        "I want to know everything there is to know about you, Alyssa Oh. Is that what they call you at home, Alyssa?"

        "Yes usually. Or SooKyung."

        "Do you like your Korean name?"

        "Yes, it's my name as much as Alyssa is."

        "SooKyung. Then it shall be used between you and I as well," he leaned in softly adding, “in private."

        Alyssa was at a loss for words. She wanted to say she would rather he didn't but couldn't bring herself to say the words. When he said her name, it sounded like a lovely song sung only for her.

        "Where are you from?"

        "California."

        "I just bet you've left a few broken hearts over there. You are just so radiant even when you try to hide it. I was sure you already had a boyfriend and would turn me down."

        Alyssa couldn't hide her surprise. "Are you serious? Me?"

        "Ah, so you had a crush on me too."

        She was sure she turned as red as her hair. "I never said that."

        "No, but your eyes did." Justin stood up and held out his hand.

        Alyssa stared at it. Not sure what she should do. She wasn't sure she was ready for a boyfriend just yet. There was still William to consider. She couldn't just throw him away for a gorgeous guy she didn't even know, could she?

        Justin made the decision for her and took her hand to momentarily help her up. They fell into step together once again. "I hope that you've enjoyed this date thus far."

        Alyssa nodded.

        "Will you promise me a second one? It doesn't have to be right away just soon."

        "I suppose I could agree to that."

        "Great. Are you going back to the library?"

        "Actually, I should call Cynthia to pick me up."

        "I could give you a ride."

        "No, that's not a good idea."

        "I insist. You can trust me."

        Alyssa took a deep breath hoping that was true because either way she was in for one heck of a ride.

               The ride to her house was a quiet one. She got out with a quick thank you and see ya at school tomorrow before heading straight to her room. "Oh-my-gosh! I have to call Jenny!" She squealed throwing herself onto her bed.

        The phone rang a couple of times before Jenny answered. "Hey, Alyssa,"

        Alyssa couldn't speak. Jenny did not answer the phone.

        "Alyssa?"

        She couldn’t help but to compare his boyish voice to Justin’s as she replied "William! Hi."

        "How's PA treating you?"

        “Just fine,” Alyssa answered nervously. 

        "We all miss you here."

        "Yeah, I miss it there too."

        "Here's Jenny. Later."

        "Hello?" Jenny asked slowly.

        "Jenny, why is William answering your phone?"

        "Well, the gang decided to go to Victors Pizza after school as usual."

        Alyssa was remembering the delicious pizza she would be eating right now with all of her friends, Jenny, William, Howie, Kinley and Rebecca if she were there all a unique group of creative people. She could hear the laughter in their background. It hurt a little that she couldn't join them. "Oh, okay. I will just go. Tell everyone I say, hey, and I miss them. Maybe I can convince my father to let me come for Thanksgiving or Christmas or something. Talk later?"

        "Okay." Jenny answered before hanging up.

        Alyssa sighed. They were all having so much fun without her. Even though Justin liked her it was still lonely.

        "Alyssa! What in the world are you doing coming home with a boy?" Cynthia called out walking into her room with hands on her hips. “Here I am slaving away in the kitchen and you’re getting rides from boys!”

        "His name is Justin. He's in my English class. We ran into each other and he offered me a ride. That's all, so calm down."

        Cynthia sat beside her on the bed. "That was a bit melancholy, so I suppose it couldn't be anything else. What's going on?"

        "I was just on with Jenny and everyone seems so happy. I thought I was over it, but I guess I'm not."

        "It's only been a few days. Give it some time. Now come down and help me set the table. Also don't think I didn't notice that was the same guy that you were staring at in the restaurant. We don't know anything about these people so don't get caught up in any drama."

        "I'm not. It's not like he's dating anyone either. Not that it matters anyway. I won’t get caught up in any drama."

        "Good. I just want to serve my time and happily leave. I trust you'll do the same." Cynthia said confidently as they neared the kitchen.

        "Darlings, please don't forget to set the table for the Kim’s. They should be here any minute." Eomma reminded them from the kitchen.

        The Kim’s! She had totally forgotten Paul would be coming over today. "Is Appa home yet?'

        "Yes, didn't you see him going up as we came down?" Cynthia asked just as the bell rang. "Can you get that Alyssa?"

        Alyssa answered with a friendly smile and a bow. "Annyeonghaseyo. I'm Alyssa." 

        "Nice to finally meet you! Paul can't stop talking about you." Mr. Kim stated.

        Alyssa smiled. "Right this way," she said, directing them to the living room. "Where is Paul?"

        "I'm right behind you." He answered touching her shoulder.

        Alyssa jumped. "Ah! Paul, you shouldn't keep startling me like that."

        "Sorry about that." Paul chuckled sheepishly.

        "Don't they make a charming couple," Mr. Kim commented looking at their hair. "They seem to have the same style."

        Mrs. Kim touched his arm. "Now honey, you'll embarrass them."

         "Abeoji, we've just become good friends." Paul said respectfully. (Abeoji is father in Korean)

          "Hyung," Appa said walking into the room to shake Mr. Kim’s hand. “What a pleasure to have you here.”

        "The pleasure is ours." 

       As the conversation changed from English to Korean, Alyssa slipped out of the room and headed towards the dining room only to jump once again at the light tap on her shoulder. "Paul, I think you just took ten years off of my life."

        "I'm sorry really. I'm sorry," Paul couldn't help but laugh. "I will try not to sneak up on you anymore."

        "I would greatly appreciate it."

        "There's something I want to ask you."

        Alyssa stopped to listen to what he said while they were still alone.

        "Did Justin bring you home this afternoon?"

        Why is that any of your business? She fumed silently but calmly answered, "Yes."

        "Are you two dating?'

        "We just moved here. I'm not dating anyone. He just gave me a ride from the bookstore."

        Paul breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. It's just that there's something about him that I just don't like. If you ever need a ride and Cynthia is busy, please call me. You have my cell number, right?'

        "Yes. I'm just going to check on everything now." Alyssa said turning away from him. He's so jealous it's ridiculous. I'm sure this jealousy steamed from long ago. Justin wasn't interested in any girls, but they all were after him, that's sure to make guys envious, she thought to herself. Either way, she would need to be more careful when it came to Justin or else the drama Cynthia wanted to avoid would be inevitable.

                "Hey, sorry about earlier. At the time, I thought you would think of it as a pleasant surprise. Of course, from the way you spoke, I knew you needed to speak to me. What's up?" Jenny asked over the computer.

        "Well, I just got through a very Korean dinner with our neighbors. I think Paul may have a crush on me."

        "You are stunning after all."

         "Please, Jenny." Alyssa replied brushing it off.

         Jenny raised an eyebrow. "You are honestly the only person that is gorgeous but refuses to admit it. Besides, I don't hang out with ugly people."

         Alyssa laughed. “I guess that's true. What I had really wanted to call you about was Justin.”

         "Pierce? What's going on with him lately?"

        Lately she says, as though I've known him for a long time, Alyssa thought while taking a long deep breath.

        "I can tell already this is going to be juicy. Come out with it."

        "He bought me a cookie and we went on a walk in the park. It was so beautiful! Then he confessed he liked me, and he ate my cookie after I took a bite!" She blurted out quickly.

       "He ate your cookie!" Jenny exclaimed, shaking her head.

        "Yes, he ate my cookie and called it our first date. That's not even the best part. He asked me for a second one sometime soon."

         "What did you say?"

         Alyssa smiled shrugging her shoulders, "I said yes."

         They squealed simultaneously.

         "But wait. What about William?" Jenny asked.

         "I haven't decided to actually be totally involved with anyone. I haven't completely given up on William just because I've moved. Maybe the slow pace of a long-distance relationship is the better option."

         "I can tell you he's really into you. That's why he took the phone away from me. By the way, didn't you say Ice gave you the evil eye because of Justin? I'm not worried about you, but I'm worried about you."

        "I know, but I don't think it should be a problem since I haven't committed myself to anything with him. This should make things interesting tomorrow. Not only will I see him in class, but they are all coming over for filming. I will try to be myself and thankfully that's nervous and shy anyway."    

       "That's my girl." Jenny raised her fist in support.                  

       "It's just that he has a way of talking to me. He's direct and says the sweetest things. The sound of his voice is just so alluring. When I see him, even though I don't know him really, I can't help but want him to hold me close. I've never felt that way before, not even about William.”

        "Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but I think you're in love."

        "Alyssa's in love!" Tucker exclaimed from just beyond Jenny's door.

        “Tucker!” Jenny yelled running off the screen.

        "Wait for me, Alyssa! I love you!" Tucker managed to run on screen to say before Jenny jumped off screen to shove him out of her room.

        "You need to mind your own business, Tucker. And keep out of my room! Ugh!" Jenny exclaimed before reappearing. "Sorry about that. Clearly he has no boundaries."

        Alyssa shook her head. "Believe me he's not the only one. There must be a full moon tonight or something.”

        “We’ll talk tomorrow. I have to go teach him a lesson.”

         "Goodnight." Alyssa closed shut down her computer. "Absolutely no privacy," she muttered throwing herself back on the bed.