57-1

I'm currently speed-walking like a mad woman, white coat splaying behind me like I'm some vampire in a cape. "What is it Hansoo, I'm busy right now," my chipper tone fires through my phone as I beeline to the room I was supposed to be in 5 minutes ago. "It's Bomi, I don't know where she is!" He yells out frantically over the phone. I can't help but roll my eyes and mutter a few profanities. "Seriously? I told you to only call me during emergencies." "But this IS an emergency!" "Did you check the bathroom?" "What? Why would I check the—oh... I found her." "You damn idiot I told you a million times she loves water, she's going to be found in the damn bathroom now leave me alone you imbecile." With that, I hang up the call and begin jogging. Once I reach the surgical unit, my fellow student doctor greets me with a scowl. "Almost late again. Just because your the new face of the hospital's promotions doesn't mean you can slack off." I timidly join our small group and pretend I've always been there as a senior surgeon speaks to us. "Don't remind me," I say through my winded breath. Flashes of my plastered smile abruptly flood my mind as the advertisement promoting the program I'm taking at Seoul National University. As much as I initially wanted to refuse the offer, money was much more important to me than my reputation at that time. I guess it was worth it, even if it means cringing every time I see it playing on one of our TV screens. Then my day flashes before my eyes, a whirlwind of watching and assisting surgical procedures, patient check-ups, and prescribing medication. To say my first four years of university prepared me for this is an overstatement. In this specialization every day is a marathon of going to classes, studying, and going to the hospital for practice work—but I wouldn't have it any other way. I arrive home that day at 12AM—my new home. Last year, Zen and Sunny decided to move in together at her place. Somehow their relationship is still going strong after so long, it still baffles me. Around that same time, I decided to rent an apartment space that opened beside Hansoo's. At first, I was incredibly reluctant to be so close to someone who is the bane of my existence. But the price and space were too good to be true, and it is close to my new workplace. I fall onto my bed and immediately fall asleep. Too many hours later I wake up feeling dead inside, as usual, and try to wash up to feel a tad more alive. After study for God knows how long, I leave my place to knock on the door next to mine. Hansoo opens up quickly. "Yah you missed the first two minutes," he scolds as he heads to his couch. "Just start over you dumbass, why did you start it without me anyway? This is Netflix, not old school cable television." "You were late and I got impatient," he grumbles but starts it over anyway. Despite our banter, we made it routine to watch an episode or two of our favourite new show on Netflix every Saturday night. I admit it's better than bingeing it alone on my laptop in my room since I haven't bothered to buy my own TV. The little kitten that manages to "disappear" twice a week attempts to climb onto the couch. But because of her midget legs, it's a feat she can't conquer, so I help her up. Just when I think she's going to thank me she walks right over my legs to curl into a ball on Hansoo's lap. "Ungrateful rat, I'm the one that told him to adopt you you know," I tsk at her and shove a handful of popcorn disdainfully into my mouth. "She knows who's the better human," Hansoo smugly says as he scratches her ears. "Isn't that right little Mi-Mi," he coos disgustingly at her. "So," I say during a slow scene. "How's Seohyun?" I catch the twitch of his lips as his eyes stay glued to the screen. "Fine I guess, why does it matter," he mumbles. "Don't give me that. Have you asked her out yet?" "Hey!" He turns to look at me with blown out eyes. "Unlike someone, I'm actually trying to watch this." I snarl at him but let it go. The Flowerboy Cafe was no longer just for flower boys. Seungmin decided a few weeks ago to expand and appeal to everyone's tastes. That meant two new girls started working—one being a cute but fiery girl that Hansoo can't tear his eyes away from at work. While he refuses to admit anything, that gaze says it all. . . . "Shit shit shit shit," I mutter. It's amazing how easy it is for me to curse these days—especially now that I'm almost always late for my workplace shift. How? My messed up studying and working hours are really messing with my sense of time. To make matters worse my final crosswalk light decides to turn red as soon as I reach it. "Oh come on," I sigh in frustration. With eyes carefully looking around, scanning the area, I decide to take the chance and jaywalk. It's not a busy street anyway and it's evening, too dark for any cop to see me, right? Just as my toes have touched down to the other side, I feel a presence approach me. "Excuse me miss, can you please stop where you are?" "Fucking hell," I seethe when the authoritative voice forces me to stop where I am on the sidewalk. "You just jaywalked on a major intersection," the voice crawls closer. "Why, why, why," I cry into my hands before pausing to pull together my best smile, ready to talk my way out of this. But before I can turn to face the officer, both my hands are grabbed to move behind me. What the fuck? Is he arresting me? Did I do something wrong?