I had been in South Korea for almost five weeks, but even after all that time, I had still not gotten used to the heat. It bore down on me everyday like I was carrying round a weight, making every step a chore.
"How does anyone get anything done here" I moaned to Areum as we sped to hide under the shade of the rooftop garden of the English Embassy.
"Didn't you live in Beijing for two years before coming here?" Areum laughed
"Yes and I moaned about the heat there just as much. Ugh can the sun just chill?" I laughed doubly as Areum groaned at my pun. "Honestly how do you deal with it?! You look so put together, after each day I literally am so worn out I have a cold shower and go straight to bed"
"I'm Korean you idiot: I was made for this weather. I hope that tragic tale of your social life isn't true. You're only 20! These are meant to be the best years of our lives! You should be out partying" Areum exclaimed, jabbing me in the ribs.
"Imagine moving any more than absolutely necessary in this weather" I muttered, barely bothering to open my mouth to talk
Areum knocked my chair "hey, you have to come out with me! You can come out with some of my friends we'd have a great night! You free tonight?"
"Ah no sorry I am incredibly busy on a date tonight" I replied
"Omg really?! with who?"
"The love of my life--Netflix. And I may even go to bed with it, but don't tell anyone" I winked at Areum.
Areum stuck her tongue out at me as we laughed together "you're so annoying. I'll get you at some point. You WILL come out with me Alice James"
My day after mine and Areum's sun break continued like usual. I met with other diplomats and ambassadors, schmoozed a couple clients and did a tonne of paperwork. I found myself thinking more about Areum's request. I did love going out, I don't know why I was so reluctant in Korea, I had been out loads in China when I was a diplomat there. Maybe I'm just a bit nervous for a new city. It didn't help that Areum was my only friend there. It's hard not to feel lonely when you're uprooted to a new country every few years- having to start afresh again and again never gets easier in that sense.
But tonight is not the night, I assure my nerves, maybe tomorrow I will have the energy to dress up and go out, but tonight I am having my long shower and letting myself wallow in my loneliness.
The next day Areum asked if I wanted to come out for drinks that night and I finally agreed. I hyped myself up all day and spent far too long getting ready in my nicest dress and heels.
When my phone buzzed:
Sorry A, somethings come up and I cant go out tonight. Reschedule for tomorrow?
With a sigh I texted her back:
Yeah sure, now worries, see you tomorrow <3
I slowly took of the makeup I had spent the last hour applying and tucked myself into bed. I wasn't mad at Areum, she was doing me a favour by asking me out with her friends in the first place. To be honest I was just pitying myself that I had no one else to ask. Moving country was pretty lonely.
"Sorry for snaking you last night Alice" Areum said, giving me a hug as soon as I entered work the next morning
"Honestly it was no drama, you can't help it if something happens" I replied smiling genuinly back at her
"Yeah and it really was something! I met a band last night!" She squealed
KAMU SEDANG MEMBACA
Their Piece of Peace
Fiksi PenggemarAlice is in a new country with no one she knows, she feels completely alone. Hoseok is working harder than ever, constantly surrounded by people who claim they know him, he feels completely alone. This is their story, their trials and tribulations t...
