Get Closer (Minhee & Jungmo)

Part 7

That's when my grin was immediately replaced with a pained expression. Minhee immediately took note of this, then frowned.

"A'right kiddos let us get started!" Boomed the art teacher, Mrs. Lee. Catching the attention of everyone in the room.

Mrs. Lee, presumably Hideko Lee, our Japanese art teacher, is quite a peculiar woman. She's a bright person who enjoys the color green a little too much. She can often be seen wearing a bun full of paint brushes stuck through it, tacky patterned aprons, and the most colorful sequin shoes that will blind you on sight.

Mrs. Lee then continued. "Now students, I'm going to give you the instructions for our next art project. You'll partner up with the wonderful classmate next to you. I don't care if you don't want to be partners, go complain somewhere else. This is high school, not kindergarten. We're not making potato art."

Some students giggled while others groaned. I cautiously looked over at Minhee to see his blank expression. I then sighed, and looked back at Mrs. Lee. Even if his face didn't show it, I could tell that he wasn't too pleased with being partners with me.

"Hey kiddos, attention!" Yelled Mr. Lee.

After she got everyone to look at her, Mrs. Lee then continued. "Now you see, this will be quite different from our usual paintings. Instead, this project will be conjoined with photography. I need you and your partner to meet together out of class and take four pictures, representing spring. Simple enough, right? You must include at least one of your partners in each photo, so that I know that you didn't just take something off the web. After class I'll hand either you or your partner a camera. Anyways, you may now discuss."

I then looked over at Minhee with an awkward smile. He then turned to me with a sigh.

"Number." He then said.

I stayed confused for a second, until I then realized what he was talking about. "Oh right my number, of course!" I then answered.

I quickly scribbled my number on my notebook, and passed it to him. Minhee then added it to his contacts. Afterwards Minhee did the same, and I got his number.

Hey, it may just be for an art project, but I did get his number.

I cheerfully entered my bright room, and landed on the bed. Could I possibly get Minhee to open up at least a little bit? I had his number, let's just hope that we'll use it even after the art project.

It was then when I heard the soft notification from my phone. I then pulled it out to see that it was from none other than Minhee.

Moody Minhee

What in the world is this name?

Jungmo

One that suits you very well.

Moody Minhee

Whatever, anyways when and where
do you wanna meet for the project?

Jungmo

How about let's meet
tomorrow after school
at that park I showed you?  
                                                       There are some cherry
       blossom trees that would
compliment the spring theme.
Moody Minhee

Sure, I'll bring the camera.

I sighed as I put my phone down. I need to get a good grade on this project. I hope that Jungmo knows what he's doing.

I then walked over towards the bathroom, and looked at the mirror. I've been told countless times that I resemble my father. Do I really? I don't exactly remember how he looks like anymore. Well that's depressing.

I try to cling on to the little memories that I have of my parents, but honestly I can only feel them fading away. I just want to hold on to the past.

I walked out of the school, and out towards the playground. I wonder if Jungmo is already there.

I quickly made my way towards the broken down play equipment, and looked around. Behind the depressing scene I could see pink flower covered trees in front of a lake. How could I not notice this before?

It was then when I found Jungmo sitting by a tree looking like he was in deep thought. I quietly made my way over towards him until I was right in front of the purple haired boy.

"Are you possessed?"

Jungmo immediately snapped out of his tranced state, and looked up towards me. It amused me about how short he seemed compared to me.

"What are you smiling about?" Asked a confused Jungmo. "Woah, you're not sulky today!" He said with a cheerful expression.

I then rolled my eyes, and took out the camera we were given. "How do you wanna do this?" I asked while holding the camera up.

Jungmo then snatched the camera from me. "You're the tall person, you pose."

I then frowned. "Absolutely not, now pose by that tree or something."

Jungmo then sighed as he went over to lean his back on the cherry blossom tree. Afterwards he looked off towards the distance, and used his hand to block the sun from his face.

I then snapped a few photos, and we both went over them to choose the best ones.

"I should become a model when I grow up." Said a proud Jungmo.

I then looked over, and examined the purple haired boy. I'd be lying if I said that he didn't have model potential.

As I examined his face, I could soon see how his cheerful expression fell. I then looked over towards where he was looking at, to see the rusted swing set.

"Why do you look sad?" I then questioned.

"Oh it's nothing, just some old memories." He then added with a slight smile.

But I could clearly tell that there was something much more to it. And I burned for answers. Why though? Why did I feel so curious to find out about Jungmo's problems? Why do I even care at all?

Maybe, just maybe I want to help.