29 Dates

by Melissa de la Cruz

  Jisu: You’re really going to put me on the spot like that? Okay, here. Let me know what you think.

  Sejun: These are actually really cool. People can put up basic landscape shots, but I like your eye. Like this one of the Namsan Tower. I feel like everyone takes the same boring photo, but I haven’t seen it from this angle. This is cool stuff.

  Jisu: Wow, thanks! That’s really nice of you to say.

  Sejun: Also this one. Is this Jeju Island?

  Jisu: Yup! I was there last spring for vacation with my parents to see the canola flowers bloom.

  Sejun: This photo reminds me so much of that Andrew Wyeth painting. I just learned it in my art-history class. It’s this painting of a woman in a field, but this is like the bright, happy version of it.

  Jisu: Christina’s World?

  Sejun: Yes! That’s the name. How did you know?

  Jisu: I was actually thinking about it when I was shooting and trying different poses.

  Sejun: So, that’s you in the photo? And you took it, too?

  Jisu: Yeah, this was when I was first trying out self-portraits with my camera. I’m really just learning as I go.

  Sejun: That’s impressive. Honestly. But wait, how are there only fifty-seven likes on this photo?

  Jisu: Really? I feel like that’s a lot... It’s definitely been one of my more popular posts.

  Sejun: That’s because you only have 259 followers.

  Jisu: Only? I couldn’t think of 259 people to invite to a party, so it’s a lot, at least for me... How many followers do you have?

  Sejun: I just hit ten.

  Jisu: Ten...?

  Sejun: Ten thousand. My goal is to hit fifty before the year’s end. I’m already getting lots of good free stuff to advertise.

  Jisu: How do you have so many followers? Do you have a blog?

  Sejun: No, people just like my face.

  Jisu: That’s hilarious.

  Sejun: No, I’m serious. Any post with my face in it gets three times more likes than a post of the crowds at a music festival, my car or my morning coffee.

  Jisu: That’s good...I guess?

  Sejun: Hey, do you ever take portraits or headshots? I was just thinking of getting some done.

  Jisu: No, I haven’t really done that...

  Sejun: I bet you’d do a good job. All your posts have a good sense of composition and lighting.

  Jisu: Why do I feel like I’m being interviewed for a photography job?

  Sejun: No, no. I don’t mean it to be like that. You’re just so obviously talented.

  Jisu: Are you trying to act also, or...?

  Sejun: Nah, I don’t need, like, those cheesy headshots or anything. Just figured it would be good to have some photos taken. At least while we’re still young and before the wrinkles and gray hairs set in, right?

  Jisu: Yeah...totally. I bet your followers would eat it up.

  Sejun: Exactly! Now you’re getting in the spirit. Okay, I’m going to regram your Wyeth self-portrait, and when you take my portrait, I’ll tag you. I can guarantee you that your following will triple.

  Jisu: Thanks...I guess? Photography is really just a hobby for me right now. My parents are always saying I get too distracted and need to focus on school.

  Sejun: My parents say the same thing, too. Keep telling me I spend too much time on my phone.

  Jisu: Yeah...it’s like staring into a lake at your reflection.

  Sejun: Yeah...wait...what?

  Jisu: Nothing! So, where would you want to do these photos?

  Sejun: Hmm, nowhere obvious like the Namsan Tower. Actually, do you have your camera on you?

  Jisu: You want your photo taken now?

  Sejun: Oh, ha. No! Not at all. That was a joke. Totally a joke.

  Jisu: Here. Let me take one now with your phone. It doesn’t have to be a whole shoot to be Instagram-worthy.

  Sejun: Are you...sure?

  Jisu: Yeah, just don’t pose. Be natural. Look that way. Now take a sip of your coffee.

  Sejun: I’ve never had this happen on a date before.

  Jisu: You don’t say. Here, what do you think?

  Sejun: Wow—even these are really good. None of my friends are good at taking photos. I should introduce you to my mom.

  Jisu: Your mom? Sejun, we literally just met.

  Sejun: No! Not in any serious way like that. Sorry. She’s a wedding planner and she could probably hook you up with her clients. Could be super profitable, and you can get more cameras and cool equipment.

  Jisu: That’s actually not a bad idea. I’ll think about it! What does your dad do?

  Sejun: He’s a retired soap opera actor. Everyone says I look just like him.

  Jisu: Must be how you have all those Instagram followers.

  Sejun: Yeah, actually. Half of the comments on my pages are middle-aged ladies, who are his biggest fans.

  Jisu: I was just joking...but I guess I’m not surprised.

  Sejun: These portraits are actually so good, Jisu. I’m glad we met!

  Jisu: I’m glad you like the photos, Sejun.

  5

  To say that Wick-Helmering looked exactly as it did in the pamphlets would be an understatement. Somehow, every patch of grass was just as lush and green as depicted, every modern glass building as sleek as advertised and every student as impeccably dressed as expected. Seeing everyone in normal individual outfits was a nice change of pace and made people-watching all the more interesting. Like most private schools, Daewon had its students wear uniforms to school. Theirs was better than the uniforms at some of the other private schools in Seoul—well-tailored white polos, sharp navy blazers and simple khaki pants and skirts—but all the expressive individuality here was much more visually stimulating than Jisu had anticipated.

  Euni—I have no idea how I’m going to make new friends here. Is it even worth the effort if I’m here for only one year?

  Jisu typed away on her phone. Due to the time difference, her conversations with Euni sometimes had a delay, but it was better than nothing. It still felt good to send her a message, knowing it would be waiting to be opened on Euni’s phone.

  How had friendships or any relationships survived before texting and video chat?

  “Hey! You must be Jisu Kim.” A bright-eyed, bushy-tailed girl appeared before Jisu.

  “I’m Kaylee Andrews—your assigned class buddy. It’s so nice to meet you!” Kaylee gave Jisu a hug as big as her smile. She had fair, pale skin, light brown eyes and long auburn hair that was braided into a fishtail and tied at the end with black-and-gold ribbon—the Wick-Helmering school colors. She wore a sweatshirt with the WH letters and was carrying a water bottle branded with the school logo. Kaylee was dressed like a sponsored ad for the school.

  The international students had had a separate orientation in the days leading up to the first day of school. Each student had been paired with an WH student who would show them around the school grounds and help them get settled in. Technically, Jisu wasn’t behind on Wick’s academic calendar, but she wasn’t quite settled in like the others either. They had found their people and were all buzzing with excitement and comparing class schedules. Jisu was the only incoming senior this year, and the usual excitement of starting a new chapter in life was replaced with dread. Jisu’s only hope was that the semester would go as fast as possible.

  “I’m terrible with maps and have no idea where my first class is. Can you show me where to go?” Jisu asked Kaylee.

  “Of course! Let’s see—English is going to be at the Scribner Building, which is across campus. I have a different class, but it’s in that same building, so I’ll just walk with you. Plus I can give you an unofficial tour of the school!”

  Kaylee and Jisu made their way through the student grounds. What should’ve been a short walk across campus became an
extended stroll, with Kaylee stopping to say hi to every other person they encountered.

  “This is the Harding Building, which is where all the math and science classes are. Mrs. Sullivan’s office is in this building, and she always has her adorable German shepherd chilling with her during office hours. He’s a service dog.”

  Kaylee pointed to a field of green. “This is the main lawn where everybody eats lunch when it’s nice out. In the winter we all just cram in the auditorium. Sometimes if I need my space from everyone, I’ll sneak into the computer room and eat there while I scroll through Twitter. It’s super quiet and no one will bother you.

  “Those trailers over there are temporary study hall spots while the school works on construction, but it’s really just a glorified makeout spot. I once saw Jimmy Chow and Angela Sarinas sneak out of one, all red in the face.”

  Jisu nodded and smiled, a bit confused at all the information being thrown at her.

  “Oh, of course those names don’t mean anything to you.” Kaylee laughed. “Jimmy has been Karina Bahari’s boyfriend since the sixth grade. But not anymore since he was caught making out with Angela!”

  Kaylee continued to rattle on, giving Jisu all the insight into which teachers were strict and which ones were nice and always offered extra credit. And for each school fact Kaylee gave, she also doled out a bit of social intel on every classmate they ran into.

  “Kelly! Oh, my god, hi, how was your family trip to Morocco? All your pics on Insta were amaze... Dana! I just binge-watched the rest of Scandal with Molly. We have to talk about it... Um, Sam? Please don’t tell me all you did this summer was grow a man bun. You really need a haircut... Brittany! I’m obsessed with your skirt. You should buy it in every color.”

  It seemed that Kaylee had an endless, accurate inventory of all her classmates. She laid out a map for Jisu of all the friends, lovers, enemies and frenemies.

  “Madison stabs everyone in the back and changes her friend group every other month. Stay away from her. If you have any classes with Jayson, he will definitely be flirty and then immediately ask if he can copy your homework. Ignore him.”

  Jisu stopped trying to keep up. If she had any questions, she could always consult Kaylee’s social dossier.

  “Wait, don’t look, but the guy by the statue over there is Austin Velasco,” Kaylee said as she looked away, seeming shy all of a sudden.

  Jisu of course looked straight in the direction of the statue. There was a group of boys erupting in laughter at something one of them had said.

  “Which one is—”

  “The one with longish black hair. Tan. How is he perfectly tan all the time? Maybe because he’s Filipino? Also, I know he surfs a lot, but it’s insane! Do you see him? Is he looking over here?” Kaylee looked up and, in an instant, switched back to her cheery, social-butterfly self. She waved over at the group of boys.

  “Oh, my god, he’s the only one who didn’t wave back. Who does he think he is? At least Michael waved back. He’s the one with the baseball cap.”

  How much farther was the Scribner Building? Jisu wanted to get to her first class already and get the day started.

  “Oh, before I forget—tomorrow is the club fair. There’ll be a bunch of tables set up on the lawn for each club and you can decide which ones you want to join,” Kaylee said.

  “How many clubs are people usually involved in?” Jisu asked.

  “Oh, I’d say like seven or eight total, but I’m only super serious about like three or four clubs. I only give up my lunchtime and after-school time for things I’m actually interested in.”

  Jisu had been extensively involved in extracurricular activities in Seoul, and it seemed like Kaylee and other students at Wick-Helmering stayed busy, but not quite at the same level as Daewon. High school was tough as it was, so this was a bit of a relief. She let her shoulders drop and her step felt a bit lighter as she followed Kaylee to class. For the first time since landing in SFO, Jisu felt at ease. Maybe all of this wasn’t such a bad idea; maybe this drastic change could be helpful. Maybe she could thrive.

  * * *

  “Everyone, we have a very special student who has come all the way from Asia.” The English teacher, Ms. Hollis, drew the class’s attention to the front of the room. There was something about the way she said the word Asia that was unsettling to Jisu, as if she were being described like a foreign zoo animal. Her fellow classmates craned their necks toward her, and their collective staring made Jisu want to curl up into a ball and disappear.

  “Jisu! Why don’t you come up to the front of the class and properly introduce yourself?” Ms. Hollis pronounced her name with the J and S enunciated too harshly, like a cacophonous clashing of letters. But she must have only good intentions—there was no way Ms. Hollis was aware of how odd her overenunciating made Jisu’s name sound. Still, Jisu tensed up and dug her nails into the fleshy parts of her palms.

  “Hi, everyone, my name is Jisu Kim. I’m a senior and I just moved from Seoul, Korea. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all,” Jisu stated simply.

  “You know, I’m impressed,” Ms. Hollis said. “Your English is quite good, and your sense of humor translates so well!”

  Jisu smiled because Ms. Hollis was complimenting her, but the actual words themselves didn’t feel so much like a compliment. Jisu had taken nine years of English at school, so of course her English was good. But Ms. Hollis may not necessarily know that. Still, why would she be placed in her class if she wasn’t proficient enough?

  Jisu returned to her seat and clamped her hands on her desk. She couldn’t explain the uneasiness that was starting to take hold of her body. Ms. Hollis had tried earnestly to welcome her to the class, but the attempt somehow made Jisu feel out of place. It wasn’t anger, no, but there was a nagging feeling. It was muted but very much present.

  Jisu tried to shake it off and focus on the lesson, but her irritation was like a stubborn fog that wouldn’t lift and disappear. Jisu was of course aware that she was the new girl at school and from a completely different country, but she had never actually felt like an outsider until now.

  * * *

  The “Need-A-Friend” table was exactly what it sounded like—an initiative with good intention. But it was simply where all the international students awkwardly huddled up in between and after classes. They were all from different cities around the world—Seoul, Perth, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Karachi—but that was the only thing they had in common. I’m here for one year. In and out. Good grades only. I don’t need a friend, right?

  Jisu sent off another message to Euni, who was probably still sleeping.

  Wick-Helmering sucks. Also, what kind of name is Wick-Helmering? Everyone here is way too cheerful and in love with their school. I’m miserable. Miss you, bestie.

  “First day not going so great?”

  Jisu looked up at the boy who had seated himself across from her. He had light brown eyes and bushy black eyebrows, the same color as his wavy, unruly, raven-colored hair. Jisu suddenly became aware that she was frowning. She had been hunched over her phone, too, which she realized when her spine automatically adjusted itself.

  “Austin Velasco. Nice to meet you.” He had a crooked smile that was somehow perfectly askew and emanated boyish charm.

  So this was who Kaylee was swooning over earlier. He did look naturally sun-kissed, just as she had described.

  “Nice to meet you, too...” Jisu said.

  “So, you’re the only senior international student, right?” Austin asked.

  “Yup, that’s me. I just moved from Seoul a few days ago.” Was this normally how the Need-A-Friend table worked? Did you usually end up with a cute boy talking to you?

  “How did you end up here?” Austin asked.

  “It’s a long story. But basically, I have to get perfect scores on everything to make uprooting my life worth it,” Jisu expla
ined.

  “Yikes,” he said. “I can’t imagine doing that. It must be tough.” Austin looked sympathetically at Jisu, and for the first time on her first day at school, she felt truly seen.

  “It’s not so bad. Kaylee is being helpful, and I’m only going to be here for one year.” Jisu could feel Kaylee’s gaze locked on her and Austin from across the cafeteria.

  “So, what’s South Korea like?” Austin asked. “You guys get any good waves there?”

  “Waves? Uh, we have some good beaches. And islands, too! I go to Jeju Island with my family pretty often. They have these beautiful yellow canola fields that bloom every spring.” Jisu took out her phone and scrolled through her photos.

  “Actually, I have photos from the last time I went.” She held out her phone to Austin.

  “Wow, that’s amazing.” Austin took her phone and looked closely at the photos. “You took these?”

  Jisu nodded. Austin looked up at her with that crooked smile again, and Jisu’s stomach did a tiny flip. He started typing something into her phone. What is he doing? She panicked for a moment, remembering all the silly selfies he could see by simply swiping left and right. But before she could snatch back her phone, Austin handed it to her.

  “There. Now I have this dope photo and you have my number.” There it was on the screen. Austin Velasco had sent himself a text from Jisu’s phone.

  I guess this is one way to make friends? Jisu had never met someone so bold and so forward in their first interactions with her. She snatched her phone back, but made sure his number really had been saved. Jisu couldn’t tell if she was more taken aback or intrigued.

  “I work at the Tutoring Center, so if you need help dealing with class or anything really, just text me.” Austin grinned as he got up from the table and rejoined his friends. Earlier that day, Kaylee had given Jisu her number in case she needed help, but Jisu had not felt nearly as flustered as she did now.

  He’s just being nice. Jisu remembered her mother’s jansori about finding a good English tutor. And I do need a tutor anyway.