For the first time since arriving in Korea, I want to be a part of that group, raising money for the poor and making a difference. But I have to defeat Haemosu, and I’m still wondering if I’m strong enough and smart enough to do it. Michelle thinks we all are here for a purpose. But what if my purpose is too big? What if I can’t do it?
Once the cheering dies, Mrs. Freeman announces that it’s time to plan our next event. She moves to the board and writes “Ideas” at the top. Michelle, of course, is the first to raise her hand.
“How about a food drive?” Michelle opens her laptop and starts typing. “We could take food to the homeless that sleep in the subway entrances.”
Mrs. Freeman writes it on the board. More ideas are generated, but I’ve stopped listening. I opt for twirling the bracelet around my wrist and creating my own brainstorming list.
WAYS TO KICK HAEMOSU’S BUTT
Lock him in his own tomb.
Shoot an arrow, aim for the heart.
Turn into a dragon and blow fire on him until he’s nothing but ashes.
Chop off all his limbs.
“Jae Hwa,” Mrs. Freeman says from across the room, “I see you’ve made a list, too. Care to add anything?”
I skim over her list and compare it to my own. Okay, chopping off limbs really wouldn’t work. Maybe I need to pick up some of Michelle’s ideas. Mine are pretty brutal. “How about a carnival for orphan kids?”
“Fantastic idea!” Mrs. Freeman beams. “How about you, Marc?”
Marc sits straighter, adjusting his glasses. “Yes, Mrs. Freeman?” he says in a tone that makes him sound like the teacher here.
“What are you drawing?” Mrs. Freeman asks, and comes around the table to pick up the pad he’s sketching on.
As she lifts the paper, I catch a peek of the rough, penciled drawing. It has five dragons connected in a circle. My bracelet! Marc glances my way and covers his paper. I lower my eyes, pretending I’m looking at my notebook. Is Marc still thinking about the bracelet? He wanted to see it again at breakfast on our last day at the ski resort. I wouldn’t let him.
Now I’m desperate to talk to him, because I also want to know why his dad is an expert on metamorphosis. Okay, so maybe I can’t get the memory of his lips brushing my forehead out of my mind and I want more. But that is definitely bad.
Komo had said none of Princess Yuhwa’s suitors lived. Haemosu’s jealousy wouldn’t allow it. Would Haemosu think of Marc as a threat? And then there’s Dad. Last night over dinner he mentioned that someone had told him I was hanging out with a white boy and reminded me again to stay focused on my studies.
As if I don’t have enough to worry about.
“I was doodling,” Marc tells Mrs. Freeman. “It helps me focus. John Hopkins University School of Medicine did a study two years ago reporting that drawing stimulates the mind.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Freeman stares at the paper. “So has this drawing inspired anything yet?”
“I think Jae’s got the best idea up there,” Marc quips as if he’s been mulling over this for some time. “She’s got my vote.”
That was smooth. I wonder if he tutors in diplomacy. If only I could skirt around issues with my dad like that. Michelle jumps up from her seat as if Mrs. Freeman has given her permission and starts a whole stream of ideas on all the possibilities of a carnival. She winks at me. I smile and sit back, feeling as if I’ve finally been accepted into this group.
Until a note is tossed and lands on my notebook. Warily, I open it.
Back off or I’ll tell your daddy. Marc’s mine. He’s always been mine.
xoxo
My eyes wander to Min. She peeks up from her tablet and blows me a kiss. She has no idea that I could break her in half.
I rip her note, wondering how on earth I haven’t gotten kicked out of the school yet. Meanwhile, Mrs. Freeman absently hands the drawing back to Marc. The glow in me dies. What am I thinking? I can’t be a part of all this and deal with Haemosu.
Marc has the design drawn perfectly. So perfectly that the hairs on my arms prick up as if they’ve been pulled by a magnet. He rubs his forehead with his thumb and forefinger, and glances up at me. Our eyes meet. My heart stops. He knows something. I can feel it.
When the bell rings, I grab my backpack and skirt around the table. I’ve nearly reached Marc, but Min of the Long Legs pulls him aside.
“So are we on for tonight?” she asks, draping her arm over his shoulder. “There’s a new movie playing at the theater in Sinchon that I know you’ll adore.”
She glances back at me, a smirk playing across her red lips. I press my books against my chest and glare at her. I don’t have time for Long Legs’s elementary school games or her jealousy. I bolt for the door.
“So,” Michelle says, breezing up next to me, “will you be on my team?”
I have no idea what she’s talking about.
“Sure. Absolutely.” If I’m still alive then, that is.
From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Marc hurrying after us. I pull on Michelle’s elbow and steer her into the hall.
“What’s wrong?” Michelle asks, wide-eyed.
“He’s going out on a date with Min.” My chest aches. “Why did I think he could be interested in me when there’s a girl like Min gushing over him? Crap. He’s coming.”
I pull Michelle into escape mode, but he rushes to block our path.
“Can I talk to you a second, Jae?”
“Marc.” I’m a little unnerved at the intensity in his eyes. “Maybe later. I need to get to my locker before class. Plus, don’t you need to plan your date with Min?”
I really think I deserve a medal or something for keeping my cool.
He holds his finger in front of my face. “One minute.”
“One second,” I say.
He clears his throat and looks at Michelle. She raises her eyebrows, not budging.
“It’s okay,” I tell her, “I won’t beat him up.” When she’s gone, I step closer to Marc and whisper, “Someone saw us together on the ski trip. They had the nerve to tell my dad, and he’s forbidden me to hang out with you anymore. I think it was your girlfriend.”
Marc’s chin lifts, and his eyes widen as if I’ve slapped him. The books in my arms weigh a thousand pounds, they’re so heavy. I focus on my Converse sneakers because he actually looks devastated.
“What I wanted to tell you is to be careful,” he whispers into my ear. My heart lurches over the feel of his breath against my neck.
“That bracelet you’re wearing,” Marc continues. “You should take it off. There’s something not right about it. Tell me I won’t burn myself if I touch your bracelet. It wasn’t an electric shock back at the ski resort, was it?”
No joke. “What makes you think that?”
“I’ve been researching it.” He glances around. “I think it’s a symbol of enslavement.”
If he only knew. He’s about to say something else when Long Legs sidles up to him. Will she not go away?
“Marc,” Min says sweetly, “I’m heading to class now. Care to join?”
“I’m talking to Jae,” Marc says. “Alone.”
“Let’s talk later,” I say, and then give Min my best scathing look, “when we’re really alone.”
She bristles and stalks away. Before I can say anything else, the warning bell rings. Great. I still haven’t gotten my calculus book yet. Ms. Wood is so strict about tardies. I’ll have to run to get to class on time. I say, “Listen, I’ve got to go.”
“Right,” he says. “Catch you around.”
He sprints off down the hall, weaving through the crowds as if he’s chasing something. I watch him for a moment and shake my head.