All I Need Is Love.

6

CATHY

The taxi slowed and stopped directly in front of the school. I was a bit late as it was past four and I hated it as it would only mean that I would end up being the object of everyone's attention.

I got out of the taxi and paid him feeling subconscious and uncomfortable in the top I was wearing and the jean that showed off my shape.

If it wasn't that the party was a general party and I didn't want to be looked at as a nerd or outcast, I would have opted for my usual baggy jeans and sweat shirts.

I felt nervous and excited at the same time because it was as the first party I was ever attending, my first introduction to the social world In a new country.

Taking slow steps, I walked towards the school feeling the same energy I got from it when I first came into the school.

My curiosity still was heightened and I wanted to find out what it was that the school seemed to be hiding but not today, today, I would focus on trying my very best to make friends and have fun, to make up for all the times I missed out back in Texas.

As I got closer to the gym door, my nervousness increased as well as my apprehension that I might end up f*****g it up but I still walked forward.

The door to the gym door was slightly opened and I could see streaks of disco light inside but there was no sound of loud music.

I hesitated, wanting to run back home but I fought it and walked in with a smile on my face.

What the f**k was going on..?

"Uhmm guys..?" I asked, clearing my throat as I realized that the gym was almost empty with just Jackson and his friends, three girls and me.

Was this the party?

Jackson turned to look at me and his face broke into a smile.

"Heyyy.. look at her, the woman of the hour has finally arrived."

He stood up and clapped, leading his friends and the girls, who I supposed were their girlfriends, to clap also.

"What do you mean?" I asked, moving forward towards him, "where's the party? Why is no one here yet?"

The whole thing was confusing to me. Is this how Koreans do their party? Just eight people? Why isn't anyone here yet?

"Oh.. that? Well, how do I say this to you?" He asked looking as if he was musing.

"Say what?"

I was still confused and the fact that his friends had a huge grin on their faces did nothing to make me feel better.

"Well, you're too early, Cathy. Not too early anyways, we can spend our time getting to know each other, right?"

He was smiling at me but something about the smile made me feel uncomfortable, it was almost as if he was telling me that he had other plans for me.

But he can't possibly do anything to me, right? At least not in the school premises when there are probably other people on campus.

"I don't understand you. What do you mean?" I asked with a clear voice though I felt a bit shaky Inside.

Is this a joke? Could it be that he played me by asking me to come here?

"The party will start soon, I assure you. You just have to be patient, we Koreans like to take our time with things. I'm pretty sure other ladies will be dressing so prettily right now in order to look prettier than the other."

I stared at him, trying to tell if he was lying or not but he had a straight face so it was impossible for me to know if he was lying besides his friends still had those silly grin on their faces.

After some time, I finally decided to believe him and walked to a seat far away from him and his friends while quietly observing the room.

It was strange and something seemed off but I couldn't figure it out as I was too occupied with my nerves.

"Hey Cathy."

I turned to face Jackson who grabbed a seat and sat next to me.

"What do you want?"

"You look good. I didn't know you could look so good when I saw you this morning in Those baggy clothes. You really should think about changing your style."

I scoffed and turned my face away. It was my business if I want to change my style or not, he had no right to butt into what wasn't his business.

"Whatever, it's my life," I mumbled.

I was about to stand up and go away from him when it suddenly occurred to me what was off.

The seats!! The disco ball! Everything! If there really was a party to be held in here, the setting would have looked different than it does right now.

It looks like a regular gym room with a disco ball, not like a place used for a party.

I turned to look at Jackson, then looked around, before finally looking back at Jackson who was now smiling in a weird way.

"There's no party, is there?" I asked, pushing the fear down within me as I realized what a mess I had put myself into.

To make it worse, I wasn't dressed in a comfortable clothes and won't be able to run as freely as I would have been able to if I was wearing a baggy clothes.

"What do you mean?" He laughed, acting surprised, "of course there's a party. Why else would we gather here?"

I swallowed hard and looked around for an escape route but there was none. His friends were already edging close to the door, the girls were already giggling and whispering amongst themselves.

"Well then, where are the freshers and the rest who were supposed to be here?"

As usual my tone was Sharp and blunt even though I felt so nervous that I might pee myself.

"Oh honey, you're the fresher and the rest of the guests..," He spread his arms around, "they're all here. You are the party , Cathy."

He suddenly stood up and I had to stop myself from screaming in fear as he got closer to me.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you, Cathy. I felt so bored all along in this school and then suddenly you appear.. Like a miracle into my life."

I shifted slowly.

"What are you saying? How do I make your life boring? If your life is boring then it is, there's nothing I can do about that."

Fuck no, Cathy, what the hell is wrong with you?

"This!" He exclaimed excited and his friends laughed, "your sharp tongue brings excitement into my life."

The smile suddenly fell off his face and the laughter died off almost immediately as if they were synchronized.

I felt it before I saw it coming, a punch landing on my stomach.

"You really think you can talk this way to me in front of everyone and go scot-free?" He yelled, throwing me another one.

I coughed and fell to the ground, grateful for the first time to Williams for giving me a heads up on how to survive punches.

Well, so much for a bully free school life, I just bought myself a ticket into a new bullying era.

Jackson lifted me up and smiled a sinister smile before landing me another punch on my stomach with a kick on my legs.

"Welcome to Korea, b***h!"