Dawn waved goodbye to her sister one last time, turning every few paces to still see her sister standing there, her arms folded and a soft smile on her face, and looked down to fondle her new cell phone with her thumb, turning a corner and — WHAM!
Dawn looked up from her new position on the floor, her books and new pens scattered, her brand new phone already a little scuffed, and saw a boy just standing there, his face somewhat blank. He seemed to barely register that she had crashed - full-bodied - right into him. Either he was incredibly strong or just daft, she couldn't tell.
"Sorry!" she said up to him as she scrambled to pick up her things. Not that he noticed, not that he even really looked down at her. What kind of freak just stands there like that without moving?! Dawn stood and looked the boy right in the face, ready to tell him off.
Only his face took her breath away. Yeah - he was somehow still completely oblivious or completely uncaring about her presence less than two feet from him - but he was stunning. Dawn shifted from foot to foot. "Um… I'm sorry for crashing into you." She chewed her lip, "I'm Dawn. Dawn Summers… um?" She extended her hand and he actually looked down at it, and at her, confusedly.
Suddenly two boys swooped in on either side. The taller one (Dawn was so dazed this was at first the only distinguishing characteristic between the three) put his right arm around the silent wall and shook him, "Kim Myungsoo - you dork - wake up! A pretty girl is trying to say hello to you!" And then he winked good gods above and below he winked and Dawn felt as though she'd swoon right then and smiled at her. Kim Myungsoo blinked at her and bowed slightly, "Annyong."
The boy on her left smiled at her and shrugged at him companions, holding out his hand: "I'm Sunjong, this is Sungyeol," he nodded towards the taller boy, "And that is Myungsoo." He shoved the wall (who was now completely absorbed in his companion, playing with the boy's backpack and staring up at him, his eyes suddenly and finally taking in his surroundings … not that she could blame him for ignoring her in the presence of that).
She nodded, "I'm Dawn."
"Forgive him, please," the taller one (Sungyeol?!) said with a smile that smile made Dawn's stomach drop to her knees. "We're all still a little… um… shellshocked?"
The wall blinked at her for the first time, "Everything's still really new here."
He said it without context, but Dawn nodded, "I understand." She instinctively reached out to touch the boy's arm, to connect with him since he seemed so lost in himself.
She heard in their voices the bright tinge of an accent, the way their mouths shaped themselves over the English words was still new - a little fresh and with a sense of discomfort.
They weren't the only huddle of shy, misplaced students in the hallway. It was the first day of a new school, nothing about them was out of place. Everyone was new. In addition, the Korean population in Sunnydale seemed to have boomed over night. Business was never better for Giles' shop, for many brought with them sensibilities and superstitions long since neglected by those long in a world that rejected old-held beliefs. Most of the immigrants were students at the University, taking advantage of a new outreach program the UC Sunnydale's board had concocted. There were a few families here and there, but Dawn hadn't really anticipated anyone near her age.
Also all three were disgustingly attractive.
The wall (Myungsoo, she told herself) grabbed her hand fiercely as the youngest - Sungjong - snatched the schedule right out of her hand. As Myungsoo clung to her with a derpy grin on his face (she tried to take that as a good sign), Sungjong muttered over her schedule. "Okay kids - you all have the start of the day together on the other side of campus. I'll see you at lunch." He nodded to Dawn as he passed off her schedule to the taller boy and sauntered off down the hallway. Sungyeol yipped and grinned, his arm still around Myungsoo - who was still tethered to Dawn's hand - it was all rather endearing and a little overwhelming, "He's right, we have our first three classes together."
And then he turned on his heel and started walking decidedly down the hall, her schedule still in his hand. He walked like a runway model. It was disconcerting.
Myunsoo cocked his head at her for a moment and then spun her around, pulling her arm through his as though he was a gentleman leading her into a ballroom. "Well," he said shyly as they scrambled to catch up to Sungyeol's long stride, "Ready for class?"
She laughed and squeezed his hand, "Now."