"Finally!" Do Min Ji sighed as she sat next to Seo Yeon on the steps outside of the school. "I thought that class would never end."

"It's your fault for memorizing everything at the beginning of the semester. You could just study like a normal student, you know." Seo Yeon said with a hint of bitterness.

"You're just jealous because I ace all my exams." Min Ji playfully nudged her friend.

"You're mean, Min Ji." Seo Yeon said jokingly.

Min Ji pulled out her lunch. "You want some Seo Yeon?"

Seo Yeon made an X with her arms. "No way! I'm on a diet. I need to lose 10 pounds before the festival. I'll starve myself if I have to!"

Min Ji looked up at the sky, "I forgot about the school festival."

Seo Yeon made a sour face, "You study so hard, yet you neglect your social life."

"I do not!"

"Oh? Then why am I your only friend at this school?" Seo Yeon asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Min Ji looked down at the ground and quietly said, "I just don't want to get close to people. You know that."

"And Jae Kyung?"

Min Ji blushed, "That's different."

"Uh huh."

In an attempt to change the subject, Min Ji asked, "So who are you losing all this weight for anyway?"

"Min Ho oppa, of course!" Seo Yeon clasped both her hands together.

Min Ji put a bite of her lunch in her mouth and pointed her chopsticks at Seo Yeon, "Your chances to catch Jang Min Ho are about as good as my chances to catch Jae Kyung."

Seo Yeon was about to reply when she spotted trouble, "Uh oh."

"Uh oh?"

She spoke softly to Min Ji, "Ji Yong and his crew are headed this way."

Min Ji gave an eye roll, "Seriously."

Ji Yong, filled with swagger, approached the stairs where the two girls were sitting, "Hey Min Ji, when are you going to finally accept your fate and become my girl?"

Seo Yeon spoke up, "Come on, Ji Yong, can't you tell that Min Ji isn't interested?"

"I didn't ask you, Seo Yeon." Ji Yong glared at Seo Yeon before turning his attention to Min Ji, " So how about it? Let me take you for a spin on my motorcycle."

Min Ji forced a smile, "No thanks, Ji Yong, I'm scared of motorcycles."

Ji Yong sat next to Min Ji and put his arm around her. "I'll keep you safe." His gang snickered.

Min Ji pushed Ji Yong's arm off of her shoulder. "Thanks but no thanks."

With an edge of irritation to his voice, Ji Yong continued to press Min Ji, "You keep playing hard to get but it only makes me want you more. Why don't you feed me a bite of your lunch?"

"Yeah, feed him!" One of his crew shouted from behind him.

Min JI put her lunch to the side, "I…I can't…"

Ji Yong was getting angry now, "You can't or you won't?"

"What's the difference, Ji Yong? She said no." Seo Yeon interjected.

"Shut it, Seo Yeon. Just because you're my girl's friend doesn't exempt you from my wrath."

"Ugh…" Seo Yeon stuck her tongue out at Ji Yong

Jae Kyung rounded the corner at that moment. He saw Min Ji being harassed by Ji Yong and his thugs. He hated getting involved in these matters, but something about that girl had piqued his interest. He felt compelled to step in and rescue this girl. Aish, why am I considering this?

"Come on, Min Ji. Go out with me tonight." Ji Yong leaned in towards her face.

Min Ji? Her name is Min Ji? I must have sounded so stupid this morning. How could I have called her Min Ah?

"Min Ji-ah!" Jae Kyung called out and waved.

Min Ji looked up to see Jae Kyung. It took her a moment to process his presence. She pointed at herself in disbelief, "Me?"

Jae Kyung walked towards her as Ji Yong looked on confused. "Of course, silly girl. Are you okay if we meet up at your house around six to study?"

Shaking herself out of shock, she said with excitement in her voice, "Oh…yes…that's right…studying. Six is fine!"

"Min Ji, who is this punk to you?" Ji Yong peered at Jae Kyung.

Jae Kyung folded his arms and stared right back at Ji Yong, "I'm the guy that likes her."

Seo Yeon's mouth dropped open. Min Ji kept staring at Jae Kyung wondering what was going on.

Ji Yong pointed at Min Ji "You and her. You think you even have a chance? Really?"

"Is that a problem?" Jae Kyung took a step towards Ji Yong.

"Well yeah. It is." Ji Yong rose to his feet. "You see, it's impossible for you to be interested in her because Min Ji is mine."

"Choi Ji Yong!" Seo Yeon spoke out.

Ji Yong walked over to Seo Yeon and placed his hand under her chin roughly, "Seriously Seo Yeon, I'm going to staple that mouth of your's shut."

"Min Ji, are you his property?" Jae Kyung asked.

Min Ji looked at the ground, "No."

"There you go, friend," Jae Kyung said unfolding his arms and shifting his weight to the other foot, "The girl said no. So how about you leave her alone?"

Ji Yong approached Jae Kyung "I don't think you know who you're messing with kid."

"Perhaps not, but I know you shouldn't be pestering Min Ji."

Ji Yong was absolutely incensed by Jae Kyung, "Pestering? Let me show you how I really pester people."

Ji Yong raised his fist and began to throw a punch right at Jae Kyung's face.

"Stop!" Min Ji cried out and sure enough everything stopped. She took in the scene around her. Seo Yeon was half off the bench reaching towards Ji Yong. Ji Yong's gang stood there with sickening smiles on their face. Jae Kyung was frozen as he took half a step backwards, surprise on his face.

"Well, since the situation ended up this way, there's no reason I should let Ji Yong sully Jae Kyung's face."

She walked over to Jae Kyung and studied his features. Even with a look of surprise he was beautiful. Her heart began to race as she realized that he came over to save her and got her name right. More than that, she got a confession from him! It was too good to be true.

She walked up to Ji Yong. "Sorry, but I can't let you do this." She readjusted his aim towards the closest member of his gang. Sizing up the angle, she moved his gang member a bit closer to Ji Yong's fist.

Min Ji walked back to the bench and resumed her place next to Seo Yeon. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and when she opened them, time had resumed. Ji Yong's fist connected with his gang member's face. Jae Kyung had a confused look on his face, but he was nowhere near as confused as Ji Yong.

"Ow man! What the hell?" his lackey yelled as he held his hand up to his bleeding nose.

Ji Yong stared at his fist. Then at his gang member's face. Then to Jae Kyung. "I…I was aiming at…this is messed up."

The bell rang.

"Screw this! Watch your back, punk. Next time I won't miss." And with that, Ji Yong walked away with his group of thugs trailing behind.

The three were left in silence. Jae Kyung still looked shaken. Min Ji looked at the ground. Finally, Seo Yeon began to laugh. "Did you see his face? What a clumsy fool. Way to go Min Ji!"

Min Ji shot a look at Seo Yeon. "I mean, Jae Kyung…wow, that was so intense I can't even call people by their right name…hah. Well, I'm going to head back to class. See you two there!" Seo Yeon was practically skipping away as she left the two behind.

"Jae Kyung…thanks for coming to my rescue." Min Ji approached him and bashfully cast her eyes down.

"It's nothing. I just can't stand people like Ji Yong." He said in a flat tone.

"Well, I appreciate it."

"Yeah no problem." He said as he walked away. Min Ji was startled by his sudden change in demeanor. She ran after him. "Jae Kyung!"

"Yeah?" he turned around.

I can't let this opportunity pass me by. "I'll be waiting for you at six, okay?"

"Oh right, about that. Sorry, Min Ji. I was just trying to get Ji Yong to leave you alone. I have other plans tonight." Jae Kyung's face was completely devoid of any emotion.

"Oh…" Min Ji said, trying not to show how hurt she was.

"Yeah…see ya." And he continued walking to class.

What the hell just happened? Everything he did was out of charity and not because he really liked me? Jae Kyung, you jerk. I hope you have a rotten night, whatever you do. With that she stomped back to class, making sure to purposely ignore Jae Kyung and Ji Yong as she passed by their desks.

Jae Kyung smiled to himself as he watched her walk by. She's kind of cute when she's mad. Still grinning, he opened up his text book and prepared for the next lesson.

Ji Yong stared at Jae Kyung with hatred. I'll teach you to come between Min Ji and I. You just wait.