Ember bolted down the apartment steps, meeting Hye-ji in a bouncing, squealing hug as she stepped out of her car.
"I can't believe the freaking luck," Ember exclaimed. "Unless you had something to do with it?"
The pretty redhead laughed, shaking her head. "Nope. But I'm damn sure not complaining. Let's get your stuff and go, I want to go eat somewhere."
In the two short weeks since the audition, they'd become close friends, so when the dean's office had called with Ember's roomate assignment, they'd both been over the moon.
Hye-ji had lived in the apartment since the previous year, but her roomate had graduated, leaving the spot open for Ember.
The girls chattered excitedly the whole way to campus, but Ember grew quiet as they drove down the long, winding road to the student housing. She was simply overwhelmed by the thought that she had actually made it.
Hye-ji smiled warmly and squeezed her hand. "I'm glad you got in. For once I feel like I have a friend here, instead of just competition."
"Even if we were competition, I'd still want to be your friend," Ember replied sincerely. In the short time she'd known the other girl, it'd become clear what a kind and caring person she was, and Ember couldn't see how anyone could not want to be close to her. She was extremely grateful she'd met her.
They pulled to a stop in front of the homey, two-story student lodgings, snatching up boxes and racing up the stairs to their second floor apartment.
Ember gasped in delight as Hye-ji led her inside, taking in the simple, classy apartment that was much nicer than she had expected a student dorm to be.
The space was sleek and modern, all straight lines, stone countertops, and solid blacks, whites, and reds. The wall opposite the front door was made entirely of glass, giving them a serene view of the woods around the complex and the long, winding driveway they'd taken in.
There was a white leather sectional facing a black stone fireplace, and a large red beanbag chair sat beside a small side table against the glass wall. Ember could already picture sinking into it with a warm cup of mint cocoa on a stormy day.
The kitchen wasn't large, but was open and well equipped with stainless steel appliances, and instead of a dining table, four comfy-looking padded stools sat by the wide island in the center.
The best part, however, was the regal cherry wood piano sitting off to the side, polished and welcoming. Ember stared at it in awe, and Hye-ji followed her friends stunned gaze.
"Ah! That's a new addition, from the dean."
Ember glanced back at her. "New?"
"Yeah, they're constantly trying to make the dorms more accommodating to students, so we can hone our talents on our own time. Different things for different students. Our's is probably a bit more extravagant than some, but we both play piano and study Classic Comp, so they decided on this baby. Seokjin helped some guys bring it up a couple days ago."
She led Ember across the room to a door by the glass wall, flinging it open with a flourish to reveal her friend's new bedroom.
"Who's Seokjin?" Ember inquired as they stepped inside.
The bedroom was just as classy, modern, and simple as the rest of the apartment, consisting simply of a full sized bed with built in drawers, a long desk equipped with a sleek desktop computer, and wide bookshelves built into one wall.
"Ah, Seokjin is the senior class president. You'll probably meet him soon."
Ember nodded. "Is he a friend of yours?"
Hye-ji suddenly burst out laughing, just as a lazy knock sounded at their door.
Ember went to answer it, giving Hye-ji a moment to compose herself. She flung open the door and froze mid-stride as she struggled to process the shockingly handsome boy lounging (all too close) against the door frame.
Her eyes couldn't seem to decide where to focus, darting between his bright, chocolate brown eyes and his sinfully soft, full pink lips.
A small smirk played across those luscious lips as she stared, and her face flushed as she realized she hadn't spoken yet.
"Ah, um. H-hi."
The tall, beautiful boy cast her an amused look, his gaze sweeping quickly over her face.
"You're Ember Rhodes, I take it?"
She nodded.
"Ah! Speaking of the devil!" Hye-ji chose that moment to step up behind Ember and throw her arm around her shoulders.
"Someone usually is," the boy mused dryly, clearly unimpressed.
"Ember, this is Seokjin. The one I was telling you about." The redheaded girl smiled sweetly at the newcomer, who narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.
"Yah? Telling her what, exactly?"
Hye-ji rolled her eyes. "Nothing important. What do you want?"
He finally straightened himself up from his lean, brushing his fingers through his thick, stylishly messy chesnut hair and stifling a yawn.
"I'm to bring Miss Rhodes here to the office to get her schedule and keycard."
"I can do that, thanks."
"Hmm. No, I think I will," he smiled mockingly, twirling a set of keys on his finger. "Dean's orders, after all."
Hye-ji huffed and rolled her eyes, casting what seemed to be an apologetic look to Ember, who'd been silently observing the amusing exchange.
"It's fine, I don't mind. Wait for me? We can eat as soon as I get back."
Hye-ji glared at Seokjin for a moment longer before turning to nod at Ember's proposal, her gaze softening immediately.
"Of course. I wouldn't go without you."
She whirled back to Seokjin suddenly, smacking him on the shoulder.
"Yah! Take care of her! Be respectful!"
Seokjin shrieked and jumped, startled.
"Wha- what do you take me for, huh?!"
"I know you! And don't drive stupid, babo!"
The boy rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"Ah, so disrespectful to your elders!"
He grabbed Ember's wrist loosely and pulled her with him down the hallway, smirking as he left Hye-ji sputtering behind them about how he was only a few months older.
Ember struggled to contain her laughter as they descended the stairs. Flushing, she realized Seokjin was still holding her wrist, and she lightly tugged it from his grasp.
He glanced at her, grinning.
"Ah, is Emmy shy, then?"
Ember stared at him in horror.
"Emmy? No. My name is Ember."
He just laughed and pushed the door open, gesturing for her to go before him.
She stepped back out of the building and stood staring at the striking sight before her.
A beautiful, sleek, Ferrari California was parked haphazardly in front of the apartment. But that wasn't what stunned her.
"It's.. It's pink." The pale, bronzey pink stood out drastically, immediately snatching her undivided attention.
Seokjin snorted, looking at her as if thinking she may be a bit slow.
"Yes, I'm aware of that."
Blushing at her own obvious statement, Ember glared at him before stepping up to slide in the passenger door he held open for her.
The two were silent for a moment as they pulled back down the road to the main campus, and Ember almost thought the ride would pass without more awkward "conversation".
Wrong.
"So, Emmy. I hear you put on quite the... enticing display at the scholarship auditions."
Ember did her best to ignore the irritating nickname.
"Enticing? What do you mean?"
Seokjin smirked again.
"Blindfolded? A bit kinky, don't you think? You don't look much like the type of girl to be in to that sort of thing."
Ember gasped in disbelief, turning to smack him on the shoulder Hye-ji had neglected.
"Excuse you! Pervert!"
"Ah! Why is everyone hitting me today!" he yelped, cowering against the driver side door. "It was a joke!"
Fuming, Ember turned her back to him, staring out the window for the remainder of the ride while he mumbled something about how disrespectful today's youth were.
At long last, they pulled in front of the sprawling mansion-like facility, and Seokjin lept from the car and raced around to open Ember's door in the time it took her to unbuckle herself.
"Um. Thanks?" she squeaked, taken aback by the gesture. He just stared at her blankly, as if he had no idea what she was thanking him for.
Ember was struck by the thought that, despite his bold and brazen attitude, he'd most likely been raised from conception to be a perfect gentleman. How irritating.
Stiffling a groan, she exited the vehicle, barely resiting the urge to roll her eyes as he opened the office door for her with a mocking "After you, Emmy."
This boy was going to cause her problems. Big problems.
He led her through the winding halls to the dean's personal office, barging in without knocking, to Ember's astonishment.
"I've got Miss Rhodes like you asked," he announced to the man behind the large desk centered perfectly in the vast room.
A tall, handsome man in his late forties sat in the leather chair, and Ember found something oddly familiar in the broad stretch of his shoulders and the soft, bright brown eyes behind his glasses.
"Ah, thank you Jin," the regal man replied warmly. "You can wait in the hall while I go over a couple things with Miss Rhodes."
Seokjin (Jin?) nodded and bowed slightly to the man before turning and sauntering back into the hall, closing the door gently behind him.
Well someone is suddenly on his best behavior, Ember thought sarcastically.
She smiled at the dean and bowed her head, taking the seat he waved her to in front of the cluttered desk.
"Excuse my mess," he laughed. "I find it uncomfortable to work if my space is too neat. Feels too much like I'm... at work."
Ember laughed, instantly at ease with the man.
"As I'm sure you know, Miss Rhodes- or may I call you Ember?"
She nodded, smiling. "Yes sir, of course."
"Ah, thank you. As I'm sure you've gathered, Miss Ember, I'm Dean Kim. We spoke briefly on the phone the day of your audition. I attended it as well, though I don't think you'd remember that as you didn't really see any of us."
"Yes sir, it's great to finally meet you in person!"
Dean Kim smiled brightly. "The feeling is quite mutual. I hope my son didn't cause you any trouble on the ride over?"
Ember stared at him blankly for a long moment before the pieces began to click together in her head. Oh dear.
"Ah, um, Seokjin is... your son?"
The dean laughed and nodded. "Yes, that he is. I apologize for any discomfort his brazen personality may have caused you. He is quite a handful, though he is a brilliant and talented one, believe it or not."
He chuckled again at Ember's sheepish expression, before directing her attention to the small stack of papers before him.
"In this, you will find everything you need to get settled in here at Bangtan. Included is a map of the grounds, though I'm sure Miss Hye-ji would be willing to show you around personally, as well as our rather lenient uniform policy, and both of your schedules, detailed with room numbers and instructors names."
He passed the papers over to Ember to look through. He was certainly write about the uniform policy being lenient: basically the only rules were for neither sex to bare their breasts, butt, or genitalia, or wear clothes with vulgar words.
"As you'll notice, your schedule for Thursdays is different from your Monday through Wednesday agenda. While we do require all students to take at least two general studies classes, we only require them three days a week. Thursdays are devoted entirely to your chosen craft, or crafts, in your case. Fridays through Sundays are off days, and you are free to come and go from campus as you please."
He smiled at Ember's suprised look.
"While we believe honing your artistic talents is of the utmost importance, we also realize that socializing, family time, and social networking are very important in the life of any artist, so we make an effort to allow our students plenty of time to partake in those activities."
"Wow," Ember spoke. "This school continues to exceed even my highest expectations."
She paused, finding her words.
"Sir, I just want to thank you, again, for this amazing opportunity. If it wasn't for this scholarship, I would never have been able to attend here, and I doubt that I would have found another way to successfully pursue my passions. Thank you."
Dean Kim smiled softly, his eyes shining a bit wetly as he leaned forward on his clasped hands.
"I appreciate your gratitude, Miss Ember. But please. Don't ever feel indebted to me, or to any of your sponsers. You owe us nothing. Your own raw talent is what got you this oppurtunity. Dedicated artists like you help make this world a better place through their love and their passion, and people like you give us a chance to aid that process. This world could always do with a little more beauty, don't you think?"
Ember found herself at a loss for words, overwhelmed by the magnificent man's kind and genuine speech. She just nodded, blinking back the tears pooling in her eyes.
"Well, thats about all I had to go over with you today. Ah! Here's your keycard. This will allow you to enter and leave the premises as you wish, and also gains you access to the laundry facilities."
Dean Kim passed the card to her, catching her hand between his own much larger ones.
"Miss Ember, I mean it when I say we are very, very happy to have you here with us, and I really hope you can come to think of the students and staff at Bangtan as a family. If you need anything at all, feel free to come to me. I will make time for you."
With that, he released her and pulled back, smiling, and gesturing to her that she was free to leave.
She came upon a bored Seokjin back in the hallway, sprawled across a bench entertaining himself.
She stared at him for a moment, still reeling from the revelation that he was the son of the prince-like man in the next room.
Sure, the resemblance was definitely there, in everything but the full curve of Seokjins lips, actually. But she was really having trouble relating the dean's respectful, genuine personality to the boy laying in front of her singing "Gwigwi gwi-yomi!" as he tossed around a Mario bouncy ball.
"Uh, hey, I'm done."
Seokjin jumped and yelped at the sound of her voice, nearly dropping his ball. He cleared his throat and stood, combing his fingers through his hair quickly before gesturing with the ball for her to lead the way.
Ember bit back a laugh at his slightly flustered appearance as they made their way back out of the building and he opened the car door for her.
"So how was your meeting with the dean?"
"Very nice, thanks," Ember replied, a bit suspicious of the casual conversation. "Why didn't you mention that he was your father?"
Seokjin shrugged. "It's not a big deal. Wait."
He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes as he drove. "Would you have still hit me if you knew?"
She laughed. "Hmm. No, probably not."
"Ah!" Seokjin exclaimed, slapping the steering wheel in mock outrage. "I should have said it then!"
Ember burst out laughing at his dramatics, shaking her head and turning to watch the campus pass by through the window, completely missing the curious look he cast her, and the small, soft, smile that accompanied it.
Much to Ember's dismay, he insisted on escorting her back up to her apartment, opening doors and being exasperatingly chivalrous all the way.
"Well, bye bye now, Emmy." he cooed with a bow as she stepped inside the apartment.
She smiled sarcastically. "Bye bye then, Jinnie."
Ember laughed at his offended expression before closing the door in his face. Two can play at that game.
She barely had time to turn around before Hye-ji bolted from her room, spinning Ember around and checking for injuries.
"Was he civil, did he drive sanely, are you ok?" she interrogated, making the other girl laugh uncontrollably.
"Yeah, yeah, he was okay. But lord is he something else."
Hye-ji nodded, wide-eyed. "Girl, yes. That boy is a handful." She grinned.
"But since you're alive, let's go already, I'm hungry!"