Main Character in the Story:

*Kim So Hyun as "Athena" Myung-hee Park

Minor Character in the Story:

*Robert Downey, Jr. as Himself

*Gwyneth Paltrow as Herself

*Chris Hemsworth as Himself

*Chris Evans as Himself

*Scarlett Johansson as Herself

*Cobie Smulders as Herself

*Mads Mikkelsen as Himself

*Jessica Alba as Herself

*Stellan Skarsgård as Himself

*Natalie Portman as Herself

Chapter XVIII: I Am Just Going To Head Home.

~o~

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.

~o~

I take a long sip of my pepsi as I tap at my cellphone's keyboard. I am careful to keep out of sight; I don't want them to think I'm rude. I had gotten a text from Tom a few minutes ago, and now that I have a chance to reply, it's taking me forever. I am trying to type with one thumb to seem more subtle, and it is the most difficult task for me.

"It seems like someone's getting bored over here." Robert says out loud.

You no good bastard! I drop my phone onto my lap and look up. I set my drink down quickly, the heat rushing into my cheeks. "Eom-ma-ya! {Oh my god!} Ani-yo! {No!} No, I am not. I am sorry. I was just answering a text."

"Leave her alone, Rob." Scarlett says in my defense. "She was probably just texting Tom." She smiles at me and winks.

I smile back, relieved, as a thank-you to her. I feel like I just unintentionally became friends with Scarlett Johansson… Cool.

"I was just messing with her. I felt like we were leaving her out of the conversation, so I pulled her right in." he shrugs like what he did is what anyone would do.

I roll my eyes. "Thank you." I say and I mean it. I was feeling a little left out. "Actually, it was Tom. He was checking to see how I am doing, and he told me to tell everyone he said 'Hello'."

"That's so sweet of him." Natalie (Portman) says. "By the way, how did you two meet?"

Now this is question that I will happily answer. I drink a little more soda to calm my nerves. Everyone's now staring at me. Again. I softly clear my throat. "Well…" I think about the first time we met, figuring out to slightly adjust or modify as I tell them. "I had volunteered to help with Stamford High's school newspaper. They needed someone to interview a famous celebrity… Of course, I didn't know who it was. And I thought the teacher running the paper was referring to a Broadway actor or something." Uwa, naega mwolagu? {Wow, was I off or what?} I take a second to look around.

They are all so interested in such a well-revised story. It is kind of worrying.

"Anyway, I'm at the hotel, waiting for this mystery actor. I turned around to go sit against the wall while I waited-"

"Why against the wall?" Hemsworth asks. "Weren't there benches?"

"Well, I had not seen the nearest bench at the time, so the wall seemed like the most comfortable place… So maybe a few minutes of waiting, I decided to stand up and well, give up thinking that I was being ditched until I turned around… and I got bumped right into someone in front of me. Sent me down to the ground almost a bit hard. I open my eyes, and then there's Tom, on his knees and leaning over me, asking me if I am okay. It was the kindest, most handsome face I have ever seen. I couldn't even feel the pain from the fall anymore."

"That's so adorable." Gwyneth comments.

I shrug. "I guess." What else do I say? I did not find it adorable. It was pretty embarrassing for me. "He helped me up, and I was complete mess from there. I was stumbling over words and sentences a lot. But he didn't mind. He laughed, actually. Giggled. Smiled. Made me giggle, made me smile. I was not the type to do that very often before I met Tom. Now, because of him, there's not another day that passes without me smiling about something." I stare off into space as I speak, the image of Tom that day of the interview in my brain. The heavenly glow of the sunlight around him, his perfectly-chiseled features, his bright blue-green eyes; I don't forger a single detail. It's all there, every single bit of him, as it's always been.

"To Myung-hee and Tom." Robert says, tugging me from my thoughts. "They truly are made for each other." He raises his glass up to his eye-level. For once, since I met him, he said something kind and sincere. At least, I hope it was kind and sincere. I can't really tell with him.

As for the rest of the guests, they all raise their glasses up to the same height, all for me. I am not exactly sure what I did to deserve it, but I didn't necessarily dislike it.

I hesitantly raise my own glass as well. All drinks lightly clink and clash together, then everyone take a sip at almost the same time.

Once that's over, and everyone pays their part of the bill, we get up and put on our coats. I don't know what they have planned next, but I hope it has something to do with going home.

We all leave the restaurant, pouring out door and gathering together next to the entrance. A few people have gotten their cigarettes and lighter, passing some to those who need one.

"So what now?" Stellan says, the last of us to leave the restaurant.

"How about a bar? I saw one down the street on the way here." Mads points in the direction he's referring to.

O, Ani-yo. {Oh, no.} "I-"

"Sounds good." I-don't-know-who agrees.

"It's settled, then." Hemsworth says happily. "Let's go get some drinks."

I breathe out a heavily sigh. "Alright. You guys can go on without me. I will just… I am going to head home." I forced a smile even though this really bums me out. I finally am having a bit of fun, and I hit a damn limit. Great.

"Aw, no!" Gwyneth whines. "You have to come with us. I'll even buy you a drink if I have to."

Yeah, that's if I were able to set in that place.

"She can't." Robert answers for me.

I decided to back him up. "Yeah. He's right. I have a few things to get it done for tomorrow."

"Oh, they can wait a few minutes!"

"Gwyn." Robert's getting a little annoyed. He walks over to her and whispers something into her ear.

Suddenly, realization crosses her face. She covers her mouth and blushes a light red. "Oh my God, I completely forgot." She giggles into her hand. "Go on, Myung-hee. I completely understand."

No one else seems to mind, or argue about the subject (I'm not quite sure how to take it) they are just waiting patiently for a final decision.

"Bye, guys." I wave to all of them and smiled kindly. After receiving a bunch of friendly good-byes in return, I turn around and walk away in the other direction.

I had not even covered twelve inches of the ground before Robert suddenly appears next to me. I guess he doesn't really have a choice here. He's my ride home.

"Just open the car from here." I say to him. I am starting to feel guilty about having to cut his night short. "I will grab my stuff and head home."

"Uh, no you won't. I drove you here, so I'm driving you home."

"Really, it's not a problem. I don't mind walking, especially in a nice weather like this." I look up and around, admiring how beautiful the colorful buildings and their lights are tonight.

"You might as well just get in the car. There's absolutely no point in arguing with me. Ask my wife." When we approach the car, he unlocks it, opens the driver's door and slides in. he raises his eyebrows at me right before shutting the door.

I groan and walk around the passenger's side. I get in a bit lazily.

"So, what do you like to do?" He asks me randomly. "For fun, I mean."

I shrug my shoulders, not really sure what to answer with. I decided to tell him my most favorite hobby. "I don't know. I like to write."

"Hm. You're passionate about that?"

"I guess."

"On a scale of one to ten."

I look at him as if he's gone crazy. "I don't know! Seven? Eight?"

"Alright."

Alright? What the hell? Was there a purpose to that, or does he just like being weird and random? "May I ask what that was for?"

He nods his head. "Nope."

I now give him my "What the hell" look. "So you just like to know my personal information for no reason at all." I cross my arms over my chest.

"No. I have a reason. I'm just not telling you. Just enjoy the ride. You'll have your answer when we get there."

"Fine. As long as you don't take me to any stupid-ass kids' places."

"Well, damn. Now I'll have to find someplace else." The sarcasm in his voice is as plain as it can be. "Anyway, about dinner. Is that really how you met Tom? I mean, was all of that the truth?"

"Yes sir. All expect the 'volunteered' part. It was a mandatory that I did that interview. My class grades were at stake."

"Uh-huh. So they black-mailed you into doing the paper."

"Yes."

"That's a little unfair."

"Yes."

"And you had no say in it?"

"No."

"Huh. That's fucked up."

"You're telling me."

He spends the rest of the ride telling me about what some of the people said about me at dinner. Most of them definitely like me, complimenting me on my usual doll-like face, my hair and personality (apparently "I'm sweet"). Others… well, they are a little suspicious of me, especially my age. They said I looked a little too young. Honestly, they can go screw off because I don't give a damn. Robert tells me Gwyneth might have forgotten my age because she had a little more than enough wine with her meal.

I am not sure when (I wasn't really paying attention), but we end up driving through the shopping center, past Hallmark and Party City. He takes a right and drives to the other of the center.

"Why are we here? Unless you are planning to have me killed here or something."

"I wouldn't do that. I have no reason to hurt such a good person like Tom."

"Oh. How… sweet?" that comment was not very surprising for me, knowing by now who he is.

At last, he parks somewhere and shuts the car off. He gets out and throws his door shut. I do the same, making sure I didn't leave a single valuable object in his car. I know how often things are stolen here in the center, from cars and stores.

"What are you doing for your birthday, Little Myu-Myu?" he asks me as we begin to walk. I am assuming he is just trying to pass the time.

"A little celebration." I reply. "My parents are going to get me a cake, sing me a Korean version of 'Happy Birthday'. Then talk to Tom on Face-Time for a while."

"Wow. That sounds really… boring."

"I don't think so. I enjoy myself more when everything is low-key. And my parents are practically making it a Do-Whatever-You-Want day for me. It's your opinion."

It's silent for a moment, raising my hopes that I won't have to continue this conversation anymore. But that was useless, because a second later, Robert says. "How do you expect to feel to be seventeen? Soon I won't be able to call you Little Myu-Myu anymore."

"That's true. Hey. Why don't you start practicing now? I mean, so you are ready when the time comes."

"Not happening." He smirks. "But that was a nice try. Good job."

"Asshole."

"So I've been told."

We enter through the sliding doors of… Staples? "Why are we at Staples?"

"All these questions. Do you have to know everything?"

"I am sorry. I forgot we have only known each other for barely a month now. I should totally trust someone I barely know! Of course!"

"Alright! Fine! I see your point. Just, just shut up and go along with it. Goodness." He starts heading to the school supplies section. "All I want to do is make up for being an ass."

I froze where I am. I listen to his words again in my head, just a little bit shocked… and I am kind of bored. Let's exaggerate a little. "This an apology?" I say to him a little bit louder than necessary. "Robert Downey, Jr. is apologizing to me? This is amazing!"

"Okay, now you're annoying me. Yes, I'm apologizing. Don't get so excited about it."

I laugh. I am satisfied with my revenge knowing that I managed to get some kind of reaction from him. My laughter wears off quickly, leaving a kind, amused smile on my face. "In all of seriousness, though, thank you. I appreciate and accept your apology."

"Thank you. Now pick some notebooks."

I give him a confused look. "Eh?" I say, clueless.

He points to a shelf right in front of him.

I look to my right to see what he is talking about.

Unbelievably, there's not one shelf, but three shelves perfectly and evenly lined with various colored notebooks, all one-subject or more. It reaches all the way from one end of the aisle to the other, and there are so many different artistic designs. I am definitely going to have a good time choosing from them.

I… am in… a trance.

"Myung-hee?" Robert says. When he doesn't get an answer with a little more volume to his voice. "Myung-hee… Myung-hee…" Still nothing, he waves his hand up and down in front of my face, palm centimeters from my nose. "Athena. Hello."

"I am thinking!" I snapped at him all of a sudden.

"What the—sorry. Jesus."

I instantly feel bad about doing that. I honestly had no idea. It would come out that way. "I am sorry. That was an accident."

"It's fine. You're hypnotized. I get it." I can hear the amused smile in his voice now.

"You have no idea." I reply.

It takes me a few minutes too long, but I finally choose the two notebooks I loved the most. I grab one off the top shelf (Ceramic Blue background with a blue-and-white cherry blossom floral branch) and one from the middle shelf, just underneath the cherry blossom one (Wooden Brown background with a gold-and-white lily floral). I am a bit much of a flower person, but the only flowers I love are cherry blossoms and water lilies. They're perfect, even as I look inside them to see if they are college-ruled. They must have put these kind of notebooks on the shelves; I have never seen them in Staples before.

"Great. You found the ones you like." Robert's comment made me jump just a tiny bit from surprise. He's been so quiet. I thought he would have walked away or something by now.

"Yes. They are exactly what I need."

"I'm glad they are. How about some pens? Tom had mentioned, one time, something about your 'pen preferences' for writing."

"What did he do? Go over my every damn detail?"

"Either that, or he was talking about some other woman with a doll-like face, has the cutest height about slightly less than five foot, maybe about five point three and almost looks like a little girl." He leaves the aisles out the same side we entered through.

I roll my eyes. Geuneun geugeos-eul mandeul-eossseubnida. Ama jeonyeog sigsa ttae mwongabwass-eulgeoya. {He made that up. He probably just saw it at dinner or something.} Gedaga, nae kiga geuleohge jjalbjineun anhseubnida. Naya? {Besides, my height is not that short. Do I?}

After looking around for a second, he finally moves somewhere that's definitely out of my sight.

But… only because I want to be sure, I quickly check my height by staying beside the pole that was near the store by putting my hand on the top of my head. As I calculate the measurements carefully then finally, I got the answer. "Holy shit." I whisper. On my height, exactly where he said it is, that I am a five point three foot teenage girl. It's no surprising that Korean females such as myself are slightly short.

Tom eun-i mulgeon-e gwanhaeseo deo jal iyagihaneun geos-eul deo jal meomchugeona, naneun geuleul mueongaga "mikkeuleojige hal" geos-ibnida. {Tom better stop sharing this stuff about, or I will let something "slip" about him.}

Our very-minor shopping trip ends as quickly as it started, and I am headed towards Robert's car with a plastic bag filled with notebooks and a few packs of excellent pens.

"I'm considering this your early present to me. You know that, right?"

"Consider it whatever. I really don't care." He gets into the driver's seat.

As soon as I'm in the car, it roars to life. "I like you, Robert." I say happily (and a bit surprised at myself for saying it). "You are a pretty chill guy."

"Chill?" He repeats, making it sound like a question.

"Chill. As in 'cool'? Please tell me you have heard that before."

He shrugs carelessly. "I've heard it now." He turns the car on and drives out the parking lot. Before I know it, he's zooming down the empty street.

I pull out my cellphone; there are two messages from Tom I accidentally missed. I didn't feel even feel my phone vibrate. As I slide the lock screen to the right, I catch a glimpse of the time at the top of my screen. Yeoldu sikka ji? Eom-ma-ya. eotteohge segyeeseo geuleon il-i il-eo nassseubnikka? {Twelve-o-nine? Oh my God. How in the world did that happen?} Naega majimag-eulo hwag-inhan geos-eun sib jeom-ieossseubnida. {It was ten –something last time I checked it.}

"Since you brought up the subject of birthdays, what did you do for Tom's birthday? He told me you sent him a super-belated gift."

I heard his question but I am distracted by what I am doing on my phone. I saw a preview of one of my texts, and now I am too curious to wait. I open the first unread text:

I just watched the birthday video again.

I smile. According to him, he's watched that video multiple times.

"You gonna answer me?" Robert asks me.

I open the second one, and I blush until my face burns. I cover my mouth to hide my almost perfectly teeth-flashing smile. It's the picture of me in a pink-black polka dot sleeveless lingerie blouse with a lace underwear (very similar to Hatsune Miku's lingerie in her music video, 'Romeo & Cinderella'). I had put at the end of the video, the words "Happy Birthday" in a highly-decorative font across the top of the image. It was the only selfie I took the time to take for the slide show. Underneath the message is a wide-eyed surprised emoticon from Tom with a little red heart next to it. I close the app and set the phone face-down on my lap. I sigh loudly, hopefully breathing my nervous laughter out into the air. I clear my throat as I feel it tighten.

"Nothing special." I say to Robert.