Exchange Student | Wenrene

Part 1/2

A/N:

italics meant they are speaking in English

normal font means they're speaking in Korean

---

It's been 3 years now since Joohyun's family welcomed exchange students from different countries. She didn't know exactly how she put up with those years living with a stranger in their house when she had stated her disagreement to it from the very beginning. She couldn't remember how her parents convinced her to approve this at all but here she was preparing the guest room for a new exchange student that will start living with them today. Talk about contrasting thoughts and actions, Joohyun only sighed.

She cleaned the room and decorated it to suit a lady who's a majoring in music and who happened to like the color of blue. Her parents really do take background checking of their students on another level, they learned their lesson already. She was informed with details beforehand to do a make over of the room that the student would stay in. This was the only thing she wanted to take part in when she realized that there's no turning back anymore. Joohyun at least made it clear that she will never associate herself with strangers and that her only contribution as part of a host family was to clean and do make overs of the room, she's practicing interior design after all. Her parents and her sister Seulgi were already more than happy with it so maybe that's one of the reasons why she's been okay with it for years.

Speaking of Seulgi, who's now at her final year in college, she was the main reason why all of this happened. She applied and got accepted for an student exchange program with a duration of 6 months when she was in her 2nd year. And when she returned, there were no words coming out from her mouth other than how she felt happy and grateful for the host family that took her in when she was in Japan. For some reason, that's vague and shallow for Joohyun, it provoked her parents to apply to an agency for them to officially become a host for other exchange students as well. After some paper works, interviews and inspections, her family was already certified and that's one of the worst days in Joohyun's introvert life.

The first year was a nightmare to Joohyun and the family. They got a male exchange student from the US, she already forgot what was his exact location but it's meant to be forgotten. That student was supposed to stay for a 12 week student exchange program but they dropped him on the 4th week for rude behaviour and constantly breaking the house rules. Not only that, he tried to flirt with Joohyun when he got drunk for 2 consecutive nights. As much as Joohyun wanted to kick and smash his balls for being flirtatious towards her the first night, she still tried to be patient with him and gave him a verbal warning but the 2nd night, Joohyun already feel treathened by his drunk behaviour so she reported him right away. The family will not tolerate a student that turned out to be a danger for them. The agency coordinator understood them and quickly transferred the man to another host. They did their background checking on this person and even got to chat with him thrice while he was preparing to leave the U.S., he seemed really well behaved as per her parents and Seulgi but it all turned out to be just a front. 

That first one was a lesson to them so they made sure to step up their background checking. Joohyun, as usual, never joined the chat though.

The next ones they hosted were only females and surprisingly all of them were really interested in their culture even when the other 2 females were from western countries. They were polite to them too, for real. Joohyun was more than happy that her parents took her suggestion of hosting only female students, men are maniacs and useless to her after all, her dad's an only exception though. So far, everything went well after that first male student and her family seemed to be very pleased with it. Joohyun watched her parents love what they're doing so she let it be, Seulgi became attached to the females like she found another sisters and somehow those students didn't became a trouble for her as well. Perhaps, all of these are okay to go on. Joohyun swore not to grow attached to their guests though, unlike Seulgi and her parents. She'll remain neutral, if not avoidant, with them for as long as they do this.

"Joohyun unnie! She's here! OMG, she's so pretty in person!" Seulgi announced excitedly almost like a deja vu every year. Joohyun only smiled and did final touches to the new exchange student's room before she went downstairs and greet her only for formalities. Well, that didn't go as planned.

That 'pretty' comment from Seulgi was an understatement when she finally laid her eyes on the newcomer. Seungwan was a beautiful lady oozing with charisma despite her small built. Aside from the outstanding platinum blonde hair, Seungwan has soft looking fair skin, thin lips, pointy nose and she found herself captivated by her dreamy eyes. It felt like time stopped for Joohyun when their eyes met. If someone will ever ask her where Seungwan came from, she could answer quickly that she's a character from a story book. She's perfect until...

"Hello. My name is Son Seungwan but you can call me Wendy." She said and Joohyun was flabbergasted. It seemed like, despite being a full blown South Korean by blood, Seungwan couldn't speak Korean at all and by that, Joohyun was dismayed. It's her fault for not joining their chat, she should have known better. Her parents nor Seulgi didn't tell her anything because they all knew she didn't care. Joohyun felt disappointed, a love for own culture was very important to her and language was a part of that. The lady she called perfect just now was not so perfect anymore. She mentally noted not to get carried away by physical appearance in her next attempt. Wait, what was she even attempting to do? 

When they were done with their greetings and Seungwan got her things settled in her room, they all shared a meal in the dining area. 

"Hey Seungwan, is it okay if I call you Wannie?" Seulgi smiled brightly in an ever so friendly way but Joohyun found this a bit more than what Seulgi usually did. To Joohyun's observant eyes, the two actually had a bond now after they started coordinating/chatting with each other for 2 months now.

"That sounds like a puppy's name though." Seungwan smiled awkwardly, hesitant to agree with it. 

Joohyun snorted but she immediately pinched her arm to stop herself from laughing fully when her family was giving her a threatening look as if telling her to behave. Seungwan didn't mind though.

"But you do look like a puppy. You're very cute." Seulgi insisted her point.

"She's more like a hamster, Seulgi. Isn't she?" Mrs. Bae clapped both of her hands while she endearingly look at Seungwan.

Joohyun found this conversation really one sided now when she observed Seungwan was having the worst day of her life. Seriously, her family was so embarrassing. It felt like they got a new pet instead of a new student. Joohyun get it that Seungwan was undeniably cute but why were they comparing her to an animal? She won't talk though.

"How about you Wannie? Which one would you prefer to resemble with?" The dad asked, anticipating her answer with twinkling eyes.

"Uhm.. uh.. I'm sorry but... I'd like to be resembled to a human. They say I looked like my dad."

Joohyun couldn't hold it anymore and finally let out a laugh, earning Seungwan's confused gaze. 

Seulgi and the parents realized their mistake and apologized quickly to Seungwan. They explained that they just found her really cute and that they didn't mean to hurt her feelings.

Seungwan then gave an apology in panic as well, telling them that she was not hurt nor offended at all and that she was only stating her opinion too. 

Joohyun was so entertained by this mess and she hadn't laugh out loud like this in a while. She didn't really listen to a conversation between her family and an exchange student but this one was really hilarious she couldn't ignore.

After getting themselves embarrassed and forced Seungwan to laugh at their uncle jokes, the Bae family regained their wits. 

"Since you'll be here in South Korea for a student exchange program for 4 months, we'll make sure that you'll learn more about our culture and the language too. We'll make you experience a lot of good things in South Korea." Mrs. Bae said enthusiastically her plans for her and Mr. Bae added. "We'll make sure to give you an enjoyable and comfortable stay here, so you can focus on your studies. If you need something, don't hesitate to approach us any time of the day. If you don't see us inside this house, you can see us at the device repair shop in front. We run a small business there."

"We're of the same age so let's study hard together. Joohyun unnie over here is a busy working unnie but you can still approach her when you see her some time especially over the weekend." Seulgi said pausing every other word as she put her thoughts in English.

Seungwan smiled widely in gratitude for their warm welcome and nodded in understanding of their instructions. Joohyun didn't realize it but she was actually staring and found it amusing with how the younger girl was so polite and actually listens to every word her family spoke. It left an impression to her how Seungwan was a humble lady despite living abroad as a South Korean. To Joohyun it was a refreshing sight to witness because all of her classmates back in college who were from abroad ended up always having obvious arrogance who thought highly of themselves from other Koreans. When their eyes met for the 2nd time of the day, Joohyun's heart paced up all of a sudden and quickly averted her eyes away from Seungwan. With how heat was crawling up to her face, hopefully Seungwan didn't notice the blush on her face.

Seungwan's first week in SK flew by real quick, at least that's how Joohyun perceived it. Joohyun rarely see the girl due to her busy schedule at work, she goes out early in the morning and went back home late in the evening for the whole week. So when the weekend arrived she just slept through the weekend and never saw a glimpse of her. Why should she care about her anyway?

2nd week was no better for Joohyun either, her work load never got any lesser as new projects surged in. But like her question last week, why should she care about Seungwan?

Joohyun was able to go home early on a Friday and saw her parents from the entryway displaying regret on their faces. Due to a spur of concern that wash over her, she rushed over the living room where they were all gathered together.

"What happened? Why are you all sulking here?" Joohyun entered the scene which Seulgi only cried for help to her.

"Unnie. Wannie wants to go back home already. She misses her family in Canada."

Joohyun was sure she was tired from work and that she didn't have any energy to deal with any kind of drama but for some reason, when she heard that from Seulgi, she wanted to do something to cheer up Seungwan.

"I think she's having a hard time adjusting since she couldn't speak our language. I actually understand if she already wanted to go home." Mrs. Bae said with a heavy heart.

Joohyun could tell how heart broken her parents really were. In that 2 weeks, they came to really like Seungwan and she had heard all that from Seulgi who never failed to barge into her room late at night. All Seulgi blurted out were Seungwan this and Seungwan that, they all became attached to her real quick. No wonder the thought of Seungwan lingers inside her mind lately despite her reluctance to get involved with her.

"Spend this weekend with me, after that, we'll accept and support whatever decision you'll come up with."  Joohyun exclaimed that made Seulgi and her parents' jaws dropped almost immediately. It was a first, a first time for them to see Joohyun disregarding her strong conviction about not getting involved with an exchange student. 

---

"Seul, tell Seungwan I was joking!" Joohyun said taking back her words earlier as she bumps her head multiple times on the headboard of her bed. Everything she blurted out down there earlier was all in a spur of her emotions, she was super tired too that she couldn't think straight.

"Nah-uh. What's done is done. Be a woman of your words, unnie." Seulgi giggled as she teased her. "Try it out! Who knows, Wannie might change her mind." 

"But you guys already went out last weekend. I'm so stupid for forgetting! It's not effective so for sure this weekend will be a failure too!" Joohyun could already foresee the embarrassing future. She really was the type of person that thinks ahead of her, she never decided on the spot so what happened earlier was really out of her character. 

"Oh come on unnie. Your boldness earlier was so admirable, it's though as if you really didn't want her to go home. If I didn't know you haven't interacted with Wannie, I'd probably thought that you're actually the one who got really attached with her." Seulgi stated as a matter of fact and Joohyun only rolled her eyes. 

"I don't like that thought and gaze of yours."

"Why? I won't judge you if you actually ended up attached to Wannie, I mean, she's really likeable and it's proven with how we already did in a very short time."

"I really have no intention to get involved with any exchange students that we're hosting, I was firm with that from the very start, Seul. You have to bear in your mind that being a host family, we should only give what's needed as per contract and that's to give the student a comfortable and safe place to stay in, a transportation and 3 meals a day while she completes their student exchange program. As far as I know, personal feelings shouldn't get involved with it." Joohyun regained her composure with how against she was with how her family treated their guests. They were only placing themselves in a situation that's hard to bear once the student leaves. The happiness that attachment brings was only temporary, sadness comes after it which will last for a very long time. To Joohyun, this was the reason why she didn't want to get involved with the guests, attachment was something uncalled for in this type of situation. 

"Unnie, as a person that was once treated nicely like I was part of their family while studying abroad, that really was a great contribution to me in completing the program I've signed for. It was my first time abroad and my host family really gave me the best experience throughout my stay there. In case you have forgotten, that's actually our goal too. You should read our mission vision once in a while, unnie." Seulgi wiggled her eyebrows and added, "Besides, I don't think you're firm enough with whatever you wanted to execute. With what you did earlier? It looked like you're asking her out on a date!" She grinned.

"No, I didn't!" Joohyun got alarmed, was that really how it looked like? No, that wasn't it! But what was it anyway? Joohyun don't understand herself either.

"Yes, you did. Age doesn't matter in love unnie, 4 years age gap is nothing at all."

"Yah! Do you know what you're saying?! She's the same age as you!" 

"So what? Like I said, age doesn't matter in love unnie." 

And that's how Joohyun ended up throwing her pillows towards her sister, dismissing the idea, until she was already out of her bedroom. But even though Seulgi was already out of the room, her face remained glowing in the shade of red.

There's no way Joohyun could go out with Seungwan on the weekened, her heart got swayed already!

---

"Are you ready to go?" Joohyun found herself asking Seungwan the next day. Seulgi was right, she's just not firm enough. Surprisingly, it only happened to her whenever Seungwan's in front of her. Wait, is she attracted to her? Joohyun gasped upon the realization that Seungwan already stepped into her heart since the first time she laid her eyes on her.

It's though as if time slowed down again for Joohyun when their eyes met. There's really something in Seungwan's eyes, it feels like they draw her in, they make her head float in lightness and make her stomach ticklish. Her face begun to heat up most especially when Seungwan smiled and spoke to her in a very attractive deep voice.

"I'm ready, Joohyun. Where are we going?"

Joohyun was not sure either where to go. She's a mess, she couldn't think straight! All she could focus on right now was the loudness of her heart inside her chest. 

"Are you alright? Seungwan asked with concern and Joohyun took a step back when she found the young girls face was dangerously close to hers as she inquired. With that sudden movement, it was already too late when Joohyun remembered that there was an ottoman chair behind her. She lose her balance, closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself for an embarrassing fall in front of Seungwan. 

It took like an eternity for Joohyun as she anticipates the cold hard floor but she opened her eyes immediately when it dawned to her that there was a comforting warmth embracing her instead. And just like any hero from a story book, Seungwan looked breathtaking when she caught her in her arms protectively.

A/N:

Hehe cliffhanger