Page 45 of Flip the Script


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Just the thought of Minjee wearing her current outfit to school makes me smile.

“Probably!” she admits with a goofy grin of her own.

We start walking toward the market.

“Is there anything you want to do in particular here?” I ask.

I’ve been to Namdaemun a few times with my mom, but we usually just shopped for last-minute groceries on our way back home. I have no idea what there is to do for fun here.

“I’m dying for some street food,” Minjee replies. “Today is my cheat day. Remember how we used to stop by the vendors near school on our way home?”

I perk up. “Yeah! My mouth’s watering just thinking about that really spicy hot dog we ate that one time.”

“Yikes!” Minjee laughs. “Of course you’d still remember that. Personally, I blocked it out because of how bad it was.”

I gasp, giving her an overly indignant look. “That’s it. We can’t be friends anymore.”

“Kidding, kidding.” Minjee gives my arm a good-natured tap. “But yeah, let’s go look at the food stalls. I’m starving.”

“Yes!”

We share an excited grin before walking into the market.

Even though it’s past ten, the streets are bustling with people browsing through the stalls lit by bright lights. I still remember how shocked and overwhelmed I was when I first came here, since the hustle and bustle wasn’t something I ever saw back in my quiet, sleepy town in Florida.

All around us, vendors sell everything from household appliances to pseudo designer bags and shoes. Small shops sell makeup, phone accessories, and everything else I can imagine, with marquee signs and TV screens playing advertisements on loop.

We pass by a skin-care ad with Minjee’s face on it.

I point at it. Minjee grins.

“Yup, that’s me!” She leans in and whispers in my ear, “My skin was good even before I used the product, though. But don’t tell anyone that.”

I gasp in mock horror. “I would have never guessed!”

Various K-pop songs play on the speakers of shops andstalls. One of the most commonly played tracks is by NOVA, Bryan’s boy band.

“No matter where we go, I can’t escape him,” I grumble.

Minjee lets out a surprised laugh and pats me on the back. “Trouble in paradise?”

That’s when I remember that Minjee doesn’t know Bryan’s and my relationship isn’t real. I want to tell her so badly, but I can’t. I suppress an urge to groan.

“I guess you can say that,” I say. “He’s not exactly the K-pop prince dream-guy everyone thinks he is.”

Minjee raises her eyebrows but doesn’t pry further.

When we reach the food vendors, the aunties at the stalls hold out fresh, warm samples of steamed buns and fish cake in our general direction.

Minjee and I try out some of the food, but everything tastes so good that it’s hard to decide what to spend our money on.

“I can’t choose. I want to eateverything!” Minjee exclaims, looking truly overwhelmed.

“Okay, then, it’s decided. We’ll get one of everything,” I quip.

We look at each other, and then start giggling. At this rate, we’ll be stuck here forever.

“Let’s just follow the crowd and see where the popular spots are?” suggests Minjee.

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