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“Okay!”
The convenience store we duck into is small and old, withonly two other customers—a college-age couple—browsing the shelves. I follow Minjee to the fridge at the back of the store.
“Why are there so many different brands of water?” Minjee asks, sounding overwhelmed.
“Let’s go with these!” I pick two random brands. “That way, we can see which one is better.”
“Good plan,” Minjee replies with a laugh.
We head to the register, but I linger behind Minjee when one of the college students—the girl—exclaims, “Oppa! Let’s take a selfie together. And go out for round-two drinks!”
Her joy makes me smile. As I watch, she flings her arms around her boyfriend, who laughs and hugs her tight.
Minjee circles back to where I’m standing and glances at where I’m looking.
“Aw,” she whispers to me. “Young love.”
Minjee’s comment makes me laugh, since the couple is definitely older than we are.
The college students grab snacks from near the register and get in line in front of us. Even with the bags of chips in their hands, though, they still cling to each other and even share a few kisses, laughing and smiling.
I can’t help but feel a prickle of jealousy.If only I could be like that with Minjee.
PDA is generally frowned upon a lot more here than it is in the States, but it’s sometimes tolerated with hetero couples. It’s almost unheard of for same-sex couples to be that overtlyaffectionate in public, though.
Younger people like us are generally more open-minded and tolerant, but I still have no idea when queer couples will be fully accepted in Korean society. And I have no idea when LGBTQ+ rights will ever become a thing.
I’m still caught up in my thoughts when we pay for our water bottles and leave the store.
“Hey,” Minjee says. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry, just have a lot on my mind.”
“Seems like it. Want to talk about it?”
I’m about to tell Minjee all about my frustrations when I have a sudden epiphany.
I can’t do anything to change laws or other people’s views, but thereisone thing I can do.
“I think I’m going to break up with Bryan,” I say. “I mean, stop the fake relationship. It’s bad enough that we can’t ever be public aboutourrelationship. I don’t want to keep pretending that I’m dating someone else.”
Minjee looks alarmed, but she quickly recovers. “You don’t have to do that,” she says in an even voice. “Especially if keeping up the fake relationship is safer for you. What if the higher-ups object? And fans grow suspicious?”
Those are definitely valid concerns.
“Okay, I’ll talk to Sophia about it,” I say. “But if she says I can, I’m going to do it. I don’t want you to have to see me holding hands with Bryan and acting like we’re a couple.Idon’twant to do those things with him. He’s a nice guy and all, but he’s not you. I should only have to act on-screen.”
Minjee gives my hand a tight squeeze. “Okay, I appreciate it. But I want what’s safest for you, okay?”
Her concern for me makes my heart ache. I feel so lucky to have her as a girlfriend.
“Okay,” I say.
After making sure no one’s looking, I give her forehead a kiss.
