“Take your time.” His voice is filled with patience, and it makes me look up at him.
Meeting his kind eyes, I admit, “You’re the first man I’ve interacted with like this.”
A slight frown forms on his forehead. “You haven’t dated before?”
I shake my head. “There wasn’t time to date, and technically they were all boys.”
Lake closes the door, saying, “I’ll keep that in mind. Let’s grab your bags and get you up to your suite.”
When he has the bags out of the car, he turns and glances up at the buildings. “Welcome to Trinity Academy, Lee.” Bringing his eyes back to me, he continues, “I really hope you’ll be happy here.”
“Thank you, Lake.” I bow my head, appreciating the warm welcome.
We begin to walk out of the parking area, and I take the opportunity to glance around me. On the opposite side of the road there’s a park, and when a girl comes running out of one of the buildings, sprinting across the lawn while laughing because a man is chasing her, I stop and I can’t prevent myself from staring.
“Noooo!” She shrieks when he catches up to her, and grabbing hold of her, he throws her over his shoulder. He slaps her backside, and my eyes almost pop out of my head.
“Mason! Put me down!” she yells while laughing out loud.
“Lee?”
I hear Lake’s call, but I can’t stop looking at them.
“Ne?” I answer.
“That’s hangul for yes, right?” Lake steps into my line of sight and I blink quickly.
“I’m sorry, what did you ask?”
He glances over his shoulder and then he lets out a chuckle before mumbling, “Yeah, trust my friends to leave you with that for a first impression.”
He gestures for me to walk, and when we cross the road, the constant hum of nervousness I’ve been feeling ever since we left Korea, becomes stronger until it feels like my empty stomach is nothing but a tight knot.
The couple I was watching comes walking toward us, and I recognize Mr. Chargill from the airport and Sunday’s lunch. Bowing low, I say, “Good Afternoon, Mr. Chargill.”
When I straighten up, Lake places his hand on my lower back. It’s a soft touch and doesn’t feel invasive. “You can speak informally to Mason, and anyone else I introduce you to.”
I glance up at Lake, and he gives me a reassuring smile.
“Yes, and you can call me Kingsley,” the girl says, pulling my attention to her.
U-wa! I stare at her, having never seen her color eyes before.
She lifts a hand to her face. “Did I get chocolate all over myself again?”
“Oh, no!” I gesture to my own eyes. “I’ve never seen blue eyes before. They’re so pretty.”
“Aww… thank you!” Kingsley darts forward which has me taking a sharp breath, and when she wraps an arm around my shoulder, I stand frozen for a moment before my shoulders relax.
I can feel this girl is good, and it makes me awkwardly lift my hand and place it on her back.
“Kingsley,” Lake says, while grinning at her with an affectionate look I haven’t seen before. “Lee’s not used –”
Not wanting him to tell her to move away, because honestly, I feel safer with her than with a man, I quickly say, “She’s a girl… it’s different.”
“What’s different?” Kingsley asks, and when I look at her, she gives me a warm smile.
“In Korea, it’s frowned upon for a man and a woman to be affectionate in public places, but for two women… I mean friends, it’s a normal thing to see,” I try my best to explain.
Instantly a mischievous grin spreads over Kingsley’s face. “Y’all heard that right. Only Layla and I get to hug Lee.” She wraps her other arm around me, giving me a tight hug, and although it’s not something I’m used to, I appreciate the gesture.
“Welcome, Lee.” She pulls back and then claps her hands excitedly. “Wait until you see your suite!” She begins to bounce, grabs my hand, and then I’m yanked inside the building.Lake“Sorry, buddy,” Mason says as we stare after the girls. “There’s no stopping Kingsley when she’s excited. I’m afraid she might traumatize Lee before the day is over.”
I have a special place in my heart for Layla and Kingsley who are like little sisters to me. But watching Kingsley embrace Lee without any reservations, only makes me love the girl more.
“I think Kingsley is the just person to make Lee feel at home here,” I give my opinion.
Mason grabs the backpack from my shoulder, and we walk toward the girls where they’re waiting for the elevator.
When we step inside, and Mason takes hold of the back of Kingsley’s neck, pulling her to his side so he can press a kiss to her hair, I don’t miss how Lee takes a step closer to me.
I’m totally taking it as a good sign that she feels somewhat safe with me.