Jun-suh Shin (Jun)'s Story

"Good morning, Ridgeville! Today too, we are looking forward to a beautiful day. Today’s topic-"
I turned off the clock and yawned. After getting up I made my bed and went to take a hot shower. Wrapping a towel around my waist I went to the kitchen. A pizza box was on the kitchen table with two un-eaten slices; I placed them on a plate and put them in a microwave to heat them up. While I waited I put on my sweatpants and a tank top. After I finished up my breakfast I went out for morning exercise, which consisted of running a couple of blocks.

I was living in Ridgeville for more than a year now, and got easily used to the city. I remember when I first arrived I was pretty confused; I even got lost while running and had to go back by a taxi. Now that I think back it was a really comical situation.

I was near the park when I felt tired so I decided to take a little brake. That park was known as the place where street performers would gather. I’ve heard of it from of my collage friends, but this was the first time that I actually stopped here. It was amazing. Guitar players playing and singing, painters drawing portraits and landscapes, there were even pantomimes. It felt like the park turned into a festival.

A particular girl got my attention. She was sitting by the fountain holding a blue guitar. She looked young enough to still be in high school and I started wondering why she was here. The classes started an hour ago, and yet, she was still here. She closed her eyes, and I felt myself completely speechless. She looked like a girl from a fairytale, like a mermaid or a fairy. Oh how I wished I brought my camera with me.

The alarm on my watch went off reminding me that I had to go home to get ready for my classes. On my way home I promised myself that when I come here again I’m going to bring the camera with me, and if I happen to see her again I’ll ask her to model for me. Hopefully she won’t find me being a creep.

Today too, there were many familiar faces at the park. Most of them were around my age, like the blond guy with skateboard, he would usually give me a few bucks. And the girl who always holds a sketchbook; I would see her sometimes drawing in the park too. I saw a couple of her drawings once when she dropped them and I helped her pick them up, it was around the time when I first came here. And I have to say she have got an amazing talent. And there was that girl too, who always sat a bit further from me with a cup of coffee in her hands and always in thoughts…Sometimes when I couldn’t sleep I would wander how would it be like if I went to school with them. Would we be friends? I don’t think so. I was called a weirdo in my old school, so if I went here it would probably be the same.
I tuned the guitar and started playing the acoustic version of Guns N' Roses’ song Sweet Child O’ Mine. It was one of my favorite songs to perform in the mornings.



I didn’t like to sing too much, since I was a guitar player and not a singer, but I guess I don’t have that bad voice since nobody threw tomatoes at me, yet.
I played a few more songs then packed up; It was time for me go to work. I gave guitar lessons to the kids from the orphanage. The money I’ve earned that way was barely enough for me to pay the rent. In one of these days I’m gonna have to look for one more job.




When I arrived back to my apartment I took a quick shower. I got dressed into black skinny jeans, a white tee, put on my boots and grabbed a leather jacket along with the bag with my cameras. I was searching for my keys when my phone started ringing.
”Yo. ” I heard my friend voice.
”I’m on my way. ” I said while locking the door with one hand.
”You don’t have to hurry. The prof said that he’ll be late. ” I sat in my car and started the engine.
”Then I’m gonna stop by Starbucks for a coffee. Do you need anything? ” I could hear him talk to others.
” One Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino, two Peppermint Mocha Frappuccinos and one black coffee. ” I sighed.
” I've got it. See you in a few minutes.”
I drove to the Starbuck and parked across the street. There wasn’t a big line in front of a long haired blond guy so I went to him to place my order.
” One Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino, two Peppermint Mocha Frappuccinos and two black coffees. ”
As I waited for my order I wondered if the guy was working as a model too. He was very tall and had the model kind of a face.
He gave me the coffees and after paying him I got back to my car and drove to college.