Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 24

I got on one of the charter buses the next day with my friends. Leo told me Tae-Hyun went home with her brother the day before and she was doing fine.
"That's awesome!" I said, "So, she's going to be okay now?"
Leo nodded, "Yeah, he'll be fine."
I grinned and said, "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Leo said, looking around, "No one caught it."
I remembered when I accidentally referred to Tae-Hyun as 'she' in front of Jenny and I turned around to look at her.
Jenny was fast asleep with her head leaned against the window in the seat behind me.
Michelle was sitting next to her, poking her arm and saying, "Jenny... Jenny... I'm hungry."
"Let her sleep, Honey." Alice said from behind Michelle, "We're going to stop for lunch in a few hours."
Michelle nodded and said, "Okay... You're nice... Who are you again?"
"I'm Alice," Alice said slowly, "We've been in school together for more than two years."
"Oh, yeah..." Michelle said, "I'm sorry, I forget things sometimes."
Chris and Alice exchanged a 'really?' look.
Michelle slowly grasped Alice's sleeve and said, "We should be friends."
"Um..." Alice said, smiling politely, "Okay."
Somebody's getting herself into a mess.


Eventually, a lot of us fell asleep. It was kind of a mass of cuteness. Chris and Alice had their heads on top of each other's. Michelle had her head on Jenny's shoulder and her arms were wrapped around Jenny.
Mouse and Chris would forever ridicule Leo and I if we fell asleep together, so we both tried to stay awake.
It was only about 3:00 P.M., but the weekend had been pretty... Draining.


When Leo saw Tae-Hyun at school on Monday, he ran over to her and hugged her hard.
"I missed you." He said.
Tae-Hyun giggled and hugged him back, "You too."
Chris and I stood nearby, smiling at our friends.
"Ah, young love." Chris said.
I laughed, "I know."
There was a silence and I looked at my brother.
"Hey... Chris?" I said.
"Hm?"
"Why... Did Tae-Hyun pretend to be a guy?" I said in a low voice, so no one else would hear me.
Chris looked at me and said quietly, "Well, her father is a bit of a misogynist. He always treated her brothers better than he treated her, so she decided to come to America as a boy and see if people treated her better."
I nodded and thought for a while, "Wait... So, is she..."
"Is she what?" Chris said.
I said hesitantly, "Transgender?"
Chris gave me a look and said, "Angie,"
"What?"
"You're an idiot."
"That's not very nice." I said.
There was another silence before I said,




"What's a misogynist?"

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 23

Soaking wet, Chris slammed the cabin door behind him and announced, "I HATE CANOEING!"
Lester, who was also drenched, opened the door and came in right behind him, "Yeah, 
me too."
Chris went into the bathroom and said, "God, why would those stupid counselors make me go in the water? Jesus!"
Lester sat down in a chair by the wall outside the bathroom and said, "Wow, you seem really cheesed off. What gives?"
Chris poked his head out the door and said, "Uh, y-you know, I just don't like canoeing that much..."
He closed the bathroom door again and Lester said, "What about swimming?"
"Nope, hate it." Chris said.
"Kayaking?" Lester asked.
"There's no difference between kayaking and canoeing." Chris said.
Lester thought about it and said, "A little one."
"Yeah?" Chris said from the bathroom, "What is it?"
Lester was stumped. "H-hey, man. Don't ask stupid questions."


Alice and Mouse went into their cabin and closed the door behind them.
"I hate sports." Mouse said.
"Does canoeing really qualify as a sport?" Alice said, brushing off herself. She was completely dry.
Mouse shrugged, "It requires work. In my book, it's a sport, and my book overpowers all else."
Alice held her nose and said, "Good Lord, Mouse."
"What?"
"Will you please take a shower?" Alice said, "You smell like the lake."
Mouse drew her hand up to her heart and said, "That really hurts me, Alice. It really hurts."
Alice sighed and Mouse eyed her.
"What is it?" Alice asked.
Mouse reached to touch Alice and Alice shrieked.
Mouse started laughing and said, "Ooh, I almost got lake germs on you! You're hilarious!"
"You're not." Alice said, wrapping her arms around herself, "That's not funny."
Just then, soaking wet Stephanie came into the cabin and let out a blood-curdling brat-scream.
Mouse covered her ears and said, "What the hell was that? Did someone stab a cat with a knife?"
"OH. MY. GOD." Stephanie screeched, "I HATE THE FREAKING CAMP!"
"Oh, come on, Stephanie. It isn't that bad." Hilary walked in behind Stephanie, wringing out her hair.
Stephanie turned around and fired a death glare at Hilary.
"Wow, is that a new scowl?" Mouse said, "The running mascara really adds effect."
Stephanie spun around and said to Mouse, "I. Am so done. With. You. You better get off my back or I will-"
"Or you'll what, Stephanie?" Mouse said, sounding annoyed, "I'm sick of you. Will you cut me a break for once?"
Stephanie and Mouse started arguing and Alice and Hilary stepped in between them.
"Okay, girls..." Hilary said, "Calm. Down."
"You two have been fighting since the moment you got put in the same cabin." Alice said.
"Well, that's because-" Stephanie said.
Alice held up a hand and Hilary said, "How about you guys just stay clear of each other? Huh?"
Mouse and Stephanie glared at each other and Mouse said, "Fine."
"Yeah, whatever." Stephanie said, holding her hand up, "As long as she, like, leaves me alone."


Tina and I went into our cabin and stood in the middle of the room.
"Well, that was a new experience for me." Tina said, wringing out her hair, "Have you ever gone canoeing before?"
I nodded, "Yeah, when I was nine, Chris and I went to Camp Sunny Day. There was canoeing there... Chris didn't like it."
"Yeah, it didn't seem like his thing." Tina said, "Poor Chris. I felt bad for him, the way he fell out of the canoe and Carlos had to save him."
Carlos is one of the counselors.
"Why did you feel sorry for him?" I said casually, "Carlos is kinda hot."
"Well, from where I was, it looked like Chris was drowning." Tina said calmly.
I shrugged, "Yeah... He probably was..."
Jenny opened the cabin door. She had her arm around Michelle, who was bawling like a baby. They were both soaking wet and Jenny looked tired.
"So," I said, "Carlos didn't come to Michelle's rescue when she fell in?"
"Nope." Jenny sighed tiredly, "I'm the night in shining armor."
I grinned at her and said, "You look like you need some sleep."
Jenny laughed quietly, "Yeah, you tell that to Michelle."
"I'M WET!!!" Michelle sobbed.
"I can see that." I said, "Hey, Michelle. How about you give Jenny a break?"
"But, I'm wet." Michelle sniffled.
Jenny patted her shoulder and said, "It's okay. Let's get you cleaned up."
Michelle sniffed again and nodded.
They went into the bathroom and I sat down on the bed.
"Wow," I said, "Jenny has been taking care of Michelle this whole trip, hasn't she?"
"Yes, she has." Tina said, "She looks so tired."
"I know..." I said, "Maybe taking care of Michelle is a big job."

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 22

Tina, Jenny, Michelle, and I walked to the Main Building for a meeting, when I heard muffled screaming.

I whirled around, kind of scared.

The source of the screaming was Lester and Chris. They had tape over their mouths, they were tied together, back-to-back, with thick rope, and ants were crawling all over them.

I walked over to the boys.

"What the hell?" I said, "Did Buck and Joey do this to you?"

Lester and Chris nodded frantically and tried to say something.

I started trying to untie them and Chris tried to say something again.

"How did you get these ants all over you?" I said, brushing the ants away and picking at the ropes.

Chris was yelling something now.

"What?" I said, peeling the duct tape off their mouths.

Both of them exclaimed.

"What were you guys saying?" I said, putting my hands on my hips.

The boys looked at me and said in unison, "We're not wearing pants."

I stared at Chris and Lester with wide eyes and my face flushed.

"Um..." I said, feeling my cheeks with my hands, "Why aren't you wearing pants?"

"Joey and Buck took them." Lester sighed, shaking his head, "Again."

Chris turned his head and looked at Lester. Then, Chris looked at me and furrowed his brow, "Angie, are you feeling alright? You're blushing."

I felt my face again, "Uh, I don't know."

Lester smirked, "Oh, Angela. Have you finally realized-"

"That I'm in love with you?" I said, "I'm sorry, Lester. No."

Lester looked down sadly. I wasn't really that sorry. He asks me if I like him about three times a week. He's kind of like Leo... Or how Leo was before he met Tae-Hyun.

I smiled a little. Maybe Leo had met his match.

So, I untied Lester and Chris (with my eyes closed, as they insisted), and they snuck back to their cabin as quickly as they could.

My cabin mates and I went to the Main Building. A lot of kids were already there, including Leo!

I ran over to him and he let me hug him.

"Hey," I said, backing off and putting my hands on his shoulders, "How's Tae-Hyun? Is he doing okay?"

Leo nodded, "Um, yeah. His brother just got here and he seems a lot better than he was yesterday. He should be able to come home by Friday, if he doesn't leave with his brother later."

"Good, good." I said, letting my hands fall to my sides.

I started to walk to a table, but Leo didn't move. I looked at him and said, "And how are you doing?"

Leo shrugged and smiled weakly, "I dunno... I guess I've been worrying a little too much. Tae-Hyun keeps telling me I need to worry about her less."

"Oh, careful." I said in a low voice, "I did that earlier."

Leo thought for a second and said, "Oh, yeah. Thanks."

We sat down at a table and waited for the Mary to arrive.

I studied Leo and said, "You really love her, don't you?"

Leo blushed and looked at me, "W-what?"

"Tae-Hyun," I said, quieter, "You really love her, don't you?"

Leo looked down at the table again and smiled a little.

"I, uh..." He said, blushing deeper, "I-I guess you could say that.... But don't tell anyone!"

"What, that you're in love with a girl?" I teased.

"N-no, it's just..." Leo said, "Well, Mouse would tell her and Chris would freak out about how cute it was that I liked someone."

I snorted, "Yeah, that probably would happen."

"See? That's why I don't want you to tell." Leo said, "Plus, the more people know, the closer they are to figuring out Tae-Hyun's secret."

I nodded and said, "Don't worry, Buddy. I won't tell."

Leo smiled at me and said, "Thanks, you're a great friend."

"Yeah? You're not too bad yourself." I said, laughing.

Mary came in and said, "Hey, kids, settle down now."

The talking died down and we all turned our attention to Mary. Maybe kids were finally listening to her in case there was more news about Tae-Hyun. Everyone was still talking about it.

"Alright," Mary said, "Tomorrow, you guys are all going back to your schools around noon. So, who's excited to hear what we'll be doing today?"

No one said anything. I almost felt bad for Mary.

"Canoeing!" She said, beaming.

"NO!!!" Chris cried, clinging to Alice's arm... And... Crying.

"Déja vu." I said, and Leo stifled a laugh.

Mary,and everyone else in the room, stared at him.

I reached across the table and patted my brother's back, "Nothing to see here. It's okay, Chris..."

"All... Righty then." Mary said, "Come on, Kids."

"At least she's not calling us teenyboppers." Stephanie said to Michelle.

"Oh, you mean like those toys they have at the baby store?" Michelle said.

Stephanie gave her a confused look, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You know, the baby toys that are shaped like this and smell the bacon." Michelle traced a bone shape in the air with her fingers.

Stephanie looked at her distastefully and said, "I don't know what kind of baby store you're goin' to, but-"

"It has fish, too." Michelle said, holding up two fingers about an inch apart, "Little orange ones. One time we went there and my little brother tried to eat one... He thought they were gold fish crackers."

Stephanie looked so confused.

"They don't really let us in anymore..." Michelle said, sniffing, "I liked that baby store."

Stephanie walked away from Michelle and Jenny took her place.

Michelle whirled around to look at Jenny and her ringlet-curled blonde hair flew around her head.

"Why did Stephanie leave me?" She said, looking sad.

Jenny put her arm around Michelle and said, "It's alright, Michelle. You can tell me about the goldfish baby store."

Michelle beamed and said, "Okay, so the store also had these bags of sand that smelled like air freshener..."

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 21

I lied sprawled across my bed, bored. I listened to Jenny and Michelle talk.
"Why did those really big cars come here two days ago?" Michelle asked.
"The ambulances?" Jenny said softly, "They came here because Tae-Hyun was sick."
Michelle pouted, "Big cars don't come when I get sick."
"Well, Michelle, Tae-Hyun was really sick." Jenny said, "He was so sick that he needed a doctor to help him get better."
I couldn't help being amused at how much Jenny had to dumb down the way she spoke for Michelle.
Michelle looked really confused and said, "Who's that?"
"Tae-Hyun is Leo's friend." Jenny said, "The Korean boy."
Michelle's mascaraed eyes widened, "Ohhhh, I remember him! He was from the war, right?"
"No, Michelle."
"But, there were bombs..."
"No, there were no bombs in South Korea, Michelle."
Michelle sat on the floor with Jenny, staring into space.
"Jenny," I said, "I think her brain stopped."
Tina fought back a grin and Jenny said, stifling a laugh, "Angela,"
"My brain works pretty good." Michelle said, clasping her hands together, "Ohhh, that reminds me of this time when I was five and my mom was on the phone and she was carrying me and my little brother. Then, when she went to get food for us so we'd stop crying, she dropped me and my brother on our heads and my brother had to get stitches."
Jenny, Tina, and I stared at Michelle for a long, long time.
"Hey, Tina." I said, trying to start a new conversation, "Have you heard back from Leo yet?"
Tina nodded, "Yes, actually. I heard from Mrs. Green that Leo and Ms. Nelson are coming back to camp today."
"Awesome." I said, smiling. I was glad to hear that at least Leo was coming back. For a while, I was scared that he would refuse to leave.
"Why was Leo at the hospital too?" Michelle said.
I sighed, "Oh, Michelle..."
Jenny gave me the kind of look Mom gives me right before I insult Chris.
"Leo was there to visit Tae-Hyun while she was sick." I said, smiling tightly.
Poor Michelle looked so confused, "But... Then, wouldn't Leo get sick?"
"Angela," Jenny said, "Did you just say 'she'?"
My face fell and my eyes widened. Then, I laughed and scoffed, "Pfft! No."
Damn my terrible lying skills and my big mouth.
Jenny studied me and I said, "Verbal typo, okay?"
"Verbal typo..." Tina said, "Interesting."
I gritted my teeth. I can safely say this was the first time I was grateful for one of Michelle's stupid comments.
"Is Leo sick too, now?" Michelle said, looking concerned.
"N-no, Leo's fine." I said, "He's coming back to camp today."
"Angela," Jenny hissed.
"So... Does that mean we're all gonna get sick???" Michelle said, throwing her hands into her mountain of light blonde curls.
I gritted my teeth and looked down at my lap.
"No, Michelle." I said.
"Why do you keep saying that?" Michelle said, standing up, "No, Michelle. No, Michelle. You're confusing me!"
"For God's sake, I feel like I'm talking to a child!" I exclaimed.
Michelle's shoulders slumped and she pouted, her lower lip quivering. Good Lord...
Michelle started crying right there, just like a little kid who couldn't find their mom at the super market, when really she was right behind them.
Jenny put her arm around Michelle's shoulder and said, "There, there."
I gave Tina a 'unbelievable' look and she shrugged.




How were Tina and Jenny always so nonchalant about everything?

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 20

Leo opened the cabin door and went inside, his head hung sadly.

"Hey, Nerd." Daniel said, smirking, "How's your bulimic boyfriend? Is he gonna pull through?"

Daniel was sitting on one bed and tossing an apple up in the air and catching it.

Leo scowled at him and said, "Why would you say something like that? Tae-Hyun almost died and you're talking about it like he had a cold!"

"Come on, Chickie, don't be such a drama queen." Johnny said, standing up and giving Leo a little push in the chest.

"You guys are jerks." Leo said.

Johnny scoffed, "Is that all you nerds ever say? 'You're a jerk', 'you're an ass', 'oh, you're hurting my feelings'. That's what your loser friends said earlier."

"Maybe you should listen to them." Leo said, "Great minds think alike."

"Hey, looky here." Daniel said, "Somebody's tryin' to be smart here. You think you're so tough, don't you, Leo?"

"Yeah, don't you, Leo?" Johnny said, pushing Leo again, "Then why couldn't you protect your little boyfriend?"

"SHUT UP!" Leo yelled, anger filling his voice.

"Oooh." Johnny and Daniel laughed.

Johnny stuck out his lower lip and said in a baby voice, "Is somebody being sensitive?"

"He could've died, John." Leo said, dead serious, "Tae-Hyun could have died and here you are making fun of him!"

Johnny snorted and he and Daniel crossed their arms over their chests in unison.

"How do you know he's not dead right now?" Leo said, his voice getting louder and cracking, "How did you know he wasn't dead when I came in here and you were already on my case, making fun of him?"

"Hey, come on, man. We were just playing." Daniel said.

"Oh, were you now???" Leo cried, "You were just playing. Well, let me tell you something, Daniel. Don't play... With death."

Daniel and Johnny were silent.

Leo scowled at them, his eyes red and brimmed with tears.

"He's alive, if you were wondering." Leo said, turning his back to them, "No thanks to you goons."

Leo opened the cabin door, stepped out, and closed it behind him.

Daniel and Johnny looked at each other. 

They had nothing more to say.

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 19

Mouse opened her cabin door and went inside.
"Oh, I'm so scared for Tae-Hyun." Hilary said, "What if he's really sick?"
"I don't think he's that sick." Mouse said.
Alice, Stephanie, and Hilary all looked at her.
Mouse sat down on the chair my the door and put her hands behind her head, "It's not like he was vomiting blood or anything."
Stephanie rolled her eyes and said, "Oh my God, Mouse. You're such a smartass."
"Haven't we already covered this?" Mouse asked.
Stephanie sat down on one of the beds and said, "Whatever."
No one said anything for a minute. Then, Stephanie slowly looked over at Mouse and said, "So, Mouse. How has it been going with you and Lydia?"
Mouse shot her a look, "What are you saying, Barbie?"
"I was thinking about when you were on the cheerleading squad." Stephanie said, "So, how has it been going with Lydia?"
Mouse scoffed, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Come on, we all know you're a lesbian!" Stephanie exclaimed, "Just give it up already!"
"I don't like Lydia, Stephanie." Mouse said, "I think all those little flips and lying in tanning machines messed up your brain."
"Can it, Buch." Stephanie said.
Alice groaned and said, annoyed, "Must you two fight all the time?"
"Yes." Mouse said, "I hate being stuck in here with her."
"She's a disgusting, fat, smelly lesbian." Stephanie said, "I feel very uncomfortable sleeping in the same room as her."
"Oh, please, Barbie." Mouse said, "That lesbian thing is really getting old."
"Well, I can't picture you with a guy." Stephanie said, putting her hands on her hips, "You've never kissed a guy, have you?"
"No," Mouse said, "But so what?"
"It means, you're lame." Stephanie said, laughing hollowly, "You're such a loser, Mouse."
"At least I have a brain." Mouse mumbled.

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 18

"Have you ever done any drugs?" Dr. Lee asked Tae-Hyun, "Marijuana? Cocaine? Anything like that?"
Tae-Hyun shook her head, "No, never."
"Alright, good to know." Dr. Lee said, writing something on his clipboard, "Do you regularly take any NSAIDS, like Aspirin or Ibuprofen?"
"Not very much." Tae-Hyun said, "My older brother, Kyung-Sam, sometimes gives it to me when I had a stomachache or a headache, but not very much."
"Okay," Dr. Lee wrote something else, "Have you ever drunk alcohol?"
"Well, my brother let me try a little, tiny bit of Japanese Saki he brought home one time, but I thought it was awful and did not have very much."
"I see." Dr. Lee said, "Does your family ever push anything like drugs or alcohol on you?"
Tae-Hyun shook her head quickly, "Oh, no. They never would."
"Have you ever smoked?"
"No."
Dr. Lee wrote one last thing down and said, "Alright, Miss Nam. That's it for questions. Thank you."
Tae-Hyun nodded and Dr. Lee left.
Leo got up from his seat across the room and sat down on the side of Tae-Hyun's bed. He stroked her hair and said, "How are you doing?"
"Not as good as I like, but better than before." Tae-Hyun said, smiling.
Leo stroked her hair and smiled at her.
"I'm so happy you're okay." He said.
Tae-Hyun smiled and said, "Me too."
Ms. Nelson came in and put her hand on Leo's shoulder.
Leo looked up.
"Leo, I think you should be getting back to camp." Ms. Nelson said, smiling warmly, "It's a field trip and you've missed half of day three."
"I don't care." Leo said, holding Tae-Hyun's hands with his, "I'd rather stay here with Tae-Hyun."
"Leo," Tae-Hyun said.
Leo looked at her.
"Go back to camp," Tae-Hyun said with a smile, "I'm fine. You don't need to worry so much about me."
"You said you were fine before and then you threw up blood." Leo said, biting his lip.
Tae-Hyun's face fell and she studied him.
"Then ask the doctor." Tae-Hyun said, smiling warmly, "He'll know if I'm okay or not."
Leo nodded and stood up, reluctantly letting go of Tae-Hyun's hand.
"Okay." Leo said, "I'll see you later."
Tae-Hyun nodded and smiled tiredly, "See you later. Thank you so much."
"For what?" Leo asked.
Tae-Hyun laughed, "For getting Mary to call the hospital, for being here with me. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
Leo stood, frozen where he was.
"You saved my life, Leo." Tae-Hyun said, smiling and tearing up, "Thank you."
Leo breathed in shakily and said, "Can I hug you?"
Tae-Hyun nodded and Leo gently hugged her.
Tae-Hyun hugged him back and laughed and cried at the same time.
Leo stood back up and just looked at her. He said shakily, "Tae-Hyun..."
"Yes?"
Leo stared at her and his hands started shaking. He put his head down and walked out of the room.
Tae-Hyun watched him walk away, a bit disappointed that she didn't get to hear what Leo was going to say. She sighed and leaned back in her bed.


Leo walked down the hospital halls, telling himself under his breath how stupid he was.
Then, a young guy rushed into the hospital lobby so fast, he almost fell over. He looked kind of familiar.
Leo walked up to him and said, "Hey, are you Kyung-Sam?"
The guy looked at him and Leo said, "Tae-Hyun's brother?"
The guy studied Leo for a second and smiled slightly.
"Uh, yeah." He held out his hand, "You must be Leo, right?"
"Yeah." Leo grinned and shook Kyung-Sam's hand, "How'd you know?"
Kyung-Sam looked like he was holding back a smirk. He cleared his throat and said, "Oh, uh, he's mentioned you."
Ah. Kyung-Sam didn't know Leo knew Tae-Hyun was a girl.
"Oh, has she?" Leo asked.
Kyung-Sam almost looked impressed. He grinned and said, "Oh, yeah. The hair, the age, the eyes. That's how I recognized you."
Leo blushed and said quietly, "She... Talked about my... Eyes?"
Kyung-Sam looked very pleased with himself and said, "She... Mentioned them."
Leo hesitated before he asked quietly, "What did she say?"
"She said that they're beautiful." Kyung-Sam said, smiling warmly.
Leo's heart stopped beating for a split second. Kyung-Sam could be lying. He's Tae-Hyun's older brother, brothers lie!
Then, Kyung-Sam suddenly looked worried, "Have you seen my sister?"
Leo nodded and said, "O-oh, yeah. She's doing great. Her room is that way."
Kyung-Sam nodded and walked down the hall Leo had pointed to.
Leo followed behind him slowly.
He watched Kyung-Sam go into the room and Tae-Hyun's face light up.
Kyung-Sam cried and hugged his sister.
Leo smiled a little and sighed. He turned and went back to the waiting room.
Ms. Nelson was waiting there, looking at her watch. She saw Leo and said, "Leo, where have you been?"
"I'm sorry, I ran into Tae-Hyun's brother on the way here and said hi." Leo said. There was no life to his voice.
Ms. Nelson sighed, "Alright. Come on, I'll drive you back to camp."
"Are you going to stay there or come back here?" Leo asked.
"I'm going to come back here." Ms. Nelson said, "I need to sign a ton of paperwork."
Leo followed Ms. Nelson out of the building and said, "Wow."
"What?" Ms. Nelson said.
"Tae-Hyun's brother drove all the way here to see his sister." Leo said.
Ms. Nelson said, "Well, you were worried about her, so you stayed here instead of going to camp."
"Yeah," Leo said, "But camp is only fifteen minutes away. Home is four hours away."
Ms. Nelson smiled and said, "Come on, Tae-Hyun will be fine with her brother. Let's go back."
Leo nodded reluctantly and followed Ms. Nelson to her car.

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 17

Chris, Tina, and I were walking from our cabins to the Mess Hall the next day.
Daniel, Johnny, Joey, and Buck stepped in front of us.
"Hey, what's up, losers?" Daniel said.
"Really? Do you have to ruin our lives today?" Chris said, trying to pass Daniel, "I'm really not in the mood."
Daniel laughed hollowly and said, "That's why it's the perfect time."
"So," Buck said, "What's up with that Asian kid? 'Heard he was blowing chunks all over the place!"
"Are you seriously bringing Tae-Hyun into this?" Chris said, "You're such a jerk."
"What's it to ya, Shrimp?" Johnny said, giving Chris a shove with one hand.
Chris stumbled and caught himself. The bullies laughed loudly at him and Joey threw the wrapper from a candy bar he was eating at Chris.
"So," Joey said between bites of candy, "Does he make hisself puke, like you?"
"What?" Chris said, his voice wavering a little, "What do you mean?"
"The Asian." Johnny said, taking a swig from a water bottle, "Does he shove his finger down his throat like you do?"
Chris shook his head and took a step back. He said weakly, "I don't know what you're talking about. What about me?"
Johnny smirked and shook his water bottle, "Remember? Last summer? You were hackin' up your lunch everywhere."
"Stop it, Johnny!" I yelled.
Chris put his hand over his mouth and said through his fingers, "I'm no bulimic. You were the one who..."
"Who what?" Johnny said, "Sucks face with other guys?"
Johnny shook his head and took another drink of his water, "Nope. That's you. The puking gay kid,"
"Shut up, Johnny!" Chris cried.
"Who makes himself throw up!" Johnny yelled.
"NO! I NEVER DID THAT!" Chris screamed, and he ran away crying.
Yes, he did. Chris did make himself throw up. Once. And it was not at camp last summer like Johnny said it was. Last summer, Johnny stuck Ipecac into Chris' water bottle and made him throw up.
Johnny and his friends laughed and high-fived each other.
I stomped over to him and screamed in his face, "I can't believe you would do that to him! That's a really hard topic for him!"
"Why?" Buck said, "'Cuz it's true?"
Joey laughed and patted his friend hard on the back.
"Shut up!" I said.
"You know it's true." Johnny said to me, "Your brother is a f-g who sticks his finger down his throat. He's a retard."
"You're an ass, John!" I yelled, shoving him.
His friends laughed and 'Oohed'.
"What, am I pissing you off, Blondie?" Johnny said, laughing, "You wanna piece of me?"
"I'm gonna kill you!" I yelled, running at him.
Someone's finger barely touched my neck and I collapsed.
I rubbed my neck and looked up, "What the hell, Tina?"
"Violence is not the answer to your problems." Tina said calmly.
Shakily, I got to my feet and said, "Does what you just did not count as violence?"
"That was a pressure point." Tina said, "And no, it does not count. I was stopping you from getting in a fight with Johnny."
"Why?" I exclaimed.
"Because," Tina said casually, "He would kill you."
Johnny and the gang laughed and Johnny said, "The freak's right, Blondie. You don't stand a chance."
Tina calmly walked over to Johnny. With almost no emotion on her face and the slightest hint of cheeriness to her voice, she said, "You boys were very, very disrespectful of Chris and Angela's emotions. As a result of your torments toward them, your consciences will forever be bathed in the toxic, burning flames of guilt. May regret forever be buried in your damaged souls."
The football players stared at Tina as she and I walked away, dumbfounded.
"Wow," I said, "Well done."
"Thank you." Tina said, "Now, we should find your brother."

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 16

Leo found himself getting up and walking around the waiting room constantly. He would sit by the window, then pace around the room, then sit down in another chair.
"Try not to worry so much, Leo." Ms. Nelson said.
A doctor came into the waiting room holding a clipboard.
"Excuse me, are you two with Tae-Hyun Nam?" He said.
Ms. Nelson stood up next to Leo. Leo's eyes instantly started watering.
"Yes..." He said shakily, "Is he okay?"
The doctor gave Leo a confused look.
Leo's eyes widened and he didn't say anything. Of course, the doctor knew Tae-Hyun was a girl.
The doctor looked at his clipboard and said, "Well, she has an infection of the stomach lining called Gastritis. No ulcers have developed yet, but she still had to be treated immediately."
Leo swallowed anxiously and said, "I have no idea what that means."
"Basically, the gastric acid in her stomach is eating away her stomach lining." The doctor said.
Ms. Nelson knit her eyebrows and said, "Um, Dr. Lee, are you sure you have the right patient?"
The doctor, Dr. Lee, looked confused and said, "What do you mean do I have the right patient? Tae-Hyun Nam is the patient I am speaking of."
Ms. Nelson looked even more confused.
"But..." She said, "Tae-Hyun Nam is a boy."
Leo's heart pounded so loud in his chest that he almost thought Ms. Nelson and Dr. Lee could hear it.
Dr. Lee shook his head and said, "Follow me to her room. Tell me if this is Tae-Hyun Nam. This patient is a girl."
Ms. Nelson looked at Leo and he stared at her with wide eyes.
They followed Dr. Lee to Tae-Hyun's room.
Tae-Hyun was awake. She smiled when she saw Leo.
"Leo..." She said, beaming.
Leo smiled, relieved, and sat over by her bed.
"Oh my God, you're okay." He said.
Tae-Hyun smiled and said, "You were worried."
Leo laughed and said, tearing up, "Like you wouldn't believe."
He held her hand and just laughed with relief.
Ms. Nelson exchanged a look with Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee said, "Excuse me, Miss Nam."
Tae-Hyun looked at the doctor and her face fell. She looked at Ms. Nelson, then at Dr. Lee, and said, "Yes?"
Dr. Lee pulled up a stool to Tae-Hyun's bed and sat down, "I would like to ask you some questions. About your condition, your childhood, etcetera."
Tae-Hyun looked at Leo and back at Dr. Lee.
"Okay." She said.
Dr. Lee held up his clipboard, pen in hand, and said, "Alright. Are you sure you're well enough to talk?"
Tae-Hyun let out a breath and she said, "Yes, I think I can."
Dr. Lee nodded and said, "Okay, tell me when you need a break. What was your childhood like? Did you ever eat or swallow anything like rat poison or any other foreign objects?"
Tae-Hyun shook her head and said, "No, I never ate rat poison. I lived in an apartment in Seoul, South Korea. Um, I lived with my brothers and my parents."
"Any pets?" Dr. Lee asked.
"No," Tae-Hyun said, "Most people don't have animals living with them, like cats or dogs."
Dr. Lee scribbled something on his clipboard and said, "Okay. Were you happy? Did you get stressed very often?"
Tae-Hyun shrugged, "I was not very stressed, but I was kind of... Sad."
"Sad?" Dr. Lee said, "How so?"
"My... Father..." Tae-Hyun said, "Didn't pay very well attention to me. Mostly my... Other... Brothers."
Dr. Lee set his clipboard on his lap and pushed up his glasses on his nose.
"Miss Nam," He said, "... Did you tell these people you were a boy?"
Tae-Hyun's eyes widened slightly and she didn't say anything. She squeezed Leo's hand and he squeezed it back. He was there for her.
"I..." Tae-Hyun said, her eyes moistening. She laughed quietly and said, "It is a very long story."
Dr. Lee and Ms. Nelson exchanged a look.
Tae-Hyun looked up at Leo and whispered, "Leo..."
He nodded and held her hand with both of his, "Yes? I'm here."
"Will you..." Tae-Hyun said hesitantly, "Explain everything... To Dr. Lee?"
Leo looked surprised and Tae-Hyun said, "Please. I am in his care, he should know the truth."
Leo's eyes watered and he nodded, ".... Yes. Whatever you want."
He stood up and said, "Dr. Lee, I can explain. Shall we go into the hall?"
Dr. Lee looked at Leo, then at Tae-Hyun, then at Ms. Nelson. He looked back at Leo and said, "Sure, let's go."
Leo and Dr. Lee went into the hall and Leo explained everything. He told Dr. Lee about Tae-Hyun's childhood and how her father always ignored her. He told him about Tae-Hyun's plan to come to the U.S. and pretend to be a boy.
Ms. Nelson watched them talk outside the room through the large glass window. Then, she felt cold, gentle fingers wrap around her wrist.
Ms. Nelson looked down at Tae-Hyun.
"Please," Tae-Hyun said softly, "Don't tell... If... The other students find out... My plan will be ruined."
"Tae-Hyun..." Ms. Nelson said gently.
"Please." Tae-Hyun said, "It won't hurt anyone to keep my secret. Please, don't tell. Please."
Ms. Nelson's face softened. The girl lying in the hospital bed next to her looked so helpless. Tae-Hyun's hair was messy, her face was pale, her grip was weak. Her stomach acid was devouring her stomach lining and she was using her energy to beg.
Ms. Nelson stroked Tae-Hyun's sweaty hair gently and whispered, "Alright, I won't tell."
Tae-Hyun smiled up at her and blinked back tears of relief.
"Thank you so much." Tae-Hyun said, "That means a lot to me."
Ms. Nelson nodded and turned away. She almost started crying, too.
Leo and Dr. Lee returned and Dr. Lee looked at Tae-Hyun.
He said softly to Ms. Nelson, "Should we finish the questions later?"
Ms. Nelson nodded, "That would be good."
Leo held his fist up to his face and cried quietly.
Ms. Nelson put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Come on, let's go back to the waiting room and give her some time to rest."
Leo nodded and wiped his face, following Ms. Nelson out of the room.
Before leaving, Dr. Lee said, "That's quite the story you have, Miss Nam."
Tae-Hyun nodded tiredly.
"Good luck." Dr. Lee said, closing the door as he left the room.
Tae-Hyun watched him walked away through the floor-to-ceiling window. She watched the people in the hospital.
Three or four paramedics rushed in with a gurney. There was a woman lying on it and she appeared to be unconscious. A man carrying a toddler and following behind them and he was holding a little girl's hand.
Was this what it was like when I was emitted yesterday? Tae-Hyun thought.

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 15

Leo followed along as the paramedics rushed Tae-Hyun's gurney out of the ambulance and into the hospital. As they were going into the emergency room, a nurse said, "I'm sorry, but you're going to have to wait out here."
Leo looked at the nurse, then at Tae-Hyun. He slowly let go of Tae-Hyun's hand and said, "Good luck."
Tae-Hyun smiled at him and she disappeared through the ER doors.
Leo put his hand over his mouth and choked back a sob.
Mary and Ms. Nelson came into the waiting room and Mary asked the nurse what Tae-Hyun's update was. The nurse told her that the patient had just gone into the emergency room.
Ms. Nelson slowly walked over to Leo. He could hear her high heels clacking on the tile floor.
Ms. Nelson stood next to Leo and put her hand gently on his shoulder.
"Are you going to be alright?" She asked softly.
Leo bowed his head and started crying.
Ms. Nelson, the principle of the school, let him put his head on her shoulder and cry.
"You should sit down," She said, "You're working yourself up."
Leo sat down in a chair and put his head in his hands. He cried more and Ms. Nelson put her hand lightly on his back.
"Don't worry about him too much." She said, "I'm sure he'll be alright."
"I just..." Leo said, wiping his eyes with his palm, "I..."
He started crying harder.
Ms. Nelson patted Leo's back and thought of how to comfort him.


The Mess Hall seemed so much quieter the next morning. Two high schools filled a huge, echoey lunchroom and the absence of two people can reduce the noise level by half. Especially at our table.
I stirred my food around on my plate and didn't say anything. So did Chris, Alice, Mouse, and everyone else. Even Kathy, Michelle, and Jenny had their mouths shut.
The atmosphere was so heavy, it was practically crushing me.
"Don't worry, guys." I said.
Everyone at our table looked at me, even a few kids from other tables.
"Tae-Hyun's probably fine." I said, "He's brave... And.... Even if he did..."
I closed my eyes and tears rolled down my cheeks.
I opened them and saw Tina nodding at me.
"Even... If... He did die..." I said, "More people will come into our lives. Not to replace anyone, but to... To be there for you."
I looked at Tina and she was smiling at me.
A smiled a small smile back at her and mouthed, Thank you.
Everyone at the table was looking around at each other. Then, Chris started clapping for me.
All of my other friends did, too, along with some students from other tables.
"To be your friend," I continued, hearing more strength in my own voice, "They could be a new partner, a new family member. New people can always come into your life, as long as you let them."
My friends kept clapping and I pointed to Tina.
"Thank you, Tina Fackler, for being my inspiration." I said, a smile breaking across my face.
She smiled at me and bowed slightly.
I was sure that the only reason people were listening to me was because they were all so petrified about what had happened the day before.
Mrs. Green rushed into the room with some of the counselors.
"What is going on?" She said, more confused than angry.
Tina and I, who were standing on a table, turned around and looked at her.
Mrs. Green smiled slightly and said, "Girls, what is going on?"
The clapping ceased and I swallowed. Were we in trouble?
"Nothing," I said, getting off the table, "We were just making a speech... Thing... About Tae-Hyun."
Mrs. Green and the counselors looked at us curiously.
People started clapping again and I couldn't help smiling. It was so weird to hear my classmates cheering for me.
One of the counselors, Sarah, said something to Mrs. Green and she nodded, smiling.
Mrs. Green clasped her hands together and said in a slow, cheesy tone, "Well, this iiis a camp, so why not have a little song?"
I looked at Tina with a 'What?' face, but Tina, as usual, looked completely unsurprised.
The kids started mumbling to each other.
No one sang. I was sure no one would.
"Ohh... Why you look so sad?" Jenny began softly, hesitantly.
There was a pause.
"Tears are in your eyes," Chris slowly sang with her, "Come on and come to meee nooow..."
Two girls from another school sang, "Don't be ashamed to cryyy. Let me see you through,"
"'Cause I've seen the dark side too..." Tina sang with them.
More and more kids joined in. This may be saying a lot, but I swear this field trip was the weirdest thing that had ever happened at my school.
Most of the kids still weren't singing, but about a fourth of us were.




"I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you. I'll stand by you, take me in into your darkest hour, and I'll never desert you..."

Cool With A "K" PART 24 - CHAPTER 14

Leo sat next to Tae-Hyun's gurney and held her hand.
He squeezed his eyes shut tight. He didn't want to see what the paramedics were doing to 
Tae-Hyun.
Leo felt Tae-Hyun's hand barely tighten around his.
He lifted his head to look at her.
Tae-Hyun's eyes were half open. She smiled weakly at him and said, "Leo, you're here."
Leo held her hand with both of his and said, "Yes, yes, I'm here. How are you feeling?"
Tae-Hyun looked down at herself and said, "My stomach hurts."
Leo's smile faded and he said to one of the paramedics, "Excuse me, Sir. The patient said his stomach hurts."
Tae-Hyun chuckled and she said softly, "You don't have to do that."
Leo squeezed her hand and said, "I will do whatever it takes to help you."
Tae-Hyun smiled tiredly, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Leo held Tae-Hyun's hand up to his face and kissed it.
"You are very sweet, Leo." Tae-Hyun said,
Leo smiled and stroked her hair, "That's good. Now, rest."
Tae-Hyun nodded and closed her eyes.
Leo stroked her hair and thought, You're so beautiful to me. Please don't die before I can tell you that.