Park and Violet by Marian Tee

level.”
          She turned to him and made a face. “You mean I look crazy drooling over everything, don’t you?”
          He shrugged and said innocently, “If the shoe fits.”
          Violet threw her bag at him.
          Park blinked but managed to catch it in time with a stunned laugh. “You really are crazy,” he commented as he handed her bag back.
          Not satisfied, Violet took it and immediately used the bag to hit Park on the shoulder.
          He yelped. “Hey!”
          She gave him a smug look. “That will teach you to laugh at me!”
          Park gaped then he leaned down and, placing both hands on the sides of her face, he began to mash Violet’s cheeks like it was pizza dough requiring kneading. “You. Are. One. Crazy. Girl.”
          Violet pulled away and glared at him, touching her cheeks. “You’re a jerk!”
          “Takes one to know one.”
          Violet burst into laughter despite herself. “You really are a jerk.” She knew literally dozens of guys in her life, and almost all of them adored her. Only Park was ever insulting in her presence, and for some strange reason, she was comforted by it.
          “You’re a good friend to have,” she told him impulsively as she caught up to him.
          Park tried pulling his arm away from her hold, couldn’t, and gave up. He looked down at her and warned, “You’re scaring me again. You almost seem nice.”
          Violet shook her head. “No, seriously, Park. You’re a good friend to have. I was afraid I’d be all alone the whole time I’d be here.”
          “I am NOT your friend.”
          “Stop denying the truth.”
          Park sighed. “Fine. We are friends, but remember that you got that admission under duress.”
          They had already reached the street leading to their dorm when Park thought of asking, “How did you find your first day of work?”
          “It was fun,” she said warmly. “Everyone at work was great.” It was true. At first she had been afraid that none of Park’s co-workers would like her. That would have been problematic since her work consisted of four-hour shifts five times a week, which meant she’d be spending a lot of time in their company.
          But thankfully, everyone had been nice, even the girls, and that had been the most wonderful surprise.
          “Jun-Yee seems to like you.” Park tried not to tense as he waited for Violet’s thoughts about the other Korean, whom Park knew was also a notorious flirt in uni.
          She rolled her eyes. “He likes everyone.”
          He wondered why the answer relieved him so much but still Park said slowly, “That’s true but I also think he could be having a serious crush on you.”
          Violet waved a hand. “I don’t care. I’m not into dating.” Her eyes widened when Park stopped in front of his door.
          He saw her look. “What?”
          She demanded, “You won’t walk me to my door?”
          “What are you, seven?”
          Why…why had she thought Park would be different now that they were friends?
          “You’re impossible,” she grouched even as she stomped her way up. Korean asshole gorilla. Asian freaking Yeti.
          “Violet?”
          She poked her head out just before she climbed another set of stairs. “What?” she growled.
          Park gave her a mock salute. “Night, banshee.” Then he slammed the door shut.
          Violet almost screeched. Impossible man! But as she climbed the stairs leading to her floor, she couldn’t prevent a little smile from playing on her lips. Impossible or not, he really was a good friend to have.

 
     
     
 
 
    Chapter Seven
 
 
          Bang! Bang! Bang!
          Two weeks had already passed since Violet came literally knocking into his life, and most mornings he still wanted to kill her. Like