Page 6 of Popular Boys Don't Fall For Geeky Girls

“Like I said.” Owen waves his hand around the crowd of girls. “You can have anyone you want. Just take your pick.”

I sigh. “And I told you I don’t want anyone else. I want her.”

He groans. “Dude, she wasn’t good for you.”

“What?”

He hesitates. “Come on, man. She broke your heart.”

Maybe. She did break up with me without a warning or anything. We were making out on the bleachers after school yesterday and she told me she wasn’t feeling it. Wasn’t feeling us. Owen jumped to my defense, calling her all sorts of terrible things. But they’re not true. If I had another chance, I know I could be the perfect guy for her.

She didn’t know she was my first girlfriend and I kind of made newbie mistakes. But I’m better now and want her to see that.

As Owen and I walk down the hallway toward our next class, I stumble forward. Luckily, I manage to catch myself in time before I go splat on the floor.

Glancing back, I find the culprit that nearly took me down. An oversized backpack that looks like it’s packed with bricks and who knows what else. The owner of the backpack, Willow Park’s, face is buried in her locker. Doesn’t look like she even noticed what happened.

“Watch where you put your things, man!” Owen says to her. “You could have hurt him.”

She yanks her head out. Eyes narrow at me. “You should watch where you’re going. My backpack is right nearmylocker. Seriously, popular kids…” She mutters the last part under her breath.

Owen grumbles and is about to march over to her, but I place my hand on his shoulder. “Just forget it. We’ll be late for class.”

Not that he or the rest of our friends care about school, but coming late to class means detention, and the last thing any of them want is to be in this place more than we have to.

As I turn around to go to my next class, my eyes connect with Willow’s. She seems a little shocked that I’m letting this go. Fighting or arguing or starting up with someone has never been my thing.

And anyway, she’s right. Her backpack is near her locker. In her space. I was just too distracted with Vanessa to pay attention.

Chapter Three

Willow

Dad waves at me when I slide into the car after school. “Hey, sweetheart. How was school?”

“Good, as always,” I say as I buckle up. “Now book club? That was out of this world.”

As he drives us to Ji-Ho’s, he listens to me drone on about the amazing book my Musketeers and I discussed at length. Well, not all of us would refer to the book as “amazing.” Lily is still super disappointed about the lack of romance. I bet if she would be banished to a secluded island where the only nourishment were romance books, she would live for an eternity.

“That’s great,” Dad says. “So glad you’re enjoying yourself. That’s all Mom and I want, for you and Mia to be happy and live carefree.”

My dad’s childhood was very different from mine. His parents and grandma immigrated to the US from South Korea and he was born here a few years later. Dad’s halmeoni always dreamed of opening a restaurant in Korea, but life got in the way. She was super excited to have the opportunity here in America. But she and Dad’s parents struggled a lot. Then Dad was discovered at age four and starred in his first movie. That launched his acting career, and he had many commercials, movies, and TV roles under his belt before he was my age. His career saved his family’s life. As grateful as he was for his big break, it was super stressful for him to basically be the breadwinner of the family. That’s why he does everything he can to assure that my sister, Mia, and I have as little stress in our life as possible.

“Thanks, Dad.” I lean forward to press my lips to his cheek. “I know how much you sacrificed to be where you are today. Mia and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

Dad is Asher Park, a pretty famous actor. He transitioned from child actor to adult actor quite smoothly, and luckily didn’t go down a dark path some other people in his situation find themselves in. Though, I wonder if Mom had something to do with that. Dad always says she keeps him grounded. My parents are so different, with my mom—Charlie—being a genius who works for NASA. But somehow, they work.

My ten-year-old sister Mia has caught the acting bug and has starred in a few TV and movie roles, some with Dad. I take after my mom, although I’m nowhere as smart as her.

Dad’s taking a break from acting right now because he feels like he’s missed out on so much of my and Mia’s life. Honestly, I never felt like he was missing from my life because he made sure to video chat with us every night and wanted to know every detail about my day. Even though he was thousands of miles away, he still felt close to my heart. I think he’s the best dad in the world.

Dad parks the car in the parking lot of Ji-Ho’s. The restaurant is named after his Korean name, Ji-Ho. It’s become extremely popular here in Edenbury, Georgia, and we serve all different kinds of people. Most customers describe the atmosphere as friendly, homey, and welcoming. I couldn’t agree more. It’s like my second home.

“Annyeonghaseyo!” I greet everyone as I follow Dad inside. The place is nearly full. Sometimes, I catch Dad’s eyes tearing up as they sweep over the packed house. He knows how much his parents and his halmeoni struggled all those years ago. He tells me so many stories about his amazing grandmother. She supported his acting, was even the one who convinced his parents to let him go for it. And she loved taking credit for bringing Mom and Dad together. Unfortunately, she died when I was really little, and I don’t remember her much.

“Annyeonghaseyo, Willow!” the staff greets back, each of them smiling at me. They really do feel like my second family.

“Need help with service, Dad?” I ask as he shrugs off his jacket, revealing the server uniform he’s got on.

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