Hana:Jihoon says you’re not at home. It’s Saturday.
Me:He snitched on me?
Hana:I asked him.
Me:I’m at the office finishing up some stuff.
Hana:You’ve got to be kidding.
Me:Did you text me to nag about work?
Hana:That’s my secondary purpose. I wanted to see if you were being nice to Jihoon.
Me:You know when a man goes on a rampage and all the neighbors say how shocked they are because he was a quiet guy who kept to himself?
Hana:Hoonie is not a serial killer.
Me:That could be why he had to leave home so fast. Police were closing in.
Hana:Like I TOLD YOU he takes a while to feel safe with people and is going through a rough time. Doesn’t like to talk about himself.
Me:You sure he’s related to you?
Hana:Funny. He’s had some bad experiences meeting people, so he’s a bit cautious. He likes privacy. It’s not you.
Ah, the classicit’s not you. It seems a little bit me when the guy shies away when we pass in the hall. I don’t want to take on the emotional labor of having to coax Jihoon out of his shell. Why is it my job to get him talking?
Because you’re the host.In fact, I’m the Triple Crown winner of making it my responsibility: I’m the host, I’m older, and it’s my apartment. I make a face at the wall before submitting to the inevitable.
Me:I’ll try to try.
Hana:That’s my girl. Got to go.
Sunday, 1:36 p.m.
Me:Hey Jihoon, checking to see how you’re settling in. Finding everything? Jet lag better?
I add in a happy face emoji for good measure.
Sunday, 5:09 p.m.
No answer from Jihoon. Fine, not everyone checks their texts frequently.
Sunday, 6:32 p.m.
No answer from Jihoon. I frown at the blank phone screen. It’s not like he has a lot to do. It’s simple courtesy to text back, especially when your host contacts you. What’s with this guy?
Sunday, 7:56 p.m.
I can’t tell if he’s in his room. He could be dead for all I know. Ten minutes and I’ll go knock.
Sunday, 8:05 p.m.
Jihoon:I’m fine, thank you.
It came exactly nine minutes into my waiting period, as if he’d timed it. I got all uptight for nothing. Why was I even worried? He’s an adult and can take care of himself. I send back another happy face because, unlike Jihoon, I know it’s polite to reply promptly.
He doesn’t want to talk to me any more than I want to talk to him. The problem is I kind of do want to talk to him because it’s weird tohave to sidestep him all the time. Or I want him to want to talk to me so I don’t have to go out there and make the first move and risk rejection. Is it too much to ask the guy freeloading at my place to be friendly as well as hot so I can live in peace?