"Okay class, since this is our last day of school, that also means that our pen pal program has come to an end." It seemed that I was the only one that felt disappointed by that fact as I let out a soft groan as Amber patted my back. Even though Jong and I talked outside of our letters all the time, I would miss formally writing him. It was funny because he would always include inside jokes that we shared in his letters and it was the only homework I enjoyed. I'm just glad that, even though the pen pal program was over, my relationship with Jong surely wasn't. 

"I hope you all had fun getting to know your fellow classmates from all over the world and have made some great friends." The teacher sweetly smiled. "So, how did your pen pal program work out for you this year?" A couple of kids raised their hands, including me. The teacher took a moment to look at all the students when we made eye contact. "Ah, Ms. Daniela, perhaps you'd like to tell us how you benefited from the program?" I smiled and stood up from my desk. The last time I would talk about Jong in front of all my classmates. I would miss this. 

"Well, at the start of the year I got assigned my pen pal. His name was Kim Jong-Woo and he was a boy from South Korea. I was super scared and nervous about writing to a total stranger." I smiled as I was talking. "But it was one of the best things I had ever done in my life." My classmates looked up at me, some with smiles on their faces. Amber was beaming at me as she knew where my story was going to go. 

"When we first started talking, it was a little awkward. We didn't know much about each other except for our names and our school names. But as I continued with this program, I realized that I was so lucky to have Jong as my pen pal." I smiled, just thinking about him. "As we talked more and more, I realized that he was such a kind, sweet person. He had such a good heart and really cared for others, especially his family. As we grew closer, he told me about different things he was facing, like his brother going to the military. He shared everything with me and it made me like him even more. We would talk every day, even staying up all night to talk to each other sometimes. It was as we continued talking and growing together as friends that I realized that I fell for him." A couple of the students gasped out of surprise, but I just kept going. 

"When I confessed to him how I felt, it turned out he felt the same way about me. We decided to start dating and we have been ever since." Some of the kids let out some 'awws' over my experience. "Since then, so many things have happened. I've helped bring his brother home to him, we've talked about the future together, and I even shared with him how I got into the college that I've been dreaming of." I started getting emotional the more and more I talked about him. "I can't be more grateful to this program for introducing me to such an amazing person. He has become my best friend and the best boyfriend." I smiled, wiping some tears from my eyes. "I love him so much. And it's all thanks to this wonderful program." I sat back down in my chair and beamed at the class, still wiping some tears from my eyes. 

"Well, Ms. Daniela. That was a beautiful experience you gave. Thank you for sharing that with the class." My teacher said, smiling sweetly at me. I nodded as the class all started to talk about my experience. Suddenly, the bell ring. The final period of high school was over. "Well class, it has been a wonderful year! For those who I'll be seeing again, have a great summer break. For those who are graduating, I urge you all to consider this one thing. Just be happy." My teacher smiled as she stepped behind her desk to pack her things. The class clapped and we all gathered our things. As I was leaving, I looked at my teacher. "Thank you." My teacher nodded and I walked out of the door. 

Amber caught up with me. "Wow, emotional much? It seemed like that was a romance novel and you just summarized it!" I laughed. "It really seems like that, huh? Hard to believe that he's actually my boyfriend and not a fictional character." Amber sighed. "I can't believe you're already in the best relationship of your life and I'm still single!" She wailed. I just laughed. "Don't worry, your K-Drama boy will come to you someday." She smiled. "I sure hope so. Your Jong is a good man. Don't ever leave him, okay?" I nodded. "Trust me, I won't." As we walked out of my school and I ran to my mom's car, she yelled, "You found a good man, but if he ever hurts you, I'll beat him!" I just laughed. "Don't worry, he won't!" I yelled back. "I know!" She yelled to me. I waved at her and got in my mom's car.  

"Hey sweetie! How was your last day of school?" My mom said, putting emphasis on the word 'last.' I smiled, seeing my school as I buckled my seatbelt and we started driving away. "I can't believe that I'm done. I'm no longer in high school. I am officially a college student." My mom sighed. "I am so proud of you, sweetie. You worked so hard to be where you are now. I'm so happy that everything is working out for you, including your relationship with that boy Jong." I looked at my mom and saw that she was crying. Why was this such an emotional day? "Mom, please don't cry!" I begged. "I know, I know, I just can't help it! You're so grown-up and I can't believe you're going to go off to college and leave me." She was still crying as she was driving, I thought she was going to swerve off the road and kill us. 

"Mom, Cortinia is literally two blocks away from our house, I can come home for lunch and you know that I'll still be living at home." I reassured her. "I know, but honey, promise me that no matter how many new friends, I'll still be your number 1 best friend?" She asked. I smiled at her sweetness. "Of course, mom." I promised her. She smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Oh goodness, I'm so emotional." She chuckled a little. I laughed right along with her. "I love you, mom." I told her. She smiled at me and put a hand on my arm. "I love you too, baby." We drove home the rest of the way just talking about what we would do when I went off to college. "Hopefully I'll still be able to talk to Jong often." I thought. My mom just smiled. "Trust me, you will be able to talk to him quite a bit." I looked at her. "How do you know?" She just looked at me and said, "Just trust me." I shrugged my shoulders and nodded. "Okay." I smiled. I thought about what she said.

I wonder why she was so convinced that Jong and I would be able to talk often?