It was a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, and Linda was grateful for the opportunity to train with her friends at the local gym. Since they couldn't use their usual training grounds, they had found this alternative spot where they could practice their skills without any restrictions.
As they trained, Linda felt her muscles burning, but she pushed through the exhaustion. After a while, her friends signaled that their training time was over. Sophia, always the social planner, suggested they take a break and have some fun.
"Hey guys, let's go check out that new restaurant that just opened up near school," Sophia said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've heard great things about their food, and we deserve a treat after that intense training session."
Linda and Alex exchanged a look, and without needing to say a word, they knew they were in. "You guys go ahead, I'll catch up with you there," Linda said. "I need to quickly practice a skill my former instructor taught me."
Sophia and Alex nodded and headed out. Linda focused on mastering the skill, practicing with dedication. Just as she finished, Mr. Kwon happened to pass by, witnessing her impressive display. He felt a pang of doubt about his earlier decision regarding Linda but quickly brushed it off.
Linda, unaware of Mr. Kwon's presence, felt a sense of accomplishment. She rushed to the restaurant to join her friends, who were already seated and chatting.
When she arrived, the aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, making Linda's stomach growl with anticipation. The friends ordered a variety of dishes and shared the news about their recent activities. Sophia and Alex beamed with pride, happy to see Linda's progress.
As they enjoyed their meal, the conversation turned to their favorite topic: rich boys. Sophia, known for her love of luxury and high-end fashion, regaled her friends with stories of the wealthy guys who had been hitting on her.
Linda rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Sofia, can you stop drooling over those rich guys for one second?" she teased.
Alex, never one to miss an opportunity to crack a joke, chimed in, "Hey, am I not hot enough for you, Sophia? Am I not rich enough?"
Sophia playfully tossed a napkin at Alex. "Oh, you're hot, all right – hot-headed, that is."
As they savored their meal, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Sophia, always the center of attention, began to talk about herself. "I've been getting a lot of attention from rich guys lately," she said with a sly smile. "They're always trying to impress me with their wealth and status."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Sophia laughed. "No, I'm not tied down to anyone right now. I'm enjoying the freedom to focus on myself."
Sophia turned the question to Linda. "What about you, Linda? Do you have a boyfriend?"
Linda laughed awkwardly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "No, I don't have a boyfriend," she admitted.
Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "How can a pretty black girl like you not have a boyfriend?" he teased. "Some Korean guys are dying for you, do you know that? Some Korean guys go crazy for black girls who are pretty."
Linda rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "That's not true," she said with a laugh. "Korean guys don't even like black girls that much."
Alex chuckled. "Oh, come on, Linda. You're selling yourself short. You're beautiful, smart, and talented. Any guy would be lucky to have you."
Sophia chimed in, "Yeah, Linda, you're amazing. You just need to believe in yourself."
The conversation continued, with Alex cracking jokes and making his friends laugh. "I know a Korean guy who's so obsessed with black girls, he's learning African languages just to impress them," he said, grinning mischievously.
Linda and Sophia burst out laughing. "That's ridiculous!" Linda exclaimed.
Alex shrugged. "Hey, love knows no boundaries, right? Maybe he'll become the next K-pop star... singing in African languages."
The friends erupted into laughter again, their joy infectious. As they enjoyed their meal and each other's company, they forgot all their worries and troubles. For a moment, they were carefree, lost in the happiness of being together.
Their laughter echoed through the restaurant, drawing smiles from other patrons. The friends didn't care; they were too busy enjoying themselves, savoring the moment, and making memories that would last a lifetime.
As they savored their meal, the conversation turned to an upcoming school party. "Have you guys heard about the party next Friday?" Sophia asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Alex nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I've heard it's going to be lit! Who's going?"
Linda looked puzzled. "Party? What party?"
Sophia giggled. "You haven't heard? It's going to be a blast! I'm planning to wear a stunning red dress that will make everyone jealous."
Alex chimed in, grinning. "I've got a plan to impress everyone with my expensive dance moves. I'll be the coolest cat in the room."
Linda stared at them blankly, wondering what they saw in parties. "I don't know...I'm not really into parties," she said hesitantly.
Sophia's face lit up with a pleading expression. "Oh, come on, Linda! It'll be fun, I promise! You have to come."
Alex joined in, making silly arguments. "You'll find your heartthrob, your soulmate, your forever love! You might even get a marriage proposal."
Linda rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You're being ridiculous, Alex."
But Sophia and Alex wouldn't give up. They continued to persuade Linda, making cute faces and humorous arguments. Finally, Linda relented. "Okay, fine. I'll come to the party."
The friends cheered, relieved that Linda had agreed to join them. "We'll come to pick you up at 6 PM," Sophia said, already planning the logistics.
But Linda dropped a bombshell. "I don't need a ride. I'll just ride my bike to the party."
Alex and Sophia stared at her in surprise. "You want to ride a bike to a party?" Alex asked, incredulous. "Linda, when will you change and act like the pretty girl you are?"
Sophia nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Linda, it's not exactly the most...fashionable mode of transportation."
Linda faked a sad expression, pretending to be hurt by their comments. "You're bullying me! I'm a bike-riding, independent woman."
The friends laughed, and Alex paid the bill. As they departed the restaurant, they were all excited for the party next Friday. "We'll pick you up at 6 PM sharp, Don't forget about it. Next week Friday. " Sophia reminded Linda.
Linda smiled, knowing she would be in for a fun night with her friends. "I'll be ready."
As Linda pedaled away on her bike, the wind blowing through her hair, she felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration. She loved riding her bike, and it was a great way to clear her mind after a meal with friends.
Meanwhile, Alex and Sophia watched her go, shaking their heads in amusement. "She's something else," Alex said, chuckling.
Sophia nodded, smiling. "I know, right? But I love her for it."
The two friends walked off in the opposite direction, chatting about their plans for the party and what they would wear. As they strolled, they couldn't help but look forward to the fun night ahead.
Linda, on the other hand, pedaled steadily towards her house, her mind already turning to what she would wear to the party. She smiled to herself, thinking about Sophia's cute face and Alex's silly jokes. She was looking forward to the party, and she knew it would be a blast with her friends by her side.
As she rode up to her house, she locked her bike and went inside, already planning her outfit and thinking about what the night would bring.
As Linda got inside her room, she began her healthy evening routine. She changed into comfortable clothes, washed her face, and applied a soothing moisturizer. After a long day, she was ready to unwind and relax.
Once she settled onto her bed, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She picked it up to see who the caller was, and her face lit up with a bright smile when she saw Mr. Lee's name on the screen.
"Hey, Dad!" Linda said, answering the phone with a smile.
"Hey, sweetie! How's the new school going?" Mr. Lee asked, his voice warm and interested.
Linda settled into a comfortable position on her bed. "It's going great, Dad. I'm really enjoying my classes and I've made some new friends. Their names are Sophia and Alex."
Mr. Lee's interest was piqued. "That's wonderful! I'm glad to hear you're settling in well. What are your friends like?"
Linda launched into an enthusiastic description of her new friends, telling Mr. Lee about Sophia's bubbly personality and Alex's sense of humor. Mr. Lee listened attentively, asking questions and offering words of encouragement.
After a while, Linda said, "Can I talk to Mom now?"
Mr. Lee chuckled. "Of course, sweetie. I'll put her on."
There was a brief pause, and then Mrs. Lee's warm voice came on the line. "Hey, honey! How are you doing?"
Linda chatted with Mrs. Lee for a bit, catching up on family news and sharing stories. Just as they were talking, Linda heard the sound of little Jack and Emily's voices in the background, demanding to talk to her.
Mrs. Lee laughed. "Okay, kids, say hi to Linda!"
Jack and Emily's excited voices piped up on the phone, asking Linda about her day and telling her about their own adventures. Linda laughed and played along, having a delightful conversation with the two kids.
After a while, Mr. Lee came back on the line. "Okay, sweetie, I think the kids wore themselves out. How's everything really going? Any challenges you're facing?"
Linda's tone turned serious. "Everything's going well, Dad. Just trying to balance schoolwork and spending time with my friends."
Mr. Lee's voice was full of wisdom. "That's great, Linda. Just remember to stay focused and prioritize your goals. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us, okay?"
Linda felt a surge of love and gratitude for her adoptive father. "I will, Dad. Thanks for always being there for me."
Mr. Lee's voice was warm. "Always, sweetie. We love you."
After ending the call, Linda gently placed her phone on the small drawer next to her bed. She snuggled under the covers, feeling grateful for the love and support of her family. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts lingered on the warm conversation she had with Mr. and Mrs. Lee, and the playful voices of Jack and Emily.
With a contented smile, Linda closed her eyes, letting the soft darkness envelop her. The gentle hum of the night lulled her into a peaceful slumber, her heart full of love and her mind at ease.