The Most Ugly Potato Likes Me
by Jin-ah Lim

            Inside the freshman class, waiting for the advisor, there is Most Ugly Potato and I. It’s really quiet in the class, no communication.

Through the big windows, I can see dark green trees under a clear blue sky. “Hi, Jin-ah; hi, Jin-ah,” the tree elves call through the cool breeze.

Unexpectedly, Most Ugly Potato speaks, “Hey, Jin-ah, I’m sorry I hated you before.”

“I didn’t know that you hated me before.”

“Really? Well, anyway, I don’t hate you anymore. Since you didn’t let me look at your homework when I asked for it, I thought you are the girl who knows nothing, but just yourself. You know, other guys usually let me look at their homework. You were different.”

“….”

“Actually, you are right. It’s a shame if the people who didn’t do their work get the same grade with others who did. Jin-ah, you are a good girl. I like you.”

“ . . ..” I think for a second, Most Ugly Potato likes me.

Most Ugly Potato is my classmate, but I don’t know her. I have hardly talked to her before. I do know that the direction of our houses is almost same. I’ve seen her several times near my house.

I call her Potato since her head looks like a potato shape. Also I added Most Ugly since she asks me for the homework and except for that, never talk. What a mean person I thought she was.

            She says, “Do you want to walk home with me after the advisor-talk?”

“ I . . .. ” My brain storms like a hurricane.

“ If you don’t want to, it’s Ok”

I look at her face. Again. She knows what she did wrong and regret that. Besides, she likes me. Isn’t that cool? Well. I ponder for a moment again.

You know what; she doesn’t seem like Most Ugly Potato anymore. She does looks like Most Pretty Potato now.

I finally say, “Yes. Let’s walk together. That sounds awesome.” 

Most pretty potato looks at me, smiling. I smile at her, too.