Chapter 1: A New Place A New Start
The moment the airplane landed, Amara Williams pressed her face against the window.
The sparkling city lights stretched endlessly beneath the evening sky.
Seoul, South Korea.
She couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’m really here...”
For years, she’d watched Korean dramas, admired the country’s beautiful scenery, and dreamed of studying abroad. Now, at seventeen years old, her dream had finally become reality.
Her stomach fluttered with excitement.
She wasn’t just visiting.
She was starting a brand-new life.
As the passengers exited the plane, Amara adjusted the strap of her backpack and wheeled her pink suitcase through the airport.
Everything felt different.
The signs displayed both Korean and English.
People hurried by speaking Korean.
The smell of coffee drifted through the air.
Even the airport itself felt incredibly modern.
She paused for a second.
“Wow...”
She quickly pulled out her phone.
📱 Family Group Chat ❤️
Amara:
I landed safely!! Seoul is so beautiful already! 😭💜
Almost immediately, the replies poured in.
Mom ❤️:
We’re so proud of you, sweetheart.
Dad ❤️:
Call us when you get to the house.
Lucas:
Don’t fall in love with a K-pop idol.
Leo:
Or bring one home.
Amara rolled her eyes.
“My brothers are impossible,” she laughed softly.
Lucas and Leo were identical twins, two years older than her, and loved teasing her about everything.
She typed back.
Amara:
Too late. I already saw someone handsome at passport control.
Three dots appeared.
Then...
Lucas:
GO HOME.
Leo:
Dad, book the next flight.
Amara burst into laughter.
She slipped her phone into her pocket and continued toward the arrival gate.
As the automatic doors opened...
She spotted a sign.
WELCOME TO KOREA, AMARA! 💜
A cheerful man waved enthusiastically.
“There she is!”
Amara smiled instantly.
“You must be Uncle Jin!”
The man hurried over.
He looked to be in his late forties, with kind eyes and a warm smile.
“Welcome to Korea!”
He bowed politely before opening his arms.
“If you’re comfortable with hugs, we do those too.”
Amara giggled.
“Hugs sound perfect.”
He hugged her warmly.
“It must have been a long flight.”
“It was,” she admitted.
“But I’m too excited to be tired.”
A woman stepped forward with a gentle smile.
“And I’m Sana.”
She gave Amara a small bow.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you.”
Amara quickly bowed back.
“It’s so nice to meet you too.”
Sana reached over and tucked a loose curl behind Amara’s ear like she’d known her for years.
“You must be hungry.”
Amara laughed.
“...Very.”
Suddenly—
Someone tugged gently on her hoodie.
Amara looked down.
A tiny girl with two pigtails stared up at her with sparkling eyes.
“Are you really from France?”
Amara smiled.
“I am.”
The little girl gasped dramatically.
“Do people eat croissants every day?”
Everyone laughed.
Jin chuckled.
“Amara, this is our youngest daughter.”
“I’m Minji!”
She proudly held out her tiny hand.
“I’m eight!”
Amara shook it.
“It’s nice to meet you, Minji.”
Minji suddenly wrapped both arms around Amara’s waist.
“I’ve always wanted an older sister!”
Amara’s heart instantly melted.
“Aww...”
She hugged the little girl back.
“I’ve always wanted a little sister.”
Minji beamed.
“Yay!”
A taller young woman walked over, smiling softly.
She wore a cream cardigan, jeans, and carried herself with quiet confidence.
“I’m Minah.”
She offered her hand.
“I’m twenty-four.”
“It’s really nice to meet you.”
Amara smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
Minah looked genuinely happy.
“My parents have been talking about you for months.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes.”
“My mom even learned how to make one of your favorite dishes.”
Amara blinked.
“...Wait...”
“You know my favorite food?”
Sana laughed.
“Your mother sent me a very long list.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“My favorite pizza toppings, my allergies, my favorite juice...”
Jin grinned.
“...Even the fact that you refuse to wake up before seven.”
Amara covered her face.
“Mom...”
They walked toward the parking garage together.
“So,” Jin said, placing Amara’s suitcase into the trunk of the car, “from today onward, think of us as your Korean family.”
Sana nodded warmly.
“We’ll take care of you while you’re here.”
“If you get sick, we’ll be there.”
“If you have school problems, we’ll help.”
“If you’re homesick...”
She squeezed Amara’s shoulder.
“...our home is your home.”
For a moment...
Amara couldn’t speak.
She’d worried that living in another country would feel lonely.
Instead...
She already felt welcomed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“I’ll do my best not to cause trouble.”
Jin laughed.
“Too late.”
“You’ve already become part of the family.”
The drive into Seoul was everything Amara had imagined.
Towering skyscrapers glowed against the evening sky.
Neon signs lit up the bustling streets.
Couples strolled hand in hand.
Street vendors served steaming tteokbokki and hotteok.
The Han River shimmered beneath the city lights.
Amara rested her forehead against the car window.
Everything was so beautiful.
Everything was new.
Everything felt full of possibility.
She had no idea that, in just a few days, a simple accident in the hallway of her new school would introduce her to someone who would change her life forever.
A quiet Korean boy.
A spilled strawberry smoothie.
And a love story neither of them saw coming.
End of Chapter 1 💜
