<span style="font-size: 15px">When Jae-Hyuk had received his email of acceptance, a mixture of dread and excitement coursed through him. The application had weighed passively in his mind over the last few months; he was aware he had done it, but still a little surprised. Of course, it's not as if he had actively chosen to apply. His best friends thought that he could use time away, getting to know other people, and just not working and studying for 20 hours a day. This adventure was going to be a good reset. He was a little uneasy at the thought of being recorded the whole time, but that was nothing when he found out he had to share a room with someone else. <i>"What if they're a picky eater? What if they're messy? What if they stay up until 3am playing the drums?"</i> It was unlikely, of course, but there was no guarantee.<br/>
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He had gotten off of the plane with two suitcases. One was piled with neatly folded clothes--he being a simple man with simple tastes--and the other had 4 books, 2 notebooks, a drawing pad, countless graphite and coloured pencils, hiking boots, sandals, all of his toiletries, a couple of cooking spices, and the only bag of Hot Cheetos he did not eat on the plane. He was a nervous eater. In fact, he opened the bag up on the car ride to The House. Staring out the window, watching the unfamiliar scenery, his left hand fed his mouth and his right hand fidgeted with the ring on his left. A dark metal band on his ring finger. The main reason why his friends wanted him to try out The House. It had been years, but he refused to remove it. He simply wasn't ready.<br/>
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"We're here," the driver announced, snapping him out of his daze. "Do you need help with your bags?" Jae shook his head, thanking the man as they pulled up the largest "house" he had ever been to. It was gorgeous! The pillars, the colours, the vegetation around it all. He was so excited, and the application had promises of hiking trails. That's what he looked forward to the most. That and potentially hanging out with pretty cool people. Making his way through the doors, a suitcase in his left hand and the lighter one dangling from his wrist as he gripped the Hot Cheeto bag in his right, Jae was in awe by the interior. The large entrance hall made him feel small. But this would be his home for the next few months, and he was going to make the best of it. Usually one to go immediately to his room and hide away from others, Jae drew in a deep breath and approached one of the men standing in the entrance.<br/>
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"Hi. I am Jae-Hyuk Park. Can you show me where my room is?" he asked matter-of-factly. He held out his right hand to the man to give him the paper with his room assignment... but there was a bag of chips there. "Oh, wait, no, I have it somewhere," he stammered and dropped his suitcases, neatly tucking the open part of the chip bag underneath and gently setting it beside his case of clothes, and then unceremoniously digging into his <i>other</i> bag. "I promise, I have it here somewhere," he said, blushing as he realised how foolish he must look.</span>