We want friends. Funny, attractive, worldly creatures who will buoy us with their charisma, drown us in laughter, pay for every meal, mend our clothes, and tell us bedtime stories. They would be around all the time, and when we leave Korea they would cry and bring a homemade cake to the airport. We would cry together into the icing.

The other day we were leaving Seoul and I asked someone getting on what time the last bus would depart. He sat in the same row on the bus and we realized that he would be getting off at the same stop as us. He lives in our neighbourhood! And he's our age! And he talked to us! The possibility of friendship made us giddy.

Getting off the bus he talked on his cellphone, greeted his cool friends, and disappeared in the opposite direction. We were crumpled paper cups.

We shuffled home, lamenting what could have been, when suddenly we were catching up to him on the sidewalk. How what? We laughed in confusion. Where do you live? We live here. You're visiting a friend? She teaches English. Your English is very good. Haha!

Then something happened. We're not quite sure. Without a word, he picked up the pace, created distance, and quickly split off on his own. We were speechless, crestfallen. Something we did? Something we said? Friendship slipped through our fingers and we walked home.