c h a p t e r 8

"Good morning." I greeted the librarian with a lazy smile, still sleepy. I scanned the library where students are scattered, studying. A few couples too. Though I can't say much about them studying.

She gave me a warm smile and took off her glasses. "Didn't get much sleep?" She closed the book she was holding.

She was the school's librarian. She's in her early forties with sharp upturned eyes, mid-length hair, a few white strands peeking, and thin lips making her appear unapproachable. Which was not the case. She was easily one of the most kind-hearted person I have ever met.

She had been working here for 10 years already. With her intimidating looks, the 'looking for library staff' that was posted by the school board was left untouched. Up until my desperate ass arrived and pocketed the flyer as soon as I saw it. I had been working alongside her every weekends ever since I was a sophomore. Mostly just arranging the books and putting them back where they belong since students tend to shove borrowed books at a random shelf.

It all worked. I get to do some labor work, consider it as exercise, get paid, and study after to keep my grades up. As a scholar I had to maintain an average grade of  4.1 or else I have to pay the regular tuition fee. Which we definitely can not afford.

I smiled sheepishly and put my hood over my head to hide my unpresentable appearance. "Yeah. Embarrassingly, the thought of boys kept me up." I ran my hand over my face, dragging it down.

"Sounds like you're going through puberty." She teased. "Finally."

I pursed my lips. "Why are boys so annoying?"

She shrugged. "It's embedded in their DNAs." She pulled out the cart of random books from behind her and slid it over to me. "With exam weeks approaching, the library is packed almost everyday." She explained the cart overflowing with books. "Break a leg." She smiled.

"That's my specialty." I faked limping and dragged the cart with me.

I spent the morning doing u-turns whenever I pass by aisles that are occupied by.. occupied couples and shoving books back where they belong. While doing so, I tried to push back the dismay gnawing in my gut. It was so unfortunate that I had to decline an offer of hanging out. Even though I call them annoying, I still liked their company. It may be the long years of self-isolation talking but they seemed genuine in befriending me.

I stopped in my tracks when I heard voices by one of the aisles. "-Park Miso, she's in Chan's class." A girl's voice sneered.

My brows furrowed. Me?

"She dare lay a hand on Hyunjin?" Another voice scoffed. "Who does she think she is?" She spat, venom lacing her voice.

"I hear she's a scholar."

"That explains how plain she looks."

"Yeah, I also heard from someone that she lives off campus with her single mother." They laughed mockingly.

I let out an unamused laugh, impressed by their research skills. I guess this was the price of trying to befriend, rather merely being associated with someone like Hyunjin. I felt all of the hopes of befriending them disappear. My shoulders slump down as I pursed my lips. Maybe it was better that way.

The thoughts of being alone again crawled up, suffocating my thoughts before a head suddenly popped up beside me. "Whatcha' thinking about?"

I jumped in surprise, spun around too quickly causing the cart to slide away. A hand reached out for the cart's handle which was by my waist, preventing it from rolling away.

Speak of the devil.

It was a weekend so we didn't need to wear our uniforms. He was wearing a navy blue turtleneck sweater tucked inside his black jeans with leather shoes.

The girls' words echoed in my head about me looking plain. I suddenly felt small in front of Hyunjin, wearing my oversized pink hoodie and mid-length black shorts.

"Hello." He smiled with a tilted head.

I look up at him and blushed as I realized our position. "W-what-"

"Hyunjin!" A voice shrieked.

I jumped away from him.

"Hi, Bora." Hyunjin waved at the two girls approaching us. "Jiyeon." He acknowledged the other.

The two gave me a brief glance before focusing all their attention to Hyunjin. "What are you doing here on a weekend?" They giggled.

I didn't wait for their conversation to end and just walked away with my beloved cart. I entered an aisle and focused on my task, trying to ignore their echoes of laughter.

Who was I kidding? They're probably just very friendly people and are friends with everyone. I should stop making myself feel too special.

I got on my tiptoes, struggling to reach a shelf. A hand plucked the book from my hand and easily slid it back. "That was rude. Leaving without saying goodbye." Hyunjin playfully glared.

I slid myself further away from him. "I didn't even greet you so we weren't exactly talking for me to say goodbye." I shrugged.

He leaned on the shelves with crossed arms. "Okay. Greet me then."

I faked enthusiasm. "Who's a good dog?" I patted my thighs repeatedly.

He shot me an unamused look. "Very funny." He deadpanned.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked, scanning the spine of a book. "Aren't you supposed to be at Seungmin's?" I added.

He suddenly approached my cart, took some of the books out, and started arranging them with me. "Change of plans. I suddenly had the urge to read." He glanced at me with an incredulous look. "And before you speak, yes. I do read." He rolled his eyes with a shake of his head.

I'm more surprised that he knew the Dewey Decimal System.

"Didn't think you knew what books were given that half the words that come out of you are nonsense." I muttered.

"You mean like 'you're lovable'?"

"And yet you amaze me with your duality, Hwang Hyunjin."

He laughed at that, brushing his hair back with his fingers. "So this was the work you were pertaining to." He pushed the cart for me as we finished an aisle and moved to the next one.

"No. This is a hobby. My real work's at night, with the mafia." I dragged out sarcastically.

I took care of the books at the lower shelves and him at the top. Why do I find myself letting him handle what's supposed to be my job?

"Ah, that explains your busted face." He paused. "Oh wait, you were kidding." He smiled curtly. "And I'm the one who has the busted face." He pointed at his bruising jaw.

"You deserved it, you pervert." I muttered but still feeling a little guilty.

"Keep telling yourself that. Once you fall for me, you're gonna be on your knees.." He paused teasingly. "..begging for forgiveness." He chuckled at his own innuendo.

I glared at him in return. "Why don't you go and read like you were supposed to." I shooed him away.

"But I want to spend more time with you." He pouted.

I knew he was kidding but I still couldn't stop the blush that surfaced. "Does your ass ever get jealous of the amount of shit that comes out of your mouth?" I averted my gaze.

"No. They produce the same amount of shit."

"That's disgusting."

"That's human nature."