2009...8 years ago...

Taeyong threw his bag on the library desk and pulled out his study materials. He only had maybe two hours to work on studying before he had to head to the SM office for training. He looked around the library, trying to see if the person he was looking for was around. He didn't find her so instead pulled out his chair and opened his book. Taeyong got through reading 1 chapter of his history book before feeling his heavy lidded eyes start closing. 

"Ya..." Taeyong felt a slap against the back of his head and he jolted awake and straightened out his back. Blinking a few times and rubbing the back of his head, he looked behind himself. A grin greeted him. "Noona..." Taeyong whispered. 

"You were falling asleep again," Saeri pointed out as she sat down across the table from him. 

"I tried looking for you," Taeyong said, "Where'd you go?" he asked innocently.

"My own studying, and I was organizing the books in the back," Saeri replied. "What's going on, you're tired?" 

Taeyong blushed. Saeri was much older than he was...in fact he wasn't even sure how much older because he never asked and she never offered. Saeri started working at the library a little over a year ago and that was how Taeyong first met her. She had practically stopped him in his tracks when he first saw her reaching for a book a few shelves too high for her back then. He had helped her get the book and that was how they came to know each other. For all these last months, he had come to the library as much as he had only because Saeri noona was there. These small interactions with her was what made his day. Looking forward to the next time he could see her was what helped him get through his training days. 

"I'm training at SM," he said softly.

"Ahh. That company where all those groups come from. Are you trying to be in a group?" she asked curiously while raising an eyebrow. 

Taeyong shyly nodded his head yes. "I'm not good enough yet though," he admitted. Saeri stood up and walked over to him. She ruffled his hair and patted him on the back. "You're good enough Taeyong ah. Believe in yourself dongsaeng." She cheered him on. "And if you manage to come across the one called Choi Siwon, give him my number will you?" Saeri winked before walking off. 

Taeyong's mouth fell open as he watched her back as she walked off. He sighed realizing that he didn't even have Saeri's number, not that he would give it to Siwon hyung even if he had it. Siwon hyung would charm his way into Saeri noona's heart and then there would be no chance for Taeyong. "Noona..." he whispered again. Not like he had a chance anyway. Saeri was untouchable to him. He was so much younger - a high school student just now. He guessed that Saeri was in college already by the looks of it. Sighing, he gathered himself and started to read chapter 2 of his book, willing her face to leave his mind....