“Is this the correct answer?” Ami asked the older. Chaeyoung glanced at her friend’s text book and read what she has written. Chaeyoung smiled and suddenly hugged her friend, causing Ami to almost lose balance.

            “Correct! You finally got it!” a said, happily, a little too loud, attracting the attention of the students inside the library. The students stared at Chaeyoung and her friend, others hissing at the loud girl while some just wondered why the girl talked so loudly. “Finally! I can start reading my book” Chaeyoung said, relieved.

            “Excuse me, Ms.Park,” the librarian called her attention, “We are inside a library. Please refrain from screaming and talking too loud.” She said. Chaeyoung retreated her arms from her friend’s shoulders and looked down with an embarrassed smile.

            “Sorry Ms. Kim” Chaeyoung apologized. The librarian gave her a curt nod before she started to walk back to her desk. The two friends looked at each other and bit their lips, trying to stop laughter from coming out of their mouths. The two quickly packed their things and went out of the library. When they finally got out of the library, loud laughter came out if their mouths.

            “Why is she always so grumpy?” Ami asked, holding her stomach, still laughing.

            “Ms. Park, we are inside a library. Please refrain from screaming and talking too loud.” Chaeyoung imitated the librarian. The two of them kept on laughing until Ami stole a glance at her watch.

            “Oh no! I gotta go.” She said, fixing her bag, “Barom and I are going out today, and I’m already late. He’s gonna nag at me again.” She said. Chaeyoung laughed and shook her head, seeing her younger friend so in love. It sometimes made her wonder when she was going to fall in love.

            “The double date went really well, I see.” Chaeyoung pointed out. Ami nodded with a bright smile, but soon her smile into a pout and she shook her head.

            “It worked out for me, although it wasn’t supposed to work out for me.” Ami started, “Ray hasn’t returned Hyeseung’s calls nor is he really showing any signs that he likes Hyeseung. She told me they had fun at the date, but I don’t know what happened. I guess they weren’t the one for each other.” She said, sadly. At her friend’s story, Chaeyoung couldn’t help but feel sad. Hyeseung really liked Ray. It was a pity Ray didn’t like her back. But she couldn’t help but feel a little relieved though. Ray was really attractive and kind. It was hard not to like him. Even Ami admits she finds Ray attractive. Because of this, Ray was really popular. A little too popular.

            “Well, I have to go now. I can’t let Barom keep on waiting. He can be quite a drama queen at times.” Ami said and started to walk away, “Have fun reading that romance book!” she said before disappearing out of the school gates.

            Chaeyoung sighed and started walking to the opposite direction her friend took. She went out of the door at the end and came out to the field. She set her eyes on a bench across the field, under a big shady tree. She held the latest romance novel in her hands and started walking to the bench.

            Chaeyoung loved romance novels. She loved how it made her feel giddy and gave her butterflies in her stomach. Reading those novels makes her feel loved and happy. Sometimes, she can’t help but imagine her love story being like the ones in those novels. She has more than three hundred books in her room. Chaeyoung’s mother once said that Chaeyoung’s grades would flop if she kept on reading those romance novels, but she proved her mother wrong. She kept her scores high and didn’t miss a single day at school.

            “Ray oppa!” Chaeyoung heard a loud screa,. In a split second, she was kneeling on the floor with the book she was holding, as well as the books inside her bag, on the floor. She looked at her bag and realized that the zipper was left open.

            “Oh, I must’ve forgotten to close it back at the library.” She said as she sat on the floor and looked through her bag, in case anything got stolen or something fell while she was walking.

           “Thank God, there’s nothing lost.” She said as she saw that everything was in place, except for her books.

            “Ray! How have you been?” she heard the same voice, earlier, say. She looked up and saw two girls talking to Ray, as if they didn’t push someone down when they were trying to get to there ‘oppa’. They were trying their best to look pretty for him, and Ray in return just smiled kindly to them.

            Chaeyoung sighed before starting to pick up her books and putting back inside her bag. She was about to grab a book in front of her when a hand took it before her. She looked up and saw Ray, with an amused expression, holding her book.

            “Wow, you really like romance novels.” He said with amusement in his voice. Chaeyoung quickly stood up and grab the book that was in Ray’s hand and placed it inside her bag.

            “I like romance novels, so?” she asked and crouched down to pick up the remaining books on the floor, not letting Ray answer her question. Ray also crouched down and started to help her pick up her books. Chaeyoung noticed what Ray was doing so she quickly picked up the books on the floor and stood up before quickly taking the books in his hands.

            “Thanks” she quickly thanked him and walked away. She wasn’t gonna fall for his ‘nice’ tricks. Her friend, Hyeseung, as well as a bunch of other girls, have fallen for it, but she wasn’t. She saw how happy Hyeseung was after their double date and how hurt Hyeseung was when he didn’t return her feelings. Chaeyoung didn’t want to be like Hyeseung.

            After the incident with Ray, Chaeyoung decided to read her book at home.

            While reading, her phone vibrated causing her to look up from her book. She took her phone and saw that she received a text message from an unknown number.

            “What? Another haux message?” she complained before opening the message. Her eyes widened as she read the message.

           ‘Hi, this is Ray, a guy from your school. I got your number from your friend, Ami. She’s my friend’s girlfriend. You left your book at school and I just wanted to give it back. I can’t give it to you at school since I’m quite busy there. Can you meet me at the park near the school? I have something to tell you also. I’ll be there five minutes after sending this text. I’ll be waiting for you.’ It said.

            “Is this a joke?” Chaeyoung asked herself, not really sure if the sender was really Ray. It would be too sudden if it was him. She decided to scroll through her contacts and call the girl who could answer some of her questions, Ami. She called her a few times, but Ami wouldn’t pick up her phone. She looked at the time and saw that it was only seven thirty. Ami wouldn’t be asleep at a time like this. She was still probably on her date with Barom. Chaeyoung decided to give up on calling Ami and only sent Ami a message.

            ‘I called you a dozen times already and you’re not picking up. Still on your date with Barom? By the way, did you give Ray my number?’ she typed before sending it. She put her phone down beside her and resumed to reading her book.

            After a few minutes, her phone vibrated. She opened her phone, expecting to receive a reply from Ami, but it showed that she received a message from the same unknown number.

           ‘I’m already here at the park. This is Ray by the way.” It read. She, unsurely, closed the message and locked her phone before going back to her book. She still wasn’t sure if it was really Ray or not. It was hard to assume it was since it might have been a bad guy.

            After a while of reading, she was already in her own world and forgot about the man who sent her a text. Her phone suddenly vibrated, bringing her back to reality. She opened her phone and it showed that she received a message from Ami. She opened it and her jaw dropped.

            ‘Why were you calling? Eighty missed calls?!?! What’s worth eighty missed calls? Me and Barom are not on a date. We’re just hanging out together. Oh, yeah. I gave him your number. He said that you left one of your books at school and he wanted to give it back. I forgot to tell you. Why?’ it read.

            She glanced at the time and her blood boiled. It was already a quarter to nine. Her eyes widened and she scrambled up to her feet. She ran out of her room and down the stairs, while typing on her phone. She quickly walked to the door and wore her slippers.

            “Where are you going this late at night?” Chaeyoung’s mother asked when she noticed her at the door.

            “I left one of my books at school and my friend found it. I’m just gonna get it from him.” She simply explained.

            “You and your books, really.” Her mother nagged, “You would risk your life out there in the dark for those romance novels?” her mother asked. Chaeyoung looked at her mother sternly before speaking.

            “No, I won’t. I wouldn’t risk my life out there for a romance novel.” Chaeyoung said, “But for someone who is waiting for me for an hour already, I will.” She said and sent a message on her phone before walking out the door.

            ‘Why? What’s worth eighty missed calls? A guy who has been waiting for more than an hour in the cold, because you won’t answer these eighty calls. And it’s a date! Just admit it!’ she sent to her friend.

            Just as she steps out of her house, she suddenly realized what she has sent to her friend. She looked at her outfit. She was wearing a light t-shirt and shorts perfect for the indoors, but not for the cold outdoors. Cold air went past her and she shivered. She rubbed her arms, attempting to feel warmer.

            She sighed. She had no time to change her clothes. Ray was already waiting for too long.

            She held her phone tightly on her hand and started running to the direction of her school. Her mind went blank. Nothing came into her mind. Just the fact that Ray is waiting in the cold, for more than a freaking hour already.

            After a few minutes of running, she finally saw the park near her school. She sighed in relief and jogged to the park. As she arrived, she frantically looked around, looking for Ray.

            “Where is he?” she asked herself. She kept on looking around but found no soul in the park. “I guess he already left.” She said, feeling a bit guilty, and looked at her phone.

            “Ah!” she yelled when a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around her, from behind her, startling her. She looked at the owner of the arms and sighed in relief when she saw a shivering Ray. “You startled me.” She pointed out and tried to remove his arms that was wrapped around her, “How long were you waiting here?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

            “About an hour already.” Ray said, still shivering, “Please let me hug you like this for a while. It’s so cold.” He pleaded. Chaeyoung, who felt guilty, stayed still and didn’t say anything.

            After a few minutes, Ray finally let go of her and they sat on a bench to talk.

            “Thank you for letting me hug you” Ray said, “They said that a woman’s body is warmer than a man’s. I never knew it was true, until now.” He said. Chaeyoung kept quiet, not really know how to respond to what he said.

           “Why did you wait? It’s so cold here.” Chaeyoung nagged.

           “Well I sent you a text that I’ll be here and that I’ll wait for you, so I did.” He explained, “I thought maybe that you haven’t read my message or that you read it late and you’ll be here soon. More than an hour wasn’t really the ‘soon’ I expected.” He said. Chaeyoung glared at him, a bit surprised and mad at what he said.

            “I wouldn’t have waited that long to come here if I really knew it was you!” she said, “ Who in their right mind would go out in the dark cold night to meet a guy who never really talked to you.” She fought. At what she said, Ray felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed the back of his neck.

            “Well I’m sorry!” he said, a little too loudly, not really pleased that this girl made him feel embarrassed, “I’m not really as smart as you so I haven’t really thought about it that much.” He admitted. Chaeyoung sighed, not really wanting to fight with the guy.

            “What do you want?” she asked, changing the subject, “Why did you ask me to come out? You said you had one of my books, where is it?” she asked. Ray shifted in his seat.

            “Actually,” he started, “I wanted to talk to you.” He said. Chaeyoung just looked at him, waiting for him to continue. Ray took a deep breath and looked at Chaeyoung in the eyes. If Chaeyoung wasn’t wrong, this was how some of the guys in her romance novels would confess to the girl they liked.

            “I like you” he said and looked at Chaeyoung with hope. Chaeyoung only stared at him, not really processing what he has said. It wasn’t really something she expected to hear that night, especially from one of the most popular guys in her school.

            Her hear beat fastened and her breath started to hitch. His words finally sank in her mind. What was he saying? Why is it so sudden? Why was she feeling that way?

            “Are you joking with me right now?” she asked, not really sure why Ray was suddenly saying that he liked her. As far as she remembers, he hasn’t really talked to her with a proper conversation.

            Ray looked a bit panicked. He didn’t know what Chaeyoung meant nor how to explain how he felt. Chaeyoung suddenly remembered her friend, Hyeseung. Her heart got broken by this guy, after a well date. He might do the same thing to her.

            Chaeyoung stood up and started walking away from Ray.

            “Wait!” Ray called out. A had grabbed Chaeyoung’s wrist, stopping her from walking any further, “I really like you.” He said again. Chaeyoung sighed.

            “Really?” Chaeyoung said sarcastically as she turned around to look at him, “Tell me, how can a popular guy like you could possibly like a girl like me,” she said, “There are tons of other girls out there who are prettier and more willing to be with you. Why me?” she asked.

            Ray opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. He didn’t know what to answer nor what the right answer was.

            “Shin Hyeseung, do you know her?” she asked, “She’s one of my best friends. You went to a date with her along with Barom and Ami. After a great date, you don’t return her calls nor her feelings. You treat her so nicely and act like you like her but you don’t.” she said with anger in her voice.

            “You’re a popular guy that has tons of girls around you, whom you always seem to be friendly with.” She said, “How would I know that I’m not just one of them?” she asked. Ray kept quiet. Silence filled the air with both of them just looking into each other’s eyes.  Ray wanted to tell her, no ,show her, how he feels, and Chaeyoung dared him to.

            After moments of silence, Chaeyoung decided to leave. She turned around and started to walk away. She stopped walking when a pair of arms wrapped around her, not giving a sign that it will let go.

            “I’ll have no time tomorrow. So I’ll just say it now.” He started, “I won’t be able to tell you at school since a lot of people will stop me. I like you, I’m not joking with you. I don’t know why or how but I like you. There are plenty of girls who are prettier but you’re the only one I see. You’re the one I see when girls talk to me and you’re at the side, reading your textbook, studying for the exams. You’re the one I see when those girls try to impress me and you smile on your own, fascinated by your romance novels. Shin Hyeseung. I knew that she was your friend. I noticed that she liked me for a while now so I gave her a chance. I took it as a chance to forget my feelings about you, too. But throughout our date, you’re the one that was stuck in mind. I didn’t return her calls because I didn’t want her to hope and get hurt.” He confessed.

             “How would you know if you’re not just one of those girls?” he continued, “ Staying out in the cold with no assurance that you’ll come and putting my pride aside to ask your number from your friend. Isn’t that enough already?

            “What did you think, a popular guy can’t like a normal girl? That our feelings can’t be sincere?” he asked, “Just look at Barom! Ami’s not really your pretty and perfect girl, but he is sincere and serious about her.” He said, ending his explanation.

            Chaeyoung kept quiet, not knowing what to say. His words moved her, and she believed him, but she didn’t know if she should accept him.

            “Fine.” He said, “Here.” Ray brought out a book and brought it up near Chaeyoung. “Just take this and I’ll leave you alone” he said. Chaeyoung shakingly took the book from him and held it with a firm grip. Ray sighed before retreating his arms from Chaeyoung and slowly walking away in sadness.

            When she was sure he was already a few feet away, Chaeyoung looked at the book Ray gave him. It was a romance novel about a popular boy and a wall flower. She opened up the first page of the book and was surprised at what she saw.

            ‘In this book, an unexpected couple was born. Let’s create a similar love story. – Ray’ it read.

            Chaeyoung dropped the book to the floor and turned around. She ran with all her might to the guy a few feet away from her. She ran as fast as she could and wrapped her arms around his waist, tightly, not wanting to let go.

            “I like you too.” She whispered before tiptoeing and kissing him on his cheeks. She felt him smile and he turned around with a big grin planted on his face.

            “I knew it, you wouldn’t be able to resist me?” Ray . “Look at you. You even went out your house with an outfit like this on a cold night for me.” He joked.

            “What?” Chaeyoung said, glaring at him. Ray chuckled and brought her close to him. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly, with her hugging him back. They stayed like that for a while, until Chaeyoug spoke.

            “There’s one thing I’m curious about though.” She said. Ray looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

            “How can a popular guy date a wall flower?”

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Author's Note:

*crawls away*... What am I writing T^T This is really... umm.. T^T

Fun fact: This one shot has 3321 words :D