“Maknae, can you put that book down? You’re missing out on the fun!” Hyoyeon unnie said as she invited me to join their game of Bluff.

I did as she asked and we played for a while before we got tired of the game. The rest of them talked about the latest fashion trends, work, celebrity gossip, and typical girl conversations. I participated once in a while but my focus was on this book.

I was too immersed in the plot and how the events continued to unfold in this novel when I heard the excited gasps and giggles. I sighed and shook my head. Must be a boy. There’s no other reason my unnies would react this way.

I thought nothing of it but it was quite impossible to ignore the whispers and giggles since it grew louder. I could feel Hyoyeon unnie poke my side with her elbow. I just scoffed at the gesture knowing full well what it means: there is a guy involved and unfortunately for me, I’m part of that equation.

I could sense the trouble looming in and knew that any minute now, I’ll be the subject of teasing from my merciless, love sick, desperate-to-get-ME (Me as in Seo Joohyun)- hitched unnies. I gave them this look that meant I was begging to be spared from whatever diabolical plan they have in mind. Please unnies, just this once! Jebal! Not in a place as public as this!

The last time something like this happened, the guy thought I was seriously into him (which was so not true; my unnie just randomly picked him as the “target” because they were too drunk that time) that he ended up stalking me for a month. I got so mad and the stalking just went overboard that my unnies and I had to file a restraining order. Since then, they decided not to do such things again. Apparently, they all seem to have contracted amnesia right now.

I gave them one final, pleading look and I even considered as far as getting on my knees to beg, but decided against it. I’m wearing a dress and I don’t want to bruise my knees. I pretended to ignore the events that I could sense would soon unfold. I did my best to concentrate on this book when I heard the sound of footsteps drawing near. It was getting louder until the sound faded, and finally, it was gone. That only meant one thing: he has found the place he meant to go to, and unfortunately, that place is none other than right in front of me.

I could hear the muffled giggles and squeals but I tried so hard to remain passive and unaffected. I could sense the guy’s nervousness from where I sat, judging from the countless times he wiped his palms on the side of his jeans. Though I have yet to look at his face, I had a strong feeling I knew who this person is.

I could feel my own palm start to sweat and my heart pick up on its race. Is nervousness something that’s contagious? I highly doubt so. I think it’s just the coffee. Yep, just the coffee. I’ve had more than my recommended daily dose of caffeine running in my system. It’s all probably just nerves brought about by that and nothing more. There couldn’t be more.

I tried to ignore him by pretending to read the book. I hope he’d get the hint and walk away. Apparently, this guy has a thick skull. He can’t even process the not-so-subtle hints I tried to emulate with my actions. I don’t know how long it’s been but he just stood there, shuffling his feet, waiting for me to acknowledge his presence.

I had no intention of entertaining a conversation with this stranger, because the second I show the slightest bit of interest, these 4 women sitting beside me will turn into ahjummas who can’t wait to marry off their youngest daughter. Like I always say, being the baby of the group has its perks and disadvantages.

Once again, I tried to focus on the book. The words were dancing in front of my eyes and I couldn’t comprehend a single thing no matter how much I tried or wanted to. Can this guy just please move on to a much more willing and vulnerable target so I can get my sanity back? I’m feeling lightheaded from the hodgepodge of emotions and it doesn’t help that my unnies have to be present to witness such event.

Another minute passed. Why is he still here? Can’t he get a clue that I’m not interested? That I do not wish to be the center of attraction? Does he not know how my unnies can be such vultures with merciless teasings regarding the topic, “Seohyun & _____ (insert random guy’s name here)?”

I was on the verge of panicking, of saying something to make him go away, when I heard his voice break into my thoughts. Or maybe, not my thoughts as he just publicly made a move to initiate a conversation with me.

“Hi.”

So long, solitude! Farewell to my dreams and hopes of being left in peace!

I guess I owe it to him to at least respond. After all, he did endure several minutes of public humiliation when I gave him the silent treatment. I set my book down and lifted my head to get a clearer view of his face. The minute our gazes locked, it felt like a dam of emotions was unleashed and that I was being swept away by the flood.

There are only a few things in life that leave you breathless. As of today, this one tops my list. There’s something about this stranger that pulls me in. Like how a moth is drawn to a flame. It’s a completely foreign concept for me to experience this way towards a stranger and for some unknown reasons, my brain decided to just get along with my heart.

I could hear the sound of camera clicks. Though I am horrified that the image of me with my eyes wide open and jaw probably dropping to the ground has been immortalized in the world of SNS (unnies and their penchant for Twitter), I couldn’t do anything. It was like I’m stuck. Frozen. Unable to move. Unable to speak.

I knew I was shamelessly ogling at him and though the rational part of me is screaming to stop and look away, I couldn’t. He’s such a beautiful, devastatingly handsome stranger and I didn’t dare take my eyes off of him for fear of breaking the spell.

I felt someone tap my arm and I just absentmindedly nodded.

“You might want to wipe off that drool.” I heard Taeyeon unnie whisper as Hyoyeon unnie held out a tissue to me. I don’t know what came over me as I took it and did exactly as she suggested. My brain wasn’t even able to process the reason why all of my unnies were practically dying from laughter.

My eyes turned back towards Mr. Stranger and then I saw him unsuccessfully hide a bashful smile. That’s when it all came rushing back to me: what I just did (wiping the imaginary drool) and everything else before that (the shameless ogling). Oh gosh. No. Please. Bury me now.

I caught a glimpse of my reflection and saw how my face has turned into the brightest shade of fiery red. I am doomed.

“Uh, hi. Mind if I take a seat?” I heard him ask me again.

My brain decided that it’s time to gather up my neurons once more as I glared at this stranger and replied in the snottiest way as I could.

“Actually, yes. Can’t you see how many other empty seats there are? Why would you shamelessly try to fit into our crowd? Go pick another one or might as well get back to your friends.”

It seems like my unnies aren’t the only ones immune to my sarcasm as he shook his head, flashed me that boyish grin, and took a seat. I was wondering why he had this amused expression on his face so I recalled what I said earlier.

Get back to your friends…

Crap. That sentence meant I noticed him and who he was with before he walked over to where I am. It is true though since we had this teeny bit of a “moment” when we had that split second eye contact an hour ago.

I rolled my eyes and glared at him one more time as a feeble attempt to tell him to back off. I reached out to my book at the same time he did. I felt our fingertips brush and damn these stupid butterflies!

“Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. It’s a nice read. It has a lot of thought-provoking quotes and makes you want to revive the “faculty of wonder” we all probably lost when we grew up.”

I just gave off an insulting laugh. He must’ve used this tactic (trying to pass off as an intellectual, sophisticated 21st century guy) to every other girl he hits on. Although a part of me did think he actually read the book, otherwise he wouldn’t use that “faculty of wonder” terminology, and the tone of his voice did indicate he was serious.

He placed his hand on top of mine and it’s like a cage (or rather, a jungle) of butterflies went free. If this was any other guy, I would’ve slapped his hand away for such a bold gesture. I was never a fan of skinship but for some unknown reason, this devastatingly handsome stranger is making me think otherwise. I tugged the book and hastily withdrew my hand from his before my emotions betray my rationality.

I tried to act as if I was in deep thought over the philosophical ideations presented in this novel. When I could no longer stand the rapid beating of my heart brought about by the intensity of his stare, I slowly lifted the book until it successfully hid my face. I intended to ignore him and act as if his existence doesn’t turn my world upside down, but then again, hearing him break the silence is causing an entire system breakdown.

“A philosopher knows that in reality, he knows very little. That is why he constantly strives to achieve new insight. Socrates was one of those rare people. He knew that he knew nothing about life and about the world…”

I was impressed when he started to directly quote the book (line by line, if I must say) so I put it down and tried to challenge his statement. However, before I could do so, he lifted a finger as if to shush me and then he continued.

“And here comes the important part: it troubled him because he knew so little.” He paused for effect and I