Rina's POV

The books that surrounded me were calling to me saying “Read me, read me.” I was enthralled by all the books that I could be reading, I WILL be reading. Although one would say I am wasting my vacation by just going to another country to enjoy its bookstores and food.

“You're young, Rina. Go out and party! Club it out! Or visit tourist spots, girl!” one of my friends would tell me.

Well, I would rather “waste” my time reading away than drive to all the tourist spots California has to offer me or go clubbing. Oh, the energy that requires, I don't have it. Plus I already accomplished that when I was younger, and there is no fun in doing those things by yourself. I sighed as I sat down, with my new book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, in the cafe area of Barnes and Nobles. Some alone time, away from Italy, and away from Korea. The places I have gone to since Jay and I broke up, I dare say he'd be proud of me and my new acquired independence.

“Paulo Coelho, good choice,” a man's voice said.

I looked up to find quite an attractive young man, around my age, I'd say. How does he know I'm Korean? 

“He is a favorite of mine,” I told him

“Mind if I sit down?” he asked

“Not at all,” I smiled

“Are you into books that talk of one finding themselves and going on journeys in doing so?”

He sounded quite intelligent, and might I add he has quite the smile.

“I very much am,”

“I am guessing a fine young lady like you is in search of herself then,” he noted

“Good guess,”

“And a fine young lady like you wouldn't happen to be traveling alone, would you? That's not such a smart move in this cruel cruel world,”

“I did or rather am traveling alone, but I have family members here,”

“Well then that's great news.”

What a strange guy, I thought. Attractive but strange--- yet appealing.

“So what's your name?” I managed to ask

“Donghae, Kim Donghae,” he smiled and offered to shake my hand

“Rina, Song Rina,” I gladly shook it.

It was nice meeting a guy who didn't come off as creepy or as a playboy. He was quite the opposite and it certainly intrigues me.

Donghae's POV

Of all the places to go to, why did Peter have to choose California? It's not that I hate California, but there's so many more interesting places to see that we haven't gone to. He's just here for what he calls “California girls.” I will never get why he has such a thing for them. Instead of going out again in a club, I decided to get dropped of at Barnes and Nobles although Peter teased me endlessly about it calling me a killjoy. It didn't get to me though, I was tired of going to clubs and beaches just to “see” girls. I wanted to meet new people and have real intellectual conversations, as boring as that may sound. As I opened the door to enter B&N, I spotted a girl, who looks Korean, looking excited about books. It was a cute sight to see a girl actually be excited about books. I didn't approach her right away. I decided to keep my distance and she never even noticed me once. She was so focused on picking out books to buy. She sure got a handful of them. I finally went up to her when she settled down in the cafe area.

“Paulo Coelho, good choice,” I told her

She closed her book and looked up at me.

“He is a favorite of mine,” she stated

“Mind if I sit down?” I asked

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