#1 : Personal bubble -- "It finally bursts."

Starring Kim Bum and you. Written in Your POV.  

It has never felt the same stepping into the library ever since that day. 

It was the day when you met him. 

Stucked in diverse thoughts, you tried to perceive what actually happened. 

          An oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city is what I searched for and after a few months of roaming around, I found the perfect place.  Filled with books which just seems endless, this library I chanced upon is just admirable in many ways. One thing I regretted though is to have found this place so late. In a year or so, this library is going to be demolished to make way for a new condo in the area. Honestly, I was very dismayed but then I realized I have no power whatsoever to oppose it so I guess it's better for me to just be happy with what time is left for me to satiate.  From then on, a day can never be complete without a visit to this safe haven of mine. I may not look like one, but I can proudly admit that I am a bookworm. Yeah, even in this era of  the digitized world. To me, fiction or non-fiction don't matter. Both have its own charms and they can be very intriguing. Simply completing a book from the start to the end and how it just keeps me thinking gives me an indescribable sense of accomplishment and I never want to stop feeling that way. 

     Walking past the book racks one by one while scanning the titles of the books is also one of my favorite pastime. Finding that one book that catches my eye and reviewing my choice after I finish reading the book is actually quite fun. I haven't really noticed it but it has always been about the book and I at the centre of the bubble enclosed around me. I only figured this out on that one day when things changed and left me dumbfounded. 

     My favorite indie song was playing on my headphones and I couldn't control myself from swaying my head to the slow and soothing beat. Letting myself completely occupied with the groove of the music, I started smiling to myself as I wandered down the aisle between the bookshelves. The chorus is coming and I was just about to mouth the words when my eyes met him. He was strolling past the opposite aisle took a double take to glance at me. That guy who was a few inches taller than me, dressed simply in a dark olive green printed hoodie. That guy who exchanged glances with me with a slight thin grin on his face. That was him. 

     It was just a very short moment yet time seemed to pass by so slowly then. The playing music went unheard and my eyes were wide opened. With his lips still pursed into a smile, he spins around and was on his way. My feet froze in place as I tried to get myself out from the whirling feelings inside of me. At that very moment, my bubble burst and I took notice of him. It was weird as it was my first. My first time allowing someone else present in my bubble. Did I really just let someone in? I wondered. But, it wasn't really my fault. Was it me or was it him? It took me a few long minutes to recover from the shock. 

     I have decided to put it at the back of my head and continued my search for a book to read. I walked down next few aisles and couldn't help but feel someone's presence. I turned around and saw him ambling past. Something's wrong. I was never bothered by the people around me. That's it. I should go to the Young Adults Section. I went down the stairs to the second level. I heard light footsteps from on top. For some reason, I hear myself questioning if it was him walking down. Well, it can't be. I tried to push away all my thoughts which I deemed as fanciful. 

     Finally, a nice time to myself. After a few minutes, I was back in my own world, or so I thought. As I was retrieving this attractive book from the middle section of the bookshelf, I came across a familiar brownish green color in front of my eyes. It can't be. I looked up and my intuition was right. It was him again. His arms were folded, and he was scanning the top row of the book shelf opposite of me. Is he following me? But then again, why would he want to follow an unattractive, introvert girl like me? 

     With two new books in hand, I went to the comfortable couch right at the corner. It was my favorite corner in the library. It's hidden from people's sight as it is blocked by a pillar and the couch area is not that popular fortunately. I comfortably took my seat and the minute I read through the first page, I was hooked as usual. That was until I heard the sound of flipping pages nearby. I glanced up and saw that same guy sitting down on the floor with his back resting on the pillar reading a thick book which I have yet to see its title. I could sense my book calling out to me but my eyes could not turn away from the unknowingly pleasant view I was seeing. Before he could catch me looking at him, I quickly lowered my head. Reading the book was not the same anymore. At the knowledge of his presence, I found myself distracted from being normally engrossed in the book. That's it! I can't let myself get distracted.

     I went up on my feet and proceeded to the ground level to borrow my books. Everything went smoothly until he came. Now, he was waiting by the entrance door, with his hands in his pockets. I must be insane. He can't be waiting for me. Is this what people call fate? Fate? Yeah right, I bet it was just a coincidence. Right. It must have just been a coincidence. With that thought in mind, I left the library with rather heavy feet to my stupefaction. A part of me felt like taking one last glance at his flawless face but I controlled myself because a part of me didn't want to. I was afraid that he is in fact waiting for someone else. Not me. I was just a girl he passed by a few times in the library. And that was it. 

     That was the last I saw of him. Every time I stepped into the library, I had a tinge of hope to let me see him again but that was never the case. I don't think I can ever forget him even though we didn't converse. The slightest thing we ever did was just exchanging glances. But that tiny bit triggered everything. Sometimes, I think that I was the one at fault. Maybe, I was the one that let my bubble burst to allow him inside. Besides, why did I even blow a bubble around me in the first place? Was it meant to be burst? I haven't deduced if bursting my bubble was a good thing.  No matter what it is, I had another reason to come to the library again and again. Maybe, just maybe I could chance upon him again before the library disappears. 

Pictures not owned by me. Credits of the picture goes to Internet and the world wide web. :] 

Thank you again for reading! Jeongmal kamsahabnida!~ ^^

Hope you enjoyed the super short story! :)

I don't really think a lot like the character in this story. I was trying to imagine to be in my friend's shoes who loves to think a lot to herself. I guess it was a way to understand her better? Haha. She was the one who told me her story as well that was similar to this and so credits to her as well! :)

Let me know what you think of the story and see you readers soon with another short story! Hopefully! :)

-edited on 25 Oct-