Who Is The One?

Chapter 9

As soon as I reached the library, I got seated at the corner I usually had. I closed my eyes and breathed in the cool air. I smiled. This was the familiar feeling I loved.

I took out the books I was supposed to be reading up on. I looked at my watch. It was 5pm already. I didn't mind going home late everyday. I liked it in the library. Nothing to distract me. I glanced thoughtfully at the table and shook my head to remove the thought from my mind. I opened the book and started to focus.

"The walls of the left ventricle is thicker than the right ventricle's," I whispered.

I always marvelled at the way our body functions. It was so extract to me that I even wondered why I was learning it at times. The body was created by God, so did I have the right to question it? However, I always told myself to think of me studying about the body as a way for me to help others.

I looked at my watch again. It was 6.30pm. I stood up to stretch and walked out to get a drink. I decided to leave at 7.15pm. I moved closer to the vending machine and put some coins into it. The can of green tea dropped to the bottom and I took it out.

I turned around and got a big shock. I almost threw my can at him. It was Dongwoon. He smiled sheepishly and pointed to the vending machine. I just looked at him, speechless.

"Were you in the vicinity?" I asked. I was obviously asking the obvious but I was trying to strike a conversation with this junior of mine.

"Yeah, in fact I was in the library." He replied while waiting for the vending machine produce his can of drink.

I nodded coolly. "I was in the library too. Did you see me inside? Because I didn't."

He stole some glances at me and said, "I did but I didn't want to disturb you."

I mouthed an 'Oh' and nodded my head. Then, I realised he was carrying his bag.

"Are you going home now?" I asked while pointing at his bag.

He nodded and grinned. "Are you going home now too?"

"Nope. I was planning to leave at 7.15pm. Where do you live?" I asked.

"Somewhere in Seoul." He replied.

I laughed. He was trying to joke around wasn't he.

"No, seriously where do you live? Maybe we could go together. I don't mind leaving earlier." I said and sipped on my can of green tea.

He raised his eyebrows.

"What?" I asked.

"You want to go with me?" He asked.

"Why not? I always do this with my friends." I said it in a sing-song manner.

"You treat me as a friend? Not a junior?" He asked, obviously surprised.

I was surprised that he was surprised I treated him as a friend.

"Uhh, yeah? I mean I treat everyone as a friend until they do something unforgivable to me or my best friends." I explained.

He nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"So wanna go home together?" I asked again.

"Umm, s-sure." He stuttered.

I laughed. So cute.

"Wait for me while I go take my things." I said.

"I'll go in with you." Dongwoon suggested.

"Okay." I said.

As I made my way back to the library, I dumped the can into the recycling bin and heard Dongwoon did the same. I walked briskly to the table with my things. Dongwoon sat down on the chair opposite to mine on the same table. I quickly packed my things and gestured to Dongwoon that we could leave.

We were walking to the bus station opposite the school. None of us said anything.

"Dongwoon, you don't really have to treat me as a senior as long as we have mutual respect for each other." I broke the silence.

He looked at me. "Really?"

"Ya, why not? We're only one year apart and its not as if we have such a big generation gap." I smiled.

"Oh wow! Thank you Youngji Sunbaenim." He exclaimed.

"Youngji will do. Its so weird to have someone call me like that." I remarked.

"Youngji, do you want to go for dinner before we go home?" Dongwoon asked.

"Ya sure." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Okay!" He made the 'ok' sign with his fingers.

I took my phone out to make a call to my mother.

Dongwoon looked at me with curious eyes as I put the phone to my ear.

"I'm calling my Mom." I said.

Dongwoon nodded.

"Hello, Mama?" I voiced out.

"Yes, Youngji." She cooed

I laughed at her actions. "Ma, I'm going to have dinner with a friend so don't save anything for me later."

"Oh okay. Are you with Minji?" She asked.

"No, I'm with Dongwoon. You don't know him. I haven't told you about him yet." I remarked.

"Ahh. Okay then. Have fun, Youngji." She said my name at the end with a high tone.

I grinned and shook my head.

"Come, lets go."

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"Youngji, what would you like to order?" Dongwoon asked.

He looked up from the menu he was holding. I looked at the menu I held and pondered. All of the food looked so good that it was difficult to make a choice.

"I'm not sure. What are you having?" I asked.

He looked at his menu again and pointed to bowl of spicy noodles. I nodded and looked at my menu again. I played a mental game of chance to decide on which to order. I ended up ordering udon noodles.

As we waited for the food to come, I asked Dongwoon a few questions about him since we barely knew each other.

"So, what is your hobby?" I swirled the straw of my cup of drink.

He paused for a while, thinking hard.

"I have to say. I think I like kayaking." He replied.

I widened my eyes. "Wow thats interesting. I didn't think you would do such a sport!"

"Looks can be deceiving." He grinned.

I laughed and shook my head. Then, I heard a group of rowdy people entering the restraunt. I turned my head to look at them. It was a group of soccer boys our age. They were laughing and talking with great excitement. I guessed that they had just won a match seeing them being so excited.

Just as I was about to look away, I saw a familiar face. My eyes grew wide open and my heart started beating faster than normal. I couldn't believe this coincidence. He was here. Dujun.