𝕎𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕐𝕠𝕦 - 𝕁𝕚𝕟𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕖

Chapter 16 - Shaved Ice

*Irene's Perspective* 10:00 a.m., Saturday

I wake up, get ready, and walk out of my dorm without making a sound so that I don't wake up my roommates. I have nowhere else to go since most places are closed currently, so I walk around the campus to explore and get to know the place a bit more since I will be spending at least the next four years here. I cross by tons of buildings, but the library catches my eye. I walk in and take in the whole essence of the place. I quickly found the book that I wanted to read, but when I got closer to the shelf, the book sat too high up that I was unable to reach it. I didn't want to bother the person next to me that was reading the summary of the book they got, so I kept on trying to reach it, but that just gained more attention. Before reaching again, a hand of the stranger next to me easily grabs the book and hands it to me.

"Oh, thank you! I'm so embarrassed I can't reach that book, but um, thanks for helping me." I say, looking down at the book in my hands.

"No problem. If you need any help trying to get another book, I'll be happy to help anytime." the friendly stranger says.

"Thanks." I say, finally looking up to meet eye to eye.

Why is Jin here? Especially after yesterday, I can't face him! I think quietly to myself.

"Um, I should go, bye! Thanks again!" I say, wanting to get away as quickly as possible.

I run toward whatever my eyes meet first and sigh when I reach a table. Jin looks around confused but continues looking at his book. I then open my book and start reading it until I catch out of the corner of my eye that someone is standing near the window. I look up from my book to find, yet again, Jin. I guess I was looking for a bit too long because he locked eyes with me and I quickly went back to my book pretending to be interested in it. I can tell that he is trying to keep in his laughter and before I get too angry, he heads off towards the shelves again. Moments after, he comes back toward the window looking a bit confused at what book he was reading. I notice that the one he has in hand is the second book to a series, so that is probably why he is so confused. I was feeling a bit nice so I offered to help him find the first book.

"Hey, uh, do you need help? Kind of looks like you don't really understand anything of that book and I'm guessing you've never read the first one?" I ask, trying not to act too awkward.

"Um, sure. But I already checked and the first book is checked out, so I doubt you can help in any way." he replies.

"Did you check the carts? It's the start of the year so they don't always have all of the books on the shelves yet." I say, getting up from the table I was sitting at.

"No." he says.

"How didn't you check the carts yet?!" I say, not being able to hide my laughter now. "Come on, I'll show you to the carts. Since you clearly don't know where they are."

I show him to where the carts sat and he looks surprised to see that the first book was actually there.

"I guess you're right. The book was on the carts. Thanks." he says, still in shock.

"Anytime, I guess. We might be dragged in a mess right now and we don't exactly know each other that well, but I would help anyone else out as long as they're pretty nice." I say, acting as "chill" as I can.

"Well, what do you think about I treat you to a cup of bubble tea as a thank you?" he asks out of nowhere.

"Well, why not? But, you have to find a way to end all the dating news. You might be enjoying all of this, but you do know this affects others' lives right? I mean, I'm the outcast, and you're the popular one; I don't want to be dragged into your ranking, and you probably don't want to lose that ranking." I say, wanting to get something else out of this deal.

"Sure. I'll try my best. But no guarantees, okay?" he reasons.

"Fine." I say, knowing it will be pretty difficult considering we still sit next to each other.

"And even if this does all end, you're going to have to do me a big favor as a thank you." he adds.

"Okay, but nothing big." I reply worriedly.

"No promises." he says, smirking.

Girls have always liked him for his charm, but at this point, I was pretty tired of this "charm" that was so appealing.

"So, do you have time right now to go?" Jin then asks.

"Um, hate to tell you, but I basically just got here like 10 minutes ago." I reply. "But I guess if you give me around 10 more minutes, I can go."

"Sure." he says.

While I go back to find more books, Jin stands awkwardly by the shelves. After a few minutes, I finally found all of the books that I wanted to find and made my way over to the checkout desks. I gave my library card that was offered to every student to the librarian and she scanned the books and handed them to me.

"So are you ready to go now?" Jin asks, all of a sudden really energized while I put the books into my backpack.

"Yeah. Where are we even going?" I reply, looking up.

"Somewhere a little off campus." he says.

"We have to go downtown?!" I say, really tired.

"I mean, you did promise you would go." he replies.

"Fine, whatever. Let's just go." I say, lifting my backpack up my shoulder.

We head out the doors and make it down the towering stairs leading down to the sidewalk.

"So how long do you think it will take to get to the place?" I ask, looking up at him.

"Maybe around a 30 minute walk from here." he replies.

"Are you kidding me!? You know what, I'm just going to call an Ober and I'll meet you at whatever place it is." I say, a little annoyed.

"Wait! What if we just take the subway? It's quicker." Jin says, holding on my shoulder.

"Fine." I tell him, yanking his hand off me.

We walk a little longer and find a staircase leading down to the subway station. A few minutes later, a subway train comes racing in the tracks and we quickly squeeze onto the train. Two stops have arrived and the next one we planned to get off at. However, at the second stop, literally 30 people came on the train and Jin and I were squished together in the corner of the small space. Before the doors closed, an overweight man boarded the subway and pushed me aside to get in, which led me to fall out of the train.

"IRENE!" Jin shouts from inside, but the train had already left the station.

A/N: this chapter was originally like two times as long, so i cut it short. also, i felt a bit generous today, so this is a double update with the previous chapter!