Favourite Crime

Chapter 1

it's late at night, well past the time a young girl should be out alone. but here i am, walking along a dim lamp-lit street, all by myself. i have my phone tightly gripped in my hand, incase i need to contact someone in an emergency. i'm calmly walking my usual route when i hear loud and sudden footsteps ahead of me. i look up to see someone dressed in dark clothing running full force towards me. i just manage to move slightly before he whizzes past me, knocking arms, an apology thrown lazily over his shoulder. i look back down when i hear a clatter, to see a lighter on the ground, that i assume he dropped. i pick it up and read what's engraved on it. 'LO$ER'. i turn around, item clasped in my hand but by the time i go to shout him back for it, he's already bolted round the corner, too far away to shout or run after. so i pocket the item, unsure of what to do with it, and continue on the journey home.

the next day i'm walking home again a bit earlier this time, when i walk straight into someone. i look up and apologise profusely at the man in front of me. he says nothing and just nods. as he's about to walk away, i realise he's the same guy from last night, and grab his arm. he turns back towards me, curiosity in his eyes.

"um i think you dropped this last night?"

i reach into my pocket and pull out the lighter so it lays flat in my hand. i outstresch my arm towards him, gesturing for him to take it. instead he looks at me, and folds my fingers back around the small rectangular item, and pushes my hand back into my pocket.

"thanks very much..."

"yeona"

he smiles

"what a beautiful name. anyway, thank you very much yeona but you can keep it, i don't need it."

"are you sure, i really can't just accept gifts from strangers"

"well my name is yeonjun , there we're not strangers anymore"

he shrugs his shoulders before glancing at his watch.

"best be off, nice bumping into yeona, hopefully see you again"

he sends me a flirty wink before running off down alleyway. i stare down at the lighter in my hand, a small smile on my face, as i snap back into reality and continue my walk home. and i can't help but hope that maybe, i do see him again too.