POMEGRANATES AND TULIPS: Book 2 (Jeon Wonwoo)

04| Between Pages

Scanning each row made my eyes hurt as I adjusted my glasses and looked at the notepad; this book will be difficult to find. I let out a defeated sigh and bite my bottom lip; I look around for an employee as I walk out of the aisle. My nerves were rising as I walked into the thriller section; maybe it's in this aisle.

I scan the first row starting in H, "Having trouble?" I suppress a smile and turn to see the familiar tall figure walking into the aisle. "Something like that," I said with a small smile; Wonwoo chuckled and returned a shy smile. "I only have thirty minutes before the shop closes, so what brings you here at this hour?" I asked, avoiding eye contact out of nervousness.

Wonwoo looks at the books curiously, "Well, it is my day off, and I need a new book." He says, pulling out one of the books off the shelf. I cross my arms and spot an employee but frown upon seeing them busy with a customer; I look at Wonwoo, who is reading the back of the book. "You seem like you're having trouble with something." He says, lifting his gaze from the book; I almost made eye contact with him. "Well, I was trying to look for this book, but I guess the shop doesn't have it in," I said, looking at the notepad.

"It's a Hannibal Lecter novel, and I thought they would have it in this section, but I don't see it," I said with a shy smile. Wonwoo must've decided on the book, seeing he didn't put it back. "What's the title of the book? Maybe it's sorted with the title," He says. I let out a small sigh and felt myself become more shy and nervous. "The Silence of The Lamb by Thomas Harris, and I already tried looking for it by title, but it's no use," I said. Wonwoo smiles and chuckles. "Maybe they have it sorted by author." He says and walks to the next aisle.

I bite my lip, and I go back to looking for it in the thriller section; a tired sigh escapes my lips. I'm tired and sleepy, but I need this book. I look at the next aisle, only to be filled with frustration. I see an employee walk by, but they seemed irritated, "Excuse—" "Found it." Wonwoo's voice interrupted my call for help. I turned to see him walking out of the aisle involving true crime.

I felt a sudden relief wash over me seeing the book cover, and I smiled. "Oh, thank god, I was going to give up a minute ago." I said as Wonwoo walks over, handing me the book, "I'm assuming it's a very interesting book if it had you stressing." He says with a smile. I nod and let a small laugh leave my lips, "It is. I've heard about the movies, but I want to read the book before jumping into the films, you know." I said. Wonwoo nods. "Smart move. Now, what do I get in return for helping you?" He asked with a slight smirk. I felt flustered and hid half of my face behind the book. "Hmm, well, I was planning to go the convenience store that's a block from here. Maybe I'll give you a bowl of ramen and kimbap in return." I said.

Wonwoo fixes his glasses, pushing them up, and smiles faintly. "I was only teasing, but ramen sounds good, especially in this rainy weather." He says as we walk to the front, I nod. "Wait, it's raining." I blurted out and looked out the window that it was pouring hard, "I didn't bring my umbrella," I muttered to myself. I place the book on the counter, "Together?" The cashier asked. "Yes." "No," I look at Wonwoo, "it's okay; I'll pay for the book since you're paying for the ramen," Wonwoo says with a smile. "Uh, I don't know, it's fine. I can—and you're already paying," I said, looking at him and seeing him putting his wallet away. 

"It's fine, Lizbeth; I don't mind paying an extra twelve dollars. Besides, books are essential, and honestly, I don't like the idea of you paying for ramen either, but I respect your boundaries." He says with a smile as he grabs the bag. I give him a genuine smile and let a small laugh leave my lips as we head to the door while thanking the cashier. I bite my lip as I lift the hood of my sweater to shield me from the rain, "Well, walking in the rain isn't that bad," I said with a smile. Wonwoo opened an umbrella, "What makes you think I'll let you walk in the rain?" He asked.

I look at him, confused, "Come on, Lizbeth, it's in the middle of December. I'm not a monster that will let you suffer for unpreparedness. Besides, the weather is strange nowadays. They say it's supposed to snow tomorrow." Wonwoo says with a smile as he towered over me with the umbrella. How did I not realize that he is taller when up close? I have to tilt my head just slightly to look at him; my height makes me meet Wonwoo at chest level. "Is it? I haven't watched the weather news this morning." I say, feeling flustered at the proximity.

Wonwoo chuckles, "Lead the way," He says. I let out a small sigh, and we started to walk to the convenience store. Why do I feel so nervous? My cheeks feel hot, "What book did you get?" I asked. "I believe it's called Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six; it's a thriller. I've heard people talk about it." Wonwoo says with a smile. "Have you always liked books? Or did you recently get into them?" I asked; Wonwoo spared a glance. I looked away, "I've spent my life between pages," He says. I smiled and nodded, "I, as Seungkwan says, always have my nose buried in a book." I said. Wonwoo giggles; I smile but notice he is covering his mouth. His ears were slightly red; maybe he felt embarrassed.

I halted as we reached the store, "I apologize if it's not up to your expectations, but ramen is ramen." I said with a small smile. Wonwoo nods as we enter the store, "Oh, Lizzy, welcome back," Mrs. Kim says with a warm smile as she places the broom against the wall. I smile and wave at her; Wonwoo closes the umbrella. I walk to the freezers, looking for something sweet to hit the cravings.  I grabbed a bomb pop ice cream tub; I spotted Wonwoo over at the ramen section. I smiled softly as Mrs. Kim began suggesting the best ramen combinations. "I think I'll try the Kimbap ramen,"  Wonwoo says with a small smile. I look at the coffee section in the freezer; I let out a small gasp as my favorite song plays in the back.

I bite my lip and suppress a grin as I continue looking for snacks to eat. "Kiss me once, then kiss me twice..." I whisper as the music continues to play softly. "I decided on the ramen," Wonwoo's voice sends shivers down my spine. I look at him. "Okay, well, I already got what I need," I said with a smile and walked to Mrs. Kim; Wonwoo was waiting for the ramen bowls to finish cooking. "Mmh, Lizzy, who's your friend, finally getting out of your bubble, love?" She asks, scanning the items. I smile faintly, "Yeah, I'm trying my best." I say, handing her my card. "Well, you're doing a fine job, hun; he seems like a sweet, handsome young man." Mrs. Kim says with a smirk and hands me my card back. I chuckle lightly.

I sit by the window, watching the rain fall harder than before; I sip on my peach-iced tea, waiting patiently for the ramen. "They're done," Wonwoo says with a small smile; I help him set the bowls down. I feel hungry just by smelling the ramen, "It tastes good; the kimbap will add a kick to it." I said with a smile and stir the noodles with the chopsticks. This felt nice, having someone to talk to about books, eating ramen, and just sitting in a comfortable silence. 

"So what books do you like the most? The book you got isn't a romance novel rather than a true crime." Wonwoo says with a smile. I look at the kimbap and place a piece on my ramen, "Well, I love anything involving romance, supernatural, horror, and true crime. You can say I like any kind of book except for sci-fi." I said with a small smile. Wonwoo nods in acknowledgment, "Horror? Nice, what's your favorite movie?" He asked. I smile and take a sip of the iced tea, "Mm, there are many good ones, but I have to say A Nightmare on Elm Street," I said.

I take a bite of the kimbap, "Do you have a favorite scary movie?" I asked. Wonwoo shakes his head, "Not really, I enjoy any scary movie." He says, taking a sip of his lemonade.

I look at the time; I'm usually at the apartment by this hour. It feels kinda strange yet nice, "We should hang out again; maybe you could recommend a book." Wonwoo says as he helps clean the table. I tossed the empty bowls in the trash. I smiled shyly and nodded. "Yeah, that sounds nice," I said; the sound of a horn caught our attention. "Here, you'll need the umbrella more than I do," Wonwoo says, handing me his umbrella and the paper bag. "It's your umbrella. I'll return it to you; thank you for buying the book even though you didn't have to." I said.

Wonwoo chuckles as he picked his phone and book, "It's nothing, well I gotta go. Mingyu is waiting, and well, we know how that goes." He says with a smile. I nodded and waved at him as he left the store. I see Mingyu with a smirk and waves a bye before driving off with Wonwoo. I let a sigh escape my lips as I grabbed my bag, "Goodnight, Mrs. Kim." I said before leaving the store. I opened the umbrella and began my walk to the apartment; it felt nice talking to Wonwoo.
I had no idea I would have some things in common with him; now that I was able to distract my mind from spiraling into darkness, I'm not sure if I want to let him get close.