When We're Together [양정완]

21.

Chae Aera found Yang Jungwon sitting where they always sat, towards the back of the library. She was about to wave to him, but for some reason she stopped herself. She stood a few book shelves away and looked at the boy who was focused completely on his notes. From her point of view, she could see his long eye-lashes and focused expression. His lips were pursed, making his dimples show. That was her favorite feature. His dimples.

She stood for a moment before she realized she was staring. She quickly patted her face to snap herself out of it and approached the table the male was sitting at. He glanced at her silently as she sat down, then looked back to his notes.

Aera opened her backpack and pulled out the ivory envelope. The chocolate was now broken in half from having been in her bag all day, but she felt relieved that the letter was still crisp and new-looking.

Jungwon looked up, still holding his pen. "What's that?" The girl shrugged.

"Somebody left it on my desk this morning, but I forgot to open it." she said as she carefully opened it. Inside was a short letter written on light pink paper, neatly folded into fourths. On the outside was written: To A, from J.

Jungwon's attention was now 100% on the girl and the letter she was holding. He narrowed his eyes and bit him bottom lip as he felt his chest tighten.

She unfolded the note.

To Chae Aera.

Hey. I'm something of an admirer. I thought you were beautiful ever since I first met you and I can't stop thinking of you. Although, right now, I'm too nervous for a proper confession so I thought I would give you something to make you happy until I have enough courage to confess to you in person. I hope that time will come soon. Please wait for me.

-J

Aera felt her cheeks warming up. A secret admirer? She pursed her lips as she read and re-read the letter and felt the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile.

Jungwon suddenly snatched the paper from the girl's hand.

"Hey!" Aera blurted, but quickly stopped herself when she remembered she was in the library. "Give that back!" she whispered, flustered.

The male narrowed his eyes at the letter and scoffed. If the author was who he thought, no- who he knew it was, then they had only known the girl for a week. He, on the other hand, had known Aera for months. "Tsk. This is so cliche." He mumbled before throwing the paper on the table in front of him.

"Well, yeah, but think about it," Aera grinned at the sulking boy. "That means somebody likes me, right? Isn't that exciting?" She clasped her hands and looked expectantly at the boy, but he sat silently, with his arms crossed.

"Wait a second," Aera raised an eyebrow at the boy, "No way. Are you... jealous?" she smirked.

He was about to immediately refuse, but she spoke first, "It's okay. You're attractive, somebody probably likes you too."

He almost burst out laughing at her weird assumption, but he stopped himself. Then, he realized. Did she just call him attractive? His mind went completely blank as he stared at the girl, repeatedly blinking. She stared back for a moment before breaking eye contact. "Don't stare at me like that."

The male still didn't respond. His brain was like a broken record, constantly replaying the girl's words in his head. "Hey, do we have to study today? It's Friday. Let's go do something fun instead." Aera insisted, finally snapping the boy out of his trance. To her surprise, the usually strict, studious boy nodded his head.

The two made their way out of the library and into an empty corridor. "So?" The boy questioned.

"So what?"

"Where are we going?"

"Hmm," Aera paused. "Let's do something outdoors. The weather is getting cooler so it'll be nice!" She pursed her lips in thought and tapped her chin with her finger. "Hm. There's a new shopping center that opened sort of close. How about that? I have to get a gift for Yoona's birthday in a couple weeks anyways."

The male nodded and put his hands in his pockets as they made their way to a nearby bus stop.