My Sweetest Downfall

Coincidence or Fate?

Adeera

"Oh hey."

I was halfway taking out a certain book from the shelf when I heard a familiar voice. I turned around only to be met with a familiar pair of forest green eyes. The book slipped from my grip, falling back into its respective place like a piece of a puzzle meeting its other half.

His jet black hair was styled in a curtained hair this time, enunciating his sharp features. He was clad in a black turtleneck paired with a brick red duffle coat to which I could recognize it was from a famous brand. His whole look screamed elegance and affluence to the point it felt like he was intangible, far from reach. Our differences were way too apparent to the point it felt wrong to be in the same space as him.

Well, just another reason to stay away from him.

"Why are you here?"

He shrugged, closing the distance between us. Subconsciously, I stepped back only to have my back meeting the bookshelf. My heart rate shot up, abnormally so when he didn't even break eye contact. The sandalwood scent filled my senses, making my brain go haywire.

"Is it selfish for me to say..." He stopped just when we were inches apart, his one arm extended right above me. A certain glint was present in his gaze. His voice went softer with a slight tinge of huskiness, probably as he didn't want to gain any attention since we were in a library. "That it's fate?"

I blinked, couldn't grasp onto reality even as a soft laugh reverberated from his chest, enough to send me into a spiral of emotions. He stepped away and I let out a breath. I could barely register anything when I felt a gentle nudge on my shoulder.

I glanced at him only to realise that he had a book in his grip, the exact book that I was about to take just now. That's when it clicked. He was actually reaching for the book whilst at the same time cornering me. Realisation dawned on me. Thin lips curved into a smile.

I frowned.

Is he teasing me?

"You can't just say it's fate when it only happens once."

He tilted his head. A glint of curiosity was apparent in those green eyes.

"What do I call it then?"

"Coincidence," I replied as I tried to grab the book from his grip. He was fast to move his hand up, away from my reach. I whisper-shouted, mindful that I shouldn't be way too loud or I might get kicked out or something. The librarian assigned during this hour was quite strict and she had once kicked out noisy people (literally) so I doubted that she would go easy on me. "This is unfair. You're using your height on me!"

"Trust me, it's fate."

"What, you're going to threaten me this way until I agree with you?"

His smile grew as he leaned closer to me. My heart almost leaped out of my ribcage due to the proximity. A whiff of his sandalwood scent circulated the air.

"Can I do that?"

Despite him simply whispering, there was a palpable playfulness filling in his tone to which it struck my nerve a bit. I took a deep breath, glaring at him.

"Fine, just take that book. I'll search for the other."

I walked away from him, swiftly going upstairs, and hid myself in an array of bookshelves. My boots made light thumping sounds as they made contact with the wooden floorboard. I turned around, making sure he didn't follow me. I stopped just when I was in the secluded part of the library. At the end of the shelves, there were a few beanbags and I wasted no time plopping on one of them.