First Dance

Old, New And In-Between

You're restocking shelves of newly arrived Manga. You talked your parents into adding a graphic novel section to the store. It may be small, but you keep the newest editions on the shelves.

Since you were big enough to carry a book, you've been helping your parents at the family bookstore, Nunalley's Old, New, and In-between Books. You love it here, especially now during winter. The scent of books, aging paper, leather, and the beeswax your mom used to keep all the wooden reading tables and counters shining like new comforts you.

Earlier this morning, the cart you usually use to move stock was again broken. This time, you had caught the wheel on the edge of a lower display shelf and broke the hub pin, making the little wheel unable to move. It was the only one in the quaint family bookstore.

Until it can be repaired again, you have to carry stock from the back room to the shelves and display cases. You have another armful of books and leave the storeroom. Unexpectedly, you're startled by your dad popping up from behind the cash register, causing you to jump. Thankfully, you hadn't dropped any of the books.

"DAD!"

He chuckles, "Oh, sorry dear, I knocked over the pen holder." He has a double hand full of pens and puts them back where they belong. Seeing you with your arms full of books, he lightly scolds you.

"Honey, you need to be more careful with the cart. This will be the third time I've had to send it out for repair this year."

Your mother comes out from the breakroom carrying two cups of coffee, one for your dad and one for herself. Overhearing him, she begins to smile.

"He's right, you know, Hana," she says, grinning, and then hands one cup to her husband.

"We've also had to replace your father's bookbinder two times already this year because he keeps trying to bind too many pages at once. You are so much like your father when breaking things."

You laugh, for it was true.

He tells your mom, "But there's one thing I have never broken, and that is your heart." He sets his cup down and kisses his wife on the cheek.

She smiles adoringly at him, saying, "So true, my love."

You sigh, watching their sweet interaction. One day, you hope to find love like theirs. 'Maybe one day.'

Broken from your thoughts, you watch the tall, handsome man enter the store. 'He's back.' You feel a little flip of your heart in the excitement of seeing him again.

When you first saw him enter the store two weeks ago, you expected him to go straight for the workout books or stories about assassins and Mafia bosses. You were pleasantly surprised that he went to the classic book section, your dad's favorite place in the whole store, other than in his workroom repairing old books.

You're admiring him, and your parents exchange knowing glances. 

'Stop staring at him!'  You scold yourself. You force your gaze anywhere but in his direction.

You have spoken to each other only formally never actually exchanging names. But lately there seems to be a shift from him being just another customer to something you can't quite explain.

You take the stack of books you are holding over to the Graphic Novel section. Almost to the Manga display, you trip stumbling forward.

You're trying not to let the books or yourself hit the floor when out of nowhere you stop mid-fall, arms still clutching every book safely. You look up into dark chocolate-colored eyes and the cutest dimples you have ever seen on a man.

He helps you to right yourself and keeps smiling, inquiring, "Are you ok? That's quite an armful."

"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for inconveniencing you."

You feel you must keep looking up and up to reach his eyes. He seems a giant compared to you. 'A gentle giant.' A soft sigh escapes, but thankfully, he doesn't hear it.

"It was no inconvenience at all. May I help you with those?" he points at the large stack of books you're holding.

"Oh, it's not necessary, but thank you." You start to walk away when he reaches over and grabs half the stack from your arms.

At first, you hesitate but then smile sweetly at him. He follows you to the graphic novel section, sets his stack of books down, and then takes the rest from your arms, "Thank you, Mister?"

"Namjoon, Kim Namjoon," He smiles, and your heart flutters at the sight of his dimples. 'Me and my silly fluttering heart.'

"Thank you, Mr. Kim . . ."

"Call me Namjoon, and you are?" he looks but doesn't see a name tag.

"My name is Hana Nunalley."

"Wait, is this bookstore yours, Miss Nunalley?"

"It's my father's, and you may call me Hana."

You start placing the graphic novels on the shelf and your hands touch as he begins to hand them to you from the pile on the floor. You both go still, gazing into each other's eyes, fingers lingering together.

The spell is broken when you hear several young men come in talking and laughing. You both break apart blushing. You rapidly look away straightening what books are already on the shelf making room for more.

You hear your father greet the young men and he points them in your direction.

The three young men approach smiling, glancing at you, Namjoon, and back at you.

Yoongi whispers to them, "Is this why he keeps coming back here?"

Jimin whispers back, "Do you blame him?"

Jungkook smiles at them and says, "Our bookworm has found a lady bookworm."

Namjoon mutters under his breath, "Oh boy."

You look at him, grinning. It sounds like a sigh of exasperation.