Against the Odds | DAERIN

Chapter: 1

h a e r i n

"Family meeting!" my older brother Jungwon shouted as he jogged into the kitchen. I rolled my eyes. Jungwon and I hadn't gotten along for a year or so now. Ever since he found out I was gay, he either avoided me or made comments about it to our parents at every opportunity he got. Not to mention, he had outed me to them, which backfired on him as they were the most accepting and loving parents anyone could have.

I shoved a spoonful of cereal into my mouth as I looked over at my mom, who was giving me a 'Here we go again' look.

"My girlfriend is coming over for dinner later," he started, looking at us all before continuing. "Which means everything has to go fine. And you," he said, looking directly at me, "no gay talk, she might get scared off." I looked down at my cereal, muttering "Roger that" as I continued to eat in silence. My parents had always tried to stop him from saying things like that, but the more they tried, the more he did it. He just wouldn't stop. Eventually, they gave up, and so did I.

"Okay, I've got to go," I said, standing up and grabbing my bag. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad," I shouted as I shut the door. I put the straps of my bag over my shoulders and swung my leg over my bike, pushing off the ground to start. I worked in a bookshop not too far from my house. It was a lovely little shop, and if I'm honest, I liked working there. The owner, Darcy, a nice old lady who had become like a second mother to me, gave me good shifts, and I got paid reasonably well.

As I cycled down the road, I spotted it. I slowed down and hopped off my bike, walking it around the back and locking it up. As I pushed open the doors, the bell jingled above my head.

"Haerin!" Darcy exclaimed, smiling brightly. I walked over to her and hugged her. "Hi, Darcy," I smiled.

"I hope you don't mind. I'm going to get coffee with my husband today; it's our anniversary," she said, patting my shoulder. "You'll have to run the shop on your own today, my love."

I smiled. Darcy and her husband had been together for about 57 years. I looked up to them. I wanted that kind of love.

"Of course, Darcy. Have a good time!" I replied, grabbing a box of newly stocked books that needed to be shelved.

I watched as Darcy walked out, her husband's car pulling up just as she did. Before she could open the door, he came rushing out, flowers in hand. He handed her the flowers before opening the door for her. I waved through the window at her husband, who gave me a warm smile and a wave back.

I spent the first half of my shift shelving our new stock. After I had finished, I sat behind the counter, picking up a book of my own. I loved reading; it was like an escape from reality. I could read for hours on end and never get bored, especially if it was a good book.

"Um, excuse me?" I heard a soft voice say from the other side of the counter. I looked up from my book, meeting the eyes of a girl. She didn't look much older than me, maybe a year or two. Her brown hair was tied up into a loose bun, with wire glasses resting on her nose. She wore a grey sweater and a pair of loose jeans. My gay panic stopped as I realized I had forgotten to reply to her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you," I said, smiling softly at the girl in front of me and gesturing to the book I was holding.

She laughed; it almost sounded angelic.

"No worries, a good book is hard not to lose yourself in," she replied, adjusting her glasses.

"Agreed. What can I help you with?" I asked, standing up. She was slightly shorter than me, meaning I had to look down slightly to make eye contact. "I preordered a book. It should have arrived today, I think," she said, tapping her fingers on the counter quietly.

"What's your name?" I asked, ready to type it into the computer system.

"Danielle Marsh."

Suits her, I thought, typing her name into the computer.

"Ah, yes. Dracula?" I questioned, making sure it was right.

"That's me," she replied, making me laugh.

"No, I mean obviously I'm not Dracula. I just meant that's my book." I finished laughing and looked down at her flustered face, still smiling softly.

"I know. It was just funny," I said, walking around the counter. "I'll just go get it."

I walked into the stockroom at the back of the store and sighed. I see one pretty girl, and suddenly I can't do my job properly anymore. Control yourself. Just a girl getting her book, and I'm just the person giving it to her.

I rummaged through the preordered books before I found Dracula. As I walked out of the room, I saw her looking through the other books on the horror shelf.

"Horror fan?" I asked, walking back behind the counter.

"Yeah, not movies though," she replied, laughing slightly.

"I love horror movies," I said, scanning her book. "Anything else you want?"

"No, that's it, thank you."

She handed me the money, and I slid her book to her across the counter. I smiled at her once more before saying, "Bye, have a nice day!"

"You too," she said, turning around to smile at me before walking out the door.

Wow.