Reserved [Book V]

Not Broken

"Can I submit something tomorrow instead?"

Areum sat uncomfortably inside the office in front of Luna, deep in thought, mentally repeating how she shouldn't be doing this. She's a rookie in the club making excuses and that wasn't exactly the image she was going for.

Thankfully, Luna was very forgiving and gently asked back. "May I know why?"

Areum awkwardly played with her fingers and tried her best to keep it cool, because for whatever reason she couldn't right a single poem in time, it was embarrassing to be a new free-writer and already make mistakes. Maybe the jitters were just caused by her own personal issues for Luna remained calm, a small smile even appearing to let her know it was okay.

"I lacked inspiration." Areum uttered softly. "I'm sorry."

Understanding her reason right away, Luna nodded and assured her it was fine. "Writer's block, I get it. It happens."

"Thanks." Areum answered. "I'll pass a piece tomorrow, I promise."

"Okay." Luna smiled. "Those glasses look bomb on you, by the way."

"Thanks."

The truth was that she didn't lack inspiration, but overflowing with it. Her brain was a full-blown ship engine halving waves in its way, unstoppable; a barrel of water spilling on her pillows and sheets, her typewriter, the cracked window. The words were at the tip of her fingers and she wrote everything down; the piece of paper she faced last night was the puddle from the storm in her mind.

The problem was that she thought ahead and made the conclusion that Zitao would surely check her latest article, and she would have no idea how to explain. How would she react if he found out? What would she say if he began asking questions? What would he feel the moment he discovers a piece of himself in her work?

It was him. Her poetry was filled with one Huang Zi-tao.

Their moment at the kitchen, it was like fuel poured onto fire. Areum blamed the new specs for it placed Zitao in a sharper focus, clear as day in her sight. She couldn't even pay attention to her brother much during that bloody reprimanding when he caught them in an unlucky pose.

Areum left the office and stood in front of the bulletin, staring at her latest poem. She began weighing her emotions, pondering on the consequences of whatever was stirring in her chest. Months ago, she couldn't even stand the thought of someone following her around due to her brothers' orders. Now, she was giddy when said someone is present.

"You ready to go home?"

She turned and there he was, as if summoned by the things she said in her head. Was she thinking of Zitao too much?

There was an awkward silence and Zitao cleared his throat, cutting her off her trance. Areum pushed her glasses back and shook her head slightly.

"I was planning to spend some time in the library first. It's a bit boring at home." She uttered. "I think all my brothers will be working late."

"You say home is boring so you immediately think of the library?" He asked, gesturing for them to start walking down the hall. "How about we just go somewhere without books for once?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"My spot." He grabbed her by the hand and walked faster, which she couldn't react right away to. "The specs look great on you, by the way."

***

The air was hot and the sun was high, but it didn't matter. What Zitao paid attention to the most was Areum narrating how her classes went and this English grammar exam she aced... well, her words were a bit of a blur but the light hitting her skin was perfect, hair tied back to keep it from flying around, even slender fingers wrapped delicately around a cone of salted caramel ice cream.