『 milk tea - jjp 』

one

coming to the campus library everyday wasn't anything new for jaebeom. he's worked there ever since he started attending the university, shelving books and working the front desk. but this year will be different because he has to step up as the new manager, since the previous one had graduated. besides that, the junior was beyond relieved that the two international students, jackson and mark, were keeping their part-time jobs at the same library. at least he'd have those two through out the school year.

the junior punched in the security code, unlocked the doors, and flicked on the lights. trudging to the front desk, he let out a sigh, mentally preparing himself for a very eventful week. today is the first day of move in week, meaning hundreds of students will be coming in to buy their required textbooks. luckily for jaebeom and his co workers, they already have their textbooks; perks from working at the library and such. he sat at the tall stool, too lazy to stand at the high desk just yet, and went through his mental check list of all the textbooks they'd need.

thankfully, everything was there, and the markson couple showed up not too much later. knowing how many people are going to come in, all three of them knew they needed both registers open and one person on the floor. bright and early at eight-thirty, the juniors gave each other short nods and began preparing for when the library opens at nine. refilling receipt paper, stacking books, unlocking side doors, all the simple housekeeping tasks.

when the clock struck nine-thirty, the first person walked into the building, quickly bought their textbook and left. the rush began very slowly, with people showing up very scarcely, then in duos, then in large groups. when the lines began to form, mark took jaebeom's place at the front desk, leaving the manager to tend to the floor. the very first thing he tended to was putting away textbooks that other students had brought to the counter, but not home with him. the boy kept quiet, moving the books onto a cart and reluctantly bringing it along with him around the bookshelves.

navigating the bookshelves became second nature for jaebeom, and he easily found the proper spots to shelve the books. things were going surprisingly smoothly, mark said barely anyone had asked for help and no one had asked jaebeom yet. that is until he turned into the film major section. he turned into that part of the library and immediately got his breath taken away from him. he almost tripped over the book cart he was pushing when he saw him. he was wearing a very simple outfit, a navy blue sweater and jeans, but jaebeom thought there was no way he could've ever looked better.

the boy he saw was trying to reach a heavy textbook on the high shelf since the lower ones were empty. jaebeom figured that all the other film majors had taken the textbooks on the lower and eye level shelves. it didn't take him long to snap out of his trance and rush over to help the stunning boy. "hey, let me help," jaebeom said softly, not wanting to scare the student. upon hearing those words, the boy dropped down from his tip toes and turned to jaebeom with an unreadable face. but once he saw the dumb smile on the manager's face, he couldn't help but return a grin.

jaebeom grabbed the textbook with ease, and read the title before handing it to the slightly shorter boy. "ah, i had to buy this one too. are you a junior?" he asked, trying to make small talk and ease the other boy's nerves, but in reality was trying to calm his. he received a nod and small smile, "yeah," grabbing the book from jaebeom gently. he muttered a small "thank you," and quickly shuffled himself away and towards the registers.

jaebeom watched him leave, a blush and lovestruck smile plastered onto his face, with his heart beating out of his chest.