The Kissing Booth: Adult Edition

Unexpected Kindness

"Book, book..... Where are you book?" I wandered through the aisles in the library looking for any title that might match what Ji-yoon should have brought back. So far, no luck. I turned a corner to the next aisle. One title not on the list but one I could use nonetheless revealed itself on the second top shelf. It was beside some cardboard manuscripts. I reached up for it, only to wince when the edge of the cardboard folder gave the side of my thumb a nasty paper cut. Wincing, I quickly retracted my hand and found the simmering of blood in the cut. It hurt like hell but wasn't too big. Sticking it in my mouth to suck up the blood, I decided to leave the book and carry on my search.

I guess I don't learn. Pretty soon I found another set of books I don't exactly need but could come in handy in the future. Only this time, they were on the top shelf. Being just over five feet tall, retrieving items on tops shelves has always been an issue for me. I pursed my lips together as I stretched to my tippy toes, trying desperately to grab hold of them. I suppose I was too distracted to notice the other presence come from around the bend to join me in the aisle.

I blinked in surprise as a bigger hand reached up to pull down the book for me. Marco was there beside me with the book in his right hand. "Marco?!" He smiled. "Is this the book you wanted?" "Er, well those two too," I awkwardly replied. He looked up, grabbed the books, and handed them to me. "Here you go." "Thanks," my hands took the books, holding them close to me.

"What are you doing here?" "Came to grab a few things. Saw you and couldn't resist saying hi," Marco remarked casually. I grinned, feeling all good inside. "Hi." "Hi....." He responded back with his usual, carefree smile. "What about you? Looking for some research material?" I nodded, though what I was really after wasn't here. "I have my office hours in a few minutes, so I wanted to stop by before then. My stuff is over there," I pointed to the desk where my backpack was resting on the chair. Marco glanced over to it, then back at me. I grinned at him warmly.

"How are you liking Seoul International University so far? Getting on well with your supervisor?" "He's alright. I love the campus; my department building isn't too bad either. I can definitely see myself here for six months." "Good," my grin grew. His did too until he noticed my thumb. I watched as his smile began to fade; his eyes locked onto my cut.

"What happened to your hand?" Curious, I glanced back at it; I honestly forgot it was there for a second. "Oh, I got a papercut earlier. It doesn't hurt," I then reassured him. While I doubt I convinced him, he nodded his head slightly nonetheless. "So... what do you have planned for the rest of the day?" Before Marco could answer, the alarm on my phone went off. I groaned inwardly, pulling it out to turn it off. "I've gotta go to my office hours now. It was nice bumping into you, Marco. Have a good afternoon, whatever you're doing." "You too, Elle." "I'm just going to check out these books quickly then I'll grab my things." Marco watched me leave the aisle and head for the check-out desk.

When I returned a few minutes later, Marco was nowhere to be seen. I wasn't surprised; he probably had somewhere to be or was finding books of his own now. I went over to where my stuff was all laid out to pack up. Everything looked just as I left it, but..... I grabbed my backpack and glanced down at my open book on the table.

Laying on the spine of the book, in between the open pages were two little bandages. I set my bag down as I examined the curious sight. Where did these come from? They weren't Korean bandages; I recognized them to be an American brand.... Wait. American brand bandaids.... Who do I know that would have these and excess into the university library? Lee didn't have a student card and the only other person I knew who did..... This weird, elated, bubbly sensation radiated through my chest as I understood who put them there for me. Marco saw the cut on my hand and he's from America.... I picked up the little bandaids; my non-injured thumb ran over their surfaces in a tender manner. Marco..... He left these here for me. An unconscious smile blossomed over my lips. It's like that old saying.

Unexpected kindness is the most underrated and powerful.