𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 | (𝐆)𝐈-𝐃𝐋𝐄

𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡

The library was supposed to be my safe place.

Not a battlefield where my heart would race, and my stomach would twist itself into knots like this.

But today was different. I wasn’t here for books—I was on a mission. A dangerous one. One that involved the Thai goddess herself.

Her.

The girl who effortlessly stole my breath and hijacked my daydreams. Her eyes were soft, deep like stardust. Her features, sharp yet delicate. And that aura—untouchable, magnetic. Everyone wanted a piece of her—students, professors, even the occasional guest speaker. But she never gave them the time of day. She only spoke to her famous inner circle, her four glamorous best friends. Never anyone else.

Especially not someone like me.

Just a nerd. Just Miyeon.

Still, I sat at the same corner table every day, behind a strategically placed stack of books, just so I could glimpse her when she came in. Sometimes with her friends, sometimes alone. On those days, I’d count every second, every glance, every turn of her head. My crush had evolved into something... impossible.

I knew someone like her would never like someone like me.

Maybe she liked boys. Maybe she liked girls. Maybe she just didn’t like awkward, quiet girls who read books upside down.

God, why am I like this?

I sighed, trying to look busy with the open book in front of me. I couldn’t even remember what I was pretending to read.

And then—

Footsteps.

Getting closer.

No, no, no—stay calm, Miyeon. Just breathe. Inhale, exhale.

“Excuse me, Miss, may I join you here?”

Sacred Universe.

That voice. That raspy, enchanting voice.

I didn't move. I couldn't. I prayed I was imagining things, until she coughed softly again.

“Miss?” she asked again, a little amused. “Would you mind if I joined you?”

I lowered the book, hands trembling. And there she was. Minnie Nicha Yontararak in all her Barbie-blonde, stunning glory, standing in front of my table.

“Y-Yes,” I squeaked. “Sure. I won’t mind.”

She smiled and sat down.

Thank you, God. You work fast.

The students around us began whispering, their shock palpable. I mean, come on. Minnie never talked to anyone. Ever. But now she was here. Sitting across from me like it was nothing.