Chapter: 12

 Nari was done doing the library work all alone. Park Ye Jun didn't show up since yesterday. Now and then she did wonder where was, but then, shaking off his thoughts, she got back to her work. She was right now, trying to pick up the stack of nearly 15 books. She didn't want to come back and forth for the books and roam around the library twice; it was exhausting. But the books seemed heavier than she had thought. She sighed totally frustrated. Cursing Ye Jun in her mind, she wanted to beat him to death for vanishing without any information. This work was supposed to be done by both. 

"Should I help?" 

Suddenly, a voice took over the silent library. Nari turned around and found Min Jae standing. She sighed in relief and smiled. He took half of the books and they went around the library, organising them. 

"But, don't you have classes?" Nari asked.

"Yeah, but I ditched." 

Nari widened her eyes at him and he shrugged.

"It isn't fun, I'll study by myself later." 

She shook her head, making both of them laugh. Soon the books in Nari's hands were organised, and she walked freely. Min Jae walked around with him, smiling at her and talking about how things are with him. They laughed together and smiled a lot. For a while, she forgot Ye Jun and wasn't tense at all. It happened all the time whenever she was with Min Jae, she used to forget all her worries. For that particular moment, it was just him.

Min Jae was one year senior to Nari, but he wasn't like their seniors about whom she had heard. Their bully and arrogant attitudes were not a match to his warm and sweet nature.

Nari told him about how she used to beat boys around in the school and Min Jae interrupted with a silly question.

"Then should I be afraid?

"No," she replied, gasping.

"That isn't what I meant. Those-those were bad boys." 

And Min Jae laughed out loud, looking at Nari who was slightly embarrassed.

Doing all the work soon, the bell rang, and it was a break. Nari was drinking water sitting all alone. Min Jae had gone out for a while. Soon, he came back with two juice drinks and buns. Nari wondered if it was him who had left her snacks that day.

"Thank you and thank you," she said with a smile.

"Why twice?" he asked as he sat down.

"For bringing snacks that day too."

Min Jae frowned.

"Which...day?" he asked naturally.

Nari frowned too.

'Then, was it Park Ye Jun perhaps?' she wondered.

"Nothing, I was thinking about something else." 

He nodded and handed over a bun to her.

"But- why are we here? I mean, we could've gone to the canteen. It could've been exhausting to walk back and forth from the canteen to here." she asked as she ripped the packet off the bun.

Min Jae sipped his juice.

"No, it's just the canteen is too crowded. I like silent places."

"No, no. Is it because girls start to sway over you as soon as you enter?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What sway? It's not like that."

"Our superstar footballer, Mr Kim Min Jae."

"No. Stop, don't." He frowned and smiled.

She teased him and laughed out loud. It was his turn to get embarrassed.

"But, sorry for leaving you all alone that day after the match.

"No, it's fine. Park Ye Jun-" and she paused. 

His thoughts once more crossed her mind.

"-was with me." she completed.

"Oh..." he nodded.

"But, where is he today?"

Nari sighed.

"I also don't know."

Min Jae studied her expressions, she suddenly looked extremely upset. He wondered if bringing his topic up wasn't a good idea. Nari looked spaced out for a second.

"Eat up quickly, you must be hungry."

He said.

Nari blinked and looked at him. He smiled at her and she nodded. Shaking off Ye Jun's thoughts again, she talked with Min Jae.

The day passed by soon and Nari was all alone again. The last class ended and the bell rang. She packed her bag and glanced at Ye Jun's seat. No one knew where he was, she had asked everyone whom she had seen him with. But, no one knew where he was. Feeling upset she walked out of the school holding on to her bag straps. She walked slowly, her head looking down.

"Nari-yah!" 

She looked up and Min Jae was standing. He smiled and her face lightened up seeing him. She walked towards him and so did he. 

"Let's go." 

"Hm?" Nari raised her brows.

He kept his hands in his pocket and shrugged 

"Compensation." 

She chuckled and nodded.

They walked on the street together. Nari looked at the surroundings, while Min Jae didn't forget to steal glances of her face. 

"Oh, and-" he slid his hand out of his pocket and unzipped his bag.

"Take this."

"What is this?" she asked as she opened the small envelope.

"Oh!" she smiled as the photo from the football match slid out of it.

"I was about to give it to you yesterday but something came up," he added.

She looked at it and her eyes fell on Ye Jun. He looked calm and that slight smile on his face made her miss him for the first time since he was gone. She smiled.

"Did you like it?" Min Jae asked.

She nodded and looked up at him.

"Yeah, too much." 

He exhaled in relief and smiled. Nari admired his smile, his smile was too calm and polite. Looking at his face gave her a sense of freshness. Like he could lift her mood whenever she felt low. She felt at peace while being with him.

"Let's go then." 

He said and they walked again. They didn't talk but the silence was warm. She walked beside him but didn't dare to look at him though she wanted to. She didn't want him to find out that she liked him. She didn't want anything to get awkward. Even as a friend he was great and she wanted him to stay the same as long as it could be. 

After walking for a while they reached her house and.

"This is my house." She stopped and looked at him.

He looked at the house and nodded.

"Okay then, I'll leave. Sleep well, let's meet at the school." 

"Yeah, good night! Be careful on your way." 

He nodded and she went inside and he turned around to go. A little he turned over his shoulder to look at her going in. One question clouded his mind suddenly.

'Ahn Nari, do I like you?'