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He’s a dark fleck in contrast to the dull grey building he’s loitering against. Sunlight lingers on his black jacket, absorbing into the leather while leaving a bright glow that catches the eyes of passersby. It’s hard to see him in clear detail from your elevated angle but his jeans appear ripped and his shoes look designer. Or at least they’re a very interesting shade of red - a burgundy that morphs into the blaring red of a stop sign. They’re eye-catching. Sort of like Jay himself.
Calling it a day, you toss your lab paperwork into your bag and turn off the computer. There’s no point sticking around when you can’t focus. Knowing Jay is waiting outside to ambush you the second you leave the library dampens your ability to pay attention. Not because he’s anything special (he’s just a guy, albeit a very attractive one) but because you’d rather just get the interaction over and done with.
Taking the steps two at a time while shooting off a quick text to your roommate, you risk stopping on the second floor landing to search for him again. It’d be just your luck that he’d catch you staring. You’d never hear the end of it. To your surprise, however, he’s moved. There’s no sign of him. Part of you wants to be angry that you left early for no good reason but another is glad to be saved from the awkward encounter. Allowing yourself to slow down, the tension you didn’t realise was building in your neck is released and your heartbeat evens out. How he’s able to elicit such a reaction from you is a mystery in itself.
You’ve known Jay for quite a few years and, to put it simply, he’s no fine wine. Unlike most people who mature from high school to college, he’s somehow managed to regress. His entire wardrobe underwent a change from sweater vests to leather. He even ditched the glasses for a set of contacts to shed his old ‘persona’. Everything he wears is worth more than you're willing to dish out on a car let alone a piece of clothing. It’s served him well enough, though; all the ladies are head over heels in love with him and his newfound attitude problems.
The moment you near the building’s main exit, you’re submerged into cold regret. Considering how long you’ve known Jay you should have realised he’d never give up without annoying you, not when the opportunity is within walking distance. Hopping out of the direct sunlight, he relocated to the bench next to the glass doors - right between you and freedom.
Debating whether or not the trek to the other exit is worth the effort, the opportune moment to escape presents itself in the form of three beautiful girls. They’re on a warpath toward Jay and their ringleader has a giant teddy bear in tow. Several students are following behind them, cautious but curious about who their target may be.
Pushing the door open inch by inch to minimise any sounds and sudden movement, you wait for them to reach him. Even if he doesn’t accept her affection (because why would he? He’s always reminding you how he only has eyes for you, after all) he’ll be distracted long enough for you to slip by. You watch them like a hawk, focusing on the minute micro-expressions that flash across their flawless faces, all while slinking out the door.
The one in the middle is too pretty to be real. To complement an already ethereal appearance, her outfit is also immaculate. She looks like a goddess, to be quite frank, with the confidence to match. Commanding the wind to bend to her will, her steady confession cuts through the breeze loud and clear. More importantly, however, her presence is forceful enough to garner even Jay’s attention. Usually disinterested and nonchalant, he’s staring at the bear with genuine fascination. Now if she could just buy you enough time to close the door and disappear into the crowd…
It shouldn’t be a problem. Between the three (her friends are standing behind her in a supportive triangle formation), his line of sight toward you is hindered. There’s gaps, but there’s no chance he’ll-
A sudden gust encircles you. It leaves a sheen of dirt on your skin while tugging at the edges of your shirt, lifting it high enough to show a sliver of flesh. The wind isn’t super strong but it’s full of dust particles and while most wouldn’t prioritise the library’s carpet over themselves (especially considering how much traffic they get in a day), you’re not most people. Unfortunately.
Closing your eyes to shield yourself from the debris, you ease the door shut. It’s no easy task with the wind working against you. Once it’s secured, realisation dawns on you. You could (and most definitely should) have gone back inside. There’d be at least twenty… no, more like thirty less seconds worth of dust seeping into your pores.
Once the wind settles down, your eyes drift open. Leaves and dandelion seeds float around your body, saying their ‘goodbye’ before riding the breeze straight toward… Jay.
He reaches for a flower petal, guiding it to fall into the palm of his hand. Like a magnet, his gaze is drawn to you. There’s ambient noise that resembles the girls’ voices but they’re muted. All that’s left is the gentle thudding of your heartbeat within your chest. It’s loud and obnoxious and you pray the wind doesn’t carry it to his ears, baring your soul to him.
When he stands, the spell he has over you begins to waver but only by a fraction. The simple fact that it doesn’t break is what prompts you to flee. It takes all your willpower to turn around, to cut the tether and be free of him if just for the remainder of the day. Picking out dead leaves from your hair as you walk, you quicken your pace upon hearing a series of footfalls gaining ground. They’re – or rather he’s – persistent. And even though you’ve undergone a myriad of emotions and varying levels of hope since then, you’ve returned to your original belief: this interaction is inevitable.
He’s inevitable.
“Hey,” he shouts, the deep timbre of his voice sending a shiver down your spine as he calls your name.
Relinquishing yourself to his tenacity, you hold fast long enough to find a corner to turn for some privacy. The path leads you to the miniature garden behind the library. Featuring a small pond that is filled with little tadpoles that you plain adore, it attracts birds and dragonflies year-round and is shaded by the cosiest pergola on campus. Despite the librarian raving about it to anyone that will listen, no one hangs out in this area. Perhaps it’s too rural, or too slimy and natural.
Jay catches up to you the moment you stop within the safety of the pergola. His feet patter against the wooden planks. It’s a soothing sound, one that isn’t often heard in a world turned to concrete. He leans against the railing while you gaze down at the pond and its ever rotating cycle of life. The serenity of the moment doesn’t last and soon the hairs on your neck start to rise. He’s watching you, and when you turn to meet his stare you can’t help but roll your eyes at the smirk gracing his face.
“How forward of you.” His voice is akin to liquid caramel, smooth and addicting. Sticking his tongue against the inside of his cheek, he checks you out from head to toe. “Getting me alone like this. What’s next, babe? Lunch?”
“Gross. Don’t call me ‘babe’.”
“How do you feel about Thai?”
“Is there something you wanted or were you just waiting for me like a creep for fun?”
“Creep?” His mouth drops open and he scoffs, placing his hand on his chest in indignation. “I’m romantic!”
“Go annoy someone else,” you sigh, backing away from him.
“Wait!” he says, reaching to grab your retreating arm but stopping before his skin touches yours. Even so you pause and allow him the time he needs to pull a bag out of his pocket. “At least take this.”
It’s wrapped with a pink ribbon and the clear plastic is decorated with red hearts. Inside are candy hearts of all different sizes and colours. The most noticeable detail, however, is that it’s been opened already. In fact, the bag looks half-empty. He holds it out for you to grab, raising his brows with a nod in encouragement.
Deciding to humour him, you accept the ‘gift’. “What is it?”
“It’s for Valentine’s.”
“A bag of half-eaten candy?” He nods. “No, thank you.”
As you’re returning the so-called gift, a smile starts to inch its way across his face. You don’t have time to ponder it before he’s taken the bag back. There’s playful exuberance in his eyes as he cradles the bag against his chest, faking a swoon as he bites his lower lip and holds the back of his hand against his forehead. You don’t know his angle and you should just walk away but he’s captured your curiosity.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re giving me candy on Valentine’s Day?” Groaning in exasperation, you squeeze your eyes shut and let your head roll back. Your mouth falls open to refute his insinuation but the words die on your tongue. Closing the distance, his arms wrap around your waist as the wood beneath you both creaks. He pulls you into a tight hug and you tense at the suddenness of it all. His breath is warm against your ear, and you’re hesitant to open your eyes and face him when he’s so close. “You’re so cute, babe, even with all these leaves in your hair.”
“Nice chat.” Putting your hands against his chest, you try to push him out of your space but falter, warmth rushing to your cheeks. Not only is he too strong to move, his chest is firm. Like, really firm. It’s not something you’ve noticed before and now that you have, it’s something you won’t forget. You hate it. The last thing you need is another reason to think about him. “I have to… do something. At home.”
He quirks his eyebrow. “We could do it together.”
“Goodbye, Jongseong.”
Taking the cue, he releases you from his hold but not without first pecking your forehead. The moment his arms fall away from you, a coldness settles in their place. Determined not to give in to his charm and throw yourself back within his embrace, you instead turn with a dismissive wave and head back the way you came. He doesn’t give chase this time, but his voice echoes within the stone walls of your heart.
“See you tomorrow, babe, for our first official date.”
“Don’t waste your time!”
It’s pointless to try to dissuade him… but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.