Chapter Five

[This story has been written originally on another app but I decided to transfer it here.]

Library

Hayan and Hajin are at the library for an hour now but Hayan couldn't concentrate because Hajin's sitting right infront of him, calmly reading a book and writing something on his notebook. He's already lost count at how many time he's stolen a glance at him.

H-he's so close... It's unbelievable.

Hajin finally looks up and catches Hayan staring at him. He immediately blushes and looks down. Hajin flashes a smile.

"Is there something wrong?"

Hayan shakes his head and skims the book, panicking. They've been here for an hour now and yet he hasn't done anything! He silently scolds himself for behaving that way and tried to concentrate as much as he can. But still, he can't help but steal a glance at Hajin from time to time.

"I found an article earlier." Hajin said and showed the book to him. He unknowingly leans closer as he tried to explain the article he just found. "What do you think? Is it helpful? Or not?"

Hayan, on the other hand, failed to concentrate again. Hajin's so awfully close to him, he could smell his cologne and he could see his face really clearly.

H-he's really close... I can see his face clearly, his eyelashes are so long... His skin looks so soft... I-i want to touch it.

Hajin got startled when Hayan slowly reached up to touch his face. He must've realised what he just did, he immediately removes his hand and stands up in surprise, the chair making a loud noise earning him a warning from the librarian.

"I-uh...I..." He tried to come up with an excuse but he failed. What he did was really embarassing and uncomfortable. He's afraid to look at Hajin's face anymore and see what he looks like right now. He looked at his hand that just touched his face earlier and ran away.

"Hayan!"

I need to go. I need to be away from him! What did I just do? You're so embarassing, Hayan!

He ended up at the benches just outside their school building, far away from the library, far away from Hajin. He sits on one of the bench and sighs loudly.

What did you do? Why did you touch his face?

He shook his head, his face still burning from the embarrassment by what he just did earlier. He can't forget the look on Hajin's face but he couldn't understand what it means. Is he disgusted? Surprised? Both?

I'm sure he feels uncomfortable right now. He looked up and saw the starless sky. I won't be surprised if he doesn't want me to be his partner anymore.

He sighed again. "You must be out of your mind, Hayan." He whispered. "How will I be able to face him?"

He found himself staring at his hand again. He might be hallucinating but he could still feel the warmth of his cheek on his hand. He quickly shake away that thought. "You're crazy, Hayan! You're crazy!"

Not too long after, Hajin will finally find Hayan sitting on one of the benches. He approached him quietly and carefully.

"Hayan.."

Hajin flinched in surprise. He stands up and backs away. "H-hajin..."

"We left our things at the library. It's getting late, we should just continue this tomorrow."

What?

Hayan stared at him with a bewildered look on his face. He seems to be okay with it. He's surprisingly... calm. With that, he finally felt peace and slowly nodded, still making a barrier between them. I don't want to make the same mistake.

Hajin smiled at him and turned around. He finally got the courage to apologize now that he's not looking at him.

"H-hajin... I'm sorry... I-i really don't know why I did that."

Hajin slowly turned around and walked at him, then he stopped just a few inches from each other. Hayan gulped.

He's close again... What should I do?

He was about to step back when Hajin slowly put his right hand up and did something that surprised Hayan.

He touched his face. Just like what he did earlier. Hayan stared at him wide-eyed.

"Now we're even." Hajin said, smiling widely at him. "Let's go." He turned around and started walking, leaving Hayan speechless and surprised.

Hajin... Hajin just touched my face.

-

Their walk home was quiet and awkward. Awkward only for Hayan. He could feel his heart beating so fast right now that he's scared Hajin might hear it. Never in his lifetime that he imagined that this would happen. Walking side by side, their arms almost brushing against each other... He lowered his head when he feel his cheeks burning. Good thing it's quiet dark, Hajin won't see his face, or that would add up to his embarrassing encounters with him.

"Ah, by the way." Hajin suddenly said, stopping on their tracks. He then fished out something on his pocket. "Can you give me your number?"

"Ha?"

"I will look for articles online later and if I find one I was thinking of sending it to you so you could see it too." He nodded. Were you thinking of something else?

"Then, I'll contact you if I found something." Hajin exclaimed, smiling. He actually wonders if he ever get tired of smiling. His cheeks must hurt so much from smiling that much.

"Then... Can I contact you too if I found something?"

Hajin laughed lightly seeing his worried face. "Of course!"

They continued walking in silent again until they stopped at an intersection.

"Where are you heading? I'm on that way." Hajin asked and pointed across.

"I-i'll go to the left."

"Is that so? Then, see you tomorrow." He waved at him goodbye before crossing the intersection. Hayan only walked again when Hajin was finally out of his sight.

He suddenly feels light, like something very big has happened to him. Though it's nothing big but to Hayan, it is. He's sure that he won't be able to forget about this day.

He didn't even realized that he is hopping and singing while walking.