"Miss?"
I look up, "Miss, I'm sorry but the library is closing, would you please check out what you would like and leave?"
"Oh, bienhae, deh." I reply.
Quickly, I gather my books and head to the check out. I was the only one there, the women behind the counter rapidly checks out my library books for me and then I'm out the door into the cold night air. I shiver pulling my big black sweater closer around me and securing my crocheted hat over my ears.
The wind howls ferociously, blowing snow around me as I walk. I'm meandering down the road to my studio apartment, enjoying the quiet, seemingly deserted night. I'm walking by a park and I notice I'm not the only one enjoying the cold night. A man in an big hoodie and a beanie is sitting on a swing, lightly pushing on the ground with his feet.
It feels like the the snow is whipping my skin, but I can't help but just stand on the side walk and look at the boy on the swings. He looks just as lonely as I feel. He looks at me and I blush. I feel his eyes on me and I quickly reach into the front pocket of my bag grabbing my boysenberry chap-stick and smearing it on my lips, a nervous habit.
He's still staring at me as I place the chap-stick back in my bag. A little put off I'm about to get on my way but I take one last look at the swings. He's still looking at me and now he's motioning me to come over. I feel my eyes widen and I stupidly point at myself and look around as if he were motioning to someone else, though I know no one else is about.
I don't know why, but it seemed my feet moved of their own accord. Or maybe I knew how it felt to be as lonely as he seemed to be. I sat down on the swing next to him, looking closer, he also has big, square framed glasses on. I take a quick glance at him then stare at my feet, feeling extremely timid. I don't really interact with people unless I have to, but somehow he's different.
I reach into my back and grab a pack of mini blueberry muffins. Ripping open the package, I quickly shove one in my mouth and chew. I feel his eyes still on, I swear they're staring holes straight through me. I hear him take in a big breath of air, as if he's going to speak.
"Can I have one?"
I nod, still not looking at him and hold one out to him. He gently takes it from me, his finger tips grazing mine. I shiver slightly and feel the flush make it's way to my neck as well.
"I love blueberries." He smiles at me, and I notice something familiar about him, but I can't place my finer on it.
I nod to him and continue eating. Before I know it, I've eaten them all and I'm quickly reaching for more, only to find it was my last.
Shoot? What now? I fumble through my purse, looking for more berry related stuff. My hand soon falls on a gooseberry shaped lighter. Pulling my hand out of my purse, I flip the lid open, light it and flip it closed. More nervous habits.
"What are you doing?"
"It's nervous habit," I squeak, surprising myself. I can't believe I responded.
"What is? Playing with a lighter?"
"N-No...Using berry related stuff. It helps calm my anxiety, I don't know why."
"What's there to be anxious of?"
"Everything...Anything."
He just nods, "I know how it is."
I look at him, legitimately look at him, "You do?"
He reaches in his pocket and pulls out small journal, on it's cover are blackberries and what I assume to be his name Park Jisu. Ah, that's why he's familiar.