Riel rolled her eyes, "Why are you so excited? It's just a visit to the library."
Areum sneered at her, brushing her long blonde hair, "Shut up, Riel."
Riel groaned, sitting up on Areum's bed, "Why are you hanging out with him anyways? He's a nerd."
Areum frowned at Riel's words, "And so?"
Riel pouted, "What do you think our friends are going to say when they see AREUM KYUNG hanging out with a mere nerd"
Areum's face turned defensive and annoyed, "He's not a MERE nerd, Riel. Watch what you say. He's human too. And I don't care what our friends think or say. It's their cup of coffee, not mine! So ✋stop bothering me, Riel." She couldn't stand Riel downgrading Arizona like that.
Riel scoffed, "You're going yell at me because of him. I guessed he used some sort of shamanic charm on you."
"Just keep it to yourself, Riel. I've never disapproved of who you choose to befriend. Why pester me?" Areum asked annoyingly.
Riel ignored her,and Areum continued to dress up. She left her blonde waves to fall down her back and applied lip gloss and mascara. She wore her jacket then sleep-on shoes. She carried her bag then said to Riel, "I'm going."
Riel stood up and walked out of the room. Areum sighed, walking out after her. She can get angry all she wants. She's befriending Arizona and that's it!
⭐⭐
Arizona sat silently on the bench provided in front of the building. He's been waiting for almost 30 minutes now. He's now noticed one thing about Areum. She's never on time.
A small smile graced his face as he sat up, determined to wait even if it's one hour she takes. Because at the end of his wait, he'll get to see her bright smile. It's worth the wait.
Just then, he heard a voice, "Hey!"
It was obviously her. He looked up and his heart skipped twice. It's like he's seeing her for the first time.
She looks so damn beautiful. Much more than he's seen her. Because during the week, she dresses moderately. School uniform on Mondays and causal clothes for the rest of the week, her hair in with a bun or ponytail.
But right now, she's dressed in a short skirt and crop top with a jacket over it and her hair was left loose, her lips; plump, pink, pretty and shinning. She looks different and very beautiful.
She smiled, reaching him, "Hi, Ari."
He stood up, blushing because he realised he'd stared so intently." Hi.. Hi. "
Areum chuckled," Hi."
He smiled at her, his electric blue eyes raking her from behind his glasses," You look very pretty. "
Areum bit her lips, to stop the giggle from bursting out ," Thanks , Arizona. "She grinned anyways, her heart fluttering. It's the first time he'll compliment her.
Arizona nodded," Shall we? "He asked. She beamed," Ok! " and they made their way into the large library.
⭐
Arizona and Areum were silently looking at a display of historical artifacts.
Areum had decided not to make things awkward by talking and talking and besides, this is a library, they have to be quiet.
Arizona picked up one of the artifacts. It was a really old book.
"This looks interesting. Let's see if we can find something in it." He said, gaining Areum's attention.
Arizona began to scroll through the book, Areum right beside him, stretching her neck to see since he's really taller.
Arizona felt her warmth. He shifted a bit, feeling his body react strangely.
Thinking he was uncomfortable, Areum moved back, flushed , "Sorry. I couldn't see. I didn't mean to make you inconvenient."
He quickly said, "But I wasn't."
Areum blinked her eyes and a silly smile plastered on her lips, "Oh... Ok."
Arizona smiled and moved close to her, bringing the book to her level of sight before he continued to scroll through.
They came upon a bold image of a cat. Arizona smirked,saying,
"That's the most lifelike depiction of a cat I've ever seen."
Areum looked up at him then replied , "It's not a real cat, you know. It's just a drawing."
Arizona blushed a bit, responding, "I know that. I was just trying to be funny."
Areum's face broke into a smile at his weirdness. He's just so cute." Well, it was cute. "She blurted dreamily. He looked at her, his face flaming.
She chuckled and gestured at the book," Should we use this? The cat is very cute. "
Arizona nodded in agreement but found himself opening the pages as he said," I wish we could use a dog or something. "
Areum beamed," Really?I love dogs! "
His eyes lit up," So do I!"
" Tell me your favorite breed in three, two, one..."
"Golden retrievers! Me too! " They simultaneously both burst out excitedly.
The lady near them eyed them, saying, "Shhhhhhh!"
Areum giggled at Arizona , "I love them. They are just so adorable..."
He nodded, "Yes. I wish I had one. But I am too busy to care for a pup right now."
Areum laughed, saying, "Dad would send I and the puppy out if we cause troubles."
They both laughed but then muffled their laughter because of the glares and 'shhhh's.
"Let's use the cat. It has historical origins..." Arizona said and she nodded,"Agreed. "
Arizona continued to scan through and Areum found herself staring at him,' Why do I find him so... Attractive?'she thought to herself. 'But it doesn't matter why. All that matters is that I do, and I won't let go of it or shun my feelings...never...'
"...like after the... Areum! Areum! Down to earth Areum!" She suddenly heard Arizona call, snapping his fingers at her face.
She blinked out of reverie. Arizona narrowed his gaze, his bright blue filled with worry,
"You were lost." He said, wondering why she was gawking at him, lost in thoughts.
Areum flushed, "Oh. Sorry about that.. I uh... I was just thinking... If you aren't busy tomorrow... Maybe we could... like, hang out?" The way she asked was so awkward.
Arizona wasn't expecting that. To be honest, she's very unpredictable. At the beginning, he'd expected her to treat him like big girls treat... well, nerds.. But she's surprised him by doing the opposite.
And she keeps on surprising him. Hang out... with Areum...
"Oh..." He muttered,wishing he would just talk without making her feel even more awkward.
"It's okay of you can't..."
"I never said that, did I? "Arizona smiled smugly and Areum grinned at that,
He smiled and said," When? "
" Tomorrow. Maybe noon. "Areum said. He nodded," Where? "
Areum tilted her head slightly," Not such a grand outing. Maybe we could get some fresh air at the park or something. "
Arizona nodded," That's a cool idea. Let's do that. "
Areum's face broke into a wide smile," Yay! "
He smiled at that. Cute girl...
Spending more time with her sounds divine. Although he's not the 'going out' type, but he'll make an exception....for her. Because she's so lovely and lively and because he just likes her nature.
⭐⭐⭐
Later in the afternoon, they left the library and Areum bade him goodbye and she made her way to Melody Institute.
She'll finish her practice early so she can go home early.
⭐⭐⭐
She got home early and left off the work where they'd left it at the library.
She smiled to herself, recalling his awkward attempt at a joke. 'At least he tried.' She giggled to herself,feeling like butterflies were swarming her stomach. That made her giggle again.
...Arizona... Arizona... Arizona... His beautiful blue eyes, his pale pink lips, his silky black hair... If only she could run her fingers through it while...
The loud from her phone cut off her silly thoughts...
She groaned, rolling over to check who the hell! It was an unknown number, so she picked up with a cautious "Hello?"
"hi, Miss Beautiful."The voice was masculine and familiar and so was the pet name. Her face lit up in realization,
" Kanye! "
" Phew! I thought you weren't going to remember me. "
Areum chuckled," Don't be silly. Wait, how'd you get my phone number? I can't recall ever exchanging contacts with you."
"I have my ways." He said confidently.. Areum smirked, "cocky."
" Beauty. "
She chuckled," Why'd you call me? It's late you know. What does this mean Kanye!? "She asked playfully, using a teasing voice.
" I just wanted to hear your cute voice. So tell me, how was your day? "
Areum beamed as her hours with Arizona flashed into her mind." Amazing."
Kanye pouted, "Without me?".
Areum laughed, "Fvck off, Kanye!"
They talked for almost an hour, the hot gist about their school and other petty little talks.
"ok. I have to go now. Goodnight, Miss beautiful."
"Goodnight, Mr handsome." Areum replied and he chuckled, terminating the call.
Areum laid properly on her bed, "my day sure was amazing..." In fact, she's missed Arizona. She laughed a bit at that.
"Goodnight, Ari." She yawned sleepily and with that, her eyes fluttered close...
.
.
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