I tapped my pen lightly on the table as a familiar song resonated from my earphones. I wanted to hum so badly but I refrained from doing so when I remembered that I was in the library.
I looked at my notes and the pile of books in front of me again and sighed.
I stretched my arms forward and fished out my phone from my pockets to see what the time was.
I grimaced as I realized that I had been at the library for three hours now.
Midterm exams were coming and I didn't want to do badly or I would get a scolding from my mom, that's why I'm studying alone in the library.
I roamed my eyes around the library and saw that there were only a couple of students there.
In college, it's almost surprising if the libraries were filled with students who were actually studying.
I took off my glasses and closed my eyes for a couple of seconds. I was an inborn myopic but most times I could still see clearly even without glasses. That's why I only use them when I'm reading or when there is a lecture.
I almost jumped out of my seat when I felt someone pull out one of my earphones. I immediately stared at the man sitting beside me, listening to it.
"So is this the kind of song you like?"
Instead of taking the earphones back, I stared at Leonel and raised an eyebrow.
"Why? surprising?"
He looked at me and grinned, that boyish grin that makes me feel so speechless.
"Definitely surprising, I'll take note of it"
"Please don't,"
I said grimacing before taking the earphones back and turning off the sound.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"What? Can't I study here?"
That's when I realized that he was wearing his all-white uniform. I rested my chin on my hands and stared at him as he took out some books from his backpack.
He must've felt my gaze because he looked at me after taking out his notebook and pen.
"Qian if you keep on staring at me like that, I'll assume you like me too"
My eyes widened at his words, heat quickly rising up to my cheeks.
"Idiot"
He laughed as I fixed my seating position.
"So? Why were you staring Qian? Did I look clean again?"
Even without looking at him, I could feel him grinning and teasing me.
"I was just wondering what your course is."
"What?"
"Your course, I just thought I never asked you before"
I glanced at him when he didn't answer and I found him just staring at me dumbfounded.
Was that too harsh? We've known each other for months but only now am I asking for his course.
"Ha, you're seriously cruel Qian"
I looked at him apologetically when he let out a sigh. Instead of answering me, he moved a book in front of me.
Pharmacology?
"You're studying Pharmacy?"
I looked at Leonel and saw that he was proudly showing off his white uniform.
"You should've deduced that one smarty-pants. There's not many in our university whose courses wear an all-white uniform"
I shrugged at him, I am apologetic. I was never really interested in it up until now.
"I was trying to deduce whether you were taking Radtech, Medtech, or Pharmacy. Sorry, I guess"
I heard his light chuckle when I went back to reading my own notes.
"You're cruel, I've known about your course ever since we met and I even knew that you were accelerated, and yet you only now show some interest in me?"
I looked at him and smiled when he didn't realize what he had just said. He looked at me quizzically.
"What?"
I shook my head and focused on my own book.
"Nothing"
I smiled to myself. He really could be so slow sometimes, well, maybe that's one of his cute traits.
"Qian, it's bothering me what is it?"
"Figure it out yourself. I'm going to study, don't bother me for a while"
I chuckled when I saw him pout and return his focus to his own book.
I took my phone and earphones and turned on the song. I looked at Leonel and pondered a little before putting on his ear the other part of the earphone.
I laughed quietly when I saw him getting startled at the action but before he could even say anything, I returned my attention to my notes and books.
And it was just like that between us for the rest of the day.
There were no words spoken. Just the song that was playing on the earphones resonating between us.
I didn't know if Leonel had realized what he said earlier or not. The fact that I was becoming interested in him was already a step forward. I couldn't tell him or anyone but there was a small feeling that was starting to bloom inside of me.
The more I got to know him, the more I wanted to get closer.
The more I realized how much he liked me, the more aware I was of my own feelings.
It was strange.
This kind of interest was something I could never have imagined before.
But, ever since Pierce went away and our communication was limited. Unconsciously, I started leaning towards other people.
To Leonel, to be specific.
I wondered, could I finally have someone who would accept me, all scars and pain?
But,
I never really found out the answer to that.
Because after that day.
Leonel avoided me completely.