Joan stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting her hair as she gazed at her reflection with mixed feelings. Her heart still raced whenever she thought about what happened yesterday—a small argument with Henry that ended with her losing her cool. Guilt continued to haunt her thoughts. She realized it wasn't just Henry she needed to be mindful of, but also her own attitude and emotions if she truly wanted to get closer to Karen.
That afternoon, during lunch break, Joan met Jessica in the cafeteria. Jessica was her classmate and someone she'd known since middle school. She knew exactly how to ask for Jessica's help in certain situations. Without overthinking, Joan started the conversation.
"Jess, you know Karen well, don't you?" she asked, trying to sound casual despite her nervousness.
Jessica looked at Joan with a curious gaze and then smiled mischievously. "Hmm… So, this is about Karen? I can guess—you're interested, huh?"
Joan blushed, but couldn't deny it. "I just… maybe, yes. But I don't know how to approach her without looking desperate."
Jessica chuckled softly and nodded. "She is a bit reserved, but if you want to try gradually, I can help. Coincidentally, today she has a schedule in the library to look for some project materials. I could arrange for us to 'accidentally' be there, too."
Hearing this, Joan felt a glimmer of hope. She agreed to Jessica's idea and prepared to meet Karen in the library. As time passed, she tried to steady her feelings so she wouldn't seem overly excited or nervous.
When the bell signaled the end of lunch, Joan and Jessica slowly walked toward the library. The cool air and quiet atmosphere of the library calmed Joan's scattered thoughts. They walked to the history book section, where Jessica assured Joan that Karen was often seen.
And sure enough, there was Karen, reaching for a book on the top shelf. She was wearing an oversized gray sweater that made her look even smaller among the towering books. Joan couldn't take her eyes off her—there was something captivating about the way Karen seemed lost in her own world.
Jessica cleared her throat softly, snapping Joan out of her thoughts. "Hey, Karen!" she greeted, smiling widely at Karen, who looked a bit startled and slightly confused to see them both.
"Oh, hi Jess… Joan…" Karen replied quietly, glancing at them briefly before returning her gaze to the books.
"Are you looking for something specific?" Joan asked, trying to start a conversation.
Karen nodded with a small smile, looking slightly nervous. "Yes, I… I'm looking for materials on literary history. The teacher asked us to write a report on the literary movements of the 19th century."
Joan thought quickly, trying to cover his own nervousness. "Oh, I happen to like history too. Maybe I can help you find the book?"
Karen looked surprised but finally nodded slowly. "If you don't mind, sure."
Joan started browsing through the shelf next to hers, occasionally glancing at Karen, who was engrossed in reading a few books. In the midst of the quiet, he realized how Karen radiated a calm and peaceful aura. There was no sign that she wanted to chat or was particularly interested in socializing.
"So, why do you like history?" Joan asked, trying to break the ice.
Karen looked up slightly, seeming to ponder. "History… it makes me feel connected to the past. It might sound strange, but I always feel there's so much to learn from those who lived before us."
Joan was impressed. There was a depth to the way Karen spoke, something different from his other friends. They talked a bit longer, covering light topics—from favorite books to their favorite subjects. Even though the conversation was short and simple, Joan felt warmth between them that he'd never felt before.
But soon enough, Karen ended the conversation. She tidied her books and gestured that she had to go.
"Thank you for helping me find the book, Joan. I'll be going now," Karen said with a gentle smile.
"Oh, sure. You're welcome," Joan replied, feeling a bit disappointed but trying not to show it. He knew Karen was someone who preferred her own space, and he didn't want to rush in approaching her.
After Karen left, Joan stayed in the library, staring at the spot where Karen had been standing. He felt satisfied even after just one simple conversation. Karen's presence left a profound impression on him, something that made him want to get to know her better. But at the same time, he knew Karen wasn't easy to open up, and it would take a lot of patience to become part of her world.
Jessica, who had been observing Joan, just smiled. "You seem pleased, don't you?" she teased, nudging Joan's shoulder.
Joan chuckled, glancing at the library door. "Yeah… maybe. But I realize, Jess. I think I need to be patient and take things slowly if I want to get close to her."
Jessica nodded in agreement. "That's what I like about you, Joan. You're not in a rush. Karen is gentle, so you need to be careful not to make her feel pressured."
Joan felt somewhat relieved hearing Jessica's words. He knew that the path to truly knowing Karen might be long and full of challenges, but today he'd taken the first step. Although small, this "accidental" meeting gave him a chance to see another side of Karen—a shy and reserved side that was intriguing. And there, in the quiet library, Joan felt certain that he would keep trying to get closer to Karen, bit by bit, with sincere intentions.
After that encounter in the library, Joan's days at school felt a little different. Every time he saw Karen, he felt an urge to talk to her again, but there was always a bit of hesitation. Karen wasn't the type to open up easily, and Joan sensed that approaching her too quickly might push her further away. He didn't want Karen to feel cornered or uncomfortable. Yet, as time passed, the desire to get to know Karen grew stronger.
One morning, Joan was standing in front of his locker when he saw Karen walking down the hallway. As if by accident, he found himself watching her, absorbed in a small book she held in her hands, completely immersed in her reading. Joan felt a bit unsure, but this time he decided to gather his courage and approach her. Slowly, he walked up to her.
"Hi, Karen," Joan greeted softly, trying not to startle her as she was still engrossed in her book.
Karen looked up, slightly surprised. "Oh, hi, Joan," she replied, closing her little book and giving a slight smile. There was an awkwardness between them, but Joan felt it was something they could overcome.
"Do you like reading?" Joan asked, trying to start with a light conversation.
Karen nodded gently. "Yes, sometimes. Books… they're like another world. You can learn a lot without having to go through things yourself, right?" she said, her gaze looking a bit distant.
Joan nodded. "I agree. There's so much we can gain from others' stories. What are you reading, if you don't mind me asking?"
Karen hesitated for a moment but then showed him the cover of her book. Joan recognized it as a classic novel he'd seen in the library before. It made him smile; he enjoyed discovering this new side of Karen.
Without hesitation, Joan offered, "How about we read together in the library? If you're not busy, I mean," he added, a bit shyly.
Karen seemed to think for a moment before shaking her head gently. "Ah, I'm not too comfortable with reading together… sorry, Joan," she said with a soft but firm voice.
Joan was a bit taken aback, but he nodded and smiled. "No problem, maybe some other time," he replied, trying not to show his disappointment.
Still, Joan didn't give up. In the following days, he kept trying to create new opportunities. A few days later, during lunch, Joan invited Karen to eat with him in the cafeteria. But once again, Karen declined, saying she preferred to bring her own lunch and eat alone in the back garden.
"I like the quiet atmosphere there. Sorry, Joan," Karen said, giving him a small smile.
This time, Joan began to realize that his efforts wouldn't be easy. Karen always seemed to keep a distance, choosing to be by herself. Although he felt a bit frustrated, Joan couldn't shake the feeling that there was something behind Karen's reserved nature that he wanted to understand.
Then, the next opportunity came one afternoon when their class was assigned a group project. Joan, Karen, and a few other classmates were placed in the same group to work on an art project. Joan thought this was the perfect moment to get closer to Karen. He even offered to work on part of the project with her after school in the library.
But when Joan asked Karen to work together, she declined again, saying she needed to help her family after school. This third rejection made Joan feel a bit frustrated. He started to wonder—did Karen truly not want to get close to him? Or was he simply moving too quickly?
Although disappointed, Joan tried to understand Karen. He recalled Jessica's advice to be patient. Joan knew Karen was someone who felt more comfortable on her own, and approaching her might take more than just simple invitations. In the days that followed, Joan tried to shift his focus to other things, but every time he saw Karen, the feeling of wanting to know and understand her reappeared.
After thinking it over for a few days, Joan decided to take a gentler approach. Instead of inviting Karen directly, he began doing small things. Whenever they were near each other, Joan no longer felt the need to force a conversation. He tried to enjoy the little moments, like watching Karen focus intently on her work in class or hearing her soft voice when she answered the teacher's questions. He hoped that by showing he wouldn't pressure or push, Karen might feel more comfortable around him.
Over time, Joan's feelings for Karen deepened from mere attraction to something more profound. Karen was no longer just the girl he wanted to get to know, but someone he respected. The silence and distance Karen maintained made Joan realize that closeness didn't always have to be forced. Sometimes, by giving others their space, we can come to understand and appreciate them even more.
As Joan walked home one afternoon, he felt a sense of calm. Although Karen hadn't yet opened up to him, Joan felt his efforts to get closer to her weren't in vain. He was starting to learn to respect others in their own way. He promised himself to stay by Karen's side, whether as a friend or simply as someone who respected the space and quiet that Karen needed.
That feeling made Joan feel more mature. Perhaps he wouldn't get an instant answer, but he realized that time would reveal everything. Karen might need time to open up, and Joan would patiently wait for that moment to come.