3rd ∞

Another day, and yet, I was in the same place all over again. The bustling streets were filled once again with people sweating and trying their best to get something cold and savory to help them survive the summer heat.

"Three more left!" the ahjusshi who was making the drinks hollered to the long line to people waiting.

I grunted in result. I was the tenth person in line and there was only three drinks left. There were people who already decided to move but I stood in my spot, not moving. I wasn't going to give up that easily.

After the three last drinks were given out, I continued to stand there, waiting for a miracle to happen. Instead of a miracle of another drink, the man just gave me a shake of the head. "Sorry, agasshi. They're all out."

My fist tightened, feeling heavy once again. This wasn't the first time. In fact, it's the sixth time it happened, yet, I have no idea why I was still adamant of coming back to try again. And again. And again.

I guess it was just how my mind works. I don't give up on things I love.

I walked away with a frown, brushing my long flowing hair away from my face and let out another sigh. I guess it wasn't meant to be anymore. But even though there are so many signs telling me to give up, I just couldn't do it.

I just headed into an ice cream store in the end, wanting a cold treat to cool me down. I ordered a large ice cream sundae to eat by myself. Who's going to stop a girl from eating delicious food? No one and I won't give in to anybody.

I sat in a table farthest away from the windows that let the sun enter and play around, kissing the tables and chair, making them hot. Here, I sat away from the hot sun and the heat that allowed sweat to play around my body.

I enjoyed my ice cream alone, watching as summer couples made their way into the store to enjoy a large bowl of sundae, as well. The only difference between them and me was that I was happily eating my ice cream alone without anyone stealing any bites. I had it all to myself.

I watched as couples enjoyed each other's companies together with sweetened caramel smiles on their face that made them seem to glow with an aura of happiness. Meanwhile, there was me, enjoying the company of my ice cream and the belly that was getting filled with delicious cold ice cream.

There wasn't much of a difference because I was still glowing with happiness, even if I was wearing a poker face. I still had that sweetened caramel smile they also wore. What's left missing? Of course, the presence of a boy.

No matter how much I try, I just don't seem to find this attraction in boys. No matter how handsome, how sweet, how amazing they were, I never felt this attraction other girls would feel. Maybe it was different for me. Maybe I wasn't the type who easily falls in love at all.

After I was done eating my ice cream, I left the bowl on the table before I walked out of the ice cream store, back to walking under the heat. The only best place I could think of spending the hot hours was the library, where it was docile and cold and it could easily whisked me into another world I could never imagine of living in.

Reading is an easy thing to do. Imagining was the trickier part. In one story, you could be a princess, a rich heir, a normal girl. Anything. You could experience death, sorrow, happiness in the chapters without even moving out of your chair. You could travel across the world while being seated in your comfy chair and it was the most interesting journey ever.

Losing yourself in a story was the best thing I could ever let myself do. I could be a hero, a girl suffering or just anything through different stories, so I wonder, why aren't people fond of reading books? It's funny because ever since they started going to school, ever since they learned how to read, books have been there. They've just been... there.

I ended up picking a book entitled, 'My Mr. Destiny'. The synopsis sounded interesting enough for me to pick it and read it. I walked to the end of the aisle of the library and sat down on the floor, leaning against the cold wall. Which was great because I was sweating like crazy.

After all... it's destiny, isn't it?

I stopped reading after chapter three ended, pulling the book away from my face while squinting my eyes. It's funny how easily characters get drawn to guys they met by coincidence and start calling it destiny.

Destiny is nothing but something you find in books. It's almost impossible to find stories as interesting as the ones in books. Destiny, in real life, was as interesting as watching my grandma knit me a winter wool scarf.

As far as I'm concerned, destiny is something dressed in dazzling lights and that was it. Once the lights go off, you realize you've only been living under a sky you thought was real. That the moment it was removed, you realize and say, 'Oh... It was nothing but a dream. A delusion.'

I closed to book and stood up from the spot I sat in for almost two or more hours. I didn't even know that much time went passed by. I borrowed the book from the counter and headed out of the library with a new book to read tucked under my arm. I couldn't even stop the smile that was stretching on my lips.

Since it was summer, the beach was the first place you'd think of visiting. Or the public pool. Or just anywhere that would make sure you were the attention. I wondered if people had anything better to do than lure girls or even guys to their side just to create an interesting summer story to read out loud.

What did you do during your summer?

Oh, you know, I managed to date four boys/girls that summer. No biggie.

The things that wander in people's heads these days.

It wasn't great to just stay out while the heat was testing your health and durability so I decided to go home and check if I had any new emails from Dad and Mom from Jeju with my little brother. They must be having fun with scuba diving, fishing, swimming or whatever was a fun activity to do under sun.

You see, I've always been the indifferent one when it comes to activities. While my family was busy having fun outside with sports, I was sitting under a tree reading a book. Dad said if I read too much, I'd never learn to do anything.

That isn't true. In books, they tell you things. Things you never knew in the first place and things you'd never learn from textbooks in school. Things like the meaning of life. Things like huge companies and princes and princesses.

I never inherited the love for outdoor sports or activities from my parents or any line of my family. In fact, I think I inherited this love for reading from my grandfather before he died, along with grandma. He used to say, "A girl who educate herself with reading books are a rare kind to find these days."

As a kid, I always wanted to be different. A one of a kind. But as I grew up, I found out, that not only did that put me in the odd spotlight, but it made me aware of new things. And it made me travel into different worlds.

I really have to thank my granddad for getting me addicted to reading books because without him, I wouldn't have discovered such an amazing world with just words. Just a few words, and it'll feel like you've boarded a plane to another world, living another life.

"Noona! Wish you were here! I caught so many fishes!" said my little brother through a video link sent by Dad. He held up a fish with his bare hands as he proudly showed off his smile with two broken front teeth.

Even if he couldn't hear me, I said with a proud smile, "You're doing well, dongseng-a! Better than I'd ever be!"

Once the video ended and after all the emails were read, I felt like there was nothing more for me to do. Summer just keeps going on but I feel nothing. What more could I do in this summer that felt so long? There were no plans that were interesting enough.

Life just keeps going on and on and somehow, it felt like I never moved at all.

∞ ~ ∞ ~ ∞

Even if I convinced myself last night, I ended up coming back to the stall, awaiting to buy it once again. Even I was annoyed with myself, but there was this part of me that was adamant about standing there. I even had choices to move on to a docile area, yet, I stayed here, still, drenched in sweat and tiredness.

I bet even the ahjusshi was sick of seeing me.

Once again, I was played by my luck and once again, I didn't get to drink it. Maybe it was best if I gave up already. But then again, there was no such thing as the words 'give up' in my dictionary, so I told myself to return tomorrow once again.

I was a fool who was only deceiving myself.

I brushed my hair back and walked away from the now closed stall. There were people who were just annoyed as me because they wasted their time waiting and for what? For absolutely nothing. I avoided as many people as possible in the crowded streets but there was one I couldn't avoid. Thus the collision and a box of letters.

"Omo! Juseonghaeyo!" I apologized, crouching down to help pick up the fallen letters. People were more annoyed now because we somehow blocked the pathway. 

"Heol! It's you!"

I looked up to see the person I bumped into and was shocked to see Mr. Destinot smiling down at me. I stood up in shock. "Oh, it's you!"

A grin made its way up his lips as he said, "Still don't think it's destiny? We met more than three times already."

"N-no, I don't believe in destiny. It's only entertaining in books but in real life, it becomes more like a one-time thing," I told him, handing him back the letters. "I'm going now."

"Wait!" Mr. Destinot stopped me before I could leave the busy streets. "Are you sure you don't want to know my name?"

I turned around and shook my head, giving him a smile. "I'm good. For now, we're just strangers."

He didn't seem to like that, but smiled anyway. "Strangers?"

I nodded. "Strangers." I took one step back. "Bye, stranger."

He just played along and smiled. "Bye, stranger."

Though I wish I left earlier and quicker because the next moment, I found myself getting dragged down the busy streets by a hand. I was startled, shocked and surprised all at once but the moment I saw who it was, I couldn't even explain it in words.

"Yah! What are you doing?" I asked Mr. Destinot, who continued dragging me down the streets. It was refreshing either way because I could feel the wind brush against my whole face.

"Kidnapping you," Mr. Destinot said in a teasing voice as we continued to dash down the streets full of people. Everyone was floating in their own worlds and there was us, looking like a couple running for shelter on a rainy day.

"Where are we even going?" I asked him, careful not to hit the wrong tiles or it would result to me falling down on the ground. 

"That's for you to see once we're there," Mr. Destinot answered. Without another word or a simple hint, he continued pulling me towards a direction I wasn't sure of. Shortly, we arrived at a beach that was mostly empty and I noticed how far it was on feet, unlike the most famous one. "We're here."

"Why are we here?" I asked him, eyeing the deserted area. There were only a few people here, less than a full elevator. 

"It's peaceful here and it looked to me that you were having such a stressed time. Did something happen?" he continued questioning, holding onto my wrist before he guided me down the steps until the sole of our shoes touched the soft white sand. 

"It's nothing of your concern, stranger," I said, walking around the sandy area before settling under a shady area to sit down. All that running was not too good for me. I was never fond of running. 

"Well, maybe this stranger does not want to be just a stranger," he said, taking a seat next to me as well. He made sure there were no wide gaps in between us, but he still managed to leave some space so I wouldn't feel too uncomfortable. He then extended his hand out and flashed a bright smile. "What do you say, stranger? Shall we introduce each other and become friends?"

I gave it a thought before I shook my head. "It's not like we should. We're not obliged to, stranger."

"But I'm close, aren't I?" 

"To what?"

"To becoming your friend. You were taking your time when I asked you, which meant you were considering it. That means the next time I ask, you'll say yes in a heartbeat," he said. 

What a silly assumption. I was not thinking too much about it; I never imagined having a stranger as a friend. A stranger who I kept bumping into coincidentally. Fate does not exist in reality, I've known for quite some time. 

Then the boy nudged me lightly, giving me a smile once again. "Come on, stranger. Don't be such a party pooper. Wouldn't it be amazing to befriend someone you keep bumping into coincidentally?"

"I'm not a hypocrite," I snapped. 

"Being friends with someone you coincidentally keep meeting is not being a hypocrite, stranger. It's life experiences. Life's too short and boring to face all the exciting things. You should be proud you're one of the very few people that are able to experience this," he told me. 

Somehow, he was right. I always liked something out of the box to happen in my life like this. It didn't require a lot of spectating audience; just a girl and a boy. Though history always have a nasty habit of repeating itself, so I was afraid. 

In the end, my answer to him was, "I'll have to think about it."

Mr. Destinot—or Stranger—gave me an amused face. His pearly white teeth showed up again and he really looked like he was amused with everything I did. "Must you think about it? You can just say yes and we can get to know each other."

I gave him a teasing smile and waved my index finger in front of his face. "It doesn't work that way for me."

"Then let's make a deal."

"And what deal is that?"

Stranger's smile never left his lips, but it seemed to have widened once his lips moved and he told me about the deal, "The next time we meet, the next time we magically encounter each other again, we have to introduce ourselves to each other."

I raised an eyebrow. "How would I know you don't follow me around and make it seem like it's a magical encounter?" 

Stranger let out a laugh. "I wouldn't do that, trust me. I have better things to do than follow you around."

I put a hand over my chest, where the heart was. "Thanks, I feel special right now."

Stranger chuckled and his laugh was something to take note of. It was like a clear, deep bell. It sounded so great and grand. He noticed me staring at him for a while and titled his head to the side. "Wae? Did you fall for me already?"

I scoffed and rolled my eyes at him, looking away. "No, I did not. We're strangers, remember? How can I fall in love with you when I don't even know your name?"

"That's why I insisted on us getting to know each other," Stranger said. 

I got confused by his words. I didn't know what he meant by that. "You just want us to be friends because we keep meeting each other like destiny."

"Yes," Stranger answered, leaning back. He looked laid-back right now, like he didn't give a damn about anything in the world right now. "Why are you so afraid of becoming friends?"

I kept silent and Stranger must have noticed the way I fell into a daze. It felt like he wanted to ask if I was okay, but he held back, as if waiting for me to open up on my own. Since it felt like he was anticipating it, it was only fair to tell him why I had walls put up. "Because I have a paper heart."

~Author's Notes~

I really love this story, I can't even put to words why! HAHAHA! I'm enjoying every word I type for this story, like seriously! 

And, can you all guess who Mr. Destinot/Stranger is? ;) Who do you think is the SEVENTEEN member that Yeoreum is encountering all these times? ;)

xoxo

Byun Sang Kyung