Once is a Coincidence

Part 3

"Sorry Miss, we're all out." 

Mina looked at the librarian in disbelief, "W-what? How come?" She asked, not wanting to make her disappointment obvious to the innocent librarian. 

"We only had two copies and they've been missing since forever. However, the school did order three new copies from the book seller and they're supposed to come next month."

Mina nodded silently. "Okay.. thanks anyway," She politely responded before going back to the table where Nayeon was still sitting. The older girl was staring at her reflection from the front camera of her phone, which Mina truly disliked seeing. She wanted to scoff, but when she remembered that they weren't close yet, she decided to just take a seat.

"Let me guess, they're all out?"

Mina nodded in silence. Nayeon smirked, "Here," She suddenly placed her phone down and started to rumble through her bag. 

Mina's eyebrows met at the center when she saw the book before her very eyes.

"You had it all along?"

"Hey, don't be mad at me. This is the library's book actually. I lost mine a long time ago and actually... the reason why I don't go here often is because I stole this book last year."

"What?!" Mina gasped and unknowingly leaned towards Nayeon in disbelief. Nayeon placed her index finger against her lips and decided to take advantage of the very secretive situation. She put her arm around Mina and leaned into the younger girl's ear, "That's why you have to tutor me. I can't return this book because otherwise they'll find out that I stole it. So either way, you won't be able to study without this book."

Mina sighed in disbelief, "Wow, just my luck," She groaned in her palms, which were now covering her face. Nayeon bit back a successful smile. I'm quite smart, she thought to herself. Nayeon actually knew the real ones who stole the books. While Mina was feeling extremely unlucky, Nayeon was feeling the complete opposite because the real thieves happened to be her two best friends, Chaeyoung, and Jihyo.

"So, let's start on our homework, shall we?" Nayeon grinned.

It was Friday, three days away from the exam. Nayeon wishes she could still smile at the situation, but she wasn't feeling very great. She thought she could actually use Mina's help, but it turns out her own feelings towards the younger girl was making it harder for her to concentrate during their lessons. Every single lesson consisted of her daydreaming while listening to Mina's soft voice. She literally felt like she was listening to an angel, who seemed to glow under the dim yellow lamp that hung above every desk in the library. Nayeon doesn't know how to feel anymore; should she feel happy that she gets to spend an hour listening to Mina's sweet voice or should she feel miserable since she can never concentrate? 

Ding, dong!

Nayeon groaned, "Now how can I concentrate?" 

She opened the door and was greeted by very annoyed looks from her "friends" who always came to bother her whenever they felt bored on a Friday night. 

"Man, I should start calling you a turtle and not a rabbit. You're becoming slower by the day. I'm starting to think that you don't actually want us here." Chaeyoung joked.

Jihyo nodded and observed her surroundings, "You're home alone again?"

"Yeah, quite shocking. I'm never alone," Nayeon muttered in sarcasm, going back to her living room desk to make an umpteenth attempt to study. Chaeyoung choked on her own spit as she saw the rare sight of Nayeon studying. Actually, the sight wasn't rare, it was impossible. 

"Wait, are you studying right now? Is this some stupid joke?" Chaeyoung blurted out. Jihyo looked at Nayeon as if she grew three heads. Meanwhile, Dahyun who was silently standing behind the two couldn't help but to react with fascination.

"Nayeon unnie, are you okay?"

Nayeon awkwardly looked at Dahyun and back at her book, "Y-yeah, why?"

Chaeyoung and Jihyo exchanged looks. Too many things were happening right now. Nayeon was studying for the first time, Dahyun just initiated a conversation between her and Nayeon and the latter actually responded back.

Chaeyoung made her way to Nayeon and placed the back of her hand on the older girl's forehead, "You're not sick... are you perhaps doing this because your dad is going to ground you?"

"No, of course not. He doesn't even know that I'm barely passing all my classes." Nayeon bitterly spoke without taking her eyes off of her book.

"Then, why?"

Nayeon didn't respond. Jihyo grinned in recognition, "I know. It's that girl isn't it?"

Dahyun's expression stiffened and Nayeon instinctively stared at her ex. They locked eyes for a split second before Nayeon almost immediately looked away. She secretly glared at Jihyo as a way of warning her to stop talking, but the latter didn't seem to get it.

"Mina, right? The girl you were walking with to the library-"

Chaeyoung, who was standing between the two engaging in the conversation suddenly let out an awkward laugh, realizing the reason behind Nayeon's glare.

"Aigoo, Jihyo what a mouth you have. Let's go to the kitchen," She chimed, dragging a very confused Jihyo with her to the kitchen, unknowingly making the situation worse by leaving Nayeon alone with her ex.

The two of them awkwardly avoided each other's presence and pretended to be engaged in their own little worlds when in reality, both of them were thinking the same exact thing.

"I'm glad you've met someone," Dahyun spoke after minutes of silence. Nayeon nodded awkwardly, "Yeah, same." She replied, not knowing what else to say. 

Silence filled the room again. Nayeon bit her lip and wanted to finish this once and for all. It's been a year anyway. Dahyun already apologized anyway and Nayeon forgave her so why is it so hard to bring back the friendship they had? Nayeon missed her best friend, she really did. And now, she was ready to face her own fears of rejection. Even if Dahyun still chooses to avoid her, Nayeon won't feel like a failure; at least she knows that she did something. At least she knows that she tried to rebuild their friendship. At least she tried. Finally after minutes of hesitation, Nayeon stood up and sat next to the dumbfounded girl.

"Dahyun, can we talk?"