like magic

act I ; le debut

the librarian smiled warmly at taeyong as he walked through the doors of the large building. he gave a small smile in return as she approached him.

"taeyong, you're looking good today, as always. i remember when i was a young girl, chasing after boys like you! when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?" the older woman asked cheekily.

    mrs. do was the librarian and owner of the comforting library they now stood in. she was a small woman, shorter than taeyong and had black hair dusted with grey. her eyes were bright and welcoming with wrinkles around them that became most visible when she smiled.

"i told you, i have no time to date someone right now," smiled taeyong. he was dressed typically, sporting an oversized white sweater with his hands bunched inside the sleeves to recover from the walk there in the fresh morning air. he wore black jeans and his black sneakers. his hair was silver with the black roots showing very visibly, a look that he seemed to pull off effortlessly.

the library that taeyong stood in was two stories tall and very open. the outermost walls were made primarily of large windows that let plenty of natural light seep in. there was a minimal amount of walls within the actual library, instead using tall bookshelves to separate it. in the middle of the library was a large staircase that curved slightly as it went upwards, leading to the upper floor housing the non fiction books.

taeyong's job was calm. he would catalog the books then return them to their places upon the countless shelves. he was on his feet for much of his working hours, not that it bothered him. the job payed good enough, and it was rarely stressful. he had built a friendship with mrs. do, she cared for him and fed him countless times, as much as taeyong protested. he felt welcome in the library.

mrs. do showed taeyong the new books that he had to find places in the library for and he got to work. taeyong grabbed a few books and walked to the sci-fi/fantasy section in the quiet corner of the library. as he organized the new books into their spots by alphabetical order, he noticed jaehyun sitting alone at a desk next to a tall window.

jaehyun was the boy who came every week, silently studying books, writing notes, and researching topics unknown to taeyong. they had talked many times before while taeyong was working. taeyong smiled, happy to see him.

the bright morning sun cast a golden light across jaehyun's face in a way that could only be described as ethereal. his lips were pink and plump, his nose straight, and eyes bright. jaehyun's hair was a soft caramel colour and had a messy look from the countless times he ran his fingers through it. taeyong had noticed them a lot- jaehyun's habits. how he would chew his lips when he was nervous or tap his fingers when he was bored.

taeyong had always been an observant person, easily able to notice when his friends were upset or excited. he decided that that the reason why he was so interested in jaehyun, attuned to him, was because he wanted to to be friends with him. with the books in their spots, he started over to the boy.

"hey, what's up?" taeyong said as jaehyun watched him walk over with a dimpled smile.

"i'm studying for a test. why are you here? i thought you don't work mornings," jaehyun said with curiosity. taeyong's eyes widened slightly, "how would you know that?"

"oh i just noticed that you don't work in the mornings when i come. sorry if that seemed creepy," jaehyun said, his cheeks dusted with pink.

if jaehyun was a girl, taeyong would say he's cute.

he widened his eyes slightly, surprised at that thought.

"oh uhm, don't worry about it. good luck with your test. i gotta go," taeyong spoke then walked away. jaehyun watched, shocked, as the other left him, his small frame moving fluidly.