This was the very first time I saw a book that looked like it wasn't from this earth. I was amazed at those who created it. Astonished at seeing a book with such details on its cover, I examined it and saw that it had a lock—something like a fingerprint scanner at the back.
Looks like our old friend has some interesting locks on it. I looked closer to check. It seemed like I needed to put my thumb on it to open.
I tried placing my thumb on it to see what would happen. As soon as I touched the leather, a sharp needle-like sting pierced me and left a small wound. I accidentally dropped the book on the ground in shock.
Checking my finger, I saw the little wound, then shook my hand to ease the pain in my thumb. Looking back at the book, I noticed a spot of my blood on it from when I was stung. As I looked closer, intending to pick it up, I was shocked to see my blood suddenly disappear. What the—? The book sucked my blood. It was something I did not expect.
I picked up the heavy book and tried to open it, but even with my full force, I was unable to lift even a single page. K fine! You win, you win! I dropped the book on the ground again, this time intentionally, complaining loudly. "I give up! I'll buy you instead!" Thinking that I would find a way to open this interesting book when I got home.
Suddenly my phone rang. Reaching into the pocket of my sling bag, I checked my phone. It was Selene again. "Hello? I'm on—" Before I could finish, a loud angry voice shouted on the other line. "Let me guess? You're in a bookstore right now, huh Ian?" Ah, she was upset again. "When will you stop calling? I said I'm on my way, gosh!" I answered, then dropped the call and turned off my phone just to avoid Selene.
Who does she think she is? Why is she so eager to see me now? I thought while picking up the book from the ground. Then suddenly my memory jolted. "Oh shit! Right! Today is her birthday!"
I struggled to carry the heavy book, yet it didn't bother me much. I ran quickly to the old man at the cashier, but unluckily he was no longer there. The cup of tea was left alone beside the newspapers on the table.
Where the hell— Unable to finish my thought, I ran around looking for him, yet he was nowhere to be found.
In a rush, I dropped my money on the table where the old man had sat. "Keep the change, please!" I shouted, leaving $30 behind before bolting outside. Running as fast as I could, I thought only about my best friend's birthday.
Why didn't she tell me earlier? I shouldn't have wasted time here wondering about books. I struggled while running with the heavy book in my arms.
As I ran, I felt sweat streaming down my cheek and neck. Running straight, ignoring the people around me, I accidentally tripped. I tried reaching for my pocket to grab my phone and call Selene.
But then, while focusing on my phone, I ran across the street at a stoplight. I hadn't noticed the signal was red, meaning stop. By the time I realized I was in the middle of the road, it was too late.
I heard a sudden loud horn from a truck about to hit me. By God's luck, I managed to dodge—almost by an inch. I felt the gust of wind the truck pulled as I was thrown to the ground dodging the impact.
"Hey! Are you trying to kill yourself!" the angry driver shouted, his head sticking out the window.
"Sort of," I whispered in response.
"What's wrong with kids nowadays?" he continued to mumble.
"I'm so sorry, sir! I'm running late. Sorry!" I shouted back, standing up from the ground and struggling to continue running.
Awesome, now she's not answering my call. I tried calling her back, but she didn't pick up. Holding the heavy book, I tried again.
I'm already at the gate of our school. Too many students were gathered outside. Since it was the first day, everyone seemed energetic. I always hated crowded places, especially in school. I felt like whenever people looked at me, they judged my whole life.
Well, I wasn't your typical handsome guy you'd see on the first day of school. Selene was the first person who asked me to be her friend. We had known each other since grade school.
I remembered when we first met. She was crying because she had dropped her popsicle on the ground. I gave her my food, not knowing that would actually be the start of our friendship.
Her shiny brown hair glowed even more beautifully in the sunlight. Her sharp nose, azure eyes that looked like the ocean, really pink lips, and glowing clear white skin made her stand out even in a crowded place like this.
I saw her, seemingly looking for someone. She looked like—Fuck, I messed up. She saw me. Alright, ladies and gentlemen, this is Selene.
"Where the heck did you go, Mr. Promise?" Her eyes were furious, her eyebrows curled, and she bit her trembling lips. "Don't tell me you forgot my birthday?" she asked, pinching my shoulder.
"No, actually, I bought you something. Here." I reached into my bag's pocket and pulled out a little red box wrapped in a golden ribbon.
"What's this?" she asked, confused, as she opened the gift box and pulled at the ribbon. Inside, she saw a crystal-clear diamond that sparkled whenever sunlight hit it.
"It's a diamond necklace."
I could see the expression on her face—surprised, stunned—as she took it out of the box. "Oh my god!" She unconsciously hugged me to express her gratitude. I was stunned, my face flushing red. A sudden moment of silence broke the excitement.
To kill the awkwardness, she asked, "Where did you get the money to buy this?" as she carefully admired the necklace, still amazed by it.
"I didn't buy it. That was my mom's necklace. She gave it to me before she and Dad died in the car accident," I answered with a small smirk.
Her eyes widened. "Then why are you giving this to me?"
I replied, "They said that if you give something important to you to someone dear to you, you'll get closer to each other than ever before." I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. Her eyes were sharp—I knew she was judging my words.
I had just remembered that line from a book I read before. Her eyebrows curled again as she looked deeply into my eyes. Her blushing cheeks looked really cute. I couldn't react when she finally said, "Thank you!" God, that was the moment my whole world turned upside down. Am I in love?
No… this must be a mistake. Yet as we spent the whole day together, it was the very first time I saw her truly happy. Her smile was different this time—and so was mine.
Before we parted ways to go home, I checked the clock on my wrist. It was already past 11:00 p.m. As we walked down the street, I looked up at the sky to see the stars and the moon lighting the night.
She stopped walking, turned her face toward me, and gently took my hand. In a soft voice, she said, "Thank you."
Unable to hide my shy face, I asked, "What for?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she smiled over her shoulder, let go of my hand, and walked ahead. I couldn't react, but my heart pounded. I didn't know how to respond to a situation like this.
"Selene," I called her name while looking at the moon. "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" I knew she understood what I meant. Risking our friendship, I had to make the first move. Honestly, I didn't know what would happen after this night.