✓ skirt lifter | hwang hyunjin

e i g h t

c h a p t e r 8

"Good morning." I greeted the librarian with a lazy smile, still sleepy. I scanned the library where students are scattered, studying. A few couples too. Though I can't say much about them studying.

She gave me a warm smile and took off her glasses. "Didn't get much sleep?" She closed the book she was holding.

She was the school's librarian. She's in her early forties with sharp upturned eyes, mid-length hair, a few white strands peeking, and thin lips making her appear unapproachable. Which was not the case. She was easily one of the most kind-hearted person I have ever met.

She had been working here for 10 years already. With her intimidating looks, the 'looking for library staff' that was posted by the school board was left untouched. Up until my desperate ass arrived and pocketed the flyer as soon as I saw it. I had been working alongside her every weekends ever since I was a sophomore. Mostly just arranging the books and putting them back where they belong since students tend to shove borrowed books at a random shelf.

It all worked. I get to do some labor work, consider it as exercise, get paid, and study after to keep my grades up. As a scholar I had to maintain an average grade of  4.1 or else I have to pay the regular tuition fee. Which we definitely can not afford.

I smiled sheepishly and put my hood over my head to hide my unpresentable appearance. "Yeah. Embarrassingly, the thought of boys kept me up." I ran my hand over my face, dragging it down.

"Sounds like you're going through puberty." She teased. "Finally."

I pursed my lips. "Why are boys so annoying?"

She shrugged. "It's embedded in their DNAs." She pulled out the cart of random books from behind her and slid it over to me. "With exam weeks approaching, the library is packed almost everyday." She explained the cart overflowing with books. "Break a leg." She smiled.

"That's my specialty." I faked limping and dragged the cart with me.

I spent the morning doing u-turns whenever I pass by aisles that are occupied by.. occupied couples and shoving books back where they belong. While doing so, I tried to push back the dismay gnawing in my gut. It was so unfortunate that I had to decline an offer of hanging out. Even though I call them annoying, I still liked their company. It may be the long years of self-isolation talking but they seemed genuine in befriending me.

I stopped in my tracks when I heard voices by one of the aisles. "-Park Miso, she's in Chan's class." A girl's voice sneered.

My brows furrowed. Me?

"She dare lay a hand on Hyunjin?" Another voice scoffed. "Who does she think she is?" She spat, venom lacing her voice.

"I hear she's a scholar."