Chapter 12: Where Paths Converge

"Fuck! I'm running late!" I exclaimed as I rushed towards my bathroom, phone in hand after Jimin called me to say she's on her way to the Archives.

"Stayed up a little late last night, Seren Vale?" Jimin giggled as she teased. Normally I would tease back, but not right now, I only have about fifteen minutes before 9:00AM, and Archives management is strict when it comes to punctuality.

"And whose fault is that?" I protested, dropping my phone on the sink's counter as I turned the shower on. We stayed up almost the whole night chatting on the phone, and it seems really unfair that she woke up early and I didn't.

"I woke up in time, don't know why you didn't," another teasing giggle, and if she wasn't special to me then I would have bit back in annoyance.

"Anyway, I'll see you, Seren. You only have... about thirteen minutes left," and Yu Jimin hung up, taking her cute giggles with her. Shit — no time to admire those, I got to go — no, I got to run.

The shower I took and the speed in which I brushed my teeth afterwards could have broken a world record. I dressed up in a blur — a gray shirt, gray sweatpants, and a gray hoodie on top — I could have also broken the world record for drabbiest outfit ever. Damn, the girls are going to roast me for this, but my scholarship's more important than what color are the clothes I wear.

I rushed out and gave a quick look at my watch — nine minutes. Fuck! Appropriate reaction if I do say so myself — because it usually takes a thirty minute walk from my apartment to the Archives. And even if I have the stamina to sprint that distance, it may only cut the time by a third — half if we're being generous. Either way, I'm screwed. 

But better late — than very, very late — so I decided to run for it. I took the stairs three steps at a time — which was still a lot considering my room was at the 7th floor. I rushed past neighbors — some familiar, most aren't. Old ladies threw the occasional "be careful, kid," while some grown men also told me to slow down lest I hurt myself. 

I made my way down and out the building, threw the gate open a little hard — and rattled myself at how it seemed to shake in its hinges. Good thing it stayed intact — or else I'll be screwed in the Archives for being late, and with my apartment for tearing the gate off because I was running late.

Shit — no time to think of miscellaneous thoughts — I need to run — so I sprinted like I never sprinted before. The world blurred around me as I felt adrenaline rush across my veins. My body was on auto pilot, relying on muscle memory on where to turn rather than scanning for the familiar landmarks. My lungs screamed for air and my legs and thighs burned with exertion — yet I found the strength to push on. The wind would have felt good as I ran, so did the bright and warm sunlight — if only I wasn't running late.

A couple more streets and corners and after what felt like three hours of sprinting I found myself panting heavily at the foot of the metal gates of Verrath's Archives building. I looked at the time as I caught my breath and — did my watch broke while I ran? I then looked at my phone to verify the time — 8:57AM. I have three minutes to spare? I seriously ran from my apartment to the Archives in six minutes?!

That's impossible, even with a spike of adrenaline, the most peak humans — then I paused — humans. I wasn't human, well, maybe, but I'm certainly something other than human. While I walked to enter the building, I thought back to the time Yeji talked about the theory that I have incubus blood — that I assimilate the abilities of those I have sex with. Did I somehow acquired Chaeryoung's speed after two nights ago? If I did, then did I also took something after Yuna and I did it?

I clocked in absently — exactly 9:00AM. I would have been relieved, if my thoughts weren't on that theory of Yeji's. I then swung the massive doors to the Archives' Halls only to have me flinch and raise an arm to cover my eyes, closing them tight after a blinding flash of light greeted me. 

The Archives was, traditionally, as they would like to say, gloomy and dark. Which in my insignificant opinion — was utter shit. It's a library! Why would you want your library to be dark? It is a place where people read!!!

And now – suddenly — the Archives which I was used to being the second darkest place ever — the first one was my thoughts, by the way — was so bright it could probably burn a lower vampire or two.

My eyes slowly adjusted and I was able to make out the faint outline of the reception center — which was empty. Did Yizhuo not arrive yet? Jimin should be already here as well.

I made my way towards the table in the middle of reception and heard shuffling underneath. I leaned in to see Jimin, crouched beneath the table as if reaching for something. I smiled in spite of myself, she was wearing a black sweater which rolled high as she stretched, exposing the smooth skin of her lower back, and a skirt as far as I could tell. 

I then cleared my throat to get her attention. Jimin jumped and hit her head on the edge of the table.

"Oh shit. Sorry, Jimin," I immediately vaulted over the table and knelt in front of Jimin — since when was I able to do that?

"Ow..." Jimin whined cutely and I just wanted to place her in my pocket right then and there as she sat on the floor, a hand stroking her head. "Oh. You're here? Didn't expect you to arrive on time."

"So did I," I replied, caressing the spot where she hit her head. Jimin looked up at me with a grateful smile. "You okay?"

"Yeah. It won't give me a concussion if that's what you're worried about," Jimin replied as she finally took a seat on a chair by the reception table.

"What were you doing down there anyway?" I asked, leaning on the table.

"Pen fell," Jimin answered, placing a pen she picked on the table.

I nodded, "Where's Yizhuo? Thought she'd be here already."

"She is," Jimin replied as she organized the desk. "She's with Minjeong for a quick bathroom break. I volunteered to sit the reception since I have nothing else to do."

"And the lights?" I asked, gesturing in a circular motion at the ceiling.

"Oh, that," Jimin looks up at the ceiling. "Took my eyes off yesterday when I arrived as well," she chuckled. "Apparently management thought the halls were 'too dark' when they inspected it after the attack."

"Figures," I scoffed. "And about time. They just sit in their asses at the King's palace and never bother to come down, of course they have no idea what the Archives actually is."

Just then — the sound of soft laughter echoes through the halls. Minjeong and Yizhuo then emerged from the direction of the bathroom.

Ning Yizhuo walked up front. She was cute, in a mature kind of way. She wore a white cropped top tshirt, shorts, and boots that screamed fashion. Me, on the other hand - yeah, let's not dwell on that, shall we.

Behind her, strode Minjeong, dressed in a casual tshirt that highlighted her slim figure and denim pants. A wave of nostalgia and familiarity crashed on me. Minjeong usually wears clothes that seemed to big for her, making her look smaller when she's already small to begin with. But seeing her now in these clothes reminded me of — her older sister.

She looked very much like her even though they're only one year apart. Minjeong is more springy and giddy, though. Her older sister was a lot more reserved around new people, although she did have quite a temper, which only made her cuter in my opinion. And all these thoughts just makes my chest tighten, she is with the Night Ladies now, training as a sorceress specializing in fire magic — all because I didn't have the strength to tell her that I selfishly wanted her to stay.

What the hell is happening? I asked myself. Why was memories of Minjeong's sister — the first person other than my grandmother that I both loved and lost — suddenly creeping out of my mind. First was when Chaeryoung's words made me remember her, and now, Minjeong was reminding me of her by resembling her too much.

"Hey," Jimin whispered, placing a hand on my thigh. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I replied, shaking myself while trying to also convince myself that I am indeed fine as I pushed the memories of my first love back to the abyss. "Just... thinking about stuff."

"What stuff?" Jimin asked gently as Yizhuo and Minjeong's voices drew closer.

I sighed in hesitation, "Later. Maybe a lot later."

Jimin nodded, "Okay. I understand. If you need anything —"

I nodded in understanding, placing a hand over hers as the sophomores finally reached the reception table.

"Seren!" Minjeong greeted energetically. "You look..."

"Drab?" I asked sarcastically. "Honestly the peak adjective you can choose about my appearance is 'simple'."

Yizhuo laughed, hearty and loud as Minjeong pouted. "I was gonna say you look great."

It was then my turn to laugh, Jimin also gave a light chuckle beside me. "Yeah. Great joke, Kim Minjeong."

"It wasn't a joke!" Minjeong protested.

"I agree!" Yizhuo exclaimed with equal enthusiasm. "I think you pull that look well. Charismatic, even." And was she... blushing? There was a slight flush in her ear which slowly traveled to her cheeks.

"Chatismatic is way above my pay grade."

"And you're broke," Jimin added.

"Ouch, Yu Jimin."

Our laughters echoed across the halls, the bright lighting seemed to enhance the mood.