Wrong Idol

5

Irene's POV

"What were you looking at?" Yanna tried checking on my phone but I was quick to hit the exit button. 

She can't find out what I was looking at. It'll be embarrassing. 

In secret, I created a fan account so I can stalk Mono. I basically just check on photos, clips, and articles about him. Most of all, it's amazing how many adorable clips you can find in i********:. 

Whenever I don't have a schedule, I'd search for anything related to him. To be honest, I'm starting to feel scared for myself. 

Does my action now classify with obsession? I hope not coz it'll be so alarming. 

Now, I was just checking clips of him being seen in Australia. He seemed extra happy. 

I'm not sure if other people noticed but I did. Something in him has changed. There was an unusual spark hanging in his eyes. 

It was as if he was in love. 

Was he? 

Impossible. 

Never once did I hear that he is in a relationship. Media wouldn't know but idols would notice and I was so sure I never heard any rumor about it having a girlfriend. 

Somehow, the thought dampens my mood a little. 

What will I do if he gets a girlfriend? 

What Irene?

I keep on thinking about that information for days so when I heard that they’re back, somehow, I felt better. 

SHADOW came back without Seth. And Max told me he's going back with them. This is to make sure everything was okay for Zanaya. 

I heard a lot of stories going around. They said Mono has a girlfriend. My greatest fear now has come to life. 

Who is it? 

I tried checking social media and found nothing. 

Was it just a rumor? 

I hope. 

I wasn't particularly happy to be going around some place this time. 

With a heavy feeling deep in my chest, I changed my clothes so I can go and find something to read. Besides, it's something that helps me calm down too. 

I knew I shouldn't let my heart focused on him. And now it's making me feel so upset. What's even worse is that nobody knows about it but me. I am left in despair on my own. 

With eye glasses, a face mask on, a long light brown coat and a black cap on my head, I went out of the dorm and headed to the bookstore I usually go about. 

Thankfully, the area near our dorm isn't really that crowded. Plus, with my hair black and my face covered, I don't really attract that much of attention since most people who walk past this neighborhood do the same. 

My steps were slow and unmotivated. To be honest, I just wanted to go out to shake off this weird feeling I had inside of me. 

In no time, I was able to reach the bookstore around the corner. My eyes scanned the area and I felt quite relieved that there aren't that many people inside, just roughly five. 

Besides, this book store is kind of traditional. It has sections of books that you can only borrow and read on the backside like you're in a library. 

Maybe I should do that today. 

So with that in mind, I went to that section and searched for something interesting. Once I've settled everything, I sat on the empty seat near the window where I can see the busy street outside. 

I didn't know how long I was there, totally engrossed with what I was reading. I know people sat and go beside me but I didn't bother checking them out. 

Ten minutes...

Twenty... 

I didn't know how long. 

Until a voice made me lose my focus, and my senses too if that's even possible. 

"I didn't know you come here too, Irene,"

That voice, there's no doubt. 

There's only one guy younger than me who I am thankful for by not calling me honorifics because I am older. 

My gaze shifted away from the book I was reading and met his stare. 

"Mono..." I whispered and my heart almost leaps out of my chest when I saw him smile. 

And I knew it, my whole system is yet again in chaos. 

Not again.

Don't look at him. 

My hands on the book tightened as I try to stop myself from lifting my gaze towards his direction.

Please calm down. It's just him. Act the way you used too. 

My vision started to blurry. I'm getting out of focus because I am very distracted. His very existence distracts me. 

So I couldn't stop myself. I looked at him - stared. 

He was in front of me, sitting on a single-seater, legs crossed with a beanie on, a long light brown coat covering his light blue sweatshirt and black pants. 

His eyes were focused on his book and for some reason, I got curious about what he was reading. I want to know the reason why his brows kept furrowing... Why he'd suddenly smile... Or why he would just nod a little as if agreeing to what he just read. 

I want to keep watching him... 

"You do know it's rude to stare right?" 

I was frozen in place when I heard his voice. Just then, he shifted his gaze towards my direction, and then our eyes meet,  the corner of his lips twitching as if he caught me red-handed.

Well, he did. 

But I'm not going to admit it to him. 

"I - ahm," I closed my eyes for a moment to try to calm myself a little. " I was just curious about what you're reading," I answered, my voice neutral, sounding like how I usually talk with most people. 

You can't show him how he is affecting you Irene. 

But I guess that'll be harder than I thought because right when I thought I can handle his presence, a huge smile broke free from his face and that's more than enough to make all my calm down nerves to go haywire. 

God damn it. 

What did I expect?  He's still Mono after all.