She didn't quite process exactly what had happened to her. She began to shake and choke up sobs as it had dawned on her: she had almost lost her life just a moment ago. Panic rose inside of her as her brain replayed the events that had just occurred. She stiffened and held her breath as her grip on the shirt of her savior tightened. No longer being able to hold back her tears, she let out a strangled sob and let herself cry her heart out.

She then felt his arms wrap around her and hold her close. Her eyes had widened at the gesture, but they quickly softened as he began to rub her back in a soothing manner. With a shaky sigh, she slumped against the stranger's chest. She felt herself relax against him as she loosened her grip, letting her hands gently rest against his chest. Surprised with the fact that this stranger was able to calm her down faster than anyone else she knew, Aru closed her eyes and tried to calm down. Wiping her tears away, she curled up and sighed.

His scent was comforting. She couldn't quite put a word on it at first, but she concluded that he smelled like bergamots. It was comforting and calmed her nerves even more. He held on to her with gentle firmness, as if she were a fragile glass figure. She felt as if nothing could touch or harm her while she was with him.

She felt safe.

But she couldn't stay like this forever. She had to go back to her room as this guy went on his usual daily schedule. He didn't have time to be holding and coddling her until she stopped sobbing her eyes out. Shushing every voice in her mind that screamed at her to just stay in this guy's comforting arms, she slowly crawled out of the arms of her savior. The guy had seemed hesitant to let his grip on her go, but he let her do as she pleased. Avoiding eye contact by keeping her back to him, Aru finally broke the silence between the two.

"Thank you for saving me. I'm sorry that I clung to you."

"It's okay, but are...are you okay?"

Aru felt her heart jump at the comforting voice. That's when she decided to look back at him. The first thing she saw was his eyes. They were ocean blue eyes that seemed to have lost their shine. When she realized that he was staring back into her eyes, she quickly turned back to face away from him. Clearing her throat, she quickly answered his question.

"I'm...fine. Thank you."

An awkward silence fell over the two freshmen once again. Aru could feel the stranger staring at her, making her feel more anxious. She flinched and sat up straight as the boy cleared his throat.

"My name is Mook Lee, but, you can call me Mook. I...I saw you at the orientation yesterday. You sat a few rows ahead of me. You lost this during it."

Aru peered to the side as his hand reached over, revealing her hair pin. She gasped as she carefully picked it up. Grabbing a small hand held mirror tucked in her jacket pocket, she neatly put the flame shaped hair piece back in its place in her hair. Happy with finally getting her hair clip, Aru peered back at the boy known as Mook. He appeared to be really nervous. He was messing with a small rock resting next to him as he sat there, not making any eye contact with her. His white hair did not do any justice to hiding his face from her questioning gaze. Biting the inside of her cheek, Aru slowly sat down next to him, ignoring his hesitant pause. She looked at the sky ahead of her before speaking to him.

"Aru."

Mook's head shot up and turned to look over to her with a questioning gaze. Understand that he was not understanding exactly what she meant, Aru smiled. Tilting her head in direction, she looked him in the eyes and repeated her name.

"Aru. That's my name, Aru Kim. You told me yours, so it's only fair that I return the gesture."

That's when she saw it happen. The foggy blue eyes that he had began to shine. A small smile appeared on his lips as he nodded to her.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Same here. Thank you for finding my hair clip."

Just then, Mook and Aru's stomachs both grumbled. That's when Aru remembered about her bag. Quickly getting up and heading back by the door, she picked up the bag by the door and sat back down by Mook. Opening it up, she pulled out the two drinks. She handed Mook one as she made sure the melon buns were still in the bag. Looking back at Mook, she noticed that he wasn't opening the drink.

"What's wrong? Do you not like that flavor?"

"It's not that, I've actually never tried it. That said, I've never actually......had a bottled drink."

Aru blinked a few times before realizing that he was serious. Mook looked to his side, embarrassment settling in. Not wanting to make him feel even more embarrassed, she just smiled and sat in front of him. She grabbed his hand, causing him to quickly turn back at her. She put his hand on the lid and told him to tighten his grip on it. She then led him in the direction to move his hand, eventually getting the lid off. He had a triumphant look on his face as Aru sat back next to him, clapping. Before she could open her drink, Mook held out his hand. It took her a moment to realize what he wanted to do, but she caught on after a while. As he happily opened her drink for her without assistance, Aru opened both melon buns and handed him one.

Watching as the sun set below the ocean in front of them, the two snacked on melon buns and enjoyed each other's company.

~                                     ~                                   ~

Aru and Mook quietly walked to the student dorms side by side. After agreeing that they would make the secluded rooftop as their hangout after Mook added some protection for Aru, Mook had offered to walk her back to her dorm. Enjoying the safe aura he gave off, Aru agreed to his offer. The two had reached the door to her shared dorm when it had suddenly flung open.

"Aru! There you are!"

"Where were you?!"

"Who's this boy with you?"

Laughing nervously, Aru assured them that she was okay.

"Sorry I took so long guys. Oh! This is Mook! He's my friend!"

Mook couldn't believe his ears. He finally had a friend! He was lost in his thoughts until he felt a small frame hug him. Looking down, he saw Aru with her arms wrapped around him. He gently returned the gesture to her, a warm feeling filling his chest. She pulled away and waved at him.

"Goodnight Mook! Thank you again!"

With that, a door closed in front of Mook's face. He let out a soft laugh, a smile spreading across his face. He giddily walked back to his room in the teacher's dorm with the strong urge to tell his mother about the girl named Aru Kim.