Year 2060...

Soon enough, the old books in this library would be replaced by thousands of modern day tablets kept into shelves for everyone's usage. Every single iPad would contain thousand of books every book lover and bookworm would enjoy. There's a portion in the giant library though, which contains the classics, some place hidden in the dark: dusty and unused. 

I don't know but I enjoy feeling the old pages run down my fingers every time I read using the real books: the one with worn out pages and dusty, hard covers. I like seeing the white pages turn to yellow, telling you that people read them, too, and they enjoyed it. 

It was a shame when the book factories stopped producing books and started converting them to ebooks for gadgets and phones. I like this particular library because they house the real books, those aged by time, used by the old people. 

As usual, the small room at the far end of the public library is dimly lit with a few couches pushed through the sides. I coughed once as the dust entered my nose, making me wince. "Oh god," I groaned. "Someone must clean this place up."

I walked towards my favorite shelf, the one with the oldest books written by authors who were treated like gold during their times. I didn't dare run my fingers over the books, I'm pretty sure they're the dirtiest now.

"Oh, no. That's mine!" I called as the familiar, tall guy went to get my favorite book. His large hand stopped in midair as he slowly craned his neck to my direction. He's wearing his usual stunning clothes. Rich guy.

He looked bored. "You again?" 

I narrowed my eyes. "I could say the same to you, mister."

Very slowly, he withdrew the book from the shelf, making me glare at him. "First come, first serve." he mumbled without looking at me. "There are other romance books here. Others that wouldn't make you cry. Check them out." 

"I don't cry just because of a book," I lied. Oh, how those books make me cry.

The guy smirked, resting his shoulder on the shelf so he could look at me. "Then who's been sniffing every time I walk in here?" He raised a brow. "Was that a ghost?"

"Probably." I hissed, rolling my eyes. I was about to turn away when my gaze fell to the book he's holding. It's William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, my favorite book of all time. The guy sat on the floor, crossing his legs under him and started reading. I just need to turn and leave but I have to get the book. It's the only one I would like to enjoy right now. And besides, the story would always ring a bell.

And as if still sensing my presence, the guy turned to look up at me. "You're still there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you a fast reader?" I asked, quite impatient. My hands are aching to touch the old book and flip my fingers through its pages.

He smirked, teasing. "I'm as slow as a snail. 

I can't help but roll my eyes. "Jerk." 

"Why do you like this book so much?" he suddenly asked and his eyes are more curious this time. He watches me with an expression I still can't quite understand but like. No one really took interest on my likes before. 

I looked away from him, frowning. "Why would I tell you?"

"Because if you'll convince me, I may give this to you instead." he said.

With that, I looked at him, eyes wide. "For real?" I breathed. 

He chuckled. "Yeah. For real." 

Slowly, I sat on the floor a few steps from him. I crossed my legs under me and heaved a heavy sigh. "Well, I came from a family with just the same story a few decades back." I explained. "My Papa said we used to have a rival family, and I mean real, real rivalry during those times. But then one day, one of our ancestors -- his name was Baekhyun-- fell in love with a member of the other family. So, everything started to get chaotic."

"Oooh. Real news you got there." the stranger smirked and I fought the urge to kick his face. When I threw him a glare, he pursed his lip and said, "Sorry. Please continue." 

"So, they fell in love and everything started to get so messed up. There's betrayal and people pushing each other away." The story is sad, I know, and it would always pinch a part of my heart. "But they loved each other so much and they just won't give up on each other."

"And so what happened?" he asked, a small smile threatening to appear on his face.

"They said Baekhyun's father knew Baekhyun is not his real son-- that his wife got pregnant with another man before their marriage-- so he ordered someone to kill him and his lover. First, kidnapping the lover and luring Baekhyun to him before killing them both." I whispered. "Their bodies were never found though, so I don't know if the story's even real."

There's silence for a while and I give out a long sigh. "That's why I like Romeo and Juliet a lot because it always reminds me of their story," I whispered. "Whether it's true or a myth, for me, it'll always mean so much..." 

The stranger looked down at me, eyes dancing in glee. "So, you're a Byun?" 

"Yeah. I was named after him, though." I nodded. "I'm Byun Baekhyun." And then I realized what he just said and I exclaimed, "How did you know my surname?!"

"I also know the story oh so well." Then the guy offered his hand, still smirking. "Hi, Baekhyun. I'm Park Chanyeol. A descendant from your rival family a long, long time ago."

THE  END