I’m on a roll today. 🙂

Once Upon A Library Dreary, or How Bammsie Realized It Was The Coup De Foudre

In honor of my having a lot more time on my hands, and to keep in theme with a party, let me regale you with the story of my misadventures in love.

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    Il était une fois, I volunteered at my local library. The experience had its’ ups and downs, but I met my (former 🙁 ) best friend there, and that made it well worth it.

    My bestie and I would make every shift fun – when we were preparing crafts or art for the programs, she would put on showtunes and I would sing to them very dramatically..

    When we shelved together, we would swap musical or book recommendations, or go on rants on how the latest adaptation of Frankenstein didn’t do Henry Clerval justice.

    I could go on and on about our adventures, but not today. (No, not today.)

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      One particular day, dearest bestie (we shall call her Javery) and I were involved with a special program : All the volunteers were available for reading duty! All of the little children could come up to whomever they liked, and that volunteer would read a book of their choice.

      A note about my library : It is very, very small, and although peaceful, is often noise-filled due to the number of children.

      So Javery and I were quietly ribbing on each other as we waited for children to come our way, and we noted something.

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        The only guy volunteer, reading softly to a young boy. The young man expertly worked with the boy, making the experience fun while also gently reinforcing rules. The enjoyment they were both having as they read together was evident.

        Naturally, Javery and I were incredibly impressed, and shared secret smiles at the precious sight.

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          I would not meet (our special nickname for him was J, or The Dude, so I will use them interchangeably.) J properly for a little while, however, as it was a special event, and therefore not on my usual shift.

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            But then December came, and with the change in month came a change in schedule, so I switched my shift to Wednesdays. And guess who’s shift overlapped with mine?

            Yep.

            I was completely ecstatic to see him, as I was very lonely having to leave my Javery. But a chance to make a new friend in such a wonderful individual? I was ready.

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            Hahahahahaha, nope.

            I was a bundle of nerves trying to pretend I wasn’t a bundle of nerves, which resulted in more nerves.

            And then something happened that made my symptoms worse. (@isthatacorner, you’ll understand.)

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            After a couple of awkward interactions, “I’m homeschooled. Oh, you’re homeschooled? Me too!” where he was very sweet, gentle, and gracious, I finally had a break.

            I was working in the back room one particular afternoon, minding my own business as I replaced the plastic covers on the books.

            AND THE DUDE RUSHED INTO THE ROOM. He was clutching a book in his hands, and as I looked up, he began rambling to the nearest librarian on how he’d been, “looking for this book for months and finally found it while shelving!” He just looked so full of joy in that moment, and as he exited the scene to go put the book in his backpack for safekeeping,

            I, Bam Jean Valjean Gent, realized that this potential friend had stolen my heart. It was the coup de foudre, and I was a goner. A smitten kitten.

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            The suspense is killing me…

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            Oh dear.

            How was I supposed to hide my affections when being in his presence made me want to hug him on instinct? He was just such a nice, sweet person!

            Once we got to talking, and he very nicely ignored my stuttering, I found he only got better as I got to know him.

            He likes Star Wars, and Marvel, drawing, origami, and of course, books!

            Not only that, but as the eldest of several children, he loves kids while also understanding the frustrating side of working with them.

            So my question is :

            How DARE you be so perfect? *heart eyes* *heart eyes*

            Thankfully I never actually said that to him. I just sent finger hearts in my mind…

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            Naturally, I had to make a plan if I was to deal with such a person.

            Step 1 : Focus on his flaws. Look, he has some acne! (But that just makes him more human!) Uhhh, he isn’t a big fan of rice! (That’s because he’s deathly ALLERGIC!)

            Step 2 : Be a good friend to him, because regardless of whether or not you like him like that, a friend is always a good foundation, and a good thing to have.

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            Must.stay.awake.to.read.the.rest

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            Please, more…. 💕

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            So I tried to be as good a friend as possible. Well, I always try to be. But you know.

            Dearest Beanies,

            I failed.

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            I can’t imagine that. You are the definition of a sweetheart…

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            *Hugs and more hugs, an infinity of hugs*

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            There were THREE incidents.

            Sigh.

            #1 : The Sink Is Fine.

            As J and I were cleaning up from a program, we headed to the back room to wash off the tables and scrub some bowls.

            Good. grief.

            I noticed he got a haircut, and wanted to pay him a compliment, but also not be awkward about it. So naturally, I worded it like so : “So, this might be a weird question, and you certainly don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to, but did you get a haircut?”

            J : “Huh? Oh, yes!”

            Me : “Ah. Well, it looks good!” *bright smile*

            As I was doing this, I noticed the sink wasn’t draining, so I stuck my hand into the hole to try to dig anything out that might be blocking it.

            But as I talked some more to him, I kept digging in the sink, and eventually he had to ask, “Don’t you think you’ve gotten it all out?”

            I concurred, and rushed to pull my hand out, which knocked the handle of the faucet, spraying him all over with water.

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            @wishfultoki same lol I’m stil up because of this

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            #2 : Robotics?

            Another time, I worked up the nerve to invite J to a robotics competition, and as I always invite my friends to come watch, it wasn’t a big deal, right?

            Heh.

            I CORNERED him. Literally. He was in a corner. I wasn’t.. Forcing him against a wall or anything, but.

            “You can say no of course, but may I ask you a question? Oh wow, I should really just ask my question before making this ever more awkward..” *more rambling*

            Ahem. I left after a short exchange, forgetting to get his contact information to tell him when and where.

            Like a boss.

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            #3 : Boiling Water Isn’t Hot, Right?

            Shift. Together. Back Room.

            The mission? Make homemade play-dough for a future program.

            Easy-peasy!

            I grabbed two bowls, got out the flour, salt, and food coloring.. The Dude got out the electric kettle, filled it with water, and turned it on.

            We poured the water into each of our bowls of flour mixture, mixed gently with a spoon, and waited.

            And after a few minutes, I started poking around my bowl, adding in the food coloring and kneading it with my hands.

            J : “It’s cool enough now?”

            Me : “Oh, yes!”

            J : *puts his hands in his bowl*

            My dear beanies, he immediately started yelping like a startled puppy, rushed over to the sink and poured cold water all over his red hands, and I?

            I just apologized over and over, looking on in agony.

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            *grabs a cup of tea* o.O

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            You know what that sweetheart did, though? He started coming up with theories on why I might’ve had a higher tolerance to heat.

            “You said you bake, right? Your hands are just probably more used to higher heats than mine! Hey, it’s ok, look, my hands are fine!”

            We switched bowls, regardless. The play-dough came out wonderfully, and once it came to the day of the program and we took it out, he started cracking up at the sight, and poked a little fun (while simultaneously telling me it’s ok.)

            Ain’t no way that crush ended that day, although I was mortified.

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            Anyhow, we had many more adventures, (We volunteered on Star Wars day, he was dressed as Darth Vader, I as Leia, which made things. Interesting.)

            He folded me a Yoda origami one day and said I could keep it, and I said, “I’ll treasure this, you know.” I said it in a joking tone, but I really have. It’s in my wallet.

            Unfortunately, he changed shifts one September, so after a solid 9 months of awkward-but-oh-so-fun interactions, I didn’t get to see him again.

            Rather like ending a drama on episode 14, isn’t it? A bit rude, and I’m so sorry. But he still lives in my town, so hopefully I’ll see him again, and we can be friends again.

            Maybe it’s a drama with a time skip.. We’ll see how long it takes.

            But anyhow, Beanies. That was the story of my adventures with a very dear friend.

            THE END.

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            @rukia I forgot to reply! I saw your comments as I was typing and finding gifs, and they made me smile.

            Thank you so much for reading and enjoying, and all of your lovely compliments. 😊

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          Darn it. My ship sunk again 😭
          You two sound so cute together. He sounds so amazing! If you meet him again, give us an update! I hope to hear about it soon 🙂

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      You. You awkwardly delightful misfit. Are my favorite.

      How was your water not slowly boiling your hands? Or was the water a perfectly fine temperature and his hands are just namby pamby?

      I am CONVINCED that I am going to meet the future Mr. isa while shelving a book in the library. I will be against a bank of windows on an atmospheric day (is it beautifully sunny and the light hits me like a halo? Is it rainy and moody and my dorky dance moves to the song in my head brings the sun to his gloomy day? Am I in a burnt orange corduroy skirt (knee length? MAXI CORDUROY?!) with a cream colored blouse covered in leaves (I own none of these clothes, by the by) reaching up to shelve something taller than me and its about to topple on my head and he saves me (I need to be five inches shorter for this particular fantasy)? WHO KNOWS! Maybe I’ll be sitting on the floor reading—-or

      hmm..

      HEY have you seen the k(I think) movie (thats possibly) called The Librarian? Or The Library? The male lead has a yin for the female librarian and she has a crush on him and moves may or may not get made. I don’t want to say anything because its one of those things were anything can be a spoiler.

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        Thank you, Isa!! Many many hugs to you, I shall take that compliment and hang it on my wall, because a compliment from Isa is to be cherished.

        Please tell us when those events come to pass, and if you need those color clothes, hmu. I am constantly at thrift shops. 😂 and if you need someone to help with the weather? My friend has a hose.

        I have not watched that movi, but clearly I should! I’ll tag you when I watch it. 🙂

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        Also, no idea on the hands thing. 🤔 I wonder what it was.

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      Yeah we are Extra, but still part of this world. Extra + Ordinary, that’s nothing at all. ^^
      (I see what you did there)

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    Thank you for this wonderful story @bammsie! I couldn’t go to sleep until I’d read the whole thing… time skip? HAHAHA… If you could were a character in APAD your phrase could be “Can I ask you a question?” 😉
    Good night everyone!

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      Goodnight and glad you enjoyed!

      It would totally be my catchphrase- my friend thinks it’s sweet because “you just don’t want to be intrusive and want to make sure they’re ok with the questions you’re asking”

      But I think I do it too often.

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    Great storytelling, bams ! Hope you’ll get to see him soon , really enjoyed reading it 🙂 now good night !!

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    Yoda origami? Definitely a keeper!
    Waiting for this time skip and hoping you do ask him for his contact info next time you bump into him!

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    Oh our dear BamBam (@bammsie) here’s a *hug* ..what a lovely story. This is one time I am asking for a time jump. Keep us posted,please!

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    Hehehe, I love this too much! What a great story and storytelling Bam Bam! Library Dude sounds like not just a worthy crush, but also a fun one!

    Guys who get excited over books are just incredibly attractive. Meeting a guy while volunteering at a library is such a day dream *sigh* I just want a man who will talk Dickens to me, but isn’t pompous about it, and agrees with me that reading separate books while sitting next to each other (so that we can poke each other when we find a quote that needs sharing) is totally the perfect date.

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      Also ~ you’re homeschooled? A rare breed, so I’m always happy to meet another one ^_^

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        *waves energetically* Yessirree! Cool to hear that! 🙂

        I always get so annoyed with the assumptions that

        1. We have recess all day
        2. We are religious zealots who are crazy and close-minded
        3. We have no social skills
        4. We go to school in the basement.

        *rolls eyes*

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          … You mean you didn’t go to school in the basement? 0.0
          Just messing, we didn’t even have a basement.

          Yeah, most people don’t know I was homeschooled, because “I’m socially aware” (which is blatant flattery, I’m never aware), and I get tired of the assumption that I didn’t like it or resent my parents for it (one of my close friends made that statement recently, she was on a rant about education and when I gently reminded her that *I* had been homeschooled, she just said “and that was not fair of your parents to do that to you,” and I had to stop her at the point because homeschooling is not like the stereotype.

          *dramatic sigh* Like any schooling, it has its pros and cons, and might not be the best for certain types of kids.

          Sorry, didn’t mean to go on a rant about homeschooling ~

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            Nope, it’s perfectly fine, I was the one who started it.

            We didn’t have a basement either.

            Pwahahaha, people are always shocked and ask a million questions about it.

            “What do you do when you’re not doing schoolwork? Just sit around at home?”

            Umm.. Someone actually said that. What do YOU do when you’re not doing schoolwork? We’re not aliens, we just have a different way of working.

            And my sociology professor (the class is awful anyways, so I don’t feel too bad) thinks that homeschoolers won’t be as prepared for college as people who go through public school, and that they’re usually socially stinted and not as successful.

            *waves my 104.67% average (in her class) in her face*

            Yes, exactly! When I’ve brought up the pros of it, I’ve gotten many people who would go, “Well suuure, but you don’t need to hate on public school!”

            I’m not, I promise. It works better for some, and I’m glad there are different types of schools. But for the vast majority, it’s not a punishment.

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            I always think that homeschoolers are more prepared for college, because we learned how to study on our own and structure our time without 8 hours of class time every day, which is more similar to college.

            Sigh, I’ve had similar profs in my time… Also I hate the “you must have been so sheltered” line. Honey, the homeschool coop I went to had teen pregnancies and kids smoking on the swing set just like any “normal” school. People are people wherever you go, some environments are just more conducive to some than others, that’s all.

            Congrats on the 104.67% average by the by. 😉

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            Thank you. Exactly.

            I could add more but you said it perfectly. 😂

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      Your Strudel story was the inspiration to share mine, so thank you! And I’m glad you enjoyed reading.

      He is quite fun! I was both annoyed and happy that he was so nice – when I get a little crush but the person turns out to suck, it’s easy to dismiss it.

      When he’s a dorky sweetheart who loves reading books and playing with children? Hahahaha, I’m not getting over that.

      Exactly! So attractive. Hope you can find that down-to-earth, sweet dream man.. Maybe like a Jess from Gilmore?

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        It is annoying when people are nice ~ it’s much easier to dismiss them. I like my crushes to be close enough to admire, but distant enough that I don’t actually need to worry about whether we would work. Crushes make life a bit more fun, like adding that tang of lemon rind for an undercurrent of flavor to your baked good.

        Dorky sweetheart? I’m trying hard to be respectful and not ship you because you are a real person with your own agency, but man he sounds like a great male lead. Sort of like Choi Woo Shik in Hogu’s Love (which has highschool flashbacks to OTP reading comic books together & he carries around a baby most of the show).

        Huh, I’d never thought about Jess for myself… hehehe, maybe, I don’t think I’m much like Rory though (or at least I hope not…), so I doubt he’d go for me.

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          Exactly! It was alright when I had a crush on that one fellow four years older than me who proposed because of my baked goods,

          because I didn’t see him very often and only had a couple interactions with him.

          But J? I had to see him every week! I gave him a Spiderman comic book! He gave me an origami Yoda! We were genuine friends.

          I love your food metaphors, by the way. You and @snarkjellyfish are pros at those.

          It’s ok if you ship it. 😂 I still do, though I pretend that I’m over it.

          Umm.. Clearly I need to watch Hogu’s Love! That sounds awesome.

          Rory.. Man, I wish Rory’s character didn’t suck later on. She was so sweet at the beginning.

          I do love the Rory/Jess interactions when they’re just reading together, though. Very fun. *tries to think of other book nerds*

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            I think you should tell the story of the guy proposing because of your baked goods next ^_^
            But I feel on when you actually see them and an actual relationship show up to complicate things. Because that makes them a real person, not just the 3D picture of them you see when they walk by. Gosh, Spiderman comic books and Yoda origami? You two are the definition of a sweet and pure love line.

            I agree about Rory, especially the new season, I disliked her so much there. *sigh*

            *cough* JJ Field’s character in Austenland who turns out to be a history teacher? He’s my ideal. Not just because he’s played by JJ Field who played Mr. Tilney in Northanger Abbey who is actually my ideal type, but because youngish professors in tweed who stutter but shine when they rant about their passions is probably my biggest weakness.

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            @hotcocoagirl Ok, I will. I think I’ll have some time on Friday, so I’ll prep it. 😂

            I mean, it’s wonderful, because I got a rad friend! And I loved that. But it was also stressful, because I just wanted the crush to go away so I could enjoy the friendship, or. for him to go away so I wouldn’t have to sweat so much.

            We’re nerdy dorks. It cracks my mother up.
            Her character. was assassinated. I was so happy for the development with Jess, but at this point, Rory doesn’t deserve him. And I know Wonder Woman said, “It’s not what they deserve, it’s what you believe” but shh.

            Of course that man is your ideal! He knows muslin, you know. 😂 Still my favorite line. And clearly I need to go watch Austenland.

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            Don’t get me started on Rory and how Gilmore Girls completely ruined Rory’s character and how I will forever be angry about that because I identified with high school Rory so much it was ridiculous and then they had her do so much STUPID STUFF and *starts hyperventilating*

            Oh and Ho-gu’s Love is one of the next on my list

            Also this story was SO SWEET and it was honestly my dream to work in my town’s library when I was in high school but they were never hiring *cries* I’m glad you got to experience such a fun crush. I’m holding out on your time skip idea, and you better tell us when you meet again! Yes, when! Because it will happen!

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            Thank you for that mini-rant, @mindy.

            I feel the same way – loved her to pieces! Finally a book nerd who wasn’t ostracized, who wasn’t seen as weird for reading, and also had social skills. I don’t know. I just loved her. For many reasons.

            And then they murdered my love for her. *glares intensely*

            I wish I could’ve gotten paid. *eyes turn into slits* My local librarians are punks. But the experience was really lovely.

            I’m hanging in there with that “when” too. If I can bump into friends from kindergarten who moved 4 hours away – at the grocery store, I can most certainly meet someone who goes to my local library and still lives in my town.

            I just have to work up the courage to go back to the library.

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            @mindy (Oh, and find out when his new shift is.)

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            @bammsie I practically live at the library over the summer so if I ever had a crush who worked at the library it would probably seem like I was stalking him, haha. Alas, almost everyone who works at my library is a (very awesome) lady.

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            😂 Hee, I suppose I was fortunate enough to have a valid excuse – although his shift ended a half an hour before mine even though he stuck around to read afterwards – so I got very acquainted with the back of his head.

            Living in the library is what I used to do, too, before I knew how mean my librarians were. Can I go to yours, please?

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    HAHAHAHA so cute! @bammsie – if only The Dude/J could read this story this way with us, he’d be head over heels for you. ^^;

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      😂🙈 I’d be so embarrassed if he ever read this – that’s one thing about him not being into Korean dramas, I guess. He won’t stumble upon this site.

      I mean, not that I’m embarrassed of the stories I share or the things I do on here, but….it’d be awkward.

      I had many plans with Javery and Lalilu on how to confess to him – I’ll save that for another story, though. 😂

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        This story is so charming! Thank you for sharing and awesome gif work…
        I hope to one day join the gif-ing crowd…

        *bows to gif master and then giggles*

        <3

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    Can’t wait for the time skip to happen Bams. The Dude sounds lovely. May you have an encounter with him somewhere in town.

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    And this was the story that I called cute & sweet without actually reading it. (Forgive me bams, bts took up 5 days of my life.)
    But I figured if its you then the story must be definitely cute & sweet & I was wrong.
    This is cuter than I imagined. 😆😆😆

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      😂😂 It is PERFECTLY ok! BTS did the same to me, I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. 🙂 and thank you for reading it, of course.

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    As a late comer to this drama, I wonder if there has been a season 2, yet?

    Bammsie, you are a delightful person.

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    Oh My God! This is s cute! I laughed so much at the three incidents, my favorite is The Sink is Fine, I can imagine how you might’ve looked after spraying him with water, LOL!

    UGH, though, you didn’t get his contact information, HOW?! He really sounds like the sweetest guy there is so I hope you do meet him some day even if you just stay friends with him!

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      Aw, I’m glad you enjoyed reading, hehe!

      Bahaha, I was so mortified! We were both SO wet afterwards. 😂

      Actuuually.. I do have his contact information now! I bumped into him at my college last semester, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. He’s just a friend now, but I’m really glad we got to reconnect.

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        I’m glad you do, even though it’s nothing much, being friends is still good! Although I was secretly hoping for an epic reunion 😂💔

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          (Me, too. 💕 Although honestly, even it’s less adorable, I felt like I got to learn more about myself and what I love and cherish and respect through my interactions with him, so that was a really cool experience.)

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    Aww this was a very cute story , thank you for posting!! I’ve clearly been hanging out at the wrong libraries!
    Glad you got a chance to reconnect with him at university!

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    FLAJHDLA THIS IS ADORABLE and also has some moments straight out of a drama. If it WERE a drama Im sure it would’ve ended happily hahahaha
    and also- DID you ever meet him again?

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