Music Recommendation- First Greeting- Jin Myeongyong-

  Back in the centre of Veteris, Melanie, who had dodged answering Conner's question, was now in the library with him. Sitting on the opposite side of the table, Melanie focused her eyes on the book so that yesterday's conversation wouldn't be brought up again.

  She should have gone with Julie earlier, but then at the same time, she didn't want to repeat what Conner had done to her. Ignoring her. Once in a while, she felt Conner lift his face and look at her before he went back to reading his book.

  As if that wasn't enough, Simon had decided to study today in the library and on the same floor, where the table was just a few distances away from where she and Conner sat. Her eyes slowly moved away from her book, and she casually looked around, her eyes falling on Simon.

  She stared at him discreetly, noticing his flaming red hair, which was not hard to notice. He played with a pencil in his hand, rotating it between his two fingers. He didn't sit alone at the table and was in the company of his other friend, Victoria and another girl, who was most probably a human.

  The girl enthusiastically said something to him, to which he smiled politely like a saint before replying to what she said. Now that Melanie thought about it, she wondered which side of Simon was real. The polite one or the one who had devil like behaviour. It was obvious that the human girl was into him.

  If she looked past all those embarrassing moments Simon had caused her, he was quirkily handsome. As polite as his behaviour was with people, one look at his face was enough to know that this person was filled with mischief. He pushed one side of his already combed hair further behind, and while he did that, his eyes met hers with a smile on his face.

  Melanie stared at him for a second more before looking back at her book.

  "Mel?"

  "Yeah?" Melanie's voice came rushed. She coughed when Conner gave her a look.

  He patted the book in front of him and said, "I have to go exchange one of the books. It seems like I picked the older edition."

  Melanie watched Conner leave the table with the book, making his way towards one of the book racks. She let out an internal sigh of relief, and she wondered why she was feeling as if she was cheating when she wasn't in a relationship with neither Conner or Simon. Was it because of her past feelings that she was feeling conflicted? Asked Melanie in her mind. But then what about Simon?

  "Thinking about me?" came a voice next to her ear, and Melanie almost fell off her chair if Simon didn't hold her.

  "I have other things to think about. What makes you think I was thinking about you?" Melanie shot back the question. "Do vampires lack the understanding of social distance?"

  Simon pulled the chair next to hers and sat down as if he hadn't been diligently studying across the hall until now. He replied, "Social distancing is only for strangers. We are more than that, aren't we. Especially after what happened this morning."

  Melanie's face turned red, and she replied, "You almost got me into trouble."

  "Hm?" questioned Simon, leaning towards her, "I don't think it was ever my idea to get into the closet. I mean… it isn't like we were doing something frisky in your room that you had to hide in there. Your mother knows that I exist and you or I could have just told her that we were discussing your favorite subject: Vampires. But then, you were so worried, as if she would find out that we have a thing going on."

  Melanie narrowed her eyes at Simon, "I panicked. I forgot that I was the only one who knew that you were a vampire."

  "So protective about me. I think our lives together would be wonderful," stated Simon, "Or would you prefer that I profess my undying feelings for you."

  She turned her eyes to her books and asked him, "Don't you have a girl to tutor or be in her company?"

  "Jealous?"

  Melanie huffed, "As if."

  "You know, I could sit here with you. Not to mention, I am one year senior to you and will be more helpful in your subjects than your unrequited love. Oh wait, how are things going on in between you two?" asked Simon in a playful tone.

  Did he not ask her about it this morning? It seemed like Simon did enjoy digging into people's wounds.

  "We are fine," muttered Melanie, and when she saw Conner walk back to the table, she added, "Don't add any more fire to things."

  "Please, I would never….I wasn't planning to but now that you mention," Simon shrugged his shoulders, and Melanie glared at him. "Hey, man. All prepared for the exam?"

  "Yeah, almost," replied Conner, and he noticed how Simon sat right next to Melanie. How could Simon be a vampire? He questioned in his mind. Simon was the politest and kind person in the room, and if nothing had happened like yesterday, Conner would have never found out. Were looks really deceiving? But then Simon had never tried to harm him… unless he had compelled him. With a tone of wariness, he asked, "How about yours? I heard what happened this morning. Sorry about it."

  Simon smiled, "No problem. I have to do, what I got to do to protect things that are mine," and the undertone of his words didn't go unnoticed by Melanie or Conner.

  Conner just gave a nod, and he sat in front of Melanie. He asked Melanie, "Did you have a doubt to clear? Did you not go through it before?" And Simon could tell that the human was trying to chase him away from the table for more than one reason.

  Melanie was about to answer when Simon said, "Yes, she is. Actually, you know what, let me get my books here…… It will be easier to teach you, unless you would like to join our table?" he innocently asked her.