Butterfly Hunter
1145 Words
The library was unusually quiet that afternoon, filled only with the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint rustling of pages turning.
Theo sat alone at a corner table, stacks of books surrounding him like small towers. His brow was slightly furrowed as he scribbled notes on a yellow pad, fully absorbed in his research. Studying had always been his comfort — a place where thoughts were organized and emotions stayed predictable.
After a while, he paused and adjusted his glasses out of habit, only to remember he had switched to contact lenses. Letting out a soft sigh, Theo stood up and walked between the tall shelves, scanning book titles carefully.
His fingers traced the spines until one title caught his attention.
The Butterfly Hunter by Laura Sullivan
(Short explanation of the story:
The story follows Eleanor, a young girl who loves studying butterflies and nature. After her father dies, she wants to continue his scientific work. However, because she is a girl, people would not allow her to join an expedition.
To follow her dream, Eleanor disguises herself as a boy and travels on a dangerous journey to the sss Rainforest with other explorers. During the trip she faces many challenges such as wild animals, harsh jungle conditions, and a greedy butterfly collector who only cares about fame and money.
Through her adventure, Eleanor learns about courage, honesty, and the importance of protecting nature.)
The cover was simple but elegant, showing a delicate butterfly resting on a fingertip.
Curious, Theo pulled the book out and returned to his seat. He flipped through several pages, then turned to the back cover to read the epilogue summary.
Just as his eyes focused on the words—
He felt a presence.
Theo slowly looked up.
And froze.
Standing just across the table, bathed in the soft library light, was Marin.
She wore her usual gentle expression, her red hair falling neatly over her shoulders. A faint, knowing smile rested on her lips as if she had been standing there for a while.
Theo stared at her silently.
One second.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
His serious expression slowly softened.
“I like that book,” Marin said gently.
Her voice was calm and smooth, almost blending with the quiet atmosphere of the library.
Theo blinked and gave a small, polite smile. “…You’ve read it?”
Marin nodded slightly, stepping closer to the table.
“It’s about chasing dreams,” she continued, her voice soft but certain. “About wanting something beautiful even if it’s difficult to reach.”
Her eyes briefly drifted to the butterfly on the cover before returning to Theo.
“You should follow your dreams bravely… even if society says you cannot.”
There was nothing dramatic in the way she spoke.
No exaggerated emotion.
Just a simple statement — calm and sincere.
Yet the words lingered heavily in the quiet space between them.
Theo felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. No one had ever spoken to him like that before — not about his dreams, not about what he truly wanted.
For a moment, he forgot how to respond.
So they simply stood there.
Facing each other.
In silence.
Surrounded by towering shelves and filtered sunlight…
…as if the rest of the world had quietly faded away.
—
The library doors opened slowly.
Caleb peeked inside first, carefully scanning the room like he was on a secret mission.
Adrian followed, quieter, his eyes naturally searching the space.
Julian, however—
pushed the door wide open.
“HEY THEO—”
“Shhhhhh!”
The librarian glared at him from behind the desk.
Julian gave an awkward grin and lowered his voice. “Right. Library. Silent mode.”
At the far shelves, Marin gently stepped away from Theo and returned to her cart of books, quietly arranging them as if nothing had happened.
Julian walked toward Theo’s table and leaned on it casually.
“So this is where the genius hides,” he whispered loudly. “Whatcha reading, professor?”
Caleb and Adrian hurried behind him.
“Julian, you’re still loud,” Caleb muttered. “Your whisper sounds like a microphone test.”
Theo didn’t look up. “Julian, you jerk. Don’t distract me.”
Julian smirked and pulled a chair. “We came here for important business.”
Theo sighed. “Which is?”
Julian leaned closer and whispered dramatically, “The new girl.”
Adrian and Caleb nodded in sync.
Theo blinked. “Are you serious right now?”
“You didn’t tell us you were already close,” Julian added suspiciously.
Theo frowned. “Close? I met her this morning. She introduced herself like a normal human being. That’s it.”
“So defensive,” Caleb teased. “Sounds suspicious.”
Before Theo could reply, two girls approached Julian shyly.
“Hi, Julian… can you help us with our assignment?”
Julian instantly switched personalities, flashing his charming smile.
“Of course. Academic service is my passion.”
Caleb gagged quietly. “Disgusting.”
Julian winked at the boys. “I’ll message you three later. Try not to miss me too much, losers.”
“Traitor,” Caleb whispered.
Julian walked away proudly with the girls.
Theo looked at the remaining two. “And you guys? Planning to stand there forever?”
Caleb crossed his arms. “This whole thing was Julian’s idea. Now he abandons us like expired milk.”
Theo snorted softly.
Meanwhile, Adrian wasn’t listening.
His eyes drifted across the shelves—
toward Marin.
She stood quietly near the back, arranging returned books with careful movements. The soft light from the windows fell across her hair, giving it a faint copper glow.
For a brief moment, Marin glanced up.
Their eyes met.
But this time…
Her expression wasn’t gentle.
It was distant.
Almost sad.
Adrian quickly looked away.
Theo noticed. “Stop being weird, weirdo.”
Adrian cleared his throat. “I’m not being weird. I was just curious about the new classmate.”
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Curious? That’s what we call staring now?”
Adrian shrugged. “She seems… normal.”
“Normal?” Caleb whispered dramatically. “My guy, you were staring like she was the last slice of pizza.”
Theo added, “You don’t stare at ‘normal’ people for five straight minutes.”
“I do not have a crush,” Adrian insisted quietly.
“Denial,” Caleb said. “Stage one.”
“Stage two is stalking,” Theo added.
Adrian grabbed his bag. “Excuse me. I have practice.”
“Running away won’t cure your crush,” Caleb called after him.
Adrian walked toward the exit but slowed slightly.
Just for a moment—
he glanced back.
Marin was already looking in his direction.
Her face calm.
Unreadable.
And that faint, quiet smile returned
- Writer
