Before Me, Him

Chapter 40

     The lunch went great, Robert looked happy and had fun. Of course, we paid for his meal since we were the ones who invited him. Emily, Polly, and Dean didn't want to join us in the library so, when we went back to our house, I grabbed my books and they ended up staying there, watching some television.

     Then, there were four: me, Luke, Phillip, and Jacob. Somehow the atmosphere was weird, I can't say for sure what was going on or even what was happening but something was, indeed off. We reach the library and are greeted by an old lady with pearl white hair and beautiful green eyes.

     - Welcome. – she says with a trembling voice. – Do you need any help?

     - Good afternoon. We're alright, just going to study a little bit but thank you. – I answer with a smile. –Isn't Lisa here today?

     - Oh... - the old lady giggles. – Lisa had a doctor's appointment, she should be back in a couple of hours.

     I nod and tell her that we would be upstairs. The library was empty today but that was natural, the weather was too good not to be outside. The sun was bright and there was no wind, a perfect beach day. However, inside was a different story, it was a little bit too hot so it was slightly uncomfortable. As we reach the upper floor we sit on the only table that was in the shadow from the sun rays coming from the open windows: Phillip sat in front of me and Jacob was by his side, of course, Luke had sat instantly next to me. I remove the books from my black backpack and put them on the table. One of them I had already finished but didn't have a chance to return it. I open the last book and place it in the middle of the table.

     - Alright, I will go downstairs return this one and try to see if there are any others around. – I get up from my chair. – Phillip fill them in, please.

     He nods and starts explaining about Autumn's situation, to his knowledge of course. I go meet the kind old woman that was sitting with her eyes closed while her face was being kissed by the sunrays. The wrinkles on her face were very detailed, almost as if telling a story of every expression her face had ever made. Her white hair was reflecting the sun and, due to that, it was glowing brightly.

     - I wanted to return this. – I say while placing the book on the table. – I also needed to know if you have any other books regarding horses or similar animals.

     The old lady smiles and states that she had gotten some new animal-related books this week so she pointed to the shelf where I needed to go. As I reach it I could see several new books from all types of animals: cats, mice, dogs, hamsters. There were two new ones regarding the thematic I wanted, in this case, the horses. Another peculiar book caught my eye: "Animals Emotions", a book regarding how animals also had experienced several different emotions and how we could know them. I ended up taking five books, two related to horses in specific and three regarding animal's psychology or something similar to that.

     - Welcome back. –says Jacob when I sit at the table with a smile on his lips.

     - Thank you. – I place the books on top of the table creating a loud sound. –Choose one and start getting into work.

     - Yes mam'. – says Philip with a giggle.

     I pick up the peculiar book I had found and, for a change, I start reading it from the beginning. The book itself had several different subjects regarding animal behavior but it didn't specify any animals so it would be a longer reading than usual. As I was reading I felt an arm being placed over my shoulders, I look to the side to see Luke still on the same page he was twenty minutes ago. I shake my shoulder and glare at him. After some time I see a hand getting close to my legs so I just slap it out. Philip and Jacob stare at us since it made a loud sound. Luke rolls his eyes and as I look to the book I see that he was still on the second page. "Are you telling me that in one hour he only read two pages?" I was screaming inside. I was mad, actually it was more than that, I was pissed! Thirty minutes passed until I felt his hand on my thigh grabbing it. I glare at him to see him blush with a smile on his face. I assume this was really amusing for him, truly.

     - If you're not going to help then leave Luke. – I say while removing his hand from my thigh. I was trying to control myself, I didn't want to make a scene in the library.

     - I'm helping though! – he said out loud however he got closer to me and started to whisper into my hear. – But we could go somewhere else, just the two of us.

     - What did you just say? – I question while I glare at him. I couldn't restrain myself anymore, my emotions just popped out. I get up while my body was trembling with rage. – Say that again Luke.

     - It was a bad idea, never mind J! – seeing how mad I was he places his eyes on the book, as if he was really reading it.

     - I said... - I grab him by his shirt and push him up, our faces were close and this would be extremely romantic if I wouldn't be wanting to punch him in the face right now and if his face was not filled in fear and regret. My voice gets louder. – Say that again.

     - We could go somewhere else, just us. – he says while looking away. He didn't know how to react. I remove my hand and push him back into his chair.

     - You're right Luke, this is boring, so boring. –I say while placing one hand on my table and the other one on the chair, with my chest leaning forward. – So you should go.

     - I want to help you! – he said after seeing me smile extremely coldly. – Don't say such things.

     - Oh, like you wanted to help the red-haired girl right? What was her name... Quinn right? – I glare at him while starting to walk downstairs. – I'll be going to catch some air. If, when I come back, you are still here I swear I will fucking punch you. Leave. Now.

     I leave the library and go take a small walk until I sit at a bench at the ending of the street. "Gosh I'm so mad" I thought to myself. I was very upset, pissed, I can't find words to describe my feelings. The way he was acting was out of this world, his negligence and lack of willingness to help just made me feel sick. I wasn't mad because of him trying to make moves on me, I'm mad because he said he would help Autumn but instead he is more focused on his own conquest. This is a life we are talking about here, if I don't find a solution soon Robert might have to... I let out a sigh. I really didn't want to make a scene but I don't know why I get so upset about this. Since when did Autumn become so important to me? Why do I want to help him that much? I never cared about animals but why is Autumn so...

     After fifteen minutes I get back to the library to see Luke sitting on his chair and reading the book, without paying attention to anything else. During the argument, Jacob and Phillip only looked, without saying anything. "Did they said something to him?" I wondered. It really didn't matter. I sit down next to Luke and continue my reading.