Chapter 15: That Lovely Fall Day
That lovely fall day, we headed to the library. The walk was pretty uneventful. We chatted a bit before we left, but walked mostly in silence, talking only occasionally. When we got to the library, Lee had some work to do, putting the books back from a big cart onto the shelves.
“Here, let me help you with that,” I offered. We went bookshelf by bookshelf, returning books along the way. We’d sometimes stop to chat a bit, but we’d mostly work. At one point, our eyes met, and the only thing I could think to say was “Lee, the truth is, I kind of really like you. I know it’s weird, but that’s how I feel.”
Naturally, it came out as: “Uh, Lee?”
“Hmm?”
“Um, the... uh... I, well... and, no, nothing. Never mind,” I stumbled over my own words. I don’t know whether I should be grateful or disappointed, but I’d made up my mind. I’ll tell her today. She stared at me, looking a bit worried.
“No, really, it’s fine. Just a brain-fart.” I swear, my face probably looked at stupid as I sounded. We got to a section off at the end of the library, and it occurred to me that I know all of one author with a last name beginning with Z. Okay, nobody’s going to be here, and the library’s pretty empty as well. Deep breaths, calm down.
“Hey, Lee.” And, no, this was not a pun on her name
“Luke.” We spoke at exactly the same time. This was the kind of scene you’d read about or watch, not live through! “You go first,” she said.
“Oh. Ok. Well, here goes. Lee, the truth is that you are a wonderful friend.” I paused to breathe and calm myself. “But I like you as even more than that. I know it seems strange, but that’s how I feel. I really do... I care for you, Lee, and I...” I ran out of words. I saw that Lee was standing there in stunned silence. “Lee, if you don’t feel the same way towards me, I understand, and our friendship is wonderful and I don’t want to ruin it, but... I mean, you know... if you’re interested, and... well..” Again, I ran out of words.
She game me a look of what I could only describe as sheer disbelief. I immediately thought that I had just ruined a beautiful friendship, and by the way, Alex will hear about this and you will die. I didn’t know what to do but stand and wait for a response. When it came, it came in the form of a smiling Halley Jacobson flying at my face. Before I realized what was happening, she had her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs around my torso. She’s so light!
I held her close and whispered, “Lee.”
“I like you, too.” That’s it, I was then, the single happiest guy to have ever existed.
“Lee.”
“Hmm?” She pressed in closer to me, and I could feel the warmth of her skin, the soft blow of her breath.
“Lee.” I said again. It seemed right.
“Yes, Luke?”
“I just like saying it: Lee.” I smiled and sat down on a sturdy-looking chair while still holding her. She pulled back and I had a good look at her face. She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Her brown hair brushing her shoulders, her smooth white skin mesmerizing. She pushed my hair back slightly and looked at me. Feeling her fingers on my face sent shivers of joy through me. I fell into her eyes and lost all conscious thought. I leaned forward and kissed her gently on her smiling lips.
She all of a sudden came to life, pressing on and leaning into me. It felt like a joyous eternity, and I wanted this moment to last that long. She pulled away, seeming uncertain. I moved in, taking the lead, my hands running through her silky-smooth hair, my body pressing closer still to hers, my lips and tongue, well, I’ll leave that to the imagination.
When it was over, I was immensely short on breath, feeling very warm, and wanting nothing but to continue, and continue we did, but then I heard it.
“Oooooooooooooooooo development! That is a fine piece of mancake!”
“Go Halley! Womanly assets!”
“This is better than the movies.”
Oh. Dear. God. We’ve been seen! Two older librarians were looking on, peeking through the shelves, practically giggling with delight at seeing young love expressed on the chair in the back-section of their library, not knowing where it would have ended had they not interrupted. Or maybe that’s why they interrupted.
“Hi Fran, hi Anne. Ummmmm...this is my...my...my....” I think she’s still somewhat in shock. I’d best help out. Are Lee and I now...? Am I her...? Is she my...?
“Umm... Hi. I’m Luke.”
“We know,” they said as if they’d rehearsed it.
YOU ARE READING
First Snow
RomanceLuke and Halley have been aware of each other's presence for some time now, but it was only recently that they began to get to learn more about each other. To Luke, Halley was just Alex’s shy little sister. To Halley, Luke was just Alex’s friend. Bu...
