/A romantic novel with some features of a dystopia close to reality/
Vivian lives in a world where everything must go according to the plan.
Order and security are the foundation of this world, as well as total control and painful punishment for th...
Vivian really looks good in this simple yellow dress.
Her whole appearance, along with light hair and green eyes, reminds of spring in all its radiant splendor.
I spent about fifteen minutes rummaging in the glove box to find my library pass among all the other useless old cards.
"Do you already know what you're going to take?" I ask, as Vivian sits down in the passenger seat, carefully handing me the coffee.
"No, I haven't thought about it yet," she replies, "I did the right thing not adding anything to the coffee?"
"Yes, I drink it without milk and sugar."
Vivian grimaces.
"What?" I chuckle.
"It's bitter..." she explains.
"But this is the only way you can feel the true taste and aroma," I argue.
Vivian looks at me thoughtfully. I hope she caught the connection between coffee without additives and the sincerity of people - the meaning that I put into a simple conversation, trying to speak her poetic, literary and philosophical language.
"Try typing something like "top 100 best books" in the search line while we are on the way - it will be easier for you to choose something. But keep in mind there's a limit on the quantity of books, enough is enough," I warn her.
Vivian is busy studying the lists and reviews throughout the trip.
"I'll just take the ones that first catch my eye," she says, exhausted, unable to choose from such a variety.
Soon we arrive at the huge building of the main city library.
Vivian is like an enthusiastic kid in anticipation of Christmas gifts.
"The pass is supposed for one person, so when I swipe the card, we both need to hurry up to slip through," I tell her.
The building has absolutely not changed either from the outside or inside - everything is as in the memories from my childhood.
"Ready?"
Vivian nods her head.
I attach the card and the passage opens.
I have to speed up to avoid getting hit by the doors, so I grab Vivian carefully by the waist and literally carry her a few steps above the ground.
She is obviously embarrassed, I can see it in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I had to, otherwise we would have been hurt," I justify myself and add, "I strongly doubt you will be satisfied with the books I choose if you are exposed without a pass."
She smiles, rolling her eyes and putting her finger to her lips as a request to be quiet.
We walk through the numerous halls, periodically stopping and looking at the books on the shelves.
"Ask where one can find novels here," Vivian whispers, "Please."
"You can ask yourself," I answer reluctantly, "No one knows you are here illegally."
She finds a woman arranging books and boldly walks towards her, leaving me behind.
Half a minute later Vivian returns.
"It's not that far, just three halls away," she declares and immediately moves from her place in the direction she needs.
When we get to the section, I immediately sit down in a comfortable chair by the window - I know Vivian won't confine herself to only one hour.
While she is studying the shelves and perusing all the annotations, I decide not to waste time and work. The main thing is that the phone doesn't run out of battery too quickly.
Several hours have passed.
I did everything I wanted to do, and even started something I hadn't planned at all.
"Vivian, libraries don't work late. It's time for us to go," I shout across the hall and meet the looks of disgruntled strangers.
"I'm almost done," she answers me almost as loudly, and immediately covers her mouth with her palm, realizing what she just did.
I get up from the chair and walk over to her.
"Do you need help?"
I see Vivian wants to refuse, but, trying to take a few steps with a stack of books in her hands, she gives up.
"Yes, please," the girl replies with resignation.
We need to go back to the entrance to register the books.
I walk up to the counter, and Vivian moves a little to the side, pretending to be looking at something with interest.
"Please hand over your card," the library employee asks me.
I pull the document out of my jeans pocket.
"It's been a while since you showed up, Mr. Carter. Hm, almost 10 years," she says, reading information from the monitor screen.
"Whirled in the cycle of life," I reply sarcastically.
"I see...And your tastes have changed," the woman snaps back, assessing the stack of books in front of me.
"Yes, during this time I have reconsidered my choices."
A little giggle is heard from Vivian.
The employee gives me a disapproving look and continues the registration without saying another word.
When the procedure is over, I say goodbye and nod my head to signal Vivian to go out.
"You look really cute with these novels," she comments cheerfully.
"I look with them the way you would look with a gun," I answer, catching her questioning look, and explain, "Just as ridiculous."
"It's just your prejudices," she says with the smug air of a nerd, opening the back door of the car so that I can put her treasures on the seat.
"It's almost 3 pm, time to have lunch somewhere," I suggest when we both finally sit inside. "I'll show you a place I really love. A place where worlds intertwine."
Vivian looks at me and I see her pupils dilate with curiosity, like a flower bud opening in high-speed shooting.
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