If Not For Her

Chapter 22. Belle's library

Hey, could you meet me after school? I have to show you something.

Emmalyn smiled wide as she read the text from Annabeth. God, why was she feeling like that for her competition, she shouldn't but she could stop feeling it more than she could stop breathing. "Who is it?" Sofia asked, "is it, Dexter?" "why would it be Dexter, out of all people?" Emmalyn asked. "Because your face lit up when the text came," she said. Emmalyn looked down at her phone and put it into her bag, "It's no one important" she said suppressing her smile. She was in it badly.

Emmalyn saw Annabeth in the hallway talking to Nicolas, she felt a pang of jealousy and now she finally understood, the jealousy she felt was not for Nicolas but she was jealous of Nicolas. She passed them with a smile, and some clarity, she did like Annabeth Reed. "Adam," she said as she walked up to him.

"Hey there Emmalyn" he gave her a warm smile. "I have decided something and I want you to be the first person I tell this to because first, you are my friend, secondly I need your help," she said in one breath, "Okay, calm down," he said. "I am just excited," she said. "I know, I can see," he said, "Let's go to the cafeteria" she pulled him there and bought him a cupcake, "you are happy," Adam said. "I think wait I know I like Annabeth" he choked. "Are you" he cut her off "I am fine, great actually what drew you to this conclusion?" he asked.

"It was not any particular moment I think, it was gradual little moments that led, like her little habits or the way she smiled, and now that I know her I know that she isn't a bad person," she said. Adam listened and said "Are you sure because it is a big thing, Emmalyn, huge I don't want my friend to get hurt" he said. "And I don't think I want to see her hurt," she said, "besides she said, she wanted to meet today after school," she said. "Good luck"

Emmalyn checked herself out in the mirror and texted Annabeth.

Where are you?

Turn around

she turned around to see Annabeth waving at her, she walked up to her as Annabeth gave her, her hand, and Emmalyn held it. "Where are we going?" she asked. "You will see," she said as she led her down a road, she had never seen "Where are we, are you sure you are not lost Liv," she asked. "Wait, for a moment," she said and took a turn there was a beautiful road covered with a thick canopy of trees, "I have never seen this part of the town" Annabeth smiled, "Not many people have," she said as she led her further.

They stood in front of what seemed like an old store, it had ancient designs "come on in" she said opening the door, and Emmalyn followed as they walked into an old library. "Hello, Oliver," she said to an old man, "Hello, Annabeth, who is this young lady?" he said. "This is Emmalyn," she said. 'Nice to meet you" Emmalyn answered. "The Emmalyn you talk about?" he asked. Emmalyn watched, Annabeth's face get red. 'See you later Oliver, mind if I go in?" she asked. "Not at all," he said. "Thank you, you are the best," she said.

"You talk about me?" Emmalyn asked. "Oh, shut up," Annabeth said as they passed tall shelves filled with books. Annabeth stopped in front of the door and faced her, Emmalyn gave her a confused look, "Have you ever seen beauty and the beast?" she asked. "it is a classic, yes" Emmalyn said. Annabeth's smile broadened. "It is your favorite movie?" Annabeth asked. "Yes," Emmalyn said. Tell me your favorite part?" she asked. "The library," she said, without any hesitation. "I knew it," Annabeth said as she turned her back to Emmalyn.

"Emmalyn Amelia Cole" Emmalyn gasped, Annabeth gave her a smirk, "be ready to be amazed" she pushed open the door and Emmalyn stood still. The room had shelves filled with books on the wall and a ladder. She looked at Annabeth, "feel free to feel like Belle, I won't judge" she said. Emmalyn hugged her startling both of them, "This is amazing" she said. "Check it out," she said.

Emmalyn climbed the movable ladder and she pushed herself to the side, she did feel like Belle. Annabeth held the end so she doesn't fall over, "Don't worry Em, I am holding onto you" Annabeth said. "This is great," Emmalyn said. "I knew you would," she said. The girls spent their time reading books across from each other. "Where did you find it?" Emmalyn asked on their way back. "I got lost actually when I was seven and I stayed here until my parents came frantically searching for me," she said. "That is serious," Emmalyn said, Annabeth shrugged. "Well, at least you found this place," Emmalyn said, "I had fun," she said as they walked below the canopy. "I knew you would," Annabeth said.