PAIN KILLER [DISCONTINUED]

007. COLD SWEAT

007.

――― CHAPTER SEVEN ―――

COLD SWEAT

FEBRUARY 3RD, 1986

📍THE HAWKINS PUBLIC LIBRARY

4:56 PM

I STARE DULLY at the pile of books sitting right in front of me. There's easily eight or nine of them. I huff, sorting through the books again in front of me.

There's no way I'll be able to check all of these out. I hear the stern voice of the librarian clear in my head― squealing. 15 books maximum!

I push half the books to the side, eyeing two of them. I bite my thumbnail as I stare at the covers in front of me, before I grab the two of them and hide them under a bookshelf— in hopes that nobody will find it in the time being. I dust my hands of the lint and dust gingerly.

I then proceed to pick up all seven remaining books. I grab them all, heaving them higher and firmer in my grasp as I grunt.

I speed-walk through the library, my arms threatening to give out, till I reach the Librarian's counter— which to my dismay, is empty. I press the rusty little bell and it chirps up the moment it's pressed.

My arms feel like they are about to fall off.

Where is the Librarian?

I hit the bell again. Ding.

Still no Librarian.

I suddenly wince— my head shattered in pain. A wave of nausea passed through me, and the world suddenly felt like it was spinning and I fought the urge to vomit.

"Hey, Princess— oh— okay— that is a shit-ton of books—" A familiar voice and a familiar nickname I know far too well meet my ears.

I drop the books with a thud— either out of pain or out of shock. It's one of the two.

A figure through the corner of my eye— tall, long-haired, is visible. He bends down, picking up the books, and I keep my hands fixed on his hands, big, nimble fingers, adorned with rings that turned his fingers green.

"Are you stalking me or something?" I mutter so quietly, still refusing to meet his gaze. I pile up the books on my side neatly, and he adds to the pile.

"Nope," he says. Through the corner of my eye again, I see him staring at the books that are now in my hands. Then at me. "Are you even going to look at me?" He mutters.

"Not planning on it," I say slightly cheekily. I feel a smirk tugging at my lips, but as soon as it's there, it vanishes— just to become a ghost on my face. 

I stand up with some effort and rest the books up top the desk. I hit the bell again. I can't bear to stand here with Eddie much longer.

"Jeez, someone's in a hurry." He noticed. His tone feels lighter, almost sarcastic.

"You noticed," I clicked my tongue. "Congratulations."

"Why so salty, Princess? You were like this at detention yesterday too. I don't like it," He remarks.

Yes, I think. But today is not yesterday. And it never will be yesterday. I never will be how I was with Eddie the first time I saw him at detention. Or even the night at the party.