like lightning: jack harries

nine

JACK

She wasn't there all morning. Her room and the porch swing were empty, and I was too nervous to find out if her phone was off too. Which it probably was- Laura seemed to never look at her phone anyway.

I knew she was at the library- my penny board in the corner of the room was fiercely tempting me- but I'd embarrassed myself already too much in there anyway.

Yesterday I watched her leave her room at 8 am in the morning with wet hair and a bagel, flying around her room and leaving in a rush for something. She was gone the rest of that morning, but soon returned and remained on her laptop the rest of the afternoon without looking up at the window across from her.

And this morning, she had completely disappeared.

I took my penny board and flew downstairs and out the door. I found myself at the library, breathless from the quick ride over.

I paused before entering the large doors.

This isn't considered stalking, right? I wondered, my hand floating above the door handle. I took a deep breath and pushed opened the doors. I don't think it is.

My eyes immediately found Laura behind the desk in the place of Ms. Velcher, attending to a stack of books. Her hair was tied into these two messy braids that I decided I like -- although it's rare that I dislike any hairstyle she chooses.

His eyes narrowed at the blonde boy wearing glasses that sat next to her in a swivel chair, engaging her in deep conversation.

I immediately hated him; not only because he was just sitting next to Laura, but he was making her giggle. It was that sort of giggle-- the Official I Like You giggle that infected teenage girls everywhere.

Her dimpled smile seemed to never leave her face at anything Blonde Boy said, his stupid perfect-teethed Tom Cruz smile shining back. I watched her eyes look at him with this stupid look of admiration that made me feel like I was going to throw up any moment.

I quickly grabbed a random book off a nearby shelf and made my way up to the Desk of Flirtation, slowly inhaling and exhaling on the way to appear normal.

When I walked up to the desk and could practically feel the perfection drip off the stupid Blonde Boy. His hair was a perfect blonde mess, the stupid black ray bans he wore not even messing the golden strands by his ears. Freckles spotted his nose and on the edges of his jawline that could've been cut right of stone-- the jealousy felt like it was about to spew out of me.

"Oh my god, what are you doing here?" Laura jumped in her seat when she noticed me.

"Checking out a book?" I laughed. "What are you doing here?"

"Being a summer intern, actually." Laura patted the desk.

I attempted to not look crushed as I set the book down on the counter. She would be spending an entire summer with Blonde Boy then too, brilliant.

"This is my ... neighbor.. friend, Jack." Laura smiled at the Blonde Boy.

"This is the other intern, Ben." Laura pointed at Ben.

"Hey." Perfect Ben waved, straightening his glasses.

"Hey." I replied.

"Is your motorcycle broken?" Laura asked.

"What?"

I looked down at the book I just checked out-- The Basics of Motorcycle Maintenance.

"I-it's for my dad, he um..." I bit my lip. "Broke his motorcycle."

Laura looked at me with an amused smirk. "Sorry about that."

"No, it's... fine." I blushed.

"Enjoy your book." Laura told me.

"Yeah, I'll be sure to um... text you about it." I winked, shooting a look at Ben.

"Hope your dad's motorcycle is better."

"Yeah, thanks for the concern." I rocked on the back of my heels and bit my lip. "Well, I'll get out of your way."

"It was nice meeting you Jack, hope to see you around." Ben flashed his perfect smile.

"Yeah, definitely." I said, smiling a nearly not as good smile. "See you around Laura."

Laura flashed a quick salute and went back to her computer.

I quietly sighed at the rejection and turned around to the doors of the library.