UNGIFTED

CHAPTER 3

G rowing up, the library had always been one of her favorite spots. A perfect place for her to read, study, or simply spend time whenever she felt alone. She knew it from A to Z. Every window, she had looked through. Every seat, she had sat on. Every book back, she had run her finger through. The employees had seen her grow throughout the years and knew her well. Books had been, and still were, her lifeline during difficult times. And they always remembered to set her favorite titles aside for her on certain moments of the year. The library had been more of a home for her than her own house.

Its heavy doors squeaked as Ameria pushed one of them open. The smell of old books and wood polish automatically welcoming her with warmth. A small smile pulled at her lips at the feeling associated to it. Welcomed. She could use the fingers on one of her hands to count in how many places she felt that welcomed, and she would still have fingers to spare. But the library was certainly one of those places.

"Morning dear." Octavia greeted her from behind the front desk.

"Morning Via." Ameria said walking towards her. Pushing herself up with both hands on the desk, she reached down to press a kiss on the woman's forehead like she always did. "Have you seen Jamie?"

"Yup." The woman said, a tiny smirk pulling at her lips showing her slightly gapped teeth. "He's in the back." She told her with a soft nod.

"Thank you!" Ameria said and quickly walked away.

The room was warm and the orange tones of the morning sky slipped through the tall windows reflecting on every surface. Thankfully, during that time of the day, most tables were usually empty. Chairs hanging from them, waiting to be put down and sat on. Except during exam weeks that is. During those days, finding an empty seat was harder than finding one at the cafeteria during a holiday.

On a far corner she found him. Head buried in a book. A few strands of his dirty blonde hair brushing against his forehead as he read the book she had given him. Concentration accentuated by the light wrinkles carved between his thick eyebrows.

The sound of her footsteps approaching must have alerted him of her presence because before she could say a word, he had already lifted his head to meet her.

"Hey!" Jamie said using one hand to keep the book open, while waving with the other.

"Hi." She whispered taking a seat right across from him. "Sorry to keep you busy during breakfast." She said apologetically.

"It's alright." He smiled warmly at her. "So," He said breaking eye contact and focusing on the book at his hands. "I took a look at what you asked."

"And?" She asked stretching the word. Her eyes narrowed as if she could see the blow coming straight to her face.

Ameria had met Jamie a long time ago. As fellow bookworms, constantly crossing paths at the library had led them to develop some sort of acquaintanceship. Often spending time being lonely together.

From the few things Ameria had come to learn about Jamie over the years, what gift he had been assigned had probably been the first of them. Even before hearing his name, she had heard about his gift. And it was not because he liked to brag about it. No. Amongst the community, talking about gifts was more usual than talking about the weather when meeting new people. And maybe that happened because even weather control was a gift some were given.

When Ameria met him, Jamie had just discovered his gift. The mark on his wrist brand new and boldly showing. He was only twelve at the time, but anyone who took the time to look him in the eye could see the sensitivity behind them. At such a young age, he had been dictated Giftgiver. One of the most vital gifts of the community, but also one that took years and years of training before practicing.