How To Find Your Future

20 - Kids and Undeniable Feelings

Charlie

We follow Ben down a long hallway to a door. I expected to see his name on the plaque outside of it but instead it has his job title. He holds the door open once more and we head in.

"So, I think for now I'll show you how I handle events."

"Do we get to help organize one?" Olivia says. She leans forward out of her seat, and her face lights up at the idea.

Ben chuckles. "Not quite. But that enthusiasm could be useful in this field."

She grins. "So what are we doing then?"

"Well-" Ben clasps his hands together on the desk. "-Today we have a children's read-aloud event. So I want you two to help out with that. Normally the youth department would be in charge of it. And they still are, you two will just be helping since I don't have any events for you to help with for the young adults."

"How do you want us to help?" I ask. I didn't expect today to go like this. I thought it would be like all the other jobs we've gone to so far, where they just walk us through what it's like. I'm not upset by this, it's just different. But, when I look at Olivia and how excited she is by all this I can't help but be excited to. Maybe this is it. Maybe this is the job for her.

"Well, you'll need to go out and get snacks and then I'd also like for one of you to read out to the children. Normally there's a special guest speaker who comes and does all that but I thought it'd be better for you to try." He looks at Olivia as he suggests it.

Olivia nods. "I'd love to."

Ben grins. "Great. Be back by one o'clock with those snacks."

"What kind?" Olivia asks.

Ben grins. "I'll leave that up to you two." He winks before turning around and picking up a little pile of cash. "Here's some money we put aside that you can use."

I share a glance with Olivia. But all her look says is that she's excited and doesn't want to blow this. I get up and grab the money from him. "We'll be back before one."

Ben nods. "I look forward to it."

Olivia gets up and spins toward the door, brushing past me. I follow her out of Ben's office and all the way out of the library to my car. I unlock it and we get in and start the drive to the grocery store in silence.

"So... What snacks should we get?"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Olivia bite her lip. It's cute. I blush at the thought. I need to stop thinking like that. We're just friends. She drums her fingers along her leg and part of me wants to reach out and- Stop! I can't be thinking like this.

"We should probably go with something healthy. But we should also get something a little sweet so the kids aren't grumpy about only healthy choices."

I nod. "Smart thinking. So, like, a fruit platter?"

"That would work. Maybe two and then some cookies?"

"Sure. Should we also get some juice? All those snacks will probably get the kids thirsty."

"Oh!" She sits straighter in the seat. "You're right!"

I grin at her, taking my eyes off the road for a second. "I always am."

"Charlie!" she screams. Her hand flies to my arm and grips it. My gaze shots back to the road as my foot flies and slams on the brake. The car jolts me forward. Almost making me hit my head. I catch my breath to look up to see a red light and a family crossing the street. Olivia's hand still grips my arm as she sighs.