A Library Romance

Chapter 8: The Truth

She walks around the bookstore, browsing the shelves like she's a kid in a candy store. It's a used bookstore, so there isn't as much as there would be at a place like Barnes and Noble. The books are years old, but she looks so happy, trying to decide which books to get. After a few minutes of browsing, she lets out a loud gasp and pulls a book from the shelf.

"I found it!" she exclaims, holding up Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.

"Stargirl, good one," I say.

"It's one of my favorite books, and I've checked it out at least twenty times, but I've wanted a copy for myself," she says.

"Today is your lucky day," I say. She smiles and holds the book close to her chest. We're silent for a while, and I follow Lily as she continues browsing, picking out a couple of other books. My stomach is still churning with guilt. "Lily, I really am sorry about what happened. What he did was completely uncalled for, and if I would have known he was going to do that, I wouldn't have brought you," I say. She sighs quietly, fidgeting with her hands as I check out with the books and we head back to the car.

"It wasn't your fault. He said I was acting like I was into him, but I was just leaning in to get a better angle on his face. I should have tried to stop him, but it happened too fast," she says. I shake my head.

"You shouldn't have had to deflect him because he should have been behaving himself. I don't know if he was drunk or just being stupid, but he knows I like you, too, so I can't believe he would do that knowing how I feel about you. It makes him a total dick," I say.

"It's fine, Milo. I feel bad about making us leave, but I just-I have bad experiences with people forcing themselves on me," she says. I frown. Does that have something to do with why she's at the library so much? Does she live with an abusive boyfriend? No, that can't be it. If she had a boyfriend, she would have told me that and wouldn't be spending so much time with me. "Milo?"

I blink, shaking my head. "Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. I'll make sure that he doesn't do that again, I promise," I say.

"Thanks. It just sucks. I um... I hoped that you'd kiss me at the party, not stupid Kolby," she says, her face red. I smirk.

"I can still kiss you, if you want," I say, moving a strand of hair from her face. She bites her lower lip, eventually shaking her head.

"I want it to be a surprise," she says.

"Don't you think it'd be a bad idea for me to surprise you? I don't know exactly what you've been through and I don't want to make a mistake," I say.

"I trust you, Milo. You'll surprise me at the right moment. I know you will," she says. She hugs me, and we finally get into the car after having been standing in the parking lot shivering all that time.

"So, where to now?" he asks.

"You can take me back to the library now," she says. I look at the clock.

"The library is closed, Lily. This time you really have to go home," I say.

"This is what I was afraid of. This is why I didn't want to get close to anyone," she whispers.

"What do you mean?" I ask. She sighs and is silent for what feels like an eternity.

"Milo, I don't have a home, okay? I live at the library," she says. My jaw drops.

"You aren't serious," I say.

"I am," she says.

"But... why?" I ask.

"Listen, I really don't feel like I should have to tell you any of this," she says. I frown.

"You don't have to, if you don't want to. I just want to understand you, Lily. I'm not going to judge you or think of you any differently than I do now. You should know I'm not like that," I say. She sighs.