Fallen Angel

2. Studying in the library

Some days later, Aurora and Olivia decided to go to study in the library. They had been received an e-mail with the exam dates and, although there were still weeks to go, they wanted to start structuring their study hours and get the necessary books. The library was a huge building next to the Faculty of Fine Arts, with rustic decor and stone walls with arched ceilings that made the place almost magical. Aurora liked to spend time there learning about art history. It was probably her favourite place at university, apart from the art studio where they put theory into practice.

They sat at a table of four because the library was quite full that morning. The first-year students took their exams earlier and were already preparing. Aurora left her things on the table and went to find some books to start taking notes. Olivia waited for her, preparing the notebooks.

"Good morning, Olivia" greeted Ethan, who had just entered and had seen her alone.

"Oh, good morning, Ethan! How beautiful to see you early in the morning."

"Are you alone? Isn't Aurora with you?" he said, smiling.

"Yes, she's looking for books. We have decided to start preparing for the exams in time. Do you want to sit with us?"

"Ah... yes, if you don't mind. I leave things here; I need to find a book. I'll be right back."

Olivia looked at him surprised by the sudden haste, but she didn't insist.

Ethan started to look through each aisle of shelves until he finally found the Art section. And he saw her there. Right in the middle of the corridor, concentrating on reading a book, with a large window in the background that went from the floor to the ceiling and let in very bright rays of sunlight. A sun that shone on Aurora as if she were the only person in the world. A splendid light that made her blonde dark ash hair, shine; a light that drew her perfect silhouette as if she were a statue of a Greek goddess. Ethan didn't notice that he unconsciously opened his mouth, surprised by that divine image. She looked so much like an angel...

But then she tiptoed to try to grab a book that was placed on the highest shelves, and it would have fallen on her head if it hadn't been for Ethan's quickness, who was behind her as fast as wind, and since he was taller, he was able to prevent it from falling on top of her by holding it. Aurora held her breath waiting for it to fall, but when she saw that nothing was happening and that one hand was holding the book, she turned around, surprised.

"Sorry, I didn't want to disturb you..." Realizing who it was, she frowned. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"So, you would have been kind if it hadn't been me who had taken the book." That damn smile again.

"I didn't ask you for help."

"Would you rather it fell on your head?"

"Leave me alone. I feel like you're behind me all day. You start to be annoying."

"Wow, I'm sorry, but I found Olivia and she invited me to study with you." He smiled even more.

Aurora was cornered between that body taller than her and the shelf. She pushed the boy to be able to leave, but he grabbed her wrist and pinned her arm against the books behind her.

"Why don't you like me?" Aurora could almost see the pores of his skin from how close they were.

"Because all you do is look at me and annoy me, you bother me, you're a stuck-up guy who thinks he can get any girl. You disgust me." She said these last words angrily and looking him straight in the eyes, trying not to think about how intimidating they were.

"You are very beautiful when you are angry, especially when you are angry with me."

Aurora couldn't handle it anymore. She got rid of his arm, pushed him aside roughly, and slapped him, causing the surrounding students to turn to them and ask them to be quiet. Ethan touched his cheek and looked at her perplexed.