Seeking Hope

Library

Dayna's POV

I never really bothered to pay attention in school. I basically aced all my classes regardless of how much I slept. One of my favorite things to do was read. I loved reading. If I could spend all day in the library, I would. I finished the worksheet the teacher gave us and turned to Aiden. He was frowning at his work. I tap his shoulder, "Hey, need some help? I did this lesson at my old school." He eyeballs the paper before nodding, but whispers, "After class, my bullies are in here, and I don't particularly want them to start anything." I nod, understanding. Suddenly I had an idea. I nudged him again, "Psst!" He peeks at me, "Yea?" I smile brightly."I'm assuming this place has a library. Would you want to go there on our break?" He smiles a little and nods before going back to his work.

At this school, we have 5 classes. The first 2 classes are required classes, the 3rd and 4th block are elective classes, and the 5th block is another required. Aiden and I took advantage of our 3rd block to go to the library. The teacher didn't mind giving us a pass but told us to be back before the period was over. We agreed, and he led me to the library. I stopped dead in my tracks when we entered. He bumps into me at the sudden stop, "Hey, why'd you stop?" I can feel a grin spreading across my face, "This library is HUGE! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see what books they have!" I hear a pointed cough from an office and wince, "Sorry!" Aiden looks at me in wonder, "You really like things like this?" I give him an incredulous look, "You don't?" He grins sheepishly, "Not really." I clutch my chest dramatically, "You've wounded me, cmon you don't know what you're missing." I drag him to the tables. "Here, let's focus on the work first, and then we can find a book." He stays quiet. I look at him curiously, "What is it?" He tugs his arm a bit, and I blush, realizing I'm still holding his arm. "Oops, my bad." I let go and take a seat. He mumbles and takes his work out of his bookbag, "It's okay." I glance at the work, "Okay, tell me where to start."

After about 30 minutes of working, I made Aiden follow me around the library searching for books. I ended up leaving with about 5 different books. He shakes his head, "How on earth are you going to read all of that?" I grin, "If it interests me, it'll take me a week, if that, to finish these books." He looks at me doubtfully but leads the way back to class. After we give the teacher our pass back, she gives us a worksheet and tells us to bring it back tomorrow. Shortly after, the bell rings, and it is time for lunch.

Aiden's POV

I watch as Dayna eats her lunch. It's vegetable soup and pb&js. I'm surprised she's even eating. She usually doesn't eat the school lunch, although I suppose I can't blame her. She glances at me, and I quickly look away, blushing. She's gonna think I'm a creep for staring at her, but I can't help it. She is so interesting. She's like a puzzle I can't quite solve. Not to mention, she's pretty. Not like the other girls who cake makeup on their face or wear crazy clothes. Although I don't think I could reveal that to her, I've only known her for a little over a month. I finish my food and glance at her, "Are you finished?" She looks up from the book she was reading. (Yes, she took the book to lunch) She nods, I get up and take both our trays to the drop off. I glance at her on my way back and notice her staring, her face a light shade of pink. I put my hands in my pockets and sit down. She mumbles a quiet thank you and goes back to reading. I fidget, and excused myself to the bathroom. I rush into a stall and take deep breaths. 'God, I'm making a fool of myself, I shouldn't like her but fuck, she's just so, amazing. I can't stop thinking of that drawing. I wonder if she feels the same way..'

While lost in thoughts, I didn't hear the bathroom door open. I hear someone dragging their nails down the stall door, "Open up, loser." I ball my hands into fists, 'Of course, James has to show up at the worst fucking time.' He slams his hand on the door, "I said open up bitch!" I glare and unlock the stall. He slams it open, hitting me with the door. I look at him, "What do you want?" He grins, "A little payback for the bruise your bitch gave me." I feel the rage boiling under my skin. "What did you call her?.." He grabs me roughly by the shirt, "I called her a bitch like the one she is. Got a problem with it? What gonna get mad? I see why you follow after her. She's pretty hot, not to mention the temper. I bet she'd be great in bed." He smirks, and every thought leaves my mind. I feel like I've pulled away from my body, my actions no longer my own. Next thing I know, my head is slammed into the stall wall. My vision spins, and as it clears, I realize my hand is bloody. I look at James. His lip is busted, blood dripping. I blink, finally piecing together what I just did. 'Holy shit, I just hit him.' He grabs my hair, pulling me up, "You're gonna regret that." Just as I brace myself for the impact, he let's go and stalks out the bathroom. I sit, in shock, head spinning. I turn and puke into the toilet.