Between Worlds

Chapter 12: Unspoken Truths

The shrill sound of the bell echoed through the halls, signaling the end of English class. Scarlet didn't bother waiting for Valerie. Instead, she stormed out of the classroom, her thoughts a chaotic mess as she made a beeline for the library. She needed to be alone—away from the constant chatter, the strange stares, and the unsettling thoughts that plagued her mind. She knew exactly where the library was, and at that moment, it seemed like the only place where she could catch her breath.

As soon as she stepped into the library, the undemanding quiet wrapped around her like a warm blanket. The room was moderately small, and though it wasn't entirely empty, the few students scattered about were too immersed in their books to notice her. The air was heavy with the musty scent of paper and old wood, and the soft hum of fluorescent lights buzzed overhead. It was the perfect kind of solitude Scarlet craved.

She wandered through the narrow aisles, her eyes scanning the shelves until she found the perfect spot—hidden away at the very back of the library. The last row, tucked in beside a small wall, felt like a secret haven. A lone table and chair sat there, almost like it had been waiting for her. It was clean, surprisingly, without the usual layer of grime that seemed to infest the rest of the place. She plopped down into the chair, sighing as the tension in her body finally began to ease.

Roughly, she pulled the ruinous book from her bag—the same book that had been plaguing her thoughts. "I can't seem to figure out why this book feels so bound to me," she muttered, speaking aloud as if the worn pages might offer her an answer. She flipped it open, scanning its pages, but before she could lose herself in the text, an annoyingly familiar voice shattered the peace.

"Why the fuck are we in the library?" a random guy's voice cut through the quiet.

Scarlet froze, her eyes widening as another voice—one she knew all too well—chimed in.

"Like I said, Marty, we're looking for—" Valerie's voice stopped short as she rounded the corner of the last row and spotted Scarlet. A wide grin spread across her face. "—and here she is!" Valerie placed her hands on her hips, looking all too pleased with herself.

It wasn't just her and Marty. More students trailed behind them, and Scarlet immediately regretted coming to the library. She had wanted to be alone, but now she was being invaded by what looked like Valerie's entire posse.

"Oh, come on, Juan. You can't be serious," a blonde-haired girl complained, clearly irritated.

"Well, you wouldn't know, now would you?" Juan, the boy beside her, shot back, his tone dripping with contempt. He had dark hair that bounced with every word, and there was something about the cocky way he carried himself that instantly rubbed Scarlet the wrong way.

The blonde rolled her eyes in surrender, crossing her arms over her chest, while a tan-skinned girl with a knowing smirk stepped forward. "Guys, guys, guys," she said, her voice filled with mock concern. They all turned to face her. "We all love each other!" She threw her arms up dramatically before the sharp hiss of a "shhh" from the librarian cut her off. The girl cringed, her expression faltering for a moment before she turned back to Marty. "But yeah, why are we in the library?" Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she glanced at the dusty shelves, and Scarlet couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Her laugh, however, was enough to draw all their attention toward her. Suddenly, Scarlet felt as if she were being put on display—like a bug under a magnifying glass. Her stomach twisted in discomfort under their gazes.

"Okay," Valerie began, clearly enjoying the spotlight. "This is Scarlet, and Scarlet, these are my bothersome imbeciles, my inseverable friends." She gestured toward each of them with a dramatic flourish. "That's Juan, Pamela, Kimberly, and Ian, and of course, you already know Martin over here." She patted Marty on the shoulder with a playful grin.