The Night We Met

Chapter 2 - Emy

      My pen drops to the library floor with a tiny pang that echoes in the dead silence. I pick it up quickly before resettling back into my seat.

      The library's empty save me and some other dude sitting a few tables away from me, which his hoodie drawn up, casting a shadow over his face. My legs aimlessly bounces up and down rapidly, and I lean against my right forehead as I write away in my notebook. 

       Who knew University Chemistry could be such fun? It's practically one of the only things that makes me happy anymore. And the only place quiet enough for me to concentrate is the public library downtown. The library on campus is way too packed for my liking. Way too many people.

      I bite my tongue between my teeth, my leg bouncing even faster as I finish up the last few homework questions my teacher assigned. Once I'm done here, I'm going to run to the store to pick up some books I ordered online and then... my pen drops onto the notebook as I finish the question. Then, I'll have no more excuses. No more reasons to stay away. I have to go home. 

     I begrudgingly close my notebook, clipping it back into my binder before stacking my books and placing them into my back back, zipping it up before shrugging it on. I glance over at the dude sitting at the table about twenty feet away, but he seems absorbed in whatever it is he's jotting down on a piece of paper. I squint, but can't make out his face.

      Is it normal for someone to wear a hood indoors? Should I inform the librarian? 

      I give my head a little shake to clear it. I'm sure it's fine. 

      Without giving the dude a second thought, I head out of the library and start walking a few blocks over to the store holding my book order: Beau's Books. 

      I stare straight ahead to ignore the cars whooshing along on the road beside me. It's not walking alongside cars, or even hearing them that's hard. 

      It's getting into them for extended periods of time, and WATCHING them drive by me. 

      I stop at a cross walk, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath before opening them and looking both ways. I flinch as a car zooms by me before taking another deep breath. 

      An opening. 

      Boom. There's my chance.

     I walk quickly across the road and jump into the curb before continuing my journey to the store. Thank god I only have to cross the road twice before it's a straight shot. I tend to plan my routes to avoid cross walks as often as possible, and it just so happens it's more efficient if I walk to the library first, and THEN to the store. Lucky me. 

      A few minutes later, I'm striding up the steps to Beau's Books, my backpack bouncing in between my shoulder blades. My face is neutral as I walk inside and make my way over to the checkout counter. The lady standing there smiles at me, which I don't return.

      "Hey there! How can I help you," she asks cheerfully.

       God, I hate happy people. "Hi," I say, my voice completely neutral. I may be grumpy, but I'm not impolite. "I'm here to pick up an online order."

       The woman, a dark haired brunette with a sparkly green eyes and a dazzling smile, grins at me. "Awesome! What's the order name under?"

       My eyes flicker down to the name tag pinned to the woman's sweater. 'Lily'. I don't return Lily's smile. "Emerson Wales."

       She types away on her little computer before her eyes lift to mine. "Two books, yes? One pertaining to Chemical Engineering, and the other a self-defense guide?"

       "Yes."

        "Alright, great. I'll be back in two seconds, just going to grab them from the back," Lily says, smiling once more before turning and walking into a door behind the counter.

       I wonder if her face hurts from all the smiling she must do. 

       I don't have that problem.

       A few seconds later she comes back holding a small package. "Here you are!"

       "Thank you," I say, taking the package from her and making my way out of the bookstore. 

       "Have a great day! Come back soon!" Lily sings as I walk away from her. Me? Come back? Probably.

       Have a good day? Not likely to happen.

       Having run out of excuses, I begin to walk home.