Delicate

the annotated book

☆: *.☽ Cassandra ☆: *.☽

April 10, 2005

Since the day milk was thrown at me in the lunch hall, I'd spent my lunch hours in the library. It was quiet and often free of people—two things I loved.

The few people that did hangout in the library weren't the type to throw things or yell. I was safe in here.

Adeline had finally texted me a few days ago, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. Maybe, excited was too strong of a word, but the prospect of having a friend was enough to bring a smile to my face.

Neither of us had brought up Stephan, and I was grateful for that. It was mostly us getting to know each other a little better.

"What are you reading?" A male voice startled me out of my daze.

Moving my gaze up I was met with the green eyes of Theo Hayes. Annoyance plagued me and I sighed. I thought I had finally gotten the boy to stop being nice but here he was, being nice.

"None of your business," I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Hmm, never heard of that one." He chuckled, pulling out the chair across from mine and taking a seat.

"What are you doing?" I asked, looking at him in surprise when he reached across the table and picked up my book.

Eying the book, a smile pulled at his lips. "Little Women? A classic," he nodded. "Have you read it before?"

"Why do you care?"

"It's a harmless question, Cassandra," he shrugged. "All you have to do is answer it."

"I don't have to do anything." I snapped, annoyed by his presence.

As attractive as he is, I didn't want him hanging out around me. I didn't like people, and I wouldn't be making an exception—especially not for a rugby player.

"You're right, you don't have to." He nodded, handing my book back, "but like I said, it's a harmless question."

I watched as he bent down and dug around in his schoolbag, only to reappear with a copy of Pride and Prejudice in hand.

"What about this? Have you read this?" He smiled, "it's one of my favourites."

Inhaling a calming breath, I mumbled, "no shit I've read it."

He grinned causing dimples to appear on his cheeks.

God, the world is definitely against me.

"Do you want to read it again?" He asked, sliding it in my direction, "I've annotated it to shit, but maybe that'll give you some insight into my mind."

"I don't want insight into your mind, Theodore." I scoffed, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. The lad was really pushy, how many times did I have to tell him I didn't need a friend.

"Suit yourself, Cassandra," he shrugged, sliding it back towards himself.

I couldn't stop myself from staring at him. He was definitely different. Being this close to him gave me a perfect view of the faint dusting of freckles on along the bridge of his nose. I also took note of the silver rings on his index and pinky fingers.

I wondered what the hell he was even doing reading Jane Austen—not to say men don't read her, just that the men here don't.

Letting my curiosity get the better of me, I blurted out, "why are you even reading Jane Austen?"

"Am I not allowed?" He countered, a look of victory flashing in his eyes.

"You're allowed, I just wasn't expecting it," I shrugged. "You don't seem like the type."

He raised an eyebrow, "and what exactly is my type?"

"I don't know." I rolled my eyes, "you're a rugby player with a very pretty girlfriend and I'm just surprised you don't have better things to do with your time than reading Jane Austen."

He laughed, drumming his fingers on the wooden table in front of us. "Rugby players read too, and I don't have a girlfriend. Also, Jane Austen is a legend and I'd be hard pressed to find something better to do than read."

I almost laughed because it was so comical. Men like this didn't just show up in libraries to hangout with girls like me. There was always an ulterior motive. I'd read too many books and watched too many films to know that this was most likely a dare or some sort of ploy to bully me.

"That's a great story," I hummed. "I know you've got a girlfriend, you sent her to check on me a few weeks back, remember?"

His expression changed, almost to sadness. He released a sigh, "it's called a breakup."

"Oh." I frowned, "sorry."

"It's alright, you didn't know," he offered me a smile. He tore off the cap of a pen and began writing something on a slip of paper.

Don't trust him.

"Who put you up to this?" I blurted out, feeling slightly embarrassed once I had.

"Who put me up to what?" He furrowed his brow, moving to put the pen away.

"Talking to me," I mumbled. "Why are you sitting with me?"

"Well, I happened to come in here and I noticed you sitting alone, so I thought I'd come say hi. No one put me up to anything," he explained. "It's pretty common to sit with people you know."

"No one sits with me," I shot out. "So I don't get why you want to."

"I think you're cool," he shrugged. "Is that a crime?"

"It should be."

"Well then, arrest me."

"Gladly, if you were in jail you'd leave me alone."

He shook his head, his laughter filling the air making a smile want to pull at my lips. Why did I want to smile?

The bell rang signalling lunch was over. Theo sighed, and swung his bag over his shoulder before standing up from the table.

"Unfortunately I won't be getting arrested anytime soon," he chuckled. "So, I'll be seeing you around, Cassandra."

"God help me," I mumbled, moving to shove my book into my schoolbag.

"Bye," he gave me a wave before heading towards the door.

My eyes met the copy of Pride and Prejudice still sitting on the table. "Theo, you—" I looked up and he was already gone.

Sighing, I grabbed the book, revealing a peice of paper that had been tucked underneath it.

Now you have to read it —Theo

I ran a hand through my hair and accepted defeat. I couldn't leave a perfectly good book behind, so I tucked the note into the book and then shoved it inside my bag.

I guess if I had it I should read it.
It wouldn't hurt to just see what was going on in his mind.

But that was as far as I'd go.
I'd read his stupid book and forget all about him.