lumière

2.

So, I tripped over the books that I accidently knocked over from the cart and nearly died, but I didn't and that's all that mattered. That and the fact that Niall helped me up. I don't know why he had me all flustered all of a sudden, but here we were, talking—well more like staring—with each other and I could not stop my face from heating up.

If I wasn't a little gay, I'd be concerned with the amount of blushing I did in the past two days.

I cleared my throat. "So, erm, Niall, what's your favorite book?" It was the most convenient question at the moment, and plus I'd get to know more about him. I guess.

"I don't really have a favorite." He looked at me then looked down at his hands. "I've read a lot, well I read a lot, and I can't really pick a favorite." That was the most he'd said to me and I was ecstatic.

"Well, what's your favorite genre?" He had to had a favorite one of those.

"Oh, that's easy. Fiction is my favorite. Or Fantasy. They have the best imaginative places in them and I think it's nice to escape things every once in awhile." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. God, look at me, reading people's smiles.

"I love fantasy too! J.K. Rowling is the queen of Fantasy." I couldn't help but praise her. She was a major inspiration.

"Exactly. Have you ever read anything by Marissa Meyer?" He seemed to be more open now, and I was glad he was even talking to me about something.

"Um, did she write those Twilight books?"

He chuckled. Wow. "No, that's Stephanie Meyer. Marissa Meyer wrote 'The Lunar Chronicles'." He smiled and started playing with his hands on the table. It seemed like books made him happy. Maybe that's why he sat in the library all day.

"Oh, well no I haven't heard of her, but I guess now I have something to read for the week." I smiled at him and he smiled back. I suddenly looked at the watch on my hand and saw that it was time for my lunch break. "Hey, Niall, I hope you don't mind me asking, but, would you like to go to lunch with me?"

I had the brief satisfaction of watching his eyes widen and the tinting of his cheeks to a pale pink. "D'you mean like a l-lunch date?"

Now it was my turn to turn pink. "I mean, you could look at it that way, but if you don't want to go, I understand." I gulped a little. "Of course, if it was a little date thing, um, it'd be on me." I thought that over and cringed. "What I mean is, I'd pay for your lunch."

"Um, okay." He smiled down at the table and it made me happy that I made him smile like that. He was really cute.

We got up from the table and I told him to wait by the entrance. I went behind the front counter and told the other librarian, Lily, that I was going on my lunch break. I got my wallet and met Niall back by the entrance.

"Ready?" I smiled at him and watched as he nodded his head with the same shy smile on his lips.

And so we walked.

•..•

We ended up in a small pub two roads down from the library. I asked him what he wanted ("Anything that's not to expensive. Or green.") and I told him to go find us a table to sit at.

I smiled as I walked up to the counter. "Hello, can I have two Turkey Sandwiches, no tomatoes, and, um," I looked up at the menu for a drink. "Two 'Lemon-day Squeeze's' please?"

The young girl smiled at me. "That'll be $11.25, sir." I handed her the money and stepped to the side.

"Hey," I jumped when I heard Niall's voice. "Sorry, but I don't really like tomatoes, so, um, can you get anything without—"