Unititled For Now

Chapter 1

The fresh smell of books immediately filled my nose. I couldn’t help to do anything but stand and take a big breath. The library had just gotten a new delivery of books, this was my favorite day to come. The familiar faces were easily recognizable to my eyes. Paulina Whitt, owner of the St. Marx Library, seemed gladdened to see her number one customer. We simultaneously took a step towards each other.

“So glad you came today, Ellia.” Mrs. Whitt said. My height towered over her small build as we embraced in a hug.

“Where else would I be?” I asked sarcastically. “There’s nothing I’d rather do on a Thursday then help unload books.”

The librarian shook her head. “No, you don’t have to. You’ve already done it the last three times.” Before she finished her sentence I already had an arm full of paperbacks on the first shelf.

I interacted with other employees at the St. Marx Library, but I didn’t remember nearly half of them. Only two workers here have stayed more than a month: Paulina and Liam, her grandson.

I was the tallest of all the helpers unloading the delivery. Except for Liam who was the strongest, so he held the ladder while I stood on the top leg. I caught my balance before I reached down for my first set of books. I had to stand on my tip toes to push them into the V-Z section. However, one book caught my eyes; it was a grayish purple with glittery green on the edges. The title was the part that really caused me to pause, it read “Future”. Possibly one the simplest book titles I’ve seen.

“Ellia, are you good up there?” I was snapped from my trance, stunned. My balance shifted instantly and I dropped my remaining books. I moved back and forth trying not to fall a full story. My left foot separated from the ladder leg. I was going to fall. I looked to the ground trying to find the best place to land. Without much time to think I aimed for the bin of paperbacks.

“Ellia!” The voice sounded like Liam’s. He was trying to catch me. My light brown hair flew in front of my face strands at a time. The last thing I saw was Liam’s scrunched up face. Mainly my fall was broken, but a sharp pain burned through a single part in my left arm.

A group of about five people crowded around my body barely giving me space to breath. They all asked the same question and I gave the same answer: “Yes, I think I’m fine.”

Liam freed his leg from under my back. He didn’t seem to have a single bruise.

“Are you okay?” I had turned into one of the curious employees.

Liam smiled at me. “Yah, maybe a little scratch. Your arm looks pretty busted though.” He look down at me and offered a hand. I grabbed it with my open right arm. “Let’s get you to a doctor.”

 ***

The doctor said it’s barely even a hairline fracture, and it should heal in a few days. As long as I don’t bend my arm too much. I had only been laying in the hospital bed for fifteen minutes when Paulina and Liam strolled in.

Paulina immediately hugged me but as she pulled back from the hug whispered in my ear, “I brought this for you.” I felt a smooth rectangular-like object enter my hands. “Liam told me you seemed fascinated by it.” Looking down at my gift I saw it was a book. The book that read “Future”. My jaw nearly dropped.

“Thanks.” I managed to stutter.

She smiled and stepped out of the room. Allowing her grandson to say some words. Liam seemed pale, he was obviously speechless. His following statement confirmed my suspicions, "Sorry, I don't have any words of comfort for you." He cupped his light blonde hair with the palm of his hands. I admired the way Liam was able to deliver his words so casually.

"Trust me," A faint smile hinted my pink lips. "I don't need it." My phrase came out bossy, not smooth. Liam stepped away from the wall as he made his way towards my bed. He kneeled onto my bed. My lips parted as if to say something while his hand grabbed my elbow. However, I didn't want him to think I was protesting.

Liam noticed the expression on my face. "Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you. It's just I went to med school for a year and thought to give you a second opinion."

I didn't know Liam went to medical school. "Did you quit or something?"

"Yah... Something." A quick puff of air escaped his nostrils. "Being a doctor just isn't for me." Liam let his grip off of my arm. He left the room rather rapdily. Leaving me, and my book in silence.

Writen with the help of one of my closet friends: Aly