One & Only

Chapter Six

SIX

The total on the bookstore register read $1,534.71. At first, I was sure it was a mistake. An extra number typed in. A decimal in the wrong place. I asked to look at the breakdown.

It was right. I almost fainted, right there on the floor of the Canton Campus Bookstore.

“I said I was looking for used books,” I told the clerk, trying not to choke. 

She shrugged and pointed at two textbooks in the pile before me with little red “USED” stickers on their spines. “Those are the only ones I could find used. Not as many people take the upper-level courses, and most of them keep their books.”

I bit my lip as I studied the pile before me. I’d always gotten by with used texts. This was twice what I’d budgeted for textbooks this term, and I hadn’t even gotten my online course packets yet. But I wouldn’t despair. They’d surely have a few of these at the campus science library. I’d just do some of my reading there.

No such luck. At the library, I couldn’t find several of the most expensive. “Excuse me,” I said to the student behind the desk. “I’m having a hard time locating this book, Tissue Engineering, in the stacks. But your computer says it’s here.”

The guy didn’t even look up from his screen. “Maybe someone’s using it.”

I checked out the nearly empty reading room. “I don’t see anyone using it. I’m wondering if maybe it’s been mis-shelved…” I gestured at the overflowing book cart behind him.

“Maybe,” he mumbled. “Or maybe someone hid it so they could always be sure to get their hands on it for class readings. Or maybe they stole it…”

“Well, maybe you should buy more than one copy!” I argued.

He rolled his eyes. “Maybe you should write a letter to the acquisitions department about that.”

“Thanks for your help,” I replied through gritted teeth as I turned and headed out the door. My next class started in less than ten minutes, so I didn’t have time to argue with the grumpy librarian anyway. 

I’d figure this out. It would just take a little scrambling. I had about three hundred dollars available on my credit card, but I might be able to get them to increase my limit. Mom had a new art client. Maybe that meant she had a little extra cash to lend me. Dr. Cavel had all the research assistants she needed this term, but she said she’d keep a lookout for me and would even ask around a few other departments. Now that my training was done at Verde, I could pick up a few more shifts…

“Lost in thought?” Dylan fell into step beside me. “Or just trying to work out some of the stickier issues in our reading for Biotransport?”

“I…uh, haven’t done that reading yet,” I admitted, sparing him a glance. Maybe if I looked at him more often I’d stop having to catch my breath every time he showed up. I could vaccinate myself against him. That was totally possible, right? “I can’t seem to get my hands on the textbook.”

“This textbook?” he asked and held up a shiny new copy of Tissue Engineering. “You should have called me. I’d be happy to share until you find one.”

Called him? For the first time in years? My eyes burned as I took the book from him. “Thanks. I can get this back to you…whenever. I can—” What? Email him daily to schedule time with his textbook? Drop by his dorm room to say hi to him and his girlfriend? No, that wasn’t going to fly at all. 

He gave me a kind smile, and it seriously stung. “We can work something out.”

“Thanks,” I repeated. “I owe you.”