Play Your Cards Right

Ch 9: Apologies

Eli's P.O.V.
The Next Day After School

I officially made it through my first day as librarian and went by as smoothly as it possibly could. My job was more or less to make sure everything was in order and to help students find the books they wanted. I didn't even have to check the books themselves out, there was a scanner that students used. Although I did have to check them in and put them away. Ororo had explained the reason why they had the scanner was because they never closed the library. It was a safe place for students, even at one in the morning.

My shift ended at three when class let out but I decided to stick around a little longer. Between three and four there were study groups and teachers came in and helped anyone who needed it with homework. I loved the idea. I also learned from one student that this was the time when clubs went on.

Okay, if I'm being honest with myself I didn't just stick around for no reason. I was putting off the same thing that had been eating me up all day from waiting. But no matter how hard I tried or how many times I rehearsed what I wanted to say, the apology sounded fake. I had no idea what to say to Remy and yet I didn't want to leave this awkward never talk to each other kind of silence between us. I realized I already blew any chances of us every being together. But we worked in the same school, had rooms on the same hall and were going to run into each other eventually. And I really don't think I can live forever with the whole duck your head and pretend the other doesn't exist thing. So an apology was necessary...right after I check in and put away these books.

Yeah, I know I'm stalling but I can't help it. Grabbing the pile, I disappeared into the shelves of book silently putting them away. I was lost in thought on whether or not I could balance long enough on stack of books to put the one in my hands away or where to get a step stool when he snuck up behind me. I was stretching trying to put the book away but I lacked the inches when his hand came up and easily slid the book into place for me. Biting my lip I stopped myself from gasping in shock turning around to see Remy standing there.

"Not fair." I joked nervously.

"What dat I'm taller den you?" He chuckled lightly, but under the cool facade I could tell he was just as nervous as me. Although I don't know what he would be nervous about.

"Yes. But hey, if the sky falls I will last longer." Stupid, stupid, stupid joke. He laughed lightly, but it was more out of pity than humor. We lapsed into an awkward silence neither one of us knowing what to say. And then the both of us noticed and went to break it at the same time. "No, no. You first." I stammered feeling my cheeks warm up.

"I was just wonderin' if you would want to go out tonight." He asked and all I could do was blink back in shock. It didn't really register fast enough for me to answer so he said, "Unless if your busy." He murmured rubbing the back of his neck looking away.

"No." I said and I saw the way his face dropped. "I mean no I'm not busy." I clarified. "Sure, I just got to finish up here." A small smile returned to his lips. "I'll meet you outside in ten minutes?"

"Sure thing, cheré." He said looking leaving me to put away the rest of the books. I finished pretty quickly walking back to my room to grab my jacket and wallet. I would be damned if I let him pay for me again, especially after how rude I had been to him lately. He was leaned back against the wall of the school with his arms crossed waiting when I stepped out the door. His attention, which was on a game of basketball being played by a group of students, turned to me hearing the door open and close. "Ready?"

I nodded and we got into his car, which he had already pulled up. Neither of us said anything during the drive and every once in a while he would fiddle with the radio changing the music. We finally came to a park where he pulled the car over. I got out of the car while he went around to the trunk coming back with what looked like a wicker basket. Well, there goes my buying dinner.