Written In The Stars

Chapter 1

Have you ever read a romantic novel about two people who are madly in love? I know I did. In fact I am.  My name is Steph Jennings and I just went through a break up with my ex, Jeremy Peters. Now, my only love of my life are the handsome men I read in romance books at my local library. Today marks another day since the 5th of March that I've been a library regular. But little did I know, today was going to be completely different than the usual days here. As per usual I was sitting on one of the comfy couches reading another romance novel by one of my favourite authors. My eyes were completely focused on the book and my mind developed how this handsome character looked. Then all of a sudden, I was distracted by a deep husky voice asking me where the encyclopaedias' and educational books were. Still looking at my book upset, I blurted out a few words in anger. 

"Can't you see I don't work here! Do I look like a library assistant to you? Do I wear a little golden badge saying 'ask for assistance'?"

"No, but I've noticed you were a regular so I thought that you might know." 

Then I looked up. My mood changed from upset and angry to calm and forgiving.

"I'm sorry about that. Let me show you." I replied in an apologetic tone.

I did not know where the educational section was, but I had just met the most attractive guy ever and I was determined to show him that I knew my way around the library. I walked up and down from the one row to the next and back again until I eventually landed up at the same place where I started.

"You don't actually know, do you?" 

"Um..." I paused. "I do, I just... well you see the thing is... um... the library recently had a make over and the sections moved, so I don't know the new lay out yet."

I did not know what to say, but I sure was not determined to make a fool out of myself. I was beginning to blush. We stood in complete awkwardness.

"So, what is your name?" I finally asked to break the awkward silence.

"Luke."

"Luke who? I know many people by the name of Luke."

"Luke Hemmings and you?"

"Steph Jennings."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

Then there was a moment of awkward silence again.

"So tell me, why do you come to the library every day? I always seem to see you."  

"Well, I enjoy reading books."

"What type?"

I paused for a moment. "Sci-Fi." I replied. I did not want to say romance as I thought that Luke would think I'm a lonely loner who is desperate for love which I kind of am.

"So do I." replied Luke in excitement.

Great! Now I'm screwed.

"What's your favourite author?" asked Luke.

I paused to think carefully about my answer. Just the question I was hoping for ,I thought sarcastically. Luke began to look questionably at me. I remember being forced to read a book titled Dune by Frank Herbert.

"Frank Herbert is my favourite and yours?"

"Never heard of him. Mine would definitely be Ken Liu."

I began to question myself if Frank Herbert was now actually a Sci- Fi author. Why did I not just say Ken Liu? My friend reads his books all the time.

"Nice." I replied.

Then I thought. Nice? What kind of word was that. Nice to me sounded like one of the most plainly used words that one could ever use and was one of the words I had in my list of words titled Worst Words Ever! 

"So, um... are you going to ask an actual assistant for help? I asked, changing the subject before things got awkward again.

"Oh, yeah. Right. Thanks for reminding me."

He walked away towards the information desk and searched for an available library assistant who actually wore a little golden badge saying 'ask for assistance'. Damn! Did our conversation just end? Were we ever going to talk again? Was this the last time I would ever have contact with Luke Hemmings? Those questions filled my mind and replayed over and over in my head like a stuck record. I sat down on the comfy sofa and got back to reading my book like I originally was doing before all of this happened. I made peace with the fact that I was not going to get any further than just introducing myself and finding out what his favourite author was. Then a few minutes later, just as I was back to my usual everyday self, Luke appeared in front of me, blocking the sunlight that was helping me to see the words on the page.

"Thanks for trying to help me with finding the educational section and stuff. And oh, here is my number."

Before I could say anything Luke had vanished out of the library. I paused for a moment in shock, trying to come to terms with what had just happened. Did he just give me his number? Was this for real or was this all a fantasy? I stared hard and long at the piece of paper with his number written on it. He sure has neat handwriting I thought. I finished my book and thought to myself. Will I be chilling at the library with my imaginary boyfriends again? Or will I stand a chance of having a real life boyfriend? I made my way home, hopping, skipping and jumping towards the front door.

"You seem happy today?" noticed Mom.

"I'm always happy." I questioned.

"I know." replied Mom. "But today you seem happy in a different way."

I just smiled at Mom and walked up the stairs towards my room then closed the door. I looked at the time on my phone. Is it too soon to message Luke? I thought to myself. I waited half an hour before doing so. When time had slowly passed, I took out my phone and typed his number into my address book. Then I went into WhatsApp. I began to type my message.

Hey. It's Steph here. Nope, not it. 

Hey, thank you for the number. -Steph. xxx Is it too soon to put any 'x's'? 

Finally after 30 minutes I chose the perfect message. Hey, thank you for the number. I'm sorry I was not much of a help earlier today, but I promise next time I'll know the library off by heart. ;) -Steph. x 

I landed up putting one 'x' and a wink face. I stared at my phone waiting for him to reply. After 10 minutes I sort of gave up waiting. Then, just as I thought he was not going to reply back to me, he did.

Hey. It's a pleasure. And about the library thing, don't stress. It's not a problem! ;) -Luke. xx

Did he just put two x's? I was over the moon. Maybe I stand a chance with Luke Hemmings after all. I fell back on my bed with my phone against my chest, smiling happily.