The Library Seirune

Chapter 17: Best friend issue

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Chapter 17: Best friend issue

I settled myself at the balcony and pulled my knees up to my chin. I'd been doing that every night ever since that day when one of my best friends practically died; it had become sort of a routine.

I looked far away, and saw the wooden supports they'd placed around it so that they could continue with the repairing. The whole building had to be demolished, and when I heard that news, I couldn't believe how bad the damage was, but it was reality, and all I could do was just cry. So far, it had been natural for me to have nightmares of the same scene. I could also remember the smell of the smoke and how the soot covered me like it was only yesterday, even though a week had already passed. Levira wasn't doing any better either.

"Hey."

I didn't need to turn and see to know who they were. "Hey," Levira and I replied in unison.

"How have both of you been doing?" Ethan asked. Dimtri flew to Levira, and they sat themselves on the railing of the balcony.

I sighed. "Not so good." I looked at Ethan. "You?" He was standing at the side of his balcony, his arms resting on the railing. He looked a lot more tired than usual, which was strange, because he had looked fine these past few days.

"Hmm. Feeling better than that night. I'd been trying hard to get over it. It's not like our library isn't going to be rebuilt anyway." He smiled, but I could still sense his anxiety.

I stood up and walked over, such that both of us were facing each other. "You're lying."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Are you a psychologist now?"

"No, of course not. You have panda eyes, which is kind of sudden. Since this morning, you seemed... more distracted. Is something wrong?"

He broke eye contact. "Just worrying about the library, I guess."

I furrowed my brow. "That's not it. Come on, Ethan. Tell me."

Ethan sighed. "Today's my birthday, but no one is celebrating it with me." He faked a sad face.

My eyes widened in realisation. I lifted up my forefinger. "One second." 

"One second has passed!" Ethan announced cheekily.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I told him to shut up before rushing into my room to find the present. Oh my gosh, how could I have forgotten?

"Why am I waiting? Why am I waiting.."

I rolled my eyes. He was being such a kid! "Wait!" I fumbled through my things on the study table. Just where was it? And then I found it in my bag. Only then did I realise that I hadn't even bothered to take it out of it. I sprinted the short distance, then stretched out my hand. "Here. I'm sorry it isn't wrapped. But -"

He looked slightly shocked, but then smirked. He took it from me and took the necklace out of the clear plastic. Holding it by the string, he admired it. "It's okay. I know how it's been like this whole week for you. It's natural to forget. Thank you, Ayla. This looks amazing." He grinned at me, then, unhooking it, he wore it around his neck.

I smiled. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks."

I felt my happiness ebb away almost immediately. "Why... Why do you still sound so sad? If it's because of the present -" And there I was thinking that he genuinely liked it.