Sinking Hopes and Sinking Boats

The Library

The librarian smiled at Susa as she strolled in. She was a regular, and had read almost every book in the fantasy section. But instead of selecting a book to re-re-re-read, she went to look for some studies on dreams, in order to try and figure out what the change in her dream meant.

Dream Psychology...Signs of the Subconscious...You Can't Spell 'DREAM' without 'REM'...

"Susa?"

Susa flinched and whirled around. Behind her was Arnina, still holding her backpack from school.

"Hi...Arnina...whatcha doing here?"

"I saw how many books you carried around, and I figured that I needed some new books. Would you mind helping me pick out a few? Unless you're busy at the moment," she added, noticing the copy of Signs of the Subconscious that Susa was clutching.

"Oh! No..." Susa quickly replied, placing the book on the return shelf. She resolved to continue her research later."I'll help you...I do do a lot of reading,"

Arnina grinned. "I know. Thanks!"

Twenty minutes later, Arnina was stocked with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Wonder, and The Fault in Our Stars, after Susa had struggled to pick and Arnina decided to get them all. (A/N: I don't own these books. Duh.)

"Remember to return them in three weeks," Susa reminded Arnina once they had checked the books out on her new library card. They settled into two beanbag chairs in the lounge section of the library.

"Thanks so much! My first library books," Arnina breathed.

Susa stared. "You've never been to a library before?"

Arnina flushed. "Well..."

"I'm sorry, that was really rude," Susa apologized.

"No, it's fine. My grandma isn't big on reading, and I was homeschooled for most of my life," she shrugged.

"Ooh! What was that like?"

"Alright, I suppose. She just...taught me what she knew. Her mind was like a steel trap, which was why she wasn't a big book fan- she just crammed everything into that big head of hers." Arnina laughed. "But...I guess she decided that her manner of education wasn't enough, so...I came to Triple Oaks,"

"Yeah... lucky you," Susa smirked.

"Oh, no, I love it! All the teachers are so nice...and I got to meet you!"

"Aw. Thanks, Arnina," Susa was touched. While Lilya had been her friend for so long, she never said things like that. Lil had a certain streak of snark, and was slightly lacking in the sentimental department.

"What about you? What's your story?"

Susa had to think for a second. "Not much to tell...I live with my mom, stepdad and two little brothers, and I've been in public school for most of my pathetically average life," she made a face.

"There must be more! You're an artist, right?"

Susa flushed. "Um..."

"I saw your fire sketch...it was good!"

"Oh, that...uh...well, thanks," she stammered. "But I'm really more of a reader than an artist,"

Arnina smiled. "Yeah, thanks again."

"No problem. Hey, I should get going...it's getting late, and my family might worry," Susa stood up.

"Alright. It was good to see you!" And with that, Arnina leapt up and gave Susa a hug.

Susa hugged her back, a little awkwardly. "You too!"

Arnina sat back down and began to read as Susa left. And when she turned to looked back, Arnina was lost in the world of Harry Potter.

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