See You at the Library

Chapter 7

That smell. To Caelee, it was the most relaxing and home like smell she knew. She grew up here. Always discovering new places and going on exciting different adventures yet never leaving her little spot in the corner next to the window. She never used a chair, because she always just sat on the old gray carpet the had purple and green stripes randomly woven throughout it. The walls had a soft gray yellowy color and the shelves lined the walls full of every book imaginable. It only had one floor, but this library seemed as big as a castle to Caelee when she was little. The window next to where she always sat on looked a long creek and waterfall surrounded by pine trees and five or so picnic tables. Sometimes as she would read she would look up to see a family sitting at one of the tables, or playing in the creek all smiling and laughing. She would sit dreaming about one day to be just as happy as they looked.

As she walked in, she pulled Wuthering Heights from her bag which was the book that she had checked out last week, but had finished the night before. It had always been her favorite, and was a book she had read many times before but continued to read over again. She walked up to the counter and smiled at the elderly woman behind it.

"Good morning Mrs. Trentham, how has your back been?"

"Good morning Caelee, oh heavens it has been a bear this morning, but I'm sure I'll be fine by noon. How have you been darling?"

"I'm good now." Caelee said with a sheepish smile. "I finished my book last night and now just trying to decide what to start for this week. I can't decide between The Girl on the Train or Heart of Darkness."

"I'm sure you will decide by the time you get to the window," Mrs. Trentham said with a wink.

She took the book from Caelee, smiled, and quietly asked: "How is your mother doing?"

"She's okay...A lot going on right now but she's strong." Caelee said with a weak smile.

Mrs. Trentham nodded and then turned to walk to the back of the library towards the cart full of books needing the be returned to the shelf.

❇

Caelee walked towards her corner and over to the classic novels that were all on the same little shelf labeled "Timeless Times" and grabbed Heart of Darkness. As she pulled it from the shelf she suddenly was aware of the feeling of being watched. She discreetly looked over her shoulder and saw a guy sitting on one of the red couches facing the giant picture window. As she made eye contact she noticed that he was staring with a slight smile. She smiled politely at then quickly looked away assuming he would do the same. But the feeling did not go away. She glanced in his direction again to see that his eyes had not left her. She pulled her book to her chest and turned her back to him.

"What's this guy's problem?" she thought. "What if he's blind...yeah, he's probably just blind and doesn't even realize that he's staring at someone...Why would a blind person be at a library though? That wouldn't make sense. Is he trying to hit on me or something? Because it's just creepy. It's defiantly not alluring or romantic. Forget him...I'm sure he was just zoned out and didn't even see me. I'm sure he's back to doing whatever it was he came here to do."

Just then she felt a tap on her shoulder. She jumped and quickly turned around holding up the book as if she was going to hit whomever it was that had startled her. The guy took a step back holding his hands up to protect his face.

"Hey! Woah! Don't attack." The mystery guy said with a slight chuckle.

Caelee glared at him keeping the book in a ready position to strike. She looked him up and down just now realizing how beautiful he was up close. He had dirty blonde hair, striking gray-blue eyes, and he had the whole "bad boy" persona. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a black and white striped shirt with a light blue denim shirt, and a black leather jacket. He had a smolder and still had his hands up to protect his face. As she slowly lowered the book he dropped one hand and ran the other through his hair.

"Damn girl, you're feisty huh."

"Bye." Caelee said turning away and walking towards the door.

"Hey wait! What did I say? You're the one who threatened to attack me." He said with a laughing tone

"You're the one who is a total creep staring at me the coming up behind me." She said turning on her heels and throwing her hands up in anger

"Ha...I'm sorry I just couldn't help myself. You're the prettiest thing I've seen since last spring when my mother's rose bush exploded with roses."

"Oh, good grief! You have got to be kidding me...There is no way you're serious."

"What?"

"Okay, how's this sound we skip the whole corny rom-com pick-up lines and move ahead to the part where a deny you and we just move on with our lives and never speak again."

"Ouch, harsh. Listen I just wanted to introduce myself to a beautiful young lady and maybe, hopefully, make a new friend in my new town. I'm Colton."

Caelee stared at him in disbelief. How is it possible for someone to be this self-absorbed? Just then Mrs. Trentham came up to the counter.

"Heart of Darkness, good choice dear." She said scanning the book without even noticing what was going on between Caelee and Colton. "Have a good day Caelee, I'll see you Thursday like always."

"Crap...Not only did Mrs. Trentham tell this crazed guy my name but now he knows part of my schedule." Caelee thought to herself.

Colton smiled innocently and said to Caelee. "Well, Miss Caelee you have a beautiful name. I really hope to see you again."

He handed Mrs. Trentham a book which she scanned and handed back and he walked out the door. Mrs. Trentham went to walk back to her cart but Caelee stopped her by saying,

"Hey Mrs. Trentham what book did he borrow?"

"Wuthering Heights, why dear?"

"No reason."