It All Started with a Book

page 1 | stranger danger

I wasn't the type of person to visit a library to begin with – let alone on a daily basis. But after dealing with a predicament about my frequently crashing laptop, as well as the internet connection being cut off in my home (which didn't help my case for I wanted to research on my phone), I had to do something to fix it. And since where I lived was merely a stone's throw away from the library, I thought, 'Why not? Maybe I can read a laptop guide to at least help me fix it.'

And look where it got me now.

I was scanning the rows of what seemed like endless books, until my eyes caught sight of the reading material I frequently read in the said place. I didn't have any library membership card – which was needed to actually borrow books from the library – so I resorted to visiting the library every afternoon, just to finish reading that one book.

I always stayed at one place in the library, which was a comfortable bean bag a few shelves away from where I was currently standing.

I began to reach for that particular book on the shelf, and realized there was only one. "Funny," I said under my breath. "I remembered there being two of the books." I paused. "Someone must have borrowed it."

I began to reach for it, and as my hand came into contact with the bind of the book, another hand stopped in mid-air – just centimeters away from taking it.

Coincidental? Maybe. I looked up, surprised. I mean, I wasn't reaching for an all popular romance novel (though I might have been), but a guide to handling laptops. And, it wasn't everyday someone's reading the same book as I am.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, letting go of the book, my shy personality taking over. "Are you going to read the book?"

I saw a boy - around my age, with a lean figure, tousled brown hair and green eyes. He was still for a moment before saying, "Oh, no worries. I was supposed to borrow it for a friend, but I see you've beat me to it. So, uh... you can read the book, I suppose."

He scratched the back of his neck, probably of not knowing what to do.

I almost forgot I had to reply. "Um, thanks." I said curtly. I pulled the book of the shelf, and started towards my favorite reading spot. My sneakers rubbed against the soft carpet of the library.

"Wait," I heard him call behind me. His voice was a bit soft, nevertheless I heard. Furrowing my brows slightly in confusion, I swiveled around. He continued, "Just tell me why you're reading this."

I stole a glance at my book. Did it have any important value to him? Looking up, I said, "Why do you need to know?"

He made odd gestures with his hand as he replied. "Not trying to be weird, but I kind of see you go to the library quite often, so I'm just curious to why you read that specific book."

I decided to disregard the fact that he noticed my new daily routine. I stayed silent, regarding him warily. "I-uh," I started. "kind of have a technical problem with my laptop."

He nodded slowly. "I see."

Seeing that there was no more reason to stay, I told the boy, "Well, um, it was nice talking to you... fellow stranger, but I better get going." I cringed inwardly with my response. Who even says 'fellow stranger'?

I was about to turn away, but he interrupted me again. It took all my will power to not roll my eyes. "I can help you with your laptop," he said. "If you'd like. It won't cost you anything, if you're worried about expenses..."

Choking back an unearthly cough, I politely declined. "It's okay, I... I can manage."

"Are you sure?" he queried. He almost seemed adamant to help me.

"Yeah, I am."

Seeing that there wasn't any more reason for me to stay, I gave him the I-don't-know-you-so-I'm-just-going-to-awkwardly-leave nod, and hoped he got the message. Actually he did, and he smiled slightly before walking away.

But something told me this wouldn't be the last time we would meet.