The Library at Midnight

Chapter 5: Coffee and Encyclopedias

"Oh, hey Ro," Brinley smiled as I appeared from the bookshelves. "What did you think?"

"Gorgeous, really," I said swiping my hand through my bangs and glancing back the way I came. I thought I was being sneaky; trying to see if he was still there and whatnot.

"Who ya looking for?"

Guess not. "I just ran into someone. Gave me a scare, that's all."

"Oh yeah? Who? Maybe I know him," she inquired.

"Uh..."

"Hey Brinley!" called a voice from the other side of the book shelves. I looked in the general direction to see three boys walking towards us. A librarian hushed them with her bony finger pressed to her lips.

"Sorry Mrs. H," one whispered, mimicking her finger placement. Sebastian led the crowd and seemed to be the owner of the voice. There was a boy in the back of the line holding three large encyclopedias with the top one cracked open as he examined its contents.

"Hey Sebastian," Brinley beamed somewhat nervously. Fight on, Brinley. "Hi Zach, Miles. What can I do for you guys?"

Miles? Nice name.

"Nothing really," he shrugged. He glanced my way as I glanced at who I assumed was Miles paying no attention to the interaction.

"Who's the new girl?" Zach piped up, grabbing my attention as I looked his way. He smiled brightly and I swear I could catch a hint of mischief. God, was it a mandatory class for everyone to learn to smile like that?

"Oh, this is-"

"Rowan." I extended my hand. "Rowan Atwater." Zach smiled as he took my hand.

"The world's lost prodigy," he wondered aloud. His voice was clear. Confident and vibrant. It was easy to see he was accustomed to greetings.

"That's me," I pulled back.

"I heard the next student was a prodigy."

"From who?" Brinley spoke my mind. He glanced at Miles.

"I overheard the principle and his secretary," Miles stated, his eyes not leaving the pages of his book. "Miles. Welcome to Cypress." No eye contact?

"Pleasure," I responded dryly. He nodded. Rude.

"You're never going to to get a girlfriend that way," Sebastian snickered. Zach held in a smile and looked away. Brinley grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, stuffing her pointe shoes inside in the process.

"Don't need one," he stated confidently as he closed his book and met my eyes. Shit, he really had nice eyes. He ran over my face quickly while his breath caught for a second. He covered it by clearing his throat before muttering an, "Excuse me," and cutting through the mini crowd. "We have a project to finish.

"Come on, man," Sebastian laughed. He looked back to me. "Care for a cup of coffee?" he asked us.

Brinley looked shocked for a second then beamed at me before answering, "Okay!"

"See you downstairs," Zach saluted us as they made their way down the stairs to the check out.

Brinley shot me a smirk.

"No, Brinley. Nothing like that."

"Rowan, he was definitely checking you out."

"Sebastian? He was not. He was being a player on the welcoming committee." We started down the stairs.

"But-"

"No, Brinley. I'm not interested. He's really not my type."

"So intelligent and attractive isn't your type?" she asked unbelievingly.