honey ◇ ai

the library

His face lit up as he watched her in awe. He didn't want his gesture to come off as coquettish but it was nearly impossible to hide his attraction.

The way her hair swooped down below her waist, as straight as a pin, always caught him off guard. It was of a color he couldn't accurately describe aside from comparing it to the deep amber of honey.

Ashton couldn't deny her raw beauty, but that was the issue. She was off limits; the thing he yearned for but couldn't possess. It wouldn't be acceptable to onlookers and the more significant issue was that to her, he was nothing but a complete stranger.

A complete stranger that loved to behold her in a manner that couldn't be dismissed as appropriate when it was anything but proper.

Her features remained soft from her pale skin to the curve of her full, nearly always pouted lips. The only contrast to this purity came with the small, shining stud in her nose, so minute he shouldn't have been able to notice it from the front of the library.

She smiled softly as she brushed a fallen strand of her hair behind her shoulder. It flowed back freely though; it wasn't as viscous as true honey.

There was a small wave given to the librarian in the front of the room as she continued her walk back toward Ashton who was waiting patiently. His patience usually ran thin yet he found himself willing to wait ages for her.

The girl's frame was clad in a cardigan that was much too big, and a pair loose fitting jeans that were cuffed only centimeters above her dainty ankles. One of her signature chokers was adorning her neck, this one was of black velvet with the smallest of charms hanging from its center. The glint of silver was the only way Ashton had noticed the decoration.

She carried a small bag over her shoulder and her baby pink laptop case at her side. Careful to avoid running into any of the many tables or shelves, she walked slowly down the aisle, past the many books she hoped to one day delve into. As she continued along the floor, she searched the room for a familiar smile that had become a commonplace of her library trips.

Her pace picked up in the slightest when she noticed his dirty blonde mop of curls and turtleshell glasses. There had been no reason for her to want to sit by him, it had simply happened over time. The fact that she didn't care for change though made it so she found herself returning to that table day after day.

His hazel eyes were careful not to stare too long but were hesitant to look away. He looked back down to his blank screen, the cursor blinking impatiently in the top left corner. Ashton pushed his glasses up a bit further on his nose and couldn't help but to smile himself.

He should've been working away at his own research yet she was much more interesting to the pining man.

The girl was breathtaking, even within her small, overthought steps. He was thankful as she sat down at the table across from his own, isolating herself toward the corner of the room, her back to the eggshell wall. She opened her computer, then turned to her bag to pull out what looked to be a journal. Words filled the pages just as thoughts filled his mind. Impure thoughts that he shouldn't have for the girl years younger than himself.

He'd discovered few things about the beauty within his many weeks of observing from afar. She was a mere first year at the university while he was a year into his doctorate degree. He'd also started uni in his early twenties while she was starting fresh out of high school.

He'd picked up on her fondness for the large cups of tea sold at the college's knockoff cafe. Every time she'd entered the library she'd have one. Today was no exception although she hadn't yet had the opportunity to mark the cup with traces of her nude pink lipstick.

It was the smallest things about her that had caught his attention. The way she clutched onto the books she carried or the way her head lolled back in contemplation. He'd loved when she'd scrunch up her button nose in frustration yet it only left him wanting to sit beside her and tell her it was okay.

He wanted to hold her hand with the polish that she chipped off her nails when she got anxious.

Deep down he knew this little dream of his was much less than attainable.
Ashton was able to catch her gaze on countless occasions but she never seemed to mind as she returned to the same table, always within a few feet of her admirer.

He couldn't say he minded either.

They'd never had a proper conversation though, he'd never actually heard her voice. There had only been nods of acknowledgment as she took her seat.

He would make his move soon but had to wait for the prime opportunity. There was no way he could come off as a creep if he wanted the proper chance with the first year.

Ashton finally looked back down to his own work instead of the work of art sitting a table over. He was a year into his thesis and it was a truly nerve wracking experience even though he knew he was prepared.

The man was one of wisdom but he was also a determined one.

Ashton Irwin knew what he wanted and wouldn't stop until he had all that he desired.

When he finally got the courage to speak to her he already knew the one question to pose. It was a simple one that probably had no meaning to others but to him it was vital.

He planned to ask her whether or not she liked her tea with a splash of honey.

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Hello my darlings, I hope you didn't hate this. If you did, I'm sorry I wasted your time. This is a different style of writing for me but I gave it a shot, merely because of one of my favorite Wattpad authors lucifercado. My writing can't hold a candle to hers but she's someone I look up to.

Have a good day/night, wherever you are. Please comment or voter if you'd like as I'd love feedback. ❤️

Stay beautiful