Through Pages

The Boy at the Library

Greta took a deep breath and let it out with a smile. "Mmm, books! My home."  She quietly made her way to the back of the  library,where all the good books were. Greta's favorite place, to spend away every minute she could, was the library. "Hmmm, what to read today??" She tapped a finger on her soft,pink lips. "Ah! How about 'Hildegard, the Witch of  Limmly Forest?' or am I more in the mood for a romance?  How about 'Casting Wishes?" She let out a small squeak of joy as her cheeks turned a slight shade of red, "Phillip is so dreamy in that one." Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard some books fall from the shelf behind her.  She looked around before she bent down to pick them up. "That's odd... Books don't just fly off the self by themselves." Greta placed the books back neatly where they belonged, when she felt someone knock into her shoulder. She turned and gasped as she noticed a boy had tripped,dropping his books all over the floor. "I-I'm sorry!" The boy said quietly as he rushed to gather his books. "It's okay!  Here, let me help you." Greta helped him with his books and noticed the boy didn't seem much older then herself. "Thank you, I didn't mean to bump you, miss.  I had so many books, I couldn't see where I was going, I'm a rightful idiot, I am."  "Don't apologize... But may I ask why so many books? I never see many boys around my age so eager to read." The boy scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Um... heh, I just love books. Guess you could say 'I'm not a normal boy,' aye?" She gave him a small smile. "Guess I could.  I've never seen you here before, are you from around here?" The boy looked everywhere else but at her. "Uh... No, I'm not from around here.. I just moved here."  He seemed to be anxious over something  but she didn't want to pry into his business. "I'm Greta,by the way. What is your name?" "I-It's Desmond." Greta looked at him curiously, "Desmond? I've never met anyone with that name before, I like it! It's different." The boy's cheeks turned slightly pink. "So what are you doing in the back of the library,Desmond? No one but me comes back here, normally."  Desmond looked around and gave a slight smirk. "I find that all the best adventures...er...I mean books, are in the back of the library's. There are so many books here, that no one even explores." Greta tilted her head, amused at his choice of words. "You have a great imagination, I can tell! So what is your favorite book to read.. or 'explore'?"  The boy raised an eyebrow  and thought for a moment. "I  enjoyed 'Cursed Mountain' the most.. I had so much fun in that book!" "I've never read it.. wait, you had so much fun in that book??" Greta gave him a confused look. "Yes! .. I mean .. You know, like imagining everything? It was fun to imagine, that's what I meant." Desmond secured the books in his arms, "Well I should be going, I want to get started on these books! It was nice to meet ya miss, I'm sure I'll see you around." With that, Desmond took his leave.  Greta turned back to the books on the shelf as she thought, 'What an  odd boy....I like him.'  Another hour had passed till Greta decided to leave with five books, that she would finish and two days no doubt. 

A few days had past before Greta decided to return the books to the library, in exchange for more. She couldn't help but wonder if she would meet Desmond again. He was the only boy, other then Phillip and her many other book lovers, that caught her attention. She smiled from the smell of all those books. The library was like a second home to her. There had been many times when the librarian, Mr.Fletcher, had to kick her out, because the library was closing.  She skipped along  quietly down the many aisles of books. "Finally." She said, slightly out of breath. Greta looked around but Desmond was no where to be found. "Ah, oh well. What should I read today?... hmmm."  "Cursed Mountain is a good one!" Greta let out a loud gasp as she quickly turned around to the voice. "By Gosh!  Desmond, You scared me!  Where did you come from?!" "My mother," he said with the most serious face. Greta laughed at his silliness, he had good humor. "Funny, funny. I meant.. I didn't see you or hear you near me." Desmond shrugged. "So you gonna read 'Cursed Mountain?' It's a good one!" Greta bit her lip but replied happily, "Sure, I'll give it a read. Where is it?!" "Be right back." Greta stood in her place waiting for him to return. Desmond came back carrying a large book. "Here you are! It's a long story, but you will  love it." He smiled and handed her the book. "Well, I'm off, I'll see you later,Greta!" "Bye,Desmond, thank you for the book, I'll read it tonight." The boy nodded his head and made his way to the exit.  It was late before Greta decided to leave the library. She walked home skimming through the book,excited to read it.  After dinner, Greta made her way to her room to  read the highly praised book. "Let's see what your taste in books are, Desmond," She said to herself.  Not knowing what to expect, Greta opened the book and began to read.