(REWRITING) What Not To Do

6- Do Not Let Your Guard Down

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I weaved through the library with my earphones in, nodding my head to the music. I needed to find three sources for a history report and so far I had.... none. No big deal.

Fortunately for me, I had gotten a full ten hours of sleep the night before, so I was wide awake. Sadly, that didn't mean my brain worked any better. I was still my same underachieving self. I tried to work faster and get a ahead and I somehow always managed to fall behind.

I hummed along to the Queen song that played from my phone as I skimmed book titles. I looked up at the top of the shelf, finding one of the books that I needed. I jumped for it, most definitely looking as stupid as I felt. I sighed and adjusted my earphones that were slipping out of place. Freddie was singing his iconic high-note in Bohemian Rhapsody when something touched my shoulder and made me fall into the bookshelf in surprise.

I breathed a sigh of relief when it was only Alex standing in front of me. I tugged the earphones out and sent a glare.

"You didn't have to sneak up on me like that." I said to him.

He only raised an eyebrow at me, not looking the least bit apologetic. "I was going to offer to help you grab that book down, but I guess you don't need it."

I narrowed my eyes on him as he shrugged and backed away. Was he messing with me? Was Alex Morrison actually messing with me?

"That's fine." I replied, turning away from him. "I can totally get the book down myself anyway."

He sent me an exaggerated look of encouragement and gestured for me to continue. I huffed at his obvious doubt and faced the book shelf. Now that I had an audience, I was even more determined to get the book down myself. Even if I was very possibly the shortest girl in my year and it was on the top shelf.

I chewed on my lip, trying to decide what method would be best. I could try jumping again, but that didn't seem to be working so far. I could throw other books at it and knock it out of place, but that'd probably sooner get me kicked out of the building. I could climb, but....

"Any day now, Jade." Alex's taunting voice sounded from beside me, closer now than before.

My retort was caught in my throat the second I looked into his eyes. Beautiful, pale green, or blue, or... both? He had sharp, defined features like the strong edge of his jaw and the fullness of his lips.

At the moment, those lips of his were moving, and what? Speaking?

"Well?" He asked, and I blinked myself back to reality.

I cleared my throat and turned to the shelf again. "I got it, don't rush me." I glanced at him, rolling my eyes when I saw the amusement on his face. "Watch and learn, Alex."

I gripped the shelf in front of me and lifted myself up. I steadied my feet, and reached up and placed my hand on the next shelf.

"Jade, wait a second," Alex said, before I could move further. "You're going to hurt yourself, just let me help you."

I shook my head indignantly. "Not a chance." I pushed up, almost able to reach the top shelf when my foot slipped.

I let out a squeak as I fell from my perch. A pair of hands suddenly reached out to keep me upright, one gripping my hip and the other pressed against the small of my back. I let out a breath and shakily looked over to Alex.

"See?" He said quietly. "I told you you'd hurt yourself."

I wanted to argue, but there wasn't really anything I could say. He was right. I'd definitely almost face planted onto the carpeted floor of this dusty library.