Mod High

In the Warren

"Thank you for offering to be a teacher's aid in the library, Rachel," Mrs. Thomson smiled.

"It's really my pleasure," I responded. Being a senior meant I could either choose an athletic class or opt for a teacher's aid for my final year. Despite my average skills at sports, I just lacked a competitive streak. I much preferred to be in a room filled with books, which made the library my perfect choice.

"There is supposed to be another student volunteering here today," she informed me. "He is a freshmen at the community college and he needed some volunteer hours. I believe his name was Malchior. Oh, look. There he is now."

The elderly lady introduced herself to the young man, about nineteen years old. He had striking white blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and pale skin. When he noticed me he grinned. Or at least I assumed he was grinning based on how the corners of his eyes crinkled up. The black scarf he wore over his mouth made it difficult to be certain. He continued listening to Mrs. Thomson's instructions, though I kept catching him glancing it me. I shifted uncomfortably in the desk chair and began updating the pictures of the students in the system.

"Might I ask why a lovely young woman such as yourself would choose to hide herself away in such a dreary place such as a book's prison?"

I shuddered a bit. Was this guy serious?

"It's more of a halfway house," I deadpanned. "For the books, I mean."

The man chuckled, a deep vibrato that started from the diaphragm and worked its way up to bless the world.

"One must be mindful not too lose oneself in the pages of books, lest truly be found in a halfway house."

At his successful attempt to match my wit, my eyes momentarily left the screen.

"Or perhaps find themselves escaping their prison."

"You are an intelligent person," he commented. "Is that how you feel? You are a prisoner?"

I mulled over his question for a short time before answering, "I suppose we all are in a way."

Malchior and I continued a completely lighthearted discussion over imprisonment on earth up until the bell rang. It was finally time for my favorite class of all time: English. Malchior had ended the conversation with sweet words that made me feel both queasy and flattered. He was very smart and charming, but something about him told me to keep my distance. So as I rounded the corner to enter the English room I shoved aside our conversation, deciding it would be better for my sanity to leave what happens in the library in the library.

The room was entirely empty save for the teacher sitting in the front. I smiled at Mrs. Robinson and slipped into the middle seat in the far back.

"Hello, Ms. Roth," the middle-aged woman spoke, setting her book down. "I trust you read all the materials for this advanced class?"

"Yes, ma'am," I answered. "Watership Down was phenomenal."

"Ah, yes, that one is one of my favorites," she smiled.

The conversation ended when she spotted another student entering. I turned around and saw none other than Garfield Logan sauntering in. The second he noticed me he flashed a mesmerizing smile.

"Cool! We have a class together," he took the seat to my right. He seemed to be genuinely ecstatic about the situation, eyes sparkling, smile broader than ever. He looked at me expectantly. It was then I realized I hadn't said anything yet.

"I must be the luckiest girl in the world," I said sarcastically.

Before he could say anything else, we were both distracted by the lovely voices of Kori and Richard. By the looks of it they were becoming quite chummy. Kori had her hand pressed against his arm as she laughed about something he had said. Not far behind were Victor and Wally. Both renowned athletes were engulfed in a conversation that involved a surplus of sport's lingo. Kori noticed me and smiled so much I thought her face might tear in half.