Tattooed

XII

My second day at the library I got down to business. The thing with Wes played in my mind ever since I left him last night and I was dying to have my brain focus on something else. He really got under my skin. How many times have I ran away from him already?

Even though I was up for the challenge all these archives in the room were overwhelming. How was I suppose to look at all these files? There was nothing but a lone metal ladder that was there to help me with the drawers near the ceiling. I wonder if I could ask Gregory for an assistant. Or maybe that would sound too snobby or needy. I really did want to make a good impression and show Gregory how good I was.

Finally I decided the best thing to do first was work on a new security system. Something like a thumbprint scanner on the front door and every drawer. It would be really costly though and would ruin the antique appeal so I would have to run it through for approval. Nonetheless I jotted down the idea. I tried to think of backup ideas, locks that would be more efficient yet keep the old sacred library look. I wish I had a friend to conjure up ideas with. Although Corinth was a Cunning this stuff just wasn't her forte. I made a mental note to try to talk to my co workers back at the headquarters if I ever got a chance. I haven't talked to anyone in Creative really besides Corinth and Wes. I had to change that.


I spent the rest of my work hours taking measurements, cleaning up the clutter, and writing down the names of some of the drawers. Writing down all the plates alone would take a full day. Maybe two. This time I had no trouble clocking out on time. I was exhausted. All those late nights caught up with me.

It was seven when I made my way home so the sun was already gone. I was pretty use to the dark now though it didn't bother me. When I got to my house I was ready to eat and sleep when I saw a lone hooded figure sitting on my porch step.

"Wes?" I exclaimed. What's he thinking just sitting there out in the open?

He stood up. I was starting to hate that he was so much taller than me. "Good day at work Cecil?" He said cheekily.

"What are you doing here, and so early?"

Wes shrugged coolly and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I figured why not stop by your house first? Try and get you to stop being mad at me."

"I told you I'm not mad at you-"

"Yeah yeah you're mad at yourself." He interrupted. "That's worse. We should talk."

I bit my lip. My brain was screaming no but I still hesitated. He rocked back and forth on his heels until I made my way past him and unlocked my door. I went inside and turned to him.

"Fine. Come on."



I don't lead him to my room. Instead I sit down on my couch and he sits down beside me. Not too close but I was still uncomfortable.

"You know there really isn't a reason to be mad at me, or yourself." He started."I mean neither of us did anything wrong."

I snorted. Wes looked at me. "What's that suppose to mean?" I bite back a smile and shake my head. He grins too. "Cecil Merzel." He says in mock reprimand. I laugh at the face he makes. "There. Told you you can't stay mad."

“Oh get over yourself.” I say rolling my eyes, but I was smiling. “You should really go though Wes, I’m really tired from my new job and-”

“Where’s your new job?” He asks. I decide to tell him about my new job at the library and how I had to sort everything out by myself. He listened intensely at everything I said and before it would’ve made me uncomfortable but now it just made me grateful I had someone who cared. “So where is this giant secret room?” He asked playfully. But I still stiffened. I remembered Joleen saying only a select few knew about the archives.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret.” I answered partly in teasing and partly trying to evade the question. He put his hands up to convey he wouldn’t pry and instead asked about some of my ideas. This I could talk about. For the next hour we bounced ideas back and forth about what I can do for the library. Wes was actually really smart and creative. We could have real intellectual conversations.

Soon he stood up and announced he had to go visit his mom now. I nodded and said I need to sleep early for once anyway. I needed all the energy I could get.

“I will be back tomorrow though. So you can expect me.”

“Ok only because I might need some more help from you with work!” I replied with a laugh. He smirked and slinked through the door. When he closed it I stood there for a minute smiling. It felt like everything was okay again.