Shadowed

Jack

The splash of cool water on my face is welcome after standing out in the sun for so long. I spit into the sink I'm bent over and shake my head back and forth so that the water droplets fly off my face. I straighten up and appraise myself in the mirror as the last of the water streams down my neck and wets the collar of my t shirt.

I've always known that I'm a good looking guy, and now I'm counting on it to help me get her name. She wasn't at the library again today, that's the fifth time in a row. It's alright though because I have a plan.

My shift ended about fifteen minutes ago and I've been in the new school bathroom since then, hoping that one of the other guys doesn't come in and see me trying to wash the sweat from my body. After changing into a clean, white t-shirt, wiping on some deodorant, and just generally cleaning myself up I'm starting to look like a respectable guy. An older brother picking up his sibling. Just part of the crowd.

I rip off a paper towel from the dispenser by the sink and dab my face and neck dry before tossing it in the garbage. I slick my hair back into a ponytail and decide that I'm ready to go.

Heading towards the library, the other workers don't even look twice as I pass by. Just part of the crowd, like I said. School's been out for almost an hour but the library is still open. I quickly duck inside and head towards the counter. Lucky for me, the only person who is there is a mousy teenage girl. She doesn't notice me leaning on the counter at first, but when she finally looks up from her book she jumps and nearly falls off of her stool. I plaster on a grin and hold up my hands in mock-surrender.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to frighten you."

The girl blushes and slides the rest of the way off her stool. She's a little on the hefty side, with blonde hair twisted into a bun on top of her head and big square glasses to top it off. It's easy enough to guess that she's attracted to me by the way she nervously smooths down her cardigan and fixes her glasses.

"It's fine." She murmurs, glancing at me and then looking away when I grin, "Can I help you with something?"

"Uh, yeah. I think so." I answer, nodding and pretending to think, "You see my brother, maybe you know him, his name is Bennett?"

The girl smiles politely and shrugs. I give a little laugh to show that I understand and continue.

"Right, it's a big school. Well anyway, there's this girl that he likes a lot and he really wants to ask her to that dance that's coming up. The uh... Oh, what was it?"

"Homecoming?" The girl squeaks. I snap my fingers and grin, making her flush with pleasure.

"That's it! Exactly!" I laugh, "Well the thing is, he's really shy. So I was hoping you could tell me her name, just so I can ask her if, you know, she'd be willing to go with him."

The girl plays with the corner of her book, obviously uneasy.

"She was here a few days ago." I add, smiling, "She ran off before I could talk to her. Brown hair, blue eyes I think? She was wearing a blue shirt..."

"Oh, that's Skylar." the girl smiles, seemingly pleased to help, "I actually know her."

Skylar...

"Awesome!" I answer, nodding enthusiastically as my heart slams against my chest, "Do you know her last name?"

The girl raises an eyebrow, probably wondering why that matters but I put on a face of polite curiosity and pray that I haven't gone too far.

"Skylar James..." She answers slowly, "She's a senior."

"So is Bennett!" I laugh, "That's great, does she come here a lot?"

The girl nods, I see her eyes flicker over my biceps.

"A couple times a week, you can catch her sometime then."

"Alright." I smile, pushing away from the desk, "Thanks so much for your help?..."

"Rachel." She murmurs, blushing as she answers my drawn out question.

"Rachel." I repeat, "Well thanks again!"

I wink when I give her a last grin and I can see her turning tomato red right before I turn away. It takes an effort to not laugh at the stupid, little girl as I saunter out of the library.

"Skylar James..." I murmur once I'm inside my truck. I laugh quietly and idly run a finger over my bottom lip, imagining what her lips would feel like against mine. We're so close to being together it's as though I can taste it. Together. Where we belong. I glance up at my eyes in the rear view mirror, they crinkle at the corners as I grin.

"Skylar."