Being nervous totally sucks ass. Especially if I'm the only one being nervous, I turn into a babbling klutz and sometimes I even quote fictional characters from the books I read. This is why I hate almost any type of attention on me. My mom thinks that one day I'll grow out out this insane nervousness I have, but so far, no luck. I could feel my hands go clammy as I followed Alexis up the stairs, leading us to the second floor.
I should've said that I could find the library myself. This is incredibly awkward for me. Alexis just glancing at me makes my brain forget how to form words properly. I haven't been this nervous since my first day at high school as a freshmen. That was such a miserable day. I embarrassed myself countless times in those eight hours. At first, when I entered the school I had my head down trying not to draw attention to myself. It worked for about twenty seconds...that was when I collided with a door. No one thought about holding doors open, of course I learned that the hard way.
My best friend Tatiana from my previous home would hit me if she were with me right now. She'd be really fed up with me being silent when there's a gorgeous girl right next to me, waiting for me to say something. Maybe that was the problem, her beauty won't let my brain function. Is this how Juliette felt in Shatter Me when she met Adam for the first time? If so, I totally get it now.
"Are you ever going to tell me your name, or do I get to call you whatever I want?" Alexis asked breaking the silence.
"Depends. What would you call me?" I raised my eyebrows, curious. Slightly shocked that I didn't start babbling after she asked me the question.
"Something sexy like...my girl, or pretty brown eyes." Alexis turned to look at me, smiling, before turning back around quickly.
She has to be flirting with me. Should I flirt back? Have I been flirting back? Ugh, this is why I've only dated one person in my life, and that relationship didn't even last long.
I snorted and shook my head. "My name is Carson."
Alexis stopped walking and turned to face me. "Carson."
There was something about the way she said my name that made me stop and look at her. I nodded, holding her gaze, Alexis chuckled before looking away and continuing to walk up the stairs. I watched her walk away, the space between slowly increasing. What was that? Were we having a moment or was my mind just playing a trick on me?
Emitting a sigh, gingerly I trailed behind Alexis. We passed the second floor, circling around the staircase, heading up the stairs to the next floor. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Why are we still walking up the stairs? The library is on the second floor. I opened my mouth to ask Alexis, but she talked before I could. Funny how that's happened twice already in one day.
"Don't worry I'll take you back downstairs to the library after we visit my locker." Alexis said, continuing to walk up the stairs.
---
"So where are you from, Pretty Brown Eyes?" Alexis asked as she got some books out of her locker.
"I'm from a lot of places." I said plainly with a shrug. "And the name is Carson."
"Like where?" She glanced at me ignoring the comment I made about my name.
"I've lived in New York and North Carolina." I stated as Alexis slammed her locker shut.
"Well. You'll like it here in Maryland, but I'll warn you that nothing really happens here."
I shrugged. I didn't really care if nothing happened here. I just wanted to stay in a home long enough to have an actual relationship. Maybe go to a party at least once and drink for the first time. I've never really done anything exciting. My friend Tatiana once went skinny dipping in a pool over the summer for a dare. I always envyed that about her; that she was so fearless.
"So let me take you to the library and then I have to meet Sarah in the gym. She tends to get carried away when she boxes sometimes." Alexis quickly made her way down the hallway.
I jogged a little to catch up with her. The walk to the library was silent, which made me nervous again. Maybe Sarah was her girlfriend, that would explain why she's being so quick to get back to her now. Not that I would be surprised. Alexis was way too gorgeous to be single. When we finally made it to the library Alexis opened the door for me with a grand smile.
The gesture took me for surprise and I had no idea why. Maybe because no one ever really held a door open for me. I was always the person holding a open for others while they walked hastily into the room, not giving me the time of day.
I felt at home as I entered the huge room that had shelves and shelves of books. At least while I went to school here I'd have an excuse to be in the library every day. My mom never understood way I loved reading so much. Sometimes I'd stay in my room all day and read, only leaving my room to eat or use the bathroom. Even then my eyes would still be on the pages in front of me.
Books were a whole new reality to explore. Every book was like a different life.
"This is your stop, Pretty Brown Eyes." Alexis announced before leaving the room and went in search of Sarah.
I searched the library for a book to read as I waited for school to officially start. After a while I chose the book Since You've Been Gone since it seemed the only book to actually catch my eye. It seemed to be about a girl who's best friend somehow went missing and sent her a list of things to complete over the summer. I was twenty pages into the book when the bell rang signaling that we had to get to our classes. Thankfully I was already there.
I put the book back on the shelve I found it and looked around. Where were the librarians? With an exhale I made my way to the checkout desk. I peered around the corner where a room was, the door slightly ajar. That was a little strange. A room behind the checkout desk wasn't something I've seen before. Especially since the checkout desk was beside the door.
I walked behind the desk and knocked on the door firmly. "Hello? Anyone in here?" Then I heard a loud thud on the other side of the door followed by an annoyed groan. I pulled the door open to see a girl with red hair picking up a bunch of books.
I cleared my throat. "Um, do you need help?" I made my way toward her and bent down to collect a few of the books.
"I'm fine. You knocking on the door just scared me a little." She mumbled sounding irritated. The girl continued to pick the books up quickly and set them on the table. Then snatched the books I had in my hands and set them onto of the others. "What are you even doing back here? Only library assistants are allowed in the back room."
The girl was looking at the books instead of me.
"I am a library assistant...I'm new. Today is my first day. I-I'm Carson." I finished lamely.
Then the girl finally looked at me.
"Violet." She offered me a smile that seemed to make her eyes brighten. I nodded speechless by her sudden mood change and smiled timidly back at her before giving her my hand. Violet took it and gave my hand a firm shake. We stood like that for a few moments, the two of us just looking at each other.
Violet let go of my hand, picked the books up off the table, and headed out of the room. "It's nice to meet you. Come out here and I'll tell you the ropes. The librarians won't be here until the middle of the period."
I turned to watch her leave the room. It was weird, but for odd reason when we shook hands my hand felt like it was on fire.
---
I don't know if this turned out the way I wanted it to...but there's Chapter Three!
Did you like it?
Carson is going to have more awkward moments later...haha
Do you think Alexis and Sarah are dating?
Any thoughts on Carson's hand heating up when she shook hands with Violet?
Vote? Comment?
