Nobody's

Chapter 13: Shakespeare Submission

The town library was a large old building with red brick walls. Inside towers of books stretched across the tiled floor, the scent of old dusty paper filled the air, though I was fond of books I never really liked the library. As I walked to the librarian's desk my heel repeatedly hit the floor resulting in a loud echoing sound. Few heads turned my way and I mouthed sorry to them, continuing  journey.

The librarian was a middle-aged woman with flowing black hair, her lips were painted bright red which made her skin look pale and lifeless. After our awkward exchange of smiles and small conversation she carried me around the library grabbing books followed by books to help me with my research. When my arms were finally filled I took a seat by an empty table and began my reading and typing.

......

"Don't you know its not wise to rush your work?" An unfamiliar male voice said to me. I rolled my eyes at the truth of his statement but refused to pull my head from the book. "OK so you're going to ignore me." the voice said again.

"I'm not ignoring you, I'm just pretending you're not here."

"Feisty aren't you." he chuckled, it was a familiar sound but I couldn't decide where I had heard it.

.....

Hitting the send button to my professor must have been the best thing I'd done in a while, an instant weight had left my shoulders. I closed my eyes and threw my head back while I sighed in relief.

"So you're finished?"

I jumped at the sound of the voice I thought had left over an hour ago. When I opened my eyes a beautiful sight filled them.



It was a tall, muscular, golden, handsome specimen, Michael Reeds. He was the other co-captain of the football team, in other words Nick's competition. For some reason that I  was unaware, they were rivals. I'd never seen him this close, he was gorgeous. I felt myself staring but I couldn't pull away.

"So I'll take your silence for a yes." he chuckled softly revealing his bright smile.

"Is there something I can help you with?" I asked him while crossing my arms over my chest.

"Nope, I just thought that you would find it funny that Mr Henry actually moved the Shakespeare research submission date to a week from now."

"What?" He had to be joking, I didn't just waste my evening doing that crap. His mouth made a perfect sound as he laughed at me for being so clueless. I grabbed my laptop and books before shoving them into my bag and walking away from the table.

"Hey, wait up." he whispered from behind as he tried to catch up with me. I kept on moving towards the exits completely ignoring him. The cold air made me shiver and I regretted not having on my usually jeans and t-shirt instead of my little dress and my hoodie.



I heard foot steps following me as I ran to my car.

"Jesus Christ can you just leave me alone." I half shouted and laughed while turning around to face Michael.

"Come on, I just waited almost 2 hours for you to finish your work, the least you can do is allow me to take you somewhere to eat, name a place I can take you there."

"I didn't ask you to wait for me though..."

"Ugh come on, I know a pretty good bakery not too far from here. What do you say?"
I didn't really understand what he wanted with me but the growling from my stomach and his pleading eyes finally convinced me.

"Fine...but only for 30 minutes."

The walk to the bakery seemed shorter than 2 minutes. It was a small pink and white square shaped building. Neon pink lights hung off the roof, Sweet Delights, i think it read. He led the way into the building and I followed. Inside wasn't as empty as I expected, customers filled the tiny room sitting around white wooden tables and on pink comfortable chairs. We made our way to the cashier and before I had a chance to order, Michael ordered for both of us. He ordered Petit Fours for two.

I hadn't decided if I was upset with him for ordering for me or if I should thank him because I really didn't know what to get. I figured it was best to stay quiet about it. We collected our orders but instead of leaving we found ourselves taking a seat to have them.

"Good isn't it?" Michael asked as I took my second bite from my small cake.

"It's amazing." I admitted while taking up another cake. They were each filled with different flavors vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and some unfamiliar ones. Michael's gaze was glued on me while I ate, his luscious pink lips formed a small smile.

"I think the chocolate is my favorite." I said in effort to try to get him from staring at me. His eyes were glistening and distracted as if he were in another world. After I spoke he came back to reality, pulling his gaze from me. "Yeah its my favorite too."

I finished my cakes before he did, I guess I was way more hungry than I thought. "Thanks for taking me here, its really nice."

"No need to thank me, I should thank you for coming with me."

"Yeah you should," I laughed at him as he wiped chocolate frosting from his lips. "I never got to ask you what you were doing at the library?"

"I think people go to libraries to read." he laughed and I noticed how dumb my question actually sounded. I laughed at my stupid question before holding my head down to avoid his eyes.

"But I guess I know what you mean, it's Friday night I should be out at some party drunk, not in the library with my dorky glasses reading, right?"

"I never mentioned your glasses being dorky, I actually really like them, but the first part about the party and being drunk is right." I said as I held my head up to appreciate how good he looked with his glasses.

"I wasn't really in a party mood, I felt like being alone so I went to the library, no one my age is normally there....well that is apparently expect for you."

I wanted to pry and find out why he wanted to be alone but I couldn't bring myself to ask him but instead it made me realized that I wasn't the only one going through shit. I smiled at him then spoke, "We have different perceptions of being alone. You literally just sat with me while I did my work and afterwards invited me out to eat."

"Maybe it has been good for me to be alone with you."

"Maybe." I said as we left the bakery and began our walk to the library's parking lot.

"I really enjoyed your company tonight..." Michael said as I grabbed a hold of my car door. "I enjoyed yours too, its been awhile since I got out." I told him and really meant it.

"Maybe we can try this again another time?"

"Yeah, maybe." I told him while climbing into my car. We exchanged goodnights before I drove away leaving him smiling senseless.

.....

I got home around 11 and dived into my bed ready to sleep, for the first time in 2 weeks without crying, without thinking about Nick, without being sad and broken. This wasn't because of Michael but because the fact that I didn't deserve to be alone crying in a cold room struck me, instead I should be happy with whomever I had in my life and wherever we were.

(Michael Reeds is played by Corey Campbell, let me know what you think. Don't forget to vote and comment, thanks😘)