𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝔽ℝ𝕆𝕄 𝔸 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝔻 ～ 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘤𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘺

51 - [JM] Athenaeum (AU)

A T H E N A E U M
noun [ath-uh-nee-uhm, -ney-]

A library or reading room.

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You ran your fingers across the spines of the books neatly placed on the shelf in alphabetical order. You were in the non-fiction section at the university library, looking for books on the quantum mechanics for one of your essay assignments.

You mumbled the name of the book to yourself as you read every title on the spines and-

You stopped suddenly, frowning as you saw a space between two books. That is where the textbook you're looking for is supposed to be sitting but someone must have taken it out.

You sighed then placed your hands on your hips, thinking of other ways you could get your hands on that book.

As you looked around, you spotted an empty computer. Thinking of searching up the current borrower of 'Introduction to Quantum Mechanics' by David J. Griffiths, you did exactly that after logging into your library account.

After a painstakingly long minute of waiting, the page returned the borrowers ID number. You clicked on the number and it opened up to a page with their details.

You rolled your eyes and buried your face in your palms. "For crying out loud... not you," You whispered to yourself then sighed, resting your chin on your hand and staring at the photo next to the name 'McAvoy, James'.

James.

You didn't really know anything else about him than his name and the fact that he's a student at the university since he's in the same physics course as you. And the fact is you didn't even want to know more about him. The guy seems... odd, in your opinion. He's way too quiet and way too obsessed with his books, he's not the stereotypical classification of a nerd but yet he checks out most of the boxes. He dresses extremely well and has this way of communicating with people that makes him seem professional and experienced but... The guy bugs you.

He's too conflicting and he's someone you wish didn't have the book you wanted.

You shook your head slowly then logged out of your library account. You got up then walked back into the non-fiction aisle from whence you came.

No matter what, you had to get your hands on that book if you wanted a solid grade for your assignment... and James seemed to have the same idea as well.

*****

You stared at him while he was sitting at a table in the corner next to a window. The book was open in front of him and he was making notes in a notebook. He pressed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked around for a moment in thought-

You moved away swiftly, hiding behind the shelf and remaining completely still, hoping that he did not see you.

You leaned back and looked at him, relieved that he went back to reading and writing. You took a long and deep breath before calming your nerves and walking up to the table.

You drummed the side of your leg with your fingers then bit your lip, clearing your throat softly and asking, "Is this seat taken?"