CRYBABY

IV- Read All About It

Jennie

I walk into the library, choosing to be so casual with my outfit today. A yellow dress that reached just below my knees, covered my curves. I had my hair wide and free - meanwhile, my favorite white sandals were perfectly on my feet.

The library seemed quieter today, a couple of teenagers were sitting at the far left, being so engrossed in their books to notice the presence of someone else. I firmly held my purse and sat down in one of the chairs.

Moments passed, and I frowned, noticing how the character in the book I'm reading was helplessly stuck with an assassin. I muttered; "Unbelievable". And smiled to me.

Time passed and the mysterious girl didn't arrive yet.

Am I seriously looking for comfort in someone I barely knew? Something about her may have pushed a button inside of me that I didn't know existed. If she was that easy to talk to, I may have asked her if we can hang out, or at least go for a drink. I would be straightforward about it, just to get to know her.

And being a senior comes with its doubts and stress, but a little fun won't hurt, isn't it?

Staring at my watch : 12: 27 p.m

I got up, holding my purse, and actually left the library. And since we lived here in New York, everything was easier to find. With coffee shops, malls, and crowded shops and the tourists that took pictures of everything they could see. The sun of the afternoon made my skin shrink. I noticed how the crowd was easily pushing themselves through each other. Like a sea - full of fish, the crowd of people tried to fight back against the waves.

Shopping without my partner in crime felt so wrong, so that was the last on my list. I hallowed through the streets and entered a coffee shop.

My conscious mind tracked down the list of items I could buy later when I go to the mall. But my heart, it was racing bluntly at the time. If there was a spell such as wanting to be in someone's presence that much, then it must have been cast on me.

Everywhere I go, I seemed to find that mysterious girl. She was sitting alone this time, with newspapers in her hands, Time didn't seem to notice her loneliness, but I did.

She looked like someone who felt like they're a burden. Her cold eyes didn't blind me from seeing the warmth that hid deep inside of her. And am I reading her like an open book?

No.

She looked like a mystery, that I just wanted to solve. "You've been staring at me for a while now". The mysterious girl rasped, catching me off guard, I heavily breathed.

Without looking in my weakness, she took a grip of my gaze, "I don't think it's that optional to look at someone that long without feeling the need to tell them something".

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. And she had her own way of making me feel speechless.

"Have a seat". She calmly said, but I still didn't manage to move. "Sit or I will take back my words".

I immediately sat in front of her, her illuminated gaze looked deep in my eyes, her gaze was burning on every inch of my skin - she started a fire inside of me, and I felt dumbfounded for not being able to move or speak.

We were two strangers, sitting at a table with a tension that I couldn't quite define. Was it curiosity?

She was examining me - watching my every move. But I was recklessly frozen in the spot. The newspaper was placed on the table softly, but her gaze was nothing close to soft.

"Do you come here often?".

She asked, sipping her, I may assume black coffee. "Sometimes, with my best friend". I admitted shyly.

Her intense gaze made me feel so small as she hummed. I licked my lips and looked up again at her. "What about you? Do you work somewhere here? Or go to any school?".

Calmly, she placed her cup without answering me which made my cheeks heat up embarrassingly, in motion my hands were on the table. "Sorry for asking, I just..".

The mysterious girl didn't talk still. She moved closer and held my hand. Making my eyes widen in shock. A stranger like her took my breath away just by holding my hand.

Lord, please have mercy on me.

And karma please don't catch up with me yet, I'm in heaven.

She looked behind me, and then just as fast pulled her hand away, getting up and escaping my sight. Her movements seemed slow if I tried to study her facial expressions, but she moved like a fierce bird who wanted to find its nest but didn't know where to start.

Other than that, she knew it all.

"At least, what's your name?". I said with a voice she could hear. The girl stopped, moving her head to meet my curious gaze and she could see it. She sensed how I was curious enough to sit with her, she knew I wanted to see more of what she is. But, she didn't seem like the one to let someone in that fast.

"Even if I tell you my name, you won't get to read my story". With that, she left.

I sighed in frustration, Who are you?