Between the Pages

Chapter 4 - Ben

I stood behind the desk, intensely engrossed in a book of ledgers and attempted not to go cross eyed at all the numbers. Suddenly, I was drawn out of it by someone clearing their throat. I looked up, and found myself doing a double take when I saw Attie looking at me over the tall desk. My mind went blank for a brief moment, but I recovered in what I hoped was an unnoticeable length of time.

"Oh, hello Miss. Woods can I help you with anything today?" I asked with forced calmness, smiling.

"O-oh yes actually. I'm actually here for an interview? For the TA position?" She replied quietly, looking up at me.

I went immediately brain dead once again. This time I knew she noticed my pause before responding.

"Oh! Wonderful!" I said with far too much enthusiasm. I disappearing into the back, cursing myself for being so obvious. 

"Mrs. Nu? Your 2:00 TA interview is here," I told her, poking my head into her office. She turned to look at me and nodded, rising almost robotically out of her chair and marching towards the front desk. I followed her out.

"This is Miss. Athena Woods, she's here for the interview," I told her as we walked. As she came face to face with Attie, I saw her give her a once over before jutting out her hand to shake Attie's. I saw her wince slightly at Jo's grip, and I understand the pain of Jo's infamous death grip.

"Miss. Woods I am Mrs. Jocasta Nu. Please follow me into the office," she said in her usual cold tone, before gesturing for her to follow and returning to her office. Attie and I exchanged looks, and I gave her a reassuring smile as I unlatched the door. As I moved aside for her to enter, I felt her lightly brush against me as she walked. She immediately looked down at her feet, and I was thankful that she didn't see me tense and blush as she did. She disappeared into the back, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

So many thoughts raced through my head as I contemplated the now possibility of her working here, being around her regularly. Getting to know her better...

I shook my head, attempting to erase my thoughts like one might erase an Etch A Sketch. It would've been inappropriate enough to seek a relationship with a student while I was faculty, but it would be even worse now that we may be working alongside one another.

The slamming of a door snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see her standing in the doorway. I gave her a small smirk as she walked towards me.

"How'd it go?" I asked in a low voice, leaning down so she could hear me.

"I have no idea. She's very difficult to read," she replied quietly, giving me an wary smile in return. I gave a small laugh at this.

"That's very true. I had to interview for my job with her and it's a harrowing experience," I told her with a chuckle. Unlatching the door, I turned back to her and added, "I hope you get the position."

She exited past me again, and then smiled at me saying, "Thank you, Mr. Solo, I hope so too. I'll see you around."

She waved, and I returned the gesture. As she left, I watched her go until she was completely out of view. I sighed deeply, returning to my work. Jo returned from her office, making notes on a clipboard.

"How did the interview go?" I asked, leaning on the table.

"Incredibly fruitful. She is an excellent candidate, very experienced and intelligent. She reminds me of myself at that age," she said emotionlessly. I fought back a snort at the comparison, disguising it as a bought of coughing.

"I do hope you're not becoming sick Mr. Solo there's too much to be done," she sneered coldly.

"I'm fine, don't worry," I responded with a small laugh, "When will you be sending out the responses?"

"I still have multiple candidates to interview so they'll be sent out in 3 days," she replied before marching off into the expanse of the library.

Three days of waiting.

I groaned to myself, before forcing myself to return to my work.

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Days passed, and I found myself looking out for her as I worked. Everyone that came through the automatic doors I hoped was her, only to be disappointed every time. Finally the day for the emails to go out arrived, but I was working an evening shift that day and wouldn't know the results until later when I went in. I stood in front of my windows in my apartment that afternoon having severely overslept, looking out at the city and stretching. I hit my arms against the ceiling as I did, giving a quiet "ow" at the impact.  Deciding it was time for coffee, I searched through my dresser drawers for a pair of jeans and a grey sweater.  I glanced in the mirror and decided the 5'o'clock shadow that darkened my face could wait until then.  Shoving my wallet into the bottom of my pocket I headed out of the door, instinctively ducking my head as I did.

Down the elevator and out onto the street, I headed into the small coffee shop I stopped at almost every morning.  The barista behind the counter, a flamboyantly gay man named Poe, greeted me happily.

"Good morning Ben! The usual for today?" He chirped.

"Yes please, thank you Poe," I replied with a smile, going to pull the exact change out of my wallet. Coins spilled out all over the floor and I swore as I attempted to catch them from rolling away. My last quarter rolled to the feet of a nearby costumer and I stopped it with a swift slam of my hand right in front of them. They jumped back suddenly at this.

"My apologies, didn't want to-"

I stopped dead as my eyes worked up to meet the eyes of the young woman I currently crouched awkwardly in front of.

"G-good morning, Miss. Woods," I croaked weakly, feeling embarrassed and surprised at the same time. I stood up far too quickly, landing way too close to her.

"Heh good morning Mr. Solo," she responded, her wide eyes looking up at me. Both seemingly unsure what to do, I finally snapped myself out of it and put a more appropriate amount of space between us.

"I think, seeing as we're not on campus we can talk like normal human beings huh?" I suggest with an awkward chuckle, subconsciously ruffling my hair.

"Yeah that sounds good... Ben," she smiled. I fought the urge to fall back at her feet when she said my name.

I saw Poe slide my coffee and bagel across the counter to me, giving me the most disturbingly giddy smile I'd ever seen from him.

"Here's your order Mr. Solo," he said with a wiggle of his shoulders.

"Thank you Poe," I replied, taking the mug and shooting him a look.

"And here's yours, Miss, enjoy your day!" He told Attie with his usual customer service voice, giving her a mug of coffee and a muffin. She thanked him with a small smile.

"I'm just over at the window if you'd like to sit with me?" She suggested shyly, gesturing to a table at the front of the store where I saw her book bag hanging off one of the chairs.

"Oh uh yeah sure," I replied, following her. 

Come on, Ben, get yourself together...