The Notebook

Chapter 4

Tina followed Troy with her eyes as he left the library hall, closing the double-glass door behind him in a soft screech. He didn’t even tell me he’s leaving. Tina thought bitterly.

Ma’am Vivian had said that it was rare to see kids reading books these days. Tina begged to disagree.

Kids still read books. Tina knew lots of them. Ella, for example, was a bookworm. Tina loved books herself. The thing was she didn’t have time to read as much as she would prefer.

What’s rare? A guy with manners. She thought.

Tina locked the library. She checked the time. It was already five minutes past six. She could already imagine the disapproving stare that the diner’s manager, Mrs Marge, would give her.

Deciding that she had had enough scolding for the day, Tina hurried down the dimly lit corridor, past the locked classrooms and to the flight of stairs.

Ella would always point out that the school had put the library in the third floor of the oldest building and had employed a terror librarian to manage it. And they wonder why only few students use it? Like duh? Tina could almost hear the crisp mockery in Ella’s tone, as if she was talking to her right now.

Thinking about Ella’s smart mouth, Tina suddenly missed her friends. She didn’t want to tell them about her job in the school library because she didn’t want them to worry. She didn’t want to add anymore drama in her life.

She was panting and sweating when she reached the ground floor. The old building looked incredibly spooky. Goosebumps started creeping up the back of her neck. She didn’t want to stay there any longer.

She inhaled sharply and started to run to the direction of the school gate. She glimpsed at her watch—six fifteen. The closest route to the school gate would take her 10 minutes to run. Tina had a sudden feeling that she would be receiving more than just a sharp stare from her manager tonight.

A big, black motorcycle was parked a few meters away from her. Tina couldn’t see the face of the person standing next to it but she could feel him staring at her. Scared, she tried to run even faster.

Three kicks. A roar of engine. A blinding headlight.

No! I will not let anyone get in my way to the diner. Not even a maniac in a motorcycle! Tina thought wildly.

“Hey!” the guy in the motorcycle called out to her, his voice muffled because of the thick, black helmet he was wearing.

Tina quickened her steps. The motorcycle was catching up to her. She knew that she could never outrun it but she didn’t stop until she could run no longer.

She stopped at the nearest lamp post, clutching the stitch in her side. She watched as the motorcycle streaked past her and stopped, blocking her way.

“What do you want?!” Tina demanded.

The man removed his helmet. A cool breeze played with the strands of his short hair. His sharp eyes narrowed at her. “I was about to give you a ride but you ran away like someone was chasing you,” said a familiar voice, his tone accusatory.

Tina squinted her eyes and blinked several times, willing her eyes to focus properly. They had gone hazy from lack of oxygen, “Troy?”

“Are you expecting someone else? Now, about the ride?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

What’s with his tone? Tina wondered. They didn’t even know each other that well. They only had several exchange of words in the library. What made him think that she would consent to ride with him?

“No thanks. I can manage,” Tina answered in the firmest tone she could muster. Slinging her backpack over her shoulders, she continued her way.

“Are you sure? It’s already 6:30,” Troy said with a hint of amusement in his tone.

Tina froze. She was thirty minutes late. Her manager would kill her if she would arrive at seven. Or worse, she might get fired! She would never be able to afford even half-decent food if that happens.

She turned to look at Troy, considering his offer.

With much difficulty, she consented, “F-fine! Have an extra helmet?”

Troy held out his spare helmet and watched as Tina grabbed it and put it on.

“Where to?” Troy asked, looking at Tina from over his shoulder.

“Just drive,” Tina answered, hugging her backpack against her chest.

A few seconds later, Tina’s arms were already around Troy’s middle, holding on for dear life. “Will you slow down?!” She shouted at him against the rushing wind. Troy seemed not to hear her. She tightened her hold of him, feeling that the motorcycle was gaining even more speed. I’m right. He’s a maniac.

If only he wasn’t the only hope she had, Tina wouldn’t dare take his offer. At that moment, she decided that she had to cut off the bonding time she usually had with her friends after class.

The reason why Tina arrived late in the library was her hanging out with her friends. It had already become a routine for them to hang out every afternoon. That additional tick in her schedule worked well before. A few laughs with her friends could always lighten her mood and make her forget her everyday problems.

Unfortunately, since she was hired as a student assistant in the library, that happy hour had suddenly done more bad than good to her. Her friends would understand. Hopefully. She mused.

“Is this the place?” Troy’s voice brought her back to reality. She had asked him to drop her off at the local diner.

“Yes. Thanks,” said Tina. She removed the helmet and handed it back to him. She hastily combed her hair with her fingers. They had gone stiff from the whipping of the wind.

“No problem,” said Troy. “Why are you here anyway? Having dinner with someone?” he asked.

“Oh… um, no! A-actually. I’m having dinner on my own,” she lied; she didn’t know the exact reason why.

“Really? That’s great! I’m starving too. I could join you,” Troy offered—or decided, rather—smiling broadly.

Before Tina could answer, Troy had already parked his bike away and was jogging towards her. He pocketed his keys and was looking at her expectantly.

Tina didn’t know what to say. What was I thinking?!She was already late and stuck in a conscience-eating situation with a guy she didn’t even know anything about.

A loud voice tore through the night. “Bettina?! What are you doing?! I’m not paying you to flirt with costumers. Go get orders if you don’t want to get fired!”

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Another’s chapter’s up. Thank you for reading! Share your comments. :)

-SpeckyPrince