One Last Time

Chapter 3 | Solstice

I've been moving around a cart filled with boxes of children's books for almost half of today. The kids from a daycare center came here on a field trip yesterday, so I had to prepare all kinds of stories they'd like. The preparation was fun, but the clean up's a whole other story. I pushed the tall cart of further along with me to the Fairytale section. The kids made themselves at home easily. It took longer than expected for me to reorganize the section. Then again, that wasn't really surprising. Once I emptied the last box, I heard fast thundering footsteps. "Watch out!" a voiced yelled. Without questioning it, I quickly paced to the opposite where I was from and saw some teenage boys skateboarding. The outrageous speed causes them to accidentally hitting the cart as they pass through. What shocked me the most was Reed's timing of entering the scene cost him getting hit by the fallen boxes.

I didn't have time to scold the boys since they ran away for a quick exit. I grab Reed's arm, "Are you hurt?" He groaned and rubbed his head. "Nothing major but I might have a headache later," he replied. We both put the boxes away and placed the cart aside. Then, we walked back to the main desk. I grabbed a first aid kit from under one of the cabinets and passed it to Reed. He looked at me confused, so I pointed to the corner of his left eyebrow. "You got a cut. Put some medicine after cleaning it up and you'll find some small bandages in there." I was going to get the first aid kit until I stopped a few feet away from him.

"What were you doing anyway? You were nowhere near me that time but got yourself hit by those boxes."

"I was going to ask you what you wanted me to do after ordering the new stocks, then I saw those boys running towards your direction. I thought you'd get hurt so I tried to stop the impact from happening."

I nodded in understanding, "Good thing for me I reacted in time. You didn't have to do that you know, but I appreciate the effort." He shook his head at me. "Of course I had to. You could've gotten hurt nonetheless." Reed continues applying the ointment to his wound but struggles to place the bandage properly. We bickered back and forth about letting me help him but his stubbornness won't allow it. In the end I won the argument. Naturally. I reapplied the ointment properly while cleaning the excess he smudged over his forehead. I played along with his whining by blowing on the cut to make sure he stops before I give him a slap to the shoulder for his fidgeting. The entire time I ignored his stare and focused on the job at hand.

"Next time, try not to get hurt because of me," I chuckled with my lectured. When I was done, I glanced at Reed and got caught off guard by the humorless look he gave me.

"I'd still do it again. And, it's because I wanted to, not because I have to."

All I could do was blink at that. I didn't know how else to react but walk away and have him cleanup the mess.

~ • A two weeks later • ~

Surprisingly, Reed has been really helpful. Every once in a while he would clean the windows and sweep the floor, voluntarily. He hasn't made any complaints from the tasks I gave him and did every one of them diligently. I assigned him to organizing all the returned books in the second floor and clean off the collected dust off the shelves. There were chances I let him manage the record books after he finally finished setting up the new software of the computers he donated. He spent more for the older computers to be updated. Reed insisted to have new printers shipped in with stacks of paper and ink that could last us a year. Another generous donation of his. Im starting to contemplate if I should have a side hustle as a novelist based on how much he earns to be spending that much money.

As hard as it is for me to admit this, I'm kind of relieved I accepted his help. This season is one of the busiest times of the year for the The Salvator Library. Fortunately for us, the weather hasn't been as hot as it usually is lately. The air-conditioner even arrived early. Today, people of Thornridge are out enjoying the summer festivals.

I shook out of my thoughts to center my attention to what Im doing. There was no problem carrying a pile of science fiction books up until I lost my footing. Large arms grabbed me just in time before I could stumble over. I thanked the person who caught me attempting to glance at who was in front of me. I felt the weight of my arms lighten as Reed takes more than half the pile I have and carries it back to the shelves. I silently stood there, observing how he didn't tease my clumsiness. He comes back to my still form and grabs the remaining books in my arms instead of questioning why I haven't moved. The entire time my eyes just kept following him.

I coughed a thanks then turned back to transfer the rest of the books on the desk by the window. I peeked at the corner of my eye and saw Reed holding a "Caution: Wet Floor" sign then puts it beside the spot I slipped on. I only then noticed how he had a bunch of tissues on his other hand. He kneels down, wipes the water away, and throws them into the trash bin.

Whenever Reed isn't doing anything, he sits in some corner of the library and works on his writing. There are times when he's really struggling based on the crumbled papers surrounding his desk. Other times he writes nonstop with only minor pauses to adjust his reading glasses. I also noted there have been more girls visiting the library than usual. Each one would try to get his attention, unsubtly might I add. At least that gets more people to come over. Maybe next time they'll actually borrow the books for literal reading purposes. Right on cue, a group of girls passed by filled with hushed giggles. I sighed. Or not. I dusted my hands after finishing my leftover work. I craned my neck to in search of Reed.

"Hey, Alaster! I won't be around tomorrow, so you'll be on your own. Think you can handle it?"

He stopped writing, "Sure! However, I most likely might be here in this corner of the library more than working through it." He takes off his reading glasses and gathers his journals and writing utensils. The corner Reed chose to personally make his "creative corner" is not far from the reception desk. It's fortunate enough for me to keep watch on him, making sure he actually keeps his word about helping me with the workload.

I called out to him, "As long as the library's still standing when I get back, you're good." He throws up his arm showing me a thumbs up before I see him completely disappear. I paused for a moment to confirm he's gone. Then, I check the library's halls of both floors, finding it completely empty. I rush back to the reception desk and connect my phone to the speaker.

Oh, I wanna dance with somebody

I wanna feel the heat with somebody

I dance to the center of the library, making use of its large space as I sing along to the song. Knowing that I have the place to myself made me comfortable enough to belt out my lungs as if I were Whitney Houston herself. I could always do this back at my place, but it doesn't compare to having a mini concert at this spacious area for free. I catwalk sassily, while doing some hair flips here and there.

Don'tcha wanna dance say you wanna dance

With somebody who loves me

I shake me head side to side, then swing my hips to the beat while throwing my hands up in the air as the song comes to an end. I do a split for my ending pose smiling with exhaustion only for it to drop as I whipped my head to face a tall figure standing across from me.

Reed awkwardly stood there unsure how to react from what he just witnessed. "Um.. I mistook one of the books as mine, so I came back to return it." He walks to the shelves, returns the book, then paces to the exit. He paused. This time, he looks at me with a smirk.

"You may continue!"