Summer Before Her (Completed)

4- Library Lunches

Kirsten's POV

I woke up coughing and heaving, and after five mins of holding my chest burning in pain from the strain of trying to cough my lungs out, I finally managed to calm myself down.

As I made my way to the kitchen to get a sip of water, I noticed the grandfather's clock sitting in the living room had just struck three. How was it three already? Hadn't I slept half an hour ago?

This means I only have three more hours before I have to make it to school. Yesterday's tiredness hadn't worn out yet, and thinking about the upcoming day made my body ache and long for more sleep.

Why can't one fall asleep when thinking about sleep? Here I was, all comfortable, and yet I couldn't fall asleep. I tried thinking of a happy place, of meadows and sunshine and happily ever after, and suddenly I found myself thinking about Novak. There was something about him that struck out, and No, it wasn't how the sun glints on his olive skin, or how the end of his hair on the back of his head forms curls that I would like to unravel, and it definitely wasn't how his clothes seemed to hug him. There was something oddly attractive about him, I couldn't exactly put a finger on it; perhaps it had something to do with his aloofness, its almost as if no one existed in his world, what am I doing? Its 3:40 am now and I am thinking about someone to whom my existence is a speck of annoyance in Biology class. Ugh. I should rather sleep.

**
I plopped down on the empty seat next to Talia and pulled out my 'nutritionist specified' salad, Mom really did take the trouble to make this, chilli oil and all. Talia and Wani (who happens to be Talia's lab partner) are flirting over a plate of cheese fries. Fred is making obscene gestures with a cheese stick, occasionally throwing in the all too pleasant gagging sound. This has no effect whatsoever on Talia, as she rolls her eyes and continues feeding him fries, yes you read that right. She is all levels of lovey gooey gross.

I scrunch my nose and turn my attention back to the salad, I seriously feel like a goat, chomping on these leaves.

"Where's you lover boy at?" asks Talia.

"You tell me because I wouldn't know about having one" I try to dismiss her.

"You don't have to be shy Kiriii, go on, invite him to our table" she adamantly responds.

"We are not even friends, how am I supposed to ask him to sit with us" I try to reason.

"That's how you make friends, go ask him" she stubbornly replies, it doesn't seem like she is going to let this go so I decide to humour her.

My eyes scan the cafeteria, flitting from face to face, looking for that starry gaze. "Well, where is he?" I ask. I look over once again, He wasn't here. Ah well, maybe he was absent.

"Ooh, do I see Kirsten worrying a Lil over there?" teased Natalie without hesitation.

All this while, Fred who was silently observing decided to bestow us with his wisdom - "Who is it we are talking about? That new guy, right? I have heard he runs a mafia during the break hours and he is in witness protection, that's why no one knows him"

"Yeah sure, that's really believable, Fred" I replied in a detached tone.

"Come on, its totally easy, he probably has an inside man in the sch-"
"That new guy we talking about? Yea, he sits in the library, always see him there during lunch" Wani cuts in.

"ugh, you are no fun, man" Fred huffs.

"well, now you have a name and a place, run along missy" Talia states and all but pushes me off the seat.

"There's barely 20 mins left, maybe I should let him be", I thought to myself as I dragged my feet towards the cafeteria doors.

"I see you stalling, young lady" Talia yells.

"Yeah okay, I am off" I yell back.

I walk leisurely as if I didn't have a destination, chatted with people along the way, letting my feet carry me at their comfortable pace.

Twelve mins later and I was standing at library gate, I stumbled in as if I was here to get a book, and There he was in all his glory, munching on trail mix as he read the textbook that lay open in front of him. He was so engrossed, so unaware of everything else. His hand methodically and rhythmically reached for the mix and his fingers traced the incomprehensible text, line after line, his lips mumbling, forming words only he heard--"See something you like?" his words snapped me out of my daze.

"Uh no, I am here for a book" I almost stutter.

I turn to the librarian and ask "Miss, can I have uh."
I haven't thought of a book I want, what book do I want? Oh Gosh, this is so embarrassing, I know he is pointedly staring at my back.

"Miss, can I have Harpers Organic Chemistry" I try again.
I try to gather my wits as she walks across the library to find my title.

I look back at him to see him pull out a book from his bag "Here, I have harpers, save that old lady some effort and lessen the burden on my poor bag"
"Oh thank you" I respond mechanically.

"Wait, why are you giving me your book, don't you have to study?"

"I dropped out of AP chemistry, it's for nerds like you" he laughs it off.

"Suree" I responded awkwardly. Why do I lose my cool around him?
And as if on cue the bell goes off.
"See ya around, Kristen," he says as he walks past me.
I am left standing there muttering "Its Kirsten, not Kristen".

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End of Chapter 3

Hey guys,
First of all, thank you for reading!
Please comment and vote and let me know what you think.

In this chapter, we explore Novak through the Eyes of Kirsten, what do you think is new here?