Reality

Chapter 13

  At first, we worked in silence. We divided the books into two groups that we could work on individually and I did my best to keep up with her. She wasn't much of a talker, unlike Zoe. If she were here with me we'd be kicked out for being too loud two seconds in.

  I tried to break the silence a couple of times, but every time we met gazes I forgot what I was going to say. Sometimes I'd say something, but it'd come out awkward and weird, so I gave up. Eventually, she had a go at it and I couldn't help but blow out a relieved breath as some of the tension cleared.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I like reading," I began. I paused, realising how rude I'd sound if I didn't continue. "I like reading and decided that it would be fun to be productive by doing something that I like."

"You know you don't really read here, right?"

I nodded. "Of course."

"But." Her eyes twinkled with mischief and mystery. I raised a brow. "You do get to watch people kiss through the shelves and funny little nerds attempt to hit on each other and some times yourself."

I laughed. "That sounds... Nice."

"It's weird. But yeah, kind of nice."

"To watch people kiss through bookshelves?"

She chuckled and gagged. "No, but it's pretty cute."

"I disagree." I slid another book into place. "But, I haven't seen it yet, so we'll see."

She smiled and turned back to her work. She was tall, unlike her father. She had his rosy cheeks, though. And if he had mousy brown hair before it was chased away by the grey, then she had that too. Her eyes were a pale, icy blue. She was a little chubby but she made it work. She looked cute in a way that was effortless.

"You're not as obnoxious as you look," she blurted. I squinted, not offended, but surprised.

"Sorry?"

She blushed, horrified. "No, that wasn't meant to come out like that. What I meant was..."

"Do I look obnoxious?" I seized a piece of my hair insecurely. She shook her head profusely.

"That's not what I meant at all!" She groaned. "I'm sorry, I'm not best with words."

"None of us are."

"No, you're amazing with them." She looked away and started to fiddle with the corner of a book. "You always know what to say."

"Um... Thank you?" I cursed at how rude that sounded. "I mean, thanks. But I don't personally think so."

"You are. You know how to lead a crowd... You're so... Confident," she said, almost wistfully.

"Not really," I disagreed. "I'm actually the opposite."

"How so?"

I didn't answer. My knuckled turned white as I clenched a book and forced it into a gap. I forced myself to relax and shook my head.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to push."

"It's fine."

"Is it, though?"

I stared at her, mouth dry. She looked away and hid her face with her hair, fanning through books to distract herself.

"It is. I'm sorry if I'm coming off rude."

"No, not at all. I'm the one pushing for answers."

"I'm just having a rough... Everything."

She nodded. "I understand."