Helenium

7. Luca

"Luca, dear!" I groan at the sound of Gran's voice coming from somewhere nearby. "Luca, I want that book."

I go to roll over only to discover that I'm not even lying down but rather sitting upright, in a chair. 'I don't remember falling asleep on the couch.' I slowly open my eyes only to be blinded by the bright florescent lights. 'Florescent lights? Where am I?' I turn my head only to see dozens of bookcases around me, after a minute I start to remember what happened. 'How did I end up inside?' I lean forward resting my forearms on my knees and letting my head hang down. "What happened Gran?"

"Well, it's about time you woke up. I was starting to get worried."

Hearing her voice coming from down beside me, I look towards the chair leg, easily spotting her still safely tucked away in my bag. "Did something happen?"

"I'll say." Gran shakes her head. "You passed right out, on some poor unexpected man. Then Nole and the other man you fell on, carried you inside and put you down here."

'Great, now everyone will want to know what happened and anyone who hasn't heard about it yet will hear about it soon enough.' I lift my bag from the floor and place it on the opposite chair, so were able able to see one another. "Anything else?" I spot the libraries pet cat, Stacks walking this way. I turn back to gran but make sure to keep an eye on the cursed feline who snagged her from my bag the last time we were here. 'I'm kind of surprised that Stacks wasn't by sooner.'

"Yes, Nole convinced the man you fell on to watch over you while you slept." She turns her head as if just noticing Stacks, who has jumped onto the back of the chair. "You'll be glad to know he didn't try anything, not that I would have let him." She nods as if a teddy bear attacking someone is completely normal in everyday life.

"Thanks for watching over me gran." I watch as she stares at Stacks, who's watching her, the cat's tail wagging as if basking in her attention.

"Your welcome, dear." Her gaze never leaving the small feline, almost as if trying to figure out what it's plotting. "Now are you well enough to pick out some books or do you want to just head home?"

I grab Stacks just as the cat's about to jump on the other chair and probably try to make off with the bear. "That's a good boy." I give him a couple of scratches under his chin. "You can't have her, okay." I get a strange bark like meow in return, before putting him on the ground. "Were already here Gran and I don't feel as bad, so I should be alright." I stand up and wait a moment to make sure that I'm not going to fall over again, I put my bag on my shoulder. "Now what are you in the mood for?" I start walking away from the chairs.

"Wait, dear. I want that one." I stop and turn to the nearby shelves. "Which one?"

"That one." I look to where gran is pointing, only to see her pointing at the chairs. "What are you going on about?"

"The man left a book beside the chair and I want it." Gran looks at me with a determined look in her eyes.

"Alright." I turn and walk back to the chairs to get the book for her. "This one?" I hold up the book that was on the chair, so she's able to see it.

"No, that one." She points her paw towards the side of the chair and if she didn't I would have missed it. I eye the purple cover with four different men each in a different state of undress and a woman wearing flower panties. "Are you sure you want this one?"

"Yes, I want it." There's a huge smile on her face. "I want it." She rubs her paws together as if planning something devious.

"Alright." I tuck it under my arm. "What else do you want?"

"Oh, I'll let you know when I see something."

I walk up and down the isles picking up a couple of books that look interesting and a couple more books for gran that she insists on having. Ever since she possessed the teddy bear the only real enjoyment she's had besides the staring contests with feathers is reading, so I can't deny her anything when it comes to books. "Ready?" I add her latest find to the pile.

"Yes, I think I'm good for now."

I make my way to the desk with our stack of books balanced in my arms, letting them rest against my chest so I don't drop them. I spot Violet behind the desk speaking with Nole who looks to be hanging on her every word while the two of them work effortlessly together.

I can't help but feel jealous of how easy it is for the two of them to work together without either of them saying what needs to be done. 'What I wouldn't give to be able to do that with Max? It'll never happen he has too much enjoyment at ordering me around and then hiding his gorgeous ass away in the stock room all day.' I watch the two of them for a moment longer, only to end up feeling lonely. 'I wish I had someone I could rely on. I doubt I even have a mate and even if I did they wouldn't want to stick around, everyone else did.'

"Is everything alright, dear?" Gran's voice breaks through my depressing thoughts.

"Yeah, let's go." I walk forwards to join the line at the desk to be checked out. It doesn't take very long before I'm at the front of the line and placing my books down.

"Well, look who's finally up and moving." Nole smiles, but it's obvious that he's hesitating about something.

"Leave him alone Nole. Are you alright Luca?" Violet looks me over as if looking for some kind of injuries. "We've been worried that you needed a hospital."

"No, I'm fine." I wave my hand to disregard the idea. "I don't need to go to the hospital. Sorry about worrying you." I motion to the stack of books. "I'm going to take these today." I put my hands into my pockets to keep myself from fidgeting.

"Sure. I'll take care of them for you." Violet begins checking them out for me.

Nole leans forward, resting his arms on the desk. "So what happened?"

"I felt a little lightheaded I guess." I shrug my shoulders, as I don't want to explain about my magic feedback and what had caused it.

He doesn't say anything at first but shrugs his shoulders in the end. "Just try to sit down, before you happen to pass out next time."

"Thanks for carrying me in here." I smile hoping to placate the bear in front of me.

"Your welcome. Make sure to thank Caden, the next time you see him." He stands up and moves to a cart of books waiting to go out. "Also try to avoid passing out near doors."

"Here you go." Violet hands me the stack of books. "Bring them back when you're ready." She smiles, but the worried look is still in her eyes. "Don't push yourself too hard."

"Thanks." I tuck the books into my bag. "I'll try not too." With my bag closed and fastened so nothing falls out. "Take care and tell Nole thanks for carrying me inside."

"Sure." She smiles, but the worry never leaves her face.

I walk out wondering what it was that she was wanting to say, instead of turning around and finding out, instead I start making my way home.