*Beauty*
Ms. Marsh shoved a list and a tower of books towards me. Glaring at me from beneath her thick circular glasses, she gestured to the list. "Find these." Then she gestured to the pile. "And arrange these."
Then she turned and shuffled back into her minuscule office, slamming the transparent glass door shut behind her.
Sighing, I hefted up the books, balancing them in one hand as I squinted at the list of book identification numbers.
The library lady hated me. Over the last twenty minutes of the last period, Ms Marsh had made it increasingly clear that she despised my existence. Her hatred was clear in every clench of her wrinkled face and in every glower she shot through her glass door. I was beginning to think that the only reason she even had a glass door was so she could watch me with her acidic eyes.
I sighed as I spotted the sole reason I'd traded study hall for this torture.
Will sat at a table in the corner. Sunlight poured in from the window next to him, reflecting against his onyx hair and making his emerald eyes appear iridescent. In his hands he cupped a book, every few moments letting his fingers caress the sheets as he turned the page.
And so I swooned.
Some girls liked watching guys work out but, frankly, watching Will read was enough for me. Every feather light caress he made towards the book set off billions of butterflies in my abdomen. His focused gaze made my face burn. And, at the best moments, his lips would slowly mouth the words he was reading, sending my heartbeat into a frenzy. What would it feel like if he watched me that attentively? If he touched me with such care?
I bit my lip. And dang he made reading look good.
In his Junior year, Will had completed multiple advanced senior courses and so he spent the last period of every day in the library doing individual study. He could have chosen to graduate last year but chose to stay in school so he could sharpen his skills and gather more qualifications. Oh why, oh why was he so smart?
I couldn't have picked someone so out of my league if I'd tried.
When I could finally peel my eyes off him, I stumbled my way between the bookshelves, my eyes scanning the books for the ones listed.
After arranging most of the books and finding several mentioned on the list, all while sneaking glimpses between shelves of Will, I was almost done. But, since things never go perfectly,I hit a wall.
Cradling the books I'd gathered in one hand, I gazed up at my latest foe.
The book was perched on the top shelf, its tattered spine peering down at me mockingly. Taking a deep breath, I gave the book my best determined glare before stepping onto my tip toes and stretching my fingers towards its spine.
Just one more inch...
I miscalculated my balance.
I fell forward, colliding with the bookshelf. The shelf trembled, rocking back. My eyes widened
Oh no, oh no, oh heck no.
Suddenly, a hand reached out, clamping down on the top of the bookshelf.
"Thank--" I turned, blinking up at my saviour.
I was looking into a pair of soulful garnet green eyes.
The words locked themselves in my throat, barricading my breath.
Will.
He stood only inches from me. His arm, which had stopped the bookshelf, was literally a centimetre from my shoulder.
Oh my goodness. His arm. My body. Nearly touching.
Oh. My. Goodness.
I might be having a heart attack.
His frame emanated heat, warming my entire body. His scent drifted between us, intoxicating me with a mix of masculine spices and that undertone of tangy citrus. The sound of my heartbeat thudded in my skull, pounding as if it intended to soar straight out of my chest.
"Are you okay?"
Was it possible for someone's voice to be so deep and husky?
I took a moment to glance back at his arm. My mouth went dry as my eyes scanned over the sleeve of his sweater, rolled up to his elbows. It revealed a long chiselled forearm and his lengthy flawless fingers. He moved the slightest bit and the entire muscle flexed.
Dang.
When I realized he was actually expecting a coherent reply, I nodded quickly. If I opened my mouth, I was completely sure that all I would do was salivate.
He glanced down at something in my hand, his lashes brushing his cheekbones. I ripped my eyes off his face for a moment to determine what caught his attention: the sheet. Oh yeah, that was what I'd been doing before Mr Cool Smart and Handsome decided to give me a heart attack.
Unfortunately, the moment my eyes returned to him, I completely forgot my line of thought. Fluidly, he plucked my target from the top shelf. Then, almost with supernatural speed, he gathered the rest of the books on the list.
I gaped. "How?" I licked my lips when my voice emerged hoarse and scratchy. Will's eyes flickered to my lips and I'm pretty sure my face discovered a new shade of red. "How did you find them so fast?"
His expression was unreadable as he shrugged. His eyes seemed to warm as they flickered over my face. He inclined his head in the direction of the front desk. "Come on."
I practised breathing exercises as I followed him, taking deep inhales.
Okay, Ellie, you're talking to the guy of your dreams. Relax, calm down, breathe, try to look vaguely normal. I was failing epically at every single one of those.
I did a quick hair check in the reflection of a window before initiating a quick pat test to ensure my make up was still intact. Then, trying to look like a confident stranger instead of a girl who'd had a seven year crush on the same guy and only worked up the guts to talk to him once (as an overly brave ten year old) I straightened and focused ahead.
The moment my eyes locked on Will's back I turned to mush . His gait was endearingly casual as his long (endlessly long) legs strode through the aisles separating the bookshelves. It had to be against the law to be that completely and totally perfect.
I was so in over my head.
The moment Will arrived at the desk, Ms Marsh was there, beaming at him. "Oh, William," she gushed. "How can I help you?"
Yep, the world was totally unfair.
"Just helping Ellie out."
Ms. Marsh took a break from turning to mush to throw me a scowl.
I was too busy freaking out to care. He said my name. He knew my name.
I mean, sure, Mr Meyer had told him, but he'd remembered. Will knew my name.
I bit my lip, stifling excited giggles.
Ms. Marsh took the books from Will with a smile."Oh, you're so helpful William."
She didn't even glance at me as I placed the books on the desk. Well, it was obvious who she liked more.
I didn't blame her, who wouldn't like Will?
"So, William, how are you enjoying the book I recommended?"
"Amazingly, actually," he said, nodding. "I like the references to its social historical context as well as the deeper sociological theories portrayed within the novel. However, I do feel some techniques were misused within the book, particularly when portraying the feelings of loss that were prominent throughout the first few chapters."
I gaped at him.
Ms Marsh nodded excitedly. "Of course. However, I think it is important to understand that the author was purposely intending to imitate the techniques used in an earlier work in order to express the main point of the novel which was how apathy and empathy could easily be juxtaposed."
The two spoke more gibberish for another few minutes while I watched, struggling to follow the conversation.
I was snapped out of my daze when Will gestured to me. "I know Ellie is volunteering, but do you mind if I borrow her for a moment?"
My eyes snapped to Ms. Marsh.
Please say yes.
No, pleases say no. I'll probably embarrass myself if you say yes.
No, say yes, say yes, say yes.
"Of course," Ms Marsh gushed. "Borrow her for as long as you want."
Or he could just keep me forever.
Will flashed Ms Marsh a smile that melted my heart. Oh, goodness.
"Thank you," he replied.
Then he glanced at me and nodded in the direction of his seat at the edge of the library. His eyes, unreadable as always, were soft and just slightly imploring. "Come with me?"
Mentally squealing, I nodded and floated after him. After seven years, I finally had a conversation, though mostly non vocal, with my crush. My life would be complete if I could spit out at least one word to him without my face exploring the red spectrum.
A gentleman, Will pulled out the seat opposite him and I all but fainted. How many times have I imagined this? I thought as I hurriedly lowered myself into the chair.
Will sat down effortlessly, closing the book that had been open on the table. His eyes flickered up to me, locking my heart in place. They glimmered from beneath his thick sooty lashes.
"So, when do you want to have our first tutoring session?" he asked, his eyes focused on me.
I think I was going to explode.
I shrugged when my mouth failed me. Idiot. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
"This Saturday?" he asked.
Speak, dang it, speak!
"Y-yeah, Saturday is perfect," I spewed out.
He frowned for a moment. "Is two o'clock OK?"
Because he had his morning jog on Saturdays. Don't ask how I know that.
I nodded rapidly. "Its perfect," I repeated and then I smiled and didn't look totally constipated.
Victory for Ellie!
He blinked rapidly for a moment before his eyes became unreadable again. "Alright." He reached into his bag, tearing out a sheet from his notebook. He scribbled something down before sliding it across the table.
My breath died in my lungs.
"Come over on Saturday and call me if anything comes up." Then he stood. "I've got to go." His eyes darkened, swirling in deep green hues. His voice lowered nearly imperceptibly. "See you Saturday."
Then he left, whisking away his sinewy body and gorgeous eyes.
I held my breath until I heard the quiet shut of the door reverberate through the room.
Then I squealed, clutching the sheet to my chest. Oh my goodness! I was seeing Will this Saturday! Okay, it was for a tutoring session, but so what? I kept squealing until Ms. Marsh emerged and told me in no uncertain terms to shut my face or she'd kick me out.
But I didn't care. Because in my hands was something I'd been waiting for for years--Will's address and phone number.
***
So, what did you think? I hope you liked it ;)
BTW, this chapter is dedicated to the fa-mazing bunniezncookies for constantly voting and commenting and for being a great friend.
God bless xx
Yemi Everest (till next time ;))