Chapter Six.

The library was huge and a little occupied. People sat around with books in front of them. Finding the library wasn't hard once I had my G****e map turned on.

I made my way to the lady sitting at the front desk. Her eyes glanced up to mine as she pressed her lips together tightly.

"How can I help you sir?" She politely asked while silently ogling me.

I rolled my eyes. Of course I had some reckless manly charm, but the ogling wasn't necessary. It put me in an uncomfortable mood. Reasons why I personally don't go out. I dislike the stares because apparently I stuck out like a sore thumb.

I adjusted my nose mask and replied, "uh, historian books please. And British poetry. Also, some books on psychology would be appreciated." I briefly said.

"Oh, right this way then." She smiled at me and left her post, beckoning on me to follow her, which I did with my hands stuffed in my pant's pockets.

"Any idea on the kind on poetry you'd like?" She turned to me.

"Uh, Walt Whitman or William Butler is fine." I wasn't sure whose I wanted more.

"Excellent choice. Those guys are legendary." She was trying to make small talk but talking wasn't my thing. Sorry.

"Here, one of Walt's best art work." She handed me a book.

"Song of myself." I read the title out loud while checking out the book.

"Or do you prefer Leaves of grass? That one is quite nice but I prefer this one." She said.

The lady was a strawberry blonde with brown eyes. She had a round baby like face and slim lips. She was pretty and looked within her early twenties.

"Is it a college project?" She asked.

"No, just leisure reading." I replied.

"Oh, then these are the best for you." She tapped on the books on my hand.

"Hmm, thanks." I scanned  the giant shelves of books.

"So anything in particular you're looking for in a psychology book?" She asked, leading down a hallway.

"Conquering inner demons, I suppose." I really didn't know what I was looking for but deep down, that was the answer written in bold letter.

"Then I have just the book for you. How to conquer your inner demons by Dr Jackson Ian." She said while leading me to another division of the library. She climbed a ladder, running her hands down the spines of the books on the sixth shelve in search of the book she had just told me.

I looked away as her floral dress rode up, exposing a great view of her thighs and ass. It would me impolite to stare and besides, her ass was not my business.

"Here you go." She handed me a book and smiled at me. She adjusted her flat gown and checked out her white trainers for any stain.

I nodded.

"Anything else?" She asked.

It was becoming really hard for me to breathe with the mask on. I lowered the mask, hanging it below my jaw, taking in a deep breathe. "Uh, historian books... but these would do for now."

"Are you sure? You don't need me to fetch the books?" She asked.

"Uh, actually, a nice chemistry textbook wouldn't hurt." I said.

"Oh, why would you want to read that during your leisure?" She asked, her nose scrunched in distaste.

"It's a hobby." I simply dismissed.

"A weird one. I'd get one for you. Let's go." She turned, leading me down to another side of the library. Globes were hanging around. I could tell we were at the science division. "I'd just climb up and get you the best I know. I haven't really worked here for long." She added with a shy smile. She was swooning indirectly, though she wasn't making it obvious.

"How long have you worked here?" I decided to reply. I guess I've been ignoring her small talks.

"Six months. I'm actually more on the volunteering side than actual work. More like an intern. I studied Library and information science at the University of Denver. It was my dream course and I'm proud I went for it." She added with a smile.

"It appears so." I replied, taking my around to scan through books on the shelves within my reach.

After rounding up the books I needed, I got to the front desk to check them out. The young lady seemed eager to help me, not forgetting to chatter once in a while while I nodded or just hummed in response.

"Do I pay or something?" I asked.

"Well, it's just a small token. We're doing a fundraiser for the library to get more books and uphold better maintenance." She informed me.

"Right. How much?" I asked, taking out my wallet.

"Uh, seven dollars."

I brought out a ten dollar bill and handed it to her. "I don't have change. But you can keep the rest. As a token from me to the library." I didn't mind.

"Thank you Mr..." she expected me to say my name.

"Just Mr is fine." I replied.

"Can I ask why you're reading that book?" She pointed on the psychology book in my hand and I smiled. A forced smile.

"Wouldn't hurt to know." I said, taking my books to leave. But on second thought, I  decided to just find a nice seat and begin my book. The chemistry first.

I headed for a chair and table by the window and sat down, letting down my books on the table. I took out my phone at the ding it made. It was a message notification from my mother and brother. I opened my email and the letter I had received from the art university made me extremely vulnerable. I really did love art but making my family happy is something I've dreamed off. I don't mind sacrificing my dream to become an artist for my family. I flipped open the cover page and with a sharp inhale, began reading. Harvard's exam won't write itself.

Two hours later and I could feel warmth beside me. Turning, it was the librarian girl. She was smiling at me with two cups of Starbucks in her hand. "Mind if I join you?"

I dropped my eyes from her to the cups in her hands. She noticed my confusion and bit her lip. "Well, I wanted to uh, thank you so I uh, got two orders from Starbucks. Besides I figured you might have been thirsty." She explained.

I wasn't thirsty till she mentioned it. But I don't just drink any coffee order in Starbucks. It's usually a Caramel Macchiato.

"My taste in coffee is quite picky. But thanks for the offer." I simply said.

"I guessed as much but I decided to take the chance. I got two of my favourite. Caramel Macchiato." She said nervously.

Unbelievable. This crazy lady did a gamble with her money. She certainly look like she's got much but she appeares comfortable enough. It would have been a waste and a loss for her if her guess was wrong. But here she is, holding my favourite order.

"Did I guess wrong?" She asked.

"No." I replied and she beamed with a smile.

"I never really got to introduce myself. My name is Bea. What's yours?" She asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be seated at the front desk?" I asked, dismissing her question.

"We're five who work here. My shift just ended. I had the early morning shift which ends by twelve noon." She explained.

"Then why not go home?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Um... It's too early for that. I just thought I'd join you here. Hope you don't mind?" She smiled at me.

"Libraries are meant to be silent librarian." I informed with a raised brow, getting back to my book.

"I just told you my name. Please don't call me a librarian sir." She sounded sassy yet offended at the same time.

I got back in my book but got interrupted when I felt a stare at my direction. I put down the book and turned to the direction of the stare.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I was just figuring if I've seen you before. You look so much like a model from a magazine I saw. Vogue. Is it you?" She asked.

"No. I'm not a model." I replied.

"But you look familiar though. I've been thinking it since you took off your nose mask. Are you Tim Cougar the model?" She asked.

"No, I'm just Eldse. Not a model." I replied.

"Oh, weird name but it's cute." She giggled. "Here, it will get cold if you don't drink it soon. I presume you like your coffee hot. Really hot." She blinked at me.

"Thanks."

I accepted her coffee and began drinking but nearly choked on my drink when I saw my father's body guard roaming around the library.

Oh shit!