Lesson One: The new Librarian
Hi, my name is Lucy Heartfilia and my love for books is absolutely beyond words. Period. And that's all you need to know about me. Just kidding, actually there're plenty of things I take great interest in other than the company of my books but I'll save that for later.
Now, back to the self introduction. So in short, well I did tell you my passion for books but my favorite ones are romance novels especially. Why, you may ask? Well basically, since young I've been exposed to romance stories because my mother used to read them to me before bedtime instead of fables and fairy tales. Pretty weird, right? But if there was anything I love more than books, that would very well be my beloved mother...
You'll find out more about me soon anyway but for now, I've got to get going to the library. Why? Not just because I want to surround myself with tonnes of books but I'm also working part time at Magnolia library down town during the summer break. Starting today that is! Even though the job doesn't pay much but it's enough to help me with rent money at the very least.
Well, look at the time already! I'm almost late for my first day of work, silly me narrating so much like I'm writing a novel or some sort.
Slapping myself mentally, I hurriedly put on my sweatshirt and black skater skirt, after which I slid on a pair of dark stockings and flats. Trust me, I'm not that good with fashion either, I mean my wardrobe has a bunch of sweaters and hoodies and jeans and some skirts? Lucy Hearfilia does not dress fancy that's for sure.
Rushing down the stairs, I grabbed my glasses on the dining table and house keys along with it.
"Bye, Plue! I'll be off now, take care of the house would ya?" I called out to my pet puppy, Plue, upon exiting my apartment. "Pu- pun!"
And I'm off to the library with my pastel pink bicycle that is. The journey surprisingly didn't take that long as it only took me about fifteen minutes to cycle.
Phew! I was right on time, taking a peak at my old leather wrist watch which was given to me from my mother as a birthday present.
My mouth literally hung wide open upon looking up at the massive building before me as I parked my ride outside the entrance. The two storey library from the outside looked completely rundown, I could've sworn I mistook it for an abandoned complex or some sort if it wasn't for the faded 'Magnolia Library' sign hanged at the entrance. Although it may looked old, the structure stood proudly amongst the many buildings surrounding it.
However, little did I know what had awaited me inside the library. I pushed the two glass twos open, only to be greeted by the smell of books as it drifted to my sensitive nose. Ahh, this place smells great, I sure can get used to this. Massive book shelves were arranged in multiple columns and I could see that books were neatly placed as well, neatly kept.
I strutted towards the counter while admiring the interior design of the library, it truly was beautiful. Guess you can't really judge a book by its cover after all. I smiled mentally at the thought. I mean, I'm loving this cosy of a place so far! However, one thing I found rather strange was that WHY HAVEN'T I SEEN A SINGLE SOUL IN HERE? WHAT IF THIS PLACE WAS REALLY DESERTED AND I JUST TRESPASSED ON SOMEONE'S PROPERTY. IT CAN'T BE, RIGHT?
Just when I could further question myself ridiculously, a pleasant voice snapped me out of my thoughts, a hand waving in front of my face,"Hello? Excuse me, miss? Can I help you?"
"O-oh! Yes, uhm... I'm here for part time job. Here's the application form just to confirm," I told her, handing her the slip of paper which mainly consisted my particulars.
The girl who seemed to be of my age readjusted her navy blue glasses and quickly schemed through the information on the paper before looking up again, "Your name is... Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia am I correct?" the blue haired girl asked me, smiling. She sure seemed sweet, wonder what's her name?
"Yes, that's right," I smiled back, scratching the back of my head awkwardly,"Please to meet you, I'm Levy McGarden but you can call me Levy for short," she briefly introduced herself, nodding.
"Ah, well I'm Lucy. Please take care of me Levy-chan," I said, smiling widely, reaching an arm out for a handshake which she gladly accepts.
"I'll show you around first before we get to do some work, Lu-chan~" she sang, taking me by the wrist and pulling me along with her. "To the staff room!"
Lu-can? That's new. Not that I mind the new nickname but in fact, I love it!
Levy twisted the door knob in front of her as she invited me in with a friendly hand gesture," Com on in, Lu-chan, I'll give you your name tag then we'll get to know each other a bit more," she beamed.
"Alright, sounds good to me," I said, quietly following behind her.
"There you go, Lucy-chan. Welcome to Magnolia Library," she warmly said after pinning a transparent card holder on my sweatshirt and on the card it says 'Assistant Librarian' with my name altogether. I squealed in much excitement and pulled Levy into a hug.
"Thank you, Levy-chan! I'll do my best!"
"Let's go, I'm taking you to the second floor," she stated, ushering me to the door before closing it behind her.
Wow. I know this might sound pretty strange but I feel that I've known Levy-chan for the longest of time now, I mean we get along just perfect! Although we met like twenty minutes ago but still... I smiled contently, looking down at my new position as assistant Librarian and not to mention, I made a new friend too. So far, all was well.
"Levy?"
"What's wrong?" she turned to look at me.
"Uhm, you're not the only one that works here, right?" I asked what was on my mind.
"Of course I'm not the only one here, silly. There's my little sister Wendy, Bisca and her boyfriend and a few others too but they went to do some votunteer work today. May be they'll be back tomorrow," she told me.
Ah, makes sense why there's only Levy here. "So, Lu-chan, you're from Fairy Tail Academy, right?" she asked me, trying to make a conversation.
"Yeah, what about you?"
"Well, I'm from Blue Pegasus High. Though I must sa, Fairy Tail is rumored to be a 'delinquent' school. Is it true, Lucy?" she gave me a questioning look.
"Oh... They're rowdy bunch but I woudn't call them 'delinquent' just yet. I mean look at me, I'm pretty normal aren't I?" I joked, laughing nervously however earning a laugh from her.
Those idiots! Levy must've been referring to that Natsu back there at Fairy Tail Academy. Salmon haired delinquent? Heck, people even gave him a nickname of Salamander for 'accidentally' burning down half of the school compound while he was in Home Economics class for Mavis's sake. Which of course earned him a whole months worth of detention as a result of his unavoidable stupidity and carelessness. And did I tell you how the guy would constantly get into fights nearly everyday only to be at school the following day covered up in nothing but bruises and cuts. It's a usual sight but that's Natsu for you. Well how do I, Lucy Heartfilia, know about all this? It's because Natsu Dragneel is my childhood friend ever since kindergarten. Curse that idiot, he almost gave Levy a bad impression of me and Fairy Tail Academy.
"I guess you're right, Lu-chan. Fairy Tail Academy sure seems like a fun place," she chuckled.
Was I hearing things right or did Levy just commented on FT Academy being I don't know... fun? Technically, the place is fun, for me that is, but I've never heard other people praising our school before? It's either 'Oh look, it's those troublemakers from Fairy Tail causing us trouble again' or 'Don't send your children there, it's bad influence' something along that line. I guess you could say that Levy is one of a kind then?
"Yeah, we're like family over there," I said, finding myself smiling just talking about them.
"I can tell, bring your friends over sometime, okay?"
"Haha not sure if that's a good idea but I'll try, I mean they could trash this place once they step in," I chuckled amusingly.
"Make sure to tell them to behave or else I'll personally kick them out," Levy joked.
"Anyway, this is the second floor, it's condition, well... isn't that great at the moment you see," she said, pointing at the set of moldy wooden shelves before continuing, "And we have approximately one hundred new books that hasn't been registered into the system yet. They're at the storage room at the back and as our job, we need to arrange them into respective shelves after keying them into the computer. Afterwards, we'll do some cleaning here and that's about it, Lu-chan."
After her short briefing, she lead me towards the back of the second floor, I stood quietly beside her as she fished out another set of keys to the door in front of us, with a 'Storage' sign on it, "Ah right, I'll have to give you a pair of spare keys to the staff and storage room, Lu-chan," I nodded.
"Lu-chan, have you met our library cat yet?" she asked me, picking one of the books laid on the desk before typing something into the computer situated at the corner of the room.
"Cat?" I paused for a second, "I haven't seen any," shaking my head, I picked up one of the books myself. "Then I suppose Wendy brought it along with her, don't worry, you'll see her soon. Her name is Charles."
"Can't wait to meet everyone that works here, Levy." I smiled.
For the next hour or so, me and Levy continued to register the new books into the computer and putting them all aside first before we began to place them onto the shelves. It was quite tiring of a job, considering the amount of books we had to arrange. But I like it anyway. Since we only had a computer, we had to take turns and when it was Levy's, I managed to browse through the book which I was holding onto. I must say, this library sure had a fine collection of Kemu Zelon's novels. I was just in awe to see so many of his novels displayed in the library because his novels are a rare sight in town.
"You like Kemu Zelon's romance novels, Lu-chan?" she asked, peaking over to see what I was reading.
"Yeah! He's one of my favourite authors of all time. My mother used to read his books to me and I love romance novels. They're so... dreamy," I said, almost drooling.
"I know right, which of his books are you reading?" she asked, taking a seat next to me. I scooted nearer so see could see the novel.
"Oh this? It's 'Tell Me How to Love', one of his best selling novels besides Day Break. Apparently he wrote this when he fell in love with his wife and dedicated this novel for her. Sweet isn't it?" I said while tracing the hard cover of the book resting on my lap.
"You can have it if you want, Lu-chan," she kindly offered.
"N-no, I can't, I mean this is library property and we can't afford to away books like that," I reasoned with her.
"It's fine, take it as a welcome gift from me, okay? And I know you'll take good care of it, Lu-chan," she beamed, taking hold of my hands.
"Aww, Levy... I can't thank you enough. Thank you so much, I'll treasure this," embracing her tightly.
"You're welcome~" she bubbly said.
"And welcome to Magnolia Library again, Lu-chan."
To be continued~
Author's Note!
I'm starting a new fic /CHEERS/ so did you guys likey the first chapter of Teach Me How to Love? If you do, please review/favorite/follow and let me know if I should continue. Is not a yay or a nay? The more reviews, the faster I'll update! Aye!