Okay. You can do this. You've decided you're better. You might just deserve this. Okay. Okay. You can do this. Come on. Move.

James was standing in front of the library doors. He had been standing there for the last minute afraid to walk in. After three years he thought he might finally have a real case in his favor.

Alright. Nothing is going to happen if you don't move.

He opened the library door, walking past the librarian and making a bee line for the tables in the back. He could see her sitting with a friend, both looking into the same book. Her long red hair was partially obscuring her face before she pulled it behind her ear. Damn she was beautiful. Her friend was the first to notice James heading straight for them. She nudged her friend. Lily's eyes went wide for a moment before quickly looking back down at her book.

"Hey," said James. Both girls looked up at him.

"Hi," said Alice.

He stared for a moment at both girls, forgetting what he had planned to say.

"What's up?" said Lily. "Did you need something?"

"Yea…yes. Um, Lily. Can I talk to you for a second?"

"We're already talking." He couldn't tell if she was teasing him or genuinely annoyed.

"Yes. Right. Um. Well,"

Alice stood up. "I'm going to go find that book, shall I?" She walked off towards the librarian before either of them could answer. Lily chuckled as she kicked out the now vacant chair.

"Care to sit?" Lily offered the seat.

He ignored what she said. "Well, I was just thinking that I know I've asked you before, but you know, I was acting like an ass for not asking you like a normal person and I just thought maybe we can go out some time? I know you might have thought I was being—"

"Sure," said Lily.

"a prick or something, just edging you on but—wait, what?" said James.

"I said," Lily said, smiling up at him, "sure. I'd love to."

"Oh. Okay." James broke out into a huge smile. His heart rose through his chest as he looked down at her. "Good. That's great!" He was so elated he felt he had to get out of the library before he yelped for joy and embarrassed himself before he could even get her out with him. He was practically skipping out of the library before Lily called out, "Let me know when, ya?"

The librarian hushed them both.

"Oh, damn," said James, still smiling despite his mistake. He was completely oblivious to the librarian trying to get them to be quiet as he yelled across the room, "Next Sunday?"

"Sure, James. Next Sunday. Pick me up."

When James left, Lily burst out laughing further scandalizing the librarian. Alice hurried back to their table as the heavy set woman waddled behind her to kick them both out.

"So he finally asked you?" said Alice as they walked back to their rooms.

"Looks like it," said Lily.

"He took long enough!"

"Shut up." said Lily, a huge smile still on her face.