Ten Ways Lin and Mai Never Met

At The School Library

ELi Shikiyori

"Is the book really that interesting?"

Mai Taniyama jumped in her seat, the said book flying from her hands and falling to the floor with a loud thud. Ayako Matsuzaki and Masako Hara both raised an eyebrow at their friend and glanced at each other briefly.

"Jesus!" the Russet haired young girl took in a few calming breaths, placing a hand on her racing heart. "Do not sneak up on me like that!" Ayako gave her a curious glance, "You've been holding that book at the same page for the past fifteen minutes!" "What's made you so jumpy?" Masako asked in her soft voice. Mai rolled her eyes as she bent down to pick up the fallen book, "I just got lost in my thoughts, that's all. I didn't even know you were here."

"Mai, we came to the library together. We've been sitting at the same table for the past hour. Masako and I only left you for seven minutes to get new books."

"Oh…"

Ayako rested her weight on one leg and placed her hand on her hip. "Seriously, Mai. We don't have school today; no homework! Why in the world would you drag us to the library—of all places, dear God!—when we could be enjoying it at the mall while checking out hot guys?" But whatever Ayako was saying went in one of Mai's ears and out the other. Her attention was rapt on the tall young man who was making his way towards a group of guys sitting a few tables ahead of them.

He was engrossed in the book he held in his hands, his grey eyes never leaving it. A boy was making a beeline for sign out counter with an armload of books. He was on a crash course with the tall young man. Mai watched with wide eyes as they drew closer and closer, the young man not even looking up. But right as they were about to crash, the young man smoothly moved out of the way, his eyes never leaving the book and the boy made his way undisturbed. Mai slowly let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and slumped in her seat.

Masako and Ayako had watched the whole ordeal, wide eyes flickering between Mai and the young man who was now sitting with his friends, their jaws slack. "Oh my goodness!" Ayako gasped. In an instant, she and Masako were on either side of Mai, sandwiching her between them and giving her no chance to escape. "I think now I understand why we're here!" the redhead's lips curled into a smile, like a cat that just caught a mouse. Even Masako was smirking.

"Oh no…" Mai whimpered as she sunk down in her seat. A blush was making its way to her cheeks as the two young girls leaned in close, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"You, my dear," Ayako grinned as her long red finger nails tapped against the table, "are going to spill the beans on your Prince Charming." "W-What? I have no idea what you're talking about!" Mai protested. Masako rolled her eyes, "Always so stubborn… But we can break down that pathetic façade of yours." A rather sadistic grin crept onto the petite girl's face.

Mai sunk down further into her seat. "This is really gonna suck!"

The Russet haired young girl sighed as she made her way to the library, rubbing her tired eyes. Ayako and Masako would not just leave her alone! They questioned her all afternoon yesterday and sent her texts throughout the night and morning about her Prince Charming. She could barely get any shut eye…

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and the young girl let out a soft groan. She pulled her phone out and checked who the message was from: Ayako Matsuzaki~! 3 Mai suppressed a growl as she didn't even bother to check it, turning it off and shoving it into her pocket. She continued her brisk walk to the library. She had a major test coming up next week and Mai needed all the time she could get to study for it. But when she arrived at the library, an unexpected turn of events welcomed her.

"Are you serious?"

Mai gaped openly at the librarian—or rather, the librarian's assistant—who merely shrugged her shoulders. "Do I look like I joke?" the young girl spoke, boredom in her tone as she twirled a strand of her curly black hair around her finger. Mai sighed and shook her head, "No," she answered unhappily, "But really? The whole West Wing of the library is out?"

"Yup." The assistant popped the P, "they're repairing it. Damage from the water or something. Either way, none accessible and students are required to stay in the undamaged East Wing." The assistant spoke with a droning voice. Mai suppressed from rolling her eyes and merely huffed as she spun around on her heel and walked away from the information desk.

Mai strolled along the aisles, towering shelves filled with numerous books loomed above her but the young girl didn't mind much. Her slender fingers danced along the spines of the books, her eyes quick to scan and search through multiple names until she found the ones she was looking for. Mai pulled out textbooks on World History and Languages, piling them up in her arms until they were stacked against her chest. Huffing, the young girl made her way to the study tables and was filled with dismay to find all of them occupied.

Mai groaned to herself and she shifted the heavy weight of the books on her arms. "This is just great." She mumbled darkly under her breath, "First, my best friends won't stop pestering me; then, half of the library is in ruins right when I have a test to study for and lastly, there are no more free tables!" The young girl resisted the urge to stomp her foot in frustration, merely choosing to let out an angry sigh as she turned around and collided with a solid chest.

"Ow…"

Mai winced slightly, the books growing heavier on her arms by the minute. The person she bumped into didn't even make any sound of surprise and Mai looked up into a pair of rather familiar steel grey eyes. Mai's face flushed into a brilliant scarlet as she realized just who she had bumped into.

Lin Koujo.

Lin freaking Koujo! The guy who constantly caught her attention and who her friends found out she had a big fat honking crush on yesterday!

"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you! I was just-um-are you alright?" Mai gushed out suddenly, hugging the books tightly to her chest in the attempt to calm down her erratic heartbeat. Her blush increased ten fold and she lowered her gaze to the floor. From her peripheral vision, the young man tilted his head slightly as he spoke in a deep lulling voice, "I'm fine. I apologize if I startled you." Mai shook her head, "It's ok! I was just," she nodded her head towards the packed tables, "looking for a place to… well, never mind, I'll just study at home." By then, she was muttering more to herself as she made to move away, "Sorry again."

"Wait."

Mai stopped in her tracks, her heart rate increasing once more, as she turned around to face him. The young man had a stolid expression on his face but his eyes revealed his thoughtfulness, "You can share a table with me and we can both study for the test." Mai's mouth fell partially agape but no sound came. Her eyes widened as she realized just how much of an idiot she looked and quickly closed her mouth, blushing darkly. Lin gazed at her with mild amusement as he asked again, "Is that ok with you?" "Yes, yes!" Mai nodded her head, "Thank you!"

Lin gave a tilt of his head as he eyed the book in Mai's arms, "Here, let me take that for you." He reached out and deftly took the pile of books from the young girl's grasp, holding them steadily in his own. Mai blinked in surprise at the swift movement, "Thanks." Lin shrugged nonchalantly, "It's no problem." The young man then began to lead the way towards his table which already had a few books and papers neatly arranged on it. Mai couldn't help but admire his strong arms as he easily carried her stack of books through the distance. Finally, they arrived at his table which was on the far side of the room, next to the window and a slightly away from the other crowded tables. Lin put Mai's books down on the table and the young girl couldn't stop the words from tumbling out of her mouth.

"You're strong."

Mai felt her face burn as she ducked her head in embarrassment. What… did she just say? She was just about ready to crawl into a hole and stay there for the rest of her life when a soft chuckle broke her out of her thoughts. Lin had a small smile on his face as he watched confusion fill those big Sienna eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." He apologized, "You're Mai Taniyama." He stated it as a fact. He wasn't asking her, he knew her name. And that thought alone made butterflies take wing in Mai's stomach.

"Yeah. I am." She flashed him a wide smile, "And you're Lin Koujo." "So you know my name as well?" Was it just her or did she detect a hint of a tease in those grey eyes? She blushed again and nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well, um, yeah. I do…" her smile turned shy. Lin smirked as he pulled out a chair for Mai and the young girl smiled at his chivalry as she took a seat. He pushed her chair in before taking a seat across from her. Mai kept her grin on her face as she reached for the first book on the top of her pile. She pulled out her notebooks where she kept all reminders and study guides and began to flip through the pages.

From the top of her book, the russet haired teenager sneaked a peek at the young man sitting in front of her. He appeared to be deeply immersed in his studies as his solemn gaze jumped back and forth between his own notes and his textbook. Mai watched him for a moment, studying him, but then realized what she was doing and mentally scolded herself for acting like a pervert, averting her eyes to her book once more.

But she glanced up at him again and this time, found herself unable to refrain from calling for his attention.

"Um, Koujo-kun?"

He looked up at her, his expression stoic. "Yes, Mai-san?"

She blushed slightly and stumbled over her words, "I-I-I just wanted to, um, thank you again. For, you know, helping me. So… thanks." Her last word sounded more like a question and she struggled to keep gerself from slapping her palm to her forehead.

Lin's lips twitched up into a small smile and he regarded her with more warmth. "It's no trouble at all, Mai-san."

Mai nodded, "Ok." And a comfortable silence fell between them as they resumed studying. Until…

"Ah… Koujo-kun?"

"Yes?"

"Can you explain to me how polynomials and factorization works?"

Somehow, throughout the half hour, the two ended up sitting right next to each other, close enough for their sides to be touching. Their arms would brush as Mai would write in her notebook. Russet and black mingled as their heads leaned in close when they both studied a question. Whenever Mai had a question, Lin would lean in so her arm was against his chest while his own reached across so that he could explain things to her, hands touching as his' guided her's across the page. She was shy to ask at first but now, it didn't seem to bother her too much. Eyebrows furrowed together when confused; eyes lighting up with joy whenever she would get it right. Lin watched as the expressions flew freely across her face, concealing nothing from him.

He noticed that whenever he had time to spare before answering another question, he found himself staring at her. Watching; observing. Or simply admiring. Something about Mai simply drew him to her, be it her bright Sienna eyes or her heart warming smile or her openness to him.

Another hour later and Mai's eyes were already drooping, her hand being the only thing keeping her head from greeting the table. Lin noticed the young girl's exhaustion, being a bit tired himself, and decided that they had done enough studying for that afternoon. He silently closed his books and began to put away his notes as well. Mai watched him with curious eyes, "Koujo-kun?" she asked.

Lin turned to her and grinned wearily. "It's getting late, Mai-san, and we've been studying continously for the past hour and a half. I believe we can set aside our reviews for today." "Oh," Mai nodded in understanding before she leaned back on her chair and stretched leisurely, "I am feeling a beat." She stretched her arms above her head, her back bending into a graceful arch. She straightened out and began putting away her own things. Mai grinned up at Lin, "Thanks again, Koujo-kun. I really appreciated this."

The dark haired teenager smiled gently at her in return. "Perhaps, we could continue this tomorrow, same time and same place."

Mai's eyes lit up and she gasped, "That'd be fantastic!" she laughed. Lin's gentle smile slowly turned into a grin as he continued, "And afterwards, we could go grab a bite to eat; have some coffee, maybe?"

Mai felt her heart stop at his words. Did he just say… what she thinks he did? "Like, you mean, we could…" Mai trailed off as a blush raged on her cheeks, "like… go on a… d-date?" she whispered the word, her heart beginning to thump against her chest like the Energizer bunny on crack. She struggled to even out her breathing as she maintined eye contact with the Chinese teenager.

Lin's grin grew wider as he moved closer to the flustered girl, "If you want it to be." He spoke, his voice low and promising. Mai took in a shaky breath as she nodded her head, unable to do anything except gape at him. Lin chukled, "It's a date then. Tomorrow. I'll take you home as well." He finalized as he picked up Mai's books from the table. He offered his hand to her and she took it as they gathered the rest of their stuff and procceeded to return their books, leaving the library hand in hand.

All the while, Lin kept on glancing at the radiant young girl beside him who had so fiercely and so irrevocably ensnared his attention, and wonderd when he would finally be able to tell Mai that he'd been watching her just as much as she had been watching him…

"Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart."

-Unknown