After rereading the material and some careful deliberation, I have decided to give it a shot to reboot this story. I will be re-watching Fairy Tail to gain inspiration for the future of the plot and to reacquaint myself with the characters, soon. I'm hoping to be able to turn this story into something even better than it was, before, and while I revamp this one, I will also be continuing my other story, My Name Is Lucy, and evaluating the salvage of my other story, What's Your Answer. The published chapters may change and be updated as time goes on and the plot changes, but for now, this is what I've come up with. I hope you like it!
Happy reading!
~Rinn E.
[WARNING: This content contains spoilers for the show. If you haven't seen the entire show, then some things may be spoiled for you. Viewer discretion is advised. You have been warned.]
[DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail of any of its characters. I do, however, own this story. Any republication, replication, or alteration of this content without my explicit written consent is considered plagiarism and is punishable by law. Thank you.]
[Droy]
To say that this was the fastest I'd ever run in my life would be an understatement. I'd never been much of an athlete, that was always something for Jet to handle. Of course, he wouldn't answer me when I tried to call him, so I had to be the one to run. One eye on the road ahead, I tried to call him, again, but no such luck.
Panting, I tried to get through to levy, praying that she'd pick up, but there was no answer. The miniature communications lacrima was empty, and my mind was racing. The alarm at the house had been tripped and the Fiore Police Department assured me they were getting someone on the scene right away, but it was a minute past six, and I knew for sure that Levy would be home. The thought of something happening to her, if they didn't get there in time, made my head spin.
My lungs screamed and my legs burned, but I'd never forgive myself if something were to happen to her and I didn't give it my all to get there and protect her. At the rate I was going, the officers would arrive before me, but I didn't care. No way could I ever face her, again, if I didn't run till I felt like I was about to die.
I had been sprinting as fast as my legs could carry me for the last twenty minutes, and I was still another half an hour out from the house, on foot. I couldn't catch my breath and my head throbbed and ached. The ground felt uneven and wobbly, and before I knew it, the dizziness in my head made me lose my balance. The last thing I remembered was feeling like I had missed a step, then everything went black.
[Levy]
It was a typical Monday morning at Magnolia Public Library. Students studying in the quiet zone, children laughing and reading in the children's corner, people of every kind coming and going, checking out books and movies and music.
Sure, sometimes the days can get long, the copier breaks, the fax machine won't connect, the coffee maker tastes like Linda's homemade hazelnut brew for the next few days, the copier/printer combo unit jams, no one seems to put anything back where it belongs, just to spite you, and the fifteenth time you get a noise complaint for the same group of rowdy teenagers making a ruckus in the corner is a little bit vexing, but as far as jobs go, I wouldn't trade this one for the world.
Besides, being an unpaid intern isn't all bad. It's fun gaining experience from the more vetted members of the staff, and it's rewarding when you're praised for a job well done. Also- oh, who am I kidding, being an intern isn't the greatest, and I can't wait for the internship to be over, but what's waiting at the end of it is the career I've dreamt about since I could form words. I'd deal with a thousand internships, if it meant running my own library, one day.
Content with my position, I pushed a trolley of unsorted books to the front desk. As soon as I dropped it off, I quickly checked my watch. It was already 5:30, and the bus home came in fifteen minutes. I hurried into the office to grab my bag from the cubby, before punching out.
Before I could leave, however, a familiar voice called for me. "Miss McGarden, do you have a moment? I meant to catch you, before you left, for the day, if that's alright with you," they said. I turned around and smiled. "What is it, Mr. Crumudgeon? I have fifteen minutes to spare, until the bus comes, sir," I answered. "Good, good, please, come with me to my office, there's something I'd like to talk to you, about," he said, and went out the door.
I followed close behind and stepped into his office. My mind was racing with all of the things he could want to talk to me about. Maybe I did something wrong? Did I file something incorrectly? Had someone complained about me? I bet it was those annoying kids who always get kicked out for bad behavior.
"Please, child, sit," he offered, and I obliged, attempting to quell my nervous thoughts. As if he could read me as easily as an open book, Mr. Crumudgeon sighed. "You're not in any trouble, Levy, quite the opposite, in fact. So, please stop worrying," he said. I sighed and relaxed. "So, why did you want to see me?" I asked. Mr. Crumudgeon nodded. "I know there's been some rumors going around about my retirement, and I wanted to put those rumors to rest. They're true," he stated.
My eyes went wide with shock. "They are? Oh, wow. I don't think I can even imagine anyone else working in your place," I confessed truthfully. I had known Mr. Crumudgeon as the head librarian since I was a child, and to see someone else take his place felt as if my childhood was finally over, and what a feeling that is. It feels like you're being kicked in the childhood memories, and not gently.
"Have you thought of a replacement, yet, sir?" I inquired. I wondered who he had in mind to take his place. Surely, one of the senior librarians would make a good fit. I knew a few members of the senior staff that would love to take his place. "Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Levy," he stated.
"You see, there are many in employment that are very fitting of the position, but I wanted your permission to hire my final pick. Do you think you could help me with that?" he asked. "Me? You want my permission, sir? I hardly see how I'm qualified," I replied sincerely. "How long have you been coming to this library?" Mr. Crumudgeon asked. I thought back. "Since I can remember, sir," I answered. Mr. Crumudgeon smiled; a rare sight, indeed.
"I still remember the first day you came. The orphanage was having a field trip and you and the other kids came for the whole day. Your eyes were wide the entire time, and I believe I saw you with a different book, in a different spot, just about every five minutes. You read to your friends and helped them find books, while still finding time to read on your own. Do you remember?" he questioned.
I nodded. "Like it was yesterday. I was in awe of this library. I'd never seen so many books, before," I replied. There was a small silence, before Mr. Crumudgeon spoke, again. "I'm getting old, Levy. Old and tired. It's time I passed the mantle to another, someone younger, someone who loves this library as much, if not more, than I do. There are so many wonderful candidates currently on staff, but the one I'm choosing is you," he stated.
Unprepared for the words that had just come from Mr. Crumudgeon's mouth, my jaw dropped. "Me?!" I exclaimed, but regained my composure. "Mr. Crumudgeon, I couldn't possibly, I mean, there are so many other members of staff, senior members, that have been here five times as long as I have, and-," I stumbled, but was interrupted.
"There isn't anyone I'd rather pass it on to," he said. I was shell-shocked. "What will everyone else think of this? I'm not even a full librarian, my internship still has another month to go," I sighed. "They'll respect my decision, they know how hard you work, and how much you love this library," Mr. Crumudgeon assured.
"After your internship, if you're on board, that is, I'll assign an interim head to show you the ropes, and I, myself, will observe your performance. The interim will leave when we both decide you're ready for the responsibility on your own. If anyone else has a problem with the arrangement, they can take it up with me directly. I'll be retiring at the end of your internship. Until then, you'll shadow me and learn the ropes. I expect you'll do just fine, Miss Levy McGarden," he stated.
After a few moments, I collected my thoughts enough to answer. "I would be honored to accept your offer, sir, truly. I appreciate the opportunity to grow and make this library my home," I thanked honestly. Mr. Crumudgeon simply put up a hand. "This library has been your home since you were small enough to fit in the empty bottom shelves to fall asleep with a blanket and a book. It will always be your home, no matter where the road ahead may take you," he said.
I smiled and fought back tears. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Crumudgeon. Thank you!" I said. "No, thank you, Levy. Now, go on! You'll be late for the bus, if we exchange any more pleasantries!" he shouted and I jumped up. "Oh, no! What time is it?!" I gasped and looked at my watch. Much to my dismay, the face read 5:44.
I lept up from my seat and grabbed my bag. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Crumudgeon, but I have to run!" I apologized, and ran out the door and towards the bus stop. As if by fate, the bus was just pulling into the stop. "Wait!" I yelled as I sprinted to the bus stop. I threw myself into the entry point, gasping for air. "Thank you, sorry," I panted. The bus driver rolled their eyes and motioned me along. I rummaged for my card and swiped it, before taking a seat in the front.
Once settled, I clutched my bag tightly to my chest. My mind was too busy to read one of the many books I had in my bag, it was far too preoccupied. "Jet and Droy won't believe it, when I get home!" I squealed happily to myself. The bus couldn't go fast enough, I just couldn't wait to get home. My life was looking up.
Wow, I was surprised at how much of the original I did and didn't keep. I hope you like the new version of If Only, and for nostalgia's sake, I will be keeping the old edition published for a while, so you can see how much it's changed, and hopefully how much the story, and the author, have grown. I hope you liked the first official chapter of the reboot! As always, if you have any comments, questions, concerns, suggestions, or critiques, feel free to utilize the comments section or my dm inbox. Stay tuned for the next chapter of If Only.
Until next time.
Happy Reading!
~Rinn E.
