Tris loved going to the Winding Circle Library. All of the Dedicates knew her by name and were always willing to help her. Whether it was due to fear or just becasue they liked her, she never asked.
The library was run by Dedicates who offered their time to make sure things were run smoothly. Lark would occasionally assist, but she was normally needed elsewhere. Sometimes the apprentices of the Dedicates helped out. There was one apprentice who was rather cute. Whenever he helped out there was a group of girls following, giggling, and asking about the location of various books. Sometimes he would give them the attention they wanted and othertimes he would ignore them.
He would always help Tris though. She liked to think it was because he was attracted to her, but she knew it was only because she didn't flirt with him like other girls did.
Today he was there and leaning against the check out desk where the usual crowd of girls were. She sighed, I wish I could flirt. Maybe then guys would like me.
But of course the other voice in her head had to speak up, He likes you because you don't flirt.
But if I could at least flirt sometimes with him. Let him know that I'm not some total geek.
How do you know he thinks you're a geek?
Because he's looking at me like an idiot since I'm just standing here in the doorway.
Then get out of the doorway.
The rational side always had to win didn't it. She had been standing in the doorway of the library for probably two minutes now. She stepped in, looking around, and taking in the atmosphere. It was quiet and hushed with a sense of purpose. The people here weren't here to flirt, except for those girls. They wouldn't have been here anyways except for him. They were studying him, while the other people here studied soumething that was of importance.
What if he doesn't like them? What if he is actually one of those people who likes to learn?
Could it be possible that a cute guy could actually like to learn? Did she dare to hope? No. Hoping normally led her into trouble and then she would start to eat again. That reminded her. She was here to look for dieting alternatives.
It wasn't like she hadn't looked before, but new things were coming in all the time. She never looked for magic alternatives. Ever since the blue box episode two years ago she had resolved never to use magic unless there was no other way and it wouldn't hurt others. There were other ways to lose weight because other people did it all the time. She could be one of those people.
Finding the row of wooden shelves in the back corner she settled on the floor to look. There were about three shelves on maintaining a healthy weight and they were all on the bottom. She had seen all of these before...wait except for this one. She peered in closer to it Losing Weight Without Hurting Yourself by Dedicate Gorse of Winding Circle.
Of course why hadn't she thought to ask him. Of course he could help. Tris thought of his always eager manner to feed people and how good his food was. The only way to leave without food was to go through invisible. It didn't seem likely that he would know how to lose weight but every bit of knowledge was worth having.
She would check out the book another time. When the cute apprentice wasn't there. This was her problem and she really didn't want it to get around.
She stood up and smoothed her skirts. Her goal was accomplished and now she could somewhat relax. She took a deep breath. The smell of books was always comforting.
She looked up at the ceiling. It was high and domed with a painting of the sky and the sun. In the center it was a light sky blue and grew darker until it was a deep midnight blue at the edges. The light was reflected off the clouds and it looked so realistic. On cloudy days or on days when she felt like everything had a fog around it she would come here and look at the ceiling. Just a quick glance at it and she would feel better. Good enough to sit down and concentrate on a book.
Now was one of those times. Maybe she should look at this whole idea of Niko's to get snow in Winding Circle.
As she walked to the stairs she smiled. What would the people think to see snow? She saw people running around screaming, thinking the clouds had fallen. Too bad the clouds are evaporated water.
Well snow was water...and she was by the ocean. Maybe she actually could do it.
If she could do this...She shook her head. Wasn't Niko always telling her not to get a big head? This wasn't exactly going to help her in that aspect.
Deep in thought she didn't notice her surroundings until she ran into something.
OOf. Sorry, she murmured, continuing on her way.
Need any help?
Why did people always have to keep talking? She turned around to tell them no, but before she could get the words out she stopped.
It was the cute guy.
Well of course you don't. You're here enough, but I thought I could just help, he leaned a little closer with a devilish grin on his face, I just wanted to get away from those girls who follow me actually, and I'd rather be with you.
Was it just her or was he sorta kinda maybe flirting with her? Nah, it was probably some dare pulled by those other girls. Why were girls so cruel to each other? She of all people should know the extent of their cruelty.
Uh-well I guess I could use some help. Wh-where could I find information on snow? she stammered.
Truely a weather witch aren't we? he grinned. Snow, huh? Follow me. I'm pretty sure I know where that is. We normally don't get a whole lot of requests on snow so the section will probably be small.
He started talking as he walked up the stairs to the weather section. She followed. It should be in the weather shelves, and I know you know where that is, he grinned back at her.
Yeah. Very familar with that section, she responded half heartedly. His eyes were extremely brown. They were just huge pools, and with his brown hair they made his tan complexion more bronze. He kept talking about how the girls drove him crazy but she tuned him out and was looking at his back. His hair fell down to his shoulders. It was slightly wavy and it curled at the end. He was probably three inches taller than her. Her eyes were glued to him and she wasn't really paying attention to where they were going.
She stopped at the sound of her voice. Finally she was brought out of her daze. She looked around. This was so not the weather section. He peered at her. His eyes looked deep into hers. You okay?
Not really. Where are we?
Well we already walked by the weather section, and then I remembered that we didn't have anything on snow except for in the encyclopedias. So then I turned that way and I realized you hadn't said a word so I made seven turns to the right and when you were still quiet I stopped, but then I realized you'd probably run into me again, he grinned. The smile reached all the way into his eyes which made them seem to dance.
She shook her head. Looking at him was really not a good idea. Being around him was not a good idea. Seeing his eyes dance made her brain go to Jell-O. Seeing him period made her go stupid. This was not good for her.
Are you okay? He stooped down to crouch on his knees and look up at her. She turned her head away.
Ive been sick lately. Sorry I've been off and on for awhile. He turned his head to keep looking into her eyes.
That explains why you stood in the door for awhile when you came in. Her head shot up. Yeah I noticed.
Eye contact. Her head swam and her stomach did a flip. Unconsciously, her mouth turned into a smile.
If you're not feeling well I'll help you home.
No, no. She so needed to get away from here. He was not good for her sanity. Quickly, she turned on one foot to go but the room spun around her. His arms were around her to steady her.
Okay maybe I won't help you home, but I'm going to help you down the stairs.
She couldn't do anything. She just let him guide her over to the stairs. She didn't remember being this dizzy earlier.. When they got to the stairs, he stopped. Before she had time to register what was happening, he had picked her up and was carrying her in his arms. Instintively she put her arms around his neck and closed her eyes tight.
It's okay I won't hurt you. I won't let you fall.
As he carried her down the stairs she could feel eyes on them. On her. On him carrying her.
She could just picture it. This tall god carrying a short ugly fat girl. Her stomach lurched. This was pathetic. Curses kept running through her mind. After about a mnute she knew the door would come. Could she trust herself to get herself home? Well she'd be away from him and then she would be okay.
A minute passed..then two. Where was the door? She opened her eyes and then closed them. It was bright. She was outside. She groaned.
He looked down at her. You didn't think I would let you actually walk yourself back to Discipline did you?
I was hoping-ohh, she groaned again. She wanted to clutch her stomach but she knew if she did she would fall.
We're almost there. She opened her mouth to talk. No don't talk.
Her self loathing was tripled. Here she was being carried by a totally hot guy, showing him how heavy she was and how weak and pathetic she was, and now he was carrying her home. Plus taking orders from him.
She groaned. She also couldn't make any of her normal snappy comments.
There it is. There's Discipline. He cursed under his breath, And Sandry.
She made an unintelligle noise.
Maybe I'll explain later, he responded.
She heard Sandry's voice and footsteps. Zak, thanks for carrying her. Is she okay?
So he has a name, she thought, and apparantly I'm not capable to answer on my own health status. She thought back to her previous attempts to talk. Okay maybe she wasn't, but she wasn't some helpless being.
Zak leaned as if to put her down and she involuntarily made a whimper to protest. Okay, okay, he whispered to her, I'll carry you inside.
She felt him start walking again and a few moments later she felt herself being put down on some pillows on the floor.
Thank you for taking her home. Do you know what's wrong with her? Sandry's voice rang in her ears. Was she trying to be loud?
I really don't know, but I have to get back to the library. She heard Zak's footsteps fade away followed by Sandry's sigh. Did the girl ever stop?
Slowly her body was enveloped in a need for sleep. Stop..fighting she thought to herself. Soon she was asleep with brown eyes swimming in front of her.