Sunlight beamed from the outside world through the glass window and landed upon a stack of book placed neatly on a wooden table. A few students could be seen lounging in the library, either sitting at their desk while reading a book that currently took their interest or finishing their due homework that need to be send later that day. It was a usual sight in the library of Royal Woods elementary school, though there isn't much people in there, but that could already be expected. It was recess after all as most students had already left their classes and went to the cafeteria for lunch.

The cold air flowing out from the air conditioner filled the facility, giving it a soft atmostphere of relaxation that suited the purpose of the place. Where people could be separated from the busy call of the world and took their time to breath properly. It was a pleasant scene for the people that enjoyed the tranquility and silence the place provided, being surrounded with the vast collection of books from every genre that ever existed. From education material to article of literature being passed through the flow of generations.

In the distance, a pale girl with long black hair that covered her left eye was gracefully arranging a few books from her left arm onto the empty shelves in the literature section. She wore a black dress that almost reached her legs, fingerless gloves and a pair of black laceless shoes. Haiku lifted a book from her left arm, raised it up over her head and slightly pushed it into the empty slot with the tips of her well manicured black nails before retracting her hand back.

A small debris of dust slightly fell over her face but she managad to cover her nose to prevent herself from sneezing. It was quite dusty in here even though she always make sure to mantain the conditons of the books in there. Perhaps she wasn't doing it good enough, but she can't exactly complain either. Its not like there is anyone that actually bother to take good care of the books in there except for her. Lowering her hand, her half lidded eyes looked at the last book rested against her bosom, deciding where the piece of article should be categorized.

Upon further inspection, Haiku nodded and headed to the next shelves before standing still, searching for any empty slot that would fit the book. After finding one, she placed the book at the second row of the shelves and took a step back, satisfied at her finished task. Her empty hands folded behind her back as she admired her work to keep the place organized. It wasn't exactly necessary for her to do so, but she prefered the place to be more precise with the choice of material to read being placed at their respective sections.

She likes to see everything in order, without it the place would be a mess with the book scattered in the section they didn't belong to. Just like the group of people separated by the society. It would be a sore scenery to see something completely different being mixed in the opposite section. Order need to be admonished so everything would be organized. Without proper instruction, everything would have no purpose to exist. Who would want that?

Freedom comes with a price, it only matters if you're rich enough to afford it. How much does it actually worth? How rich you need to be to have freedom?

Her eyes caught something unpleasant at the far top corner of the shelf and her eyebrows knitted in irritation. A book of different genre mockingly sat in her view, it wasn't supposed to be there and yet here it was, much to her disappointment. How ignorance people need to be that they can't even put the book back to their places. Was the task still considered too hard for them to do? How much easier they want the world to be with them? When will they know that they had enough? Is there a limit for people demand?

Questions after questions, far too many thoughts filled her mind, almost giving her a severe headache. If only the book could provide her with the answer, but they were only that, a book with no conscious or understanding. A matter devoid of life yet filled with information from the past for the next generation.

She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh of frustration. Unlike book, people are not something anyone can change, you can try as hard as you want, but if they don't want to change then what can you do about that, force them?

You can arranges the book back in their order, but people, they has their own characteristic, they have choices. Whether it was good or bad it was their own to make. You can prevent them for awhile but you can't entirely stop them from eventually doing it. With people, everything is unexpected. You can't force people to do thing how you usually do them, they have opinions. You can remind them but it was entirely up to them to actually consider it.

Like book, people have their own stories. Their characters were built up from the creation of their plot which is all the choices they have ever made in their life. But even then, there is no certainty that their stories will go the way they wanted it to be. They are not the writer for their stories, they are only the characters. And the paper could easily be crumpled when the author got bored and wanted to change the story. All of the achievements, all gone in matter of a second. The plot didn't matter anymore, nothing does.

When cornered to the edge, people actually have nothing but the flesh they have worn and grown into. They could either fall or move on, it was their decision to make. Is that freedom?

It could be, but what does she know, she is only eleven, her perspective as a kid didn't matter much to other people, it never was.

What was she thinking? Right, the book is her only way out, her only companion, especially when her thought bothered her at the worst of day. At least she have something to distract her mind from going further into the path she dreaded. She already had enough trouble to handle with, she don't need more stupid question to bother her. At least not now, not until she figure out the right answer for her internal question she had been looking for.

Haiku stood infront the shelf and lifted her head slightly up, staring at the taunting book ruining the order she had always admired. Although it was only a single book being misplaced, she could feel the entire system losing its purpose. Why would they categorized the sections if they will only ignored them. Rules are made to be followed, but by who? Not everyone is restricted by the same rules, some could even dismissed it when they think it was necessary. Then, where is the purpose in that?

Sigh, she is thinking nonsense again.

Standing still, Haiku couldn't help but wonder if there is any other poor soul out there struggling the same fate as her. Lifting the heavy burden of early maturity on her shoulders at the realization of the cruel world awaiting for them, to spread their wings and flew away from the safety of their home. No longer being embraced by the lies of ignorance, comforting them with tempting words of lust for excitement.

Sighing in defeat, Haiku lifted her head and returned her gaze back to the misplaced book on the top of the shelf, scowling slightly at the reminder that there are actually people who were incapable of placing the book back at their respectives sections. She stood infront the shelf and tried reaching for the book but failed since it was placed too high for her to reach. Standing on the tip of her toes, she made another attempt now that she is taller only to receive the same result as before, not noticing that her body is starting to shake a little from her unstable posture. Even then, she was still not satisfied as the book seemed to be mocking her even more the longer she looked at it with her eyebrows knitted in frustration.

Haiku gritted her teeth and forced herself even further, she almost touch the book when her footing slipped, making her fall sideway. It was already too late when she realized what was happening as she closed her eyes shut tightly while waiting for the impact...

...But was confused when she didn't feel any kind of pain from the fall. Instead, she felt her body hovered over the floor with something holding her back and waist.

Slowly opening her eyes, she was met with a sight of a familiar white haired figure face looking back at her. His one exposed eye met with both of his and she could feel her heart skipped a beat at the close proximity between them. Though her face stayed blank the entire time, not at all affected by her rapid heartbeat almost crushing out from her chest. They stayed like that for awhile as neither of them move, one was too shocked while the other was a little bit confused with what he should do next.


Noticing the awkward silence between them, Lincoln decided to speak first so they wouldn't be staying in that position any longer. It was beginning to get weird and uncomfortable for Lincoln with the way she was still staring at him while not saying anything. Not that he was bothered by her weight, she is quite light if he need to say so himself. Although there are less people in the library, he still couldn't risk being seen by anyone in this condition.

With the black haired girl still being held in his arms, it would only bring more bad rumor about him doing unspoken thing to the girl even if it wasn't the truth. He can't control what people want to say about him but he can at least prevent them from getting the idea in the first place. With his vast reputation as a delinquent, and given the nickname as the white haired monster of Royal Woods elementary school, everyone will quickly assumed that he would bring nothing but trouble. And in his questionable position right now, he wouldn't be surprised if there would be a rumor going on about him doing vile thing in the library.

And if that rumor reached out to any of his sisters, he can't imagine what kind of fate he would received from them. He was pretty sure that they wouldn't believe the rumor in the slightest, but he still don't want any of them to hear anything bad about him if possible. They will only get more worried and he knew it was all because of him. He already had enough problem to settle with, especially with his reputation as a delinquent still being the first thing people think about him, he don't need more of it from coming if he can avoid them. And currently, he desperately need to avoid anything that could harm his family name even more.

"Hey, you alright?" Lincoln asked, gently pulling her back on her feet before releasing her and taking a step back. The black haired girl was still staring at him as he waited for her response. After a moment she blinked and finally said something to him.

"I'm fine." She lowered her head. He was quite confused with her short response but at least it was something.

Realizing that he won't be hearing anything more than that from her, Lincoln lifted his head to where the girl was looking earlier. It didn't take him long to notice a book being placed at the wrong section of the library. He raised his right hand and held the book before carefully bringing it down. While he was doing that, the black haired girl watched him from the side, just now noticing the height difference between them, he is taller than her by a few inches, but it was enough to make her lift her head a little to look at him.

"Here," Lincoln held out the book for her as Haiku took it and brought it closer to her chest. "Be careful next time." He advised her before walking away. Even as he left, her visible eye still following him until he sat at an empty desk near the back where student rarely used because of the lack of light coming from the window. Plus the ceiling light there was also not functioning since a few days ago.

She was still uncertain with the reason for the shortcircuit, but she already told the teacher responsible for the library about it. The janitor would probably be here any day now to fix the light, at least she hoped so. Not that she was bothered by the dark, she liked it actually, she just can't stand when students kept asking her why the light won't turn on. And that's why she placed a sticky note at the switch, saying that the light is not functioning. But still, even then there are still people who asked her the same question as if they can't read.


Haiku looked at the book in her arms and remembered what she was supposed to do earlier. She got into a different section of the library and placed the book at the right shelf of category where it belong to. Finally at ease, she let out a sigh of relief and walked back to her table. There are still plenty of time left before recess is over but most of the students had already left the facility since they don't want to be late for their next classes.

She was also heading out from the library but stopped when she saw something that caught her attention. Not too far from her, the white haired figure from earlier was still there with his head buried into his folded arms on the table. His white hair was the only reason why she noticed him at all since he was sitting in the dark area of the library. She was confused at first since both of them seemed to be the last person still residing in the library. Sure there are still some time left before the beginning of the next class, but he should already be out if he want to get there right at time. Unless he want to be scolded by the teacher for being late.

She still didn't know what it was but there is something really familiar about the boy that she should know about. She was certain that she had seen him somewhere else before, she just can't quite remember when it was.

Taking a glance at her watch, it was almost reaching the end of recess as the bells would be ringing any minute now. Haiku looked back at the white haired boy, contemplating her choices for awhile and sighed in resignation. She approached the table and gently knocked her knuckles against the surface of the wood, hoping that it would be enough to wake him up. When she received no reaction from him, she extended her right hand out to hold his shoulder.

Her eyes widened, she almost flinched when his hand suddenly moved and grabbed her wrist before she managed to hold his shoulder. Haiku stared at him with a blank stare as her heart began beating faster against her chest. The stoic expression on her face did nothing to show how nervous she was at the moment. When he lifted his head, she could feel a cold shiver ran down her spine at the intense gaze his dark blue eyes were sending to her.

She was petrified at the realization of who he actually was. Why didn't she realized it sooner, it was so obvious that even a sane person wouldn't missed it. Perhaps she was too distracted with her own endeavor and problem in her head that she didn't notice his features that much. Now being under the victim of his sharp gaze, she felt like making even a small movement would cause more harm to herself. But still even with the imminent threat permeated in the air, she still have the same disinterest look plastered on her face as if she was immune to his intimidating gesture. When actually, her heart was beating faster for some reason.

His messy white hair, the band aid plastered on his jawline, his chipped front tooth, orange hoodie and most importantly, his cold blue eyes, the last sight people would see before they were beaten brutally by the white haired monster of Royal Woods elementary school. A nickname that she always hear from the students and teachers conversation whenever there was a fight happening. Needless to say, he is definitely a dangerous person that everyone avoid from getting involved with. Not to mention the large amount of students that has fallen victim of his tyranny.

But what is he doing here of all places?

Her heart dropped as her eyes widened in shock and fear. Could it be that he was actually planning this from the beginning, to wait for her to be alone before making his move. That would explain why he stayed in the library until everyone had left except for her. What does he want from her, its not like she ever did anything to him. She tried to move, searching for any mean of escape but her body won't listen to her plead. Instead she stood still at her place, hoping for anyone to come help her even if she knew it was pointless. Recess is almost over after all, there is no reason for anyone to use the library at this moment.

She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream, she wanted to run away, but her body refused to do any of them. Was she too scared to actually do anything. She was weak, it was her fate to be taken advantage of by the people far stronger than her. And in her position right now, she was helpless. Even if there are people in the library, there is no certainty that they would help her either. It was in human nature to run away from danger, they are selfish and would only think for themselves even if they need to sacrifice other people. It was pathetic, human are incompetent, they are too obsessed with themselves that they didn't care the suffering that they brought to their surrounding. She HATED them, she hated all of them.

No, she wasn't weak, she would never admit that no matter how scared she was. Glaring back at the white haired figure, she raised her free hand above her head and in a swift motion bring it down across his cheek, waking him up from his trance. She could easily tell that it was a hard slap with how her palm seemed to be throbbing at the painful sensation, making her wince slightly. He looked less affected by the slap, not even flinching when her palm hit his cheek, if anything, he was more surprised than being hurt. Her breath hitched, did she just make him mad at her, what was she thinking!?

Why can't they just leave her alone, she had tried everything just to get far away from them, and yet they still managed to reach her with their disgusting intention. She don't need them, she would rather be left alone than being disturbed with their constant obsession over trivial matter. She shouldn't have bothered him in the first place, she should of left him alone when she had the chance. None of this would have happen if she just walked away and went to her class like other student. She wasn't any different than them, a selfish human, then why did she cared? Why did she cared if he was late to his class? What about him that seemed so familiar to her that she don't already knew about? He is a delinquent and he already make sure so everyone knew of that fact.

"Dang it!" Her eyes widened when he suddenly released her wrist and stood up from his seat. He sighed defeatedly and rubbed the back of his neck before looking back at her with genuine guilt in his clear blue eyes.

"Look, I'm really sorry if I make you feel uncomfortable, I didn't mean to scare you or anything like that so please don't freak out, its just a force of habit that I'm still trying to fix." Lincoln explained, confusing her even more. Is this really the famous white haired monster that everyone kept talking about, if so then why did he seemed so genuine with his apology. Is this some kind of trap, it must be, there is no way this is actually happening. But what would he get from apologizing to her. If he really want to do anything bad to her, he could already do so in the first place when he still held her captive. This isn't what she expected to happen. And as thankful as she was, she couldn't help but wonder what his real intention was. Or perhaps, he was actually apologizing to her.

The library door suddenly bursted open as a dark skinned boy appeared in their view, slightly panting while hunching on his knees. The spectacled boy lifted his head, calming his breath for a moment and stared at both of them before quickly turning to the white haired boy who was raising an eyebrow at him. He knitted his eyebrows in frustration at the reaction he was receiving from his friend.

"Lincoln, what are you still doing here, it's almost time for the next class you know!" Clyde said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Lincoln's eyes widened at the realisation.

"Wait! What time is it?" He worriedly asked only to hear the bells ringing soon after. "Dang it!" Lincoln groaned, slung his backpack over his shoulder and turned towards the black haired girl beside him once again before apologizing since he can't help but feel guilty about it. He don't want more people to be afraid of him just because he can't properly control his habit. At least by doing so they would probably be more willing to see him as more than just a delinquent. But that is all up to them to consider, he can't do much than just hoping that he was doing good enough.

"Hurry up Lincoln, we're already late for our next class!" Clyde said, taking a quick glance at his watch.

"I'm coming Clyde." The white haired boy quickly joined his friend as they started running through the empty hallways, leaving the confused girl still frozen in the library.


Haiku stared at the direction of the door, watching them leave with her visible eye until they disappeared from her sight, her mind was conflicted with more questions that she didn't have the answer for. She was confused, far more than she thought she would ever be. She don't know how to describe it, everything felt like it was happening too fast that it took longer for her to register the information currently lingering in her head. She didn't even say anything during the weird and unexpected one sided conversation with the delinquent. And she wasn't sure if it was because of the shock or the fear she still felt from his presence. But the result wasn't what she expected from someone like him, far from it actually.

Everything that he just did earlier was a complete opposite from what most students kept saying about him. He is supposed to be a ruthless delinquent, someone that will always stood tall after a fight, even if he was fighting more than one opponent. He never showed mercy, beating whoever that dared to challenge him without hesitation. Because of his winning streak also, he was feared by every students and always being a main topic of conversation between the teachers. She even heard some rumor of him being a cannibal, eating one of his opponent after he defeated them. Clearly that was an exaggeration and she was far better than to believe something like that to happen. Only a fool would actually consider something like that as a possibility, and the one spreading that rumor was most likely saying that to gain attention to themselves even if it was so ridiculous. For whoever that believed the rumor, she pitied them for their stupidity.

He was different than the person she always heard about from the conversation among the students, his cold blue eyes that used to be filled with anger and annoyance now changed to a clear shade of guilt and regret. He no longer seemed like a delinquent who would beat anyone just for the fun of it, instead he seemed like someone who was searching for something. She couldn't help but wonder what it could be, the reason why he suddenly changed, why a delinquent like him chose to be a new person, or perhaps the person he used to be.

Maybe she was overthinking stuff like usual, she hoped so, but the question stayed longer than she would have like. Even after Haiku left the library and went to her next class, she still failed to get rid of the question taking place in her head. She didn't even care when her teacher scolded her for being late, already preparing an excuse for her short absence during the class period. She just can't stop thinking of the delinquent, trying to find a reason for his action only to find none, and if only to make the matter worse, she could barely paid attention in the class even after the last period ended.

She never got so interested with anyone, especially someone that she barely know, and yet the thought of him followed her for the rest of the day, even when she was trying to sleep. It shouldn't have bothered her that much, or at all, since she didn't know anything about the boy except for what other students kept saying about him. But even those information seemed to be useless now with what she had just learnt that day. She was tired from all the thinking, confused with all the questions, and most of all frustrated for some reason. It was weird how a slight change like this could affected her so much, and as much as she don't want to admit it, she was curious what he would do next.

Wait a minute, what was Clyde doing with him?

Letting out a tired sigh, Haiku closed her eyes and buried her face into her pillow, not wanting to add another question in her head until she actually get enough rest. He was a mystery to her and she was enraptured with the complicated pages of his story. She was curious, and yet there is no way for her to get the answer that she wanted, not unless she was willing to get involved, would she do something like that, would she risk herself by making an appearance by crossing path with his story.


The next day arrived too soon much to her dismay as she was still a little bit tired from the lack of sleep, but she wouldn't let that disturb her education during her class. When it was time for recess, instead of going to the cafeteria like most students would, she make her way to the library to fulfill her duty as a librarian, she might as well get some rest while doing so.

But as soon as Haiku entered the facility, her eyes widened to see the familiar white haired figure sitting at the same place he was at yesterday. Cascaded in the shade of darkness, his head buried in his arms over the table as his frame slowly rising and falling in his seat. His messy white hair make him stood up more in the dark side of the library, the only thing making him visible among the shadow. Her heartbeat suddenly went faster and her fatigue replaced with a new surge of energy coursing through her body, either she was nervous or afraid of him, she wasn't sure yet. It might be from both but her curiosity was far stronger than she expected.

And because of that same curiosity also, Haiku gathered what left of her will and approached his desk with hesitant step. She wasn't sure what she was trying to achieve by doing this, it was totally out of her character to reach out to someone, and yet here she was approaching someone that other students would avoid for obvious reason, after all who would risk their life by getting involved with a delinquent. But he wasn't only that, if anything that happened between them yesterday was to go by, he was more than what the rumor said about him. But is that enough reason for her to take this risk, she could still back away now and forget everything that happened before, she could still continue her life as usual even without doing this, perhaps it was a mistake from the start and she was actually overthinking stuff like she always does.

No, she wanted an answer, nothing else matters more than that. She could regret it later if it was a mistake, if she left now, she would still regret for not doing it in the first place. Whatever she choose, it would bring her to the same result, at least with the latter, there is a few probability that it could go into a different way. She was facing a plot in her story, a choice that only she can make and no one can change that. This is her story, to go further, she need to make her choice. This is the only freedom she have as a human being, the freedom to make her own decision. It was funny in some sort of ironic way that she was now one of those people who was defying the order she had always admired. An honor student taking interest in a delinquent, what a weird story she has gotten herself into.

Finally standing across of his desk, Haiku took in a deep breath before reaching out for his shoulder. Instead of her wrist being grabbed, this time she managed to touch the white haired boy and shook him slightly much to her relief. He stirred awake and lifted his head a little to look at her, when their eyes met his eyes lowered in guilt. Sighing, Lincoln pulled his hands away from the desk and leaned his back against his chair, properly facing her now, it seemed like she wasn't the only one who was lacking sleep with the bags under his eyes, she couldn't say the same anout the reason behind them.

"Hey." For the first time, Haiku was the one who started the conversation, even surprising herself with how foreign if felt like in her mouth. She could only hope that her social skills was not too outdated.

"Hey," He replied, showing that their awkward conversation was mutual. "Listen, if you're still mad about yesterday, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to startle you like that, I have no intention to do anything bad to you." He explained, his voice low and filled with exhaustion.

"I know," Haiku said.

"If you-, wait what?" Lincoln looked at her with a brow raised. He was expecting for her to scream at him or something like that. He didn't prepare for this to happen.

"If you don't mind can I ask you something?" Haiku asked, taking a seat infront of him.

"Um, sure, what is it?" He replied, still surprised with the new progress between them.

"What are you doing here? Of course you're always welcomed to use the library, I'm just wondering since I don't think you usually come here before." Haiku asked.

Lincoln ran his right hand through his messy white hair and slumped down in his seat, his cheek rested in his upturned palm. "Well, it wasn't actually my idea..." He looked at her with a small smile.


Flashback

It wasn't unusual for him to be in the teacher's office with how much fight he had gotten himself into in the past, but this time it was different. Lincoln was called here by a teacher, and fortunately not because of a fight since he had managed to avoid himself from getting involved into one anymore. Though that doesn't mean there aren't students who were still looking for a fight with him much to his confusion. Seriously, what is their problem? It was not only annoying but also exhausting for him to keep running and hiding everytime someone thought they could defeat him. Can't they just let him go and move on like normal people, what is wrong with this school that he just can't seemed to get away from trouble. No matter what he do, someone will always take it the wrong way. Even when he was trying to rest, they would still disturb him with their insult. I'm trying to have my lunch in peace here, stop chasing me!

At least Clyde was kind enough to warm him when there are students looking for a fight with him, but even then that can't always work like he hoped. He can't keep depending on his friend with his trouble, Clyde can't always be there for him and he certainly didn't want his friend to get into unnecessary fight just because of him. He didn't have much choice than what he was already doing now. Perhaps it was exhausting, but it still bring the same result that he wanted. Even if it wasted a lot of his energy.

"Lincoln, I see that you're already here, sorry to keep you waiting." Miss Johnson said as she closed the door behind her.

"It's fine Miss Johnson, can I know why you called me here." He don't want to be rude but he also didn't want to make his sisters wait any longer for him. He can already imagine some of his sisters being impatient right now while waiting for him in vanzilla. He already told Lucy to tell the others that he will be a little bit late since his teacher want to meet him. He just hoped that they understand his situation.

"Right..." The teacher took her seat across of him and laced her fingers under her chin, her elbows rested on her desk. "I called you here to discuss about your recent behaviour." His eyes widened at that, did he do something wrong? Not that he can remember.

"It has come to my attention that there have been some students from a different class chasing after you, if you don't mind me asking, would you explain to me why they did so?" Miss Johnson asked, from the look on her face, he could already tell that she already knew why.

Sighing in defeat, Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck, contemplating the right words to describe his situation to his teacher. "Well, I don't know if you will believe me or not but they were chasing after me because they want to have a fight with me, does that even make sense?" He said with a humorless chuckle. "I guess that is just the life of a delinquent." He lowered his gaze.

"Then why didn't you fight them back?" Startled by the question, Lincoln looked at his teacher in confusion. "It never stopped you before then why is it any different now?" She asked with a serious look. The pictures of his scared sisters and crying mother flashed in his head and his heart skipped a beat. He brought his right hand over his face, almost burying his nails into his skin as his cold blue eyes darted everywhere but at his teacher direction. His breathing was ragged and he could feel his head went light as the memory repeated itself like a broken record. He felt dizzy, his mouth dry and his lungs suffocating for air. He was hyperventilating and it didn't take long for the teacher to realize that.

"Lincoln, listen to my voice, you need to calm down, take a deep breath with me okay... Breath in... Breath out..." He followed as she instructed, though it was kind of hard at first, he managed to control his breathing. He repeated the process until he feel good enough to continue with their discussion. Finally at ease, Lincoln looked back at the teacher with a determined look.

"I will not fight them, I-I just can't..." He muttered. At least she knew better not to pressure him further for the information, and he appreciated her for that.

"I don't really understand your situation, but as your teacher, I can't just let something like this to keep going on. I will bring this up in the next teacher meeting and until then I have a suggestion for you if you're willing to hear." Miss Johnson said, shocking him a little,

"What is it?" He asked with interest.

"I don't have a proper solution for your problem right now but if it can make you feel any better you can use the library to avoid from meeting those students, I don't think they would dare cause any trouble in there." She pointed out as his eyes brightened at the suggestion. It wasn't much but it was a better way than to keep running in the hallways

"Thanks Miss Johnson, I really appreciated it." Lincoln said with a genuine smile.

"It's fine Lincoln, its the least I can do for now, I don't want this to disturb your education here, you're working hard for it and I can't let all that hard work to go to waste." The teacher sighed, returning his smile with her own. "You should get going now." She said.

"Right, thanks again Miss Johnson, I really mean it, you might don't think much of it but you have helped me a lot." He replied, standing up from his seat and finally leaving the room. He felt much better now that there was a teacher who actually cared about his development and problem. He still have a long way to go and this will make it less harder for him to see himself as something more than a delinquent in the future. Or at least he hoped so.

'you can't get rid of us that easy Lincoln, you should've known better than that.'

'But keep going though, it is so much fun to watch you try!"

Sighing, Lincoln got rid of the thought as he walked towards vanzilla where his sisters were already calling him to hurry up.


"So you're hiding here?" Haiku asked, receiving a nod from him.

"I mean if you're uncomfortable with me being here, I can go." Lincoln said, almost standing up when the black haired girl stopped him.

"As I said before you're welcomed to use the library, even if your reason was quite different." Haiku assured him. "And about yesterday..." She paused, letting out a sigh. "I want to apologise for slapping you like that." She admitted.

"No, it's fine, I kind of deserved that for startling you like that, I would do the same thing if I was in your place." He nervously said, scratching his cheek with his index finger.

"But that doesn't make my action any right either." She muttered.

"Hey you know what, I will forgive you if you also forgive me, let's make it even between us." He suggested with a small smile, stretching his right hand out towards her. "Lincoln Loud, but you can just call me Lincoln." He introduced himself.

A faint shape of a smile curled on her lips as she hold his rough hand with her smaller pale hand, a contrast with the comforting warmth he possessed. "Haiku Grey, you can call me Haiku, nice to meet you Lincoln Loud, the white haired monster of Royal Woods elementary school." She said as he winced slightly at the nickname.

"Please don't call me that." She couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at his response.

After that day, their conversation went much easier than she thought it would be. She even suggested for him to read some of the few interesting book while he was at the library to fill his time, which he kindly considered. And if he wasn't reading, she would find him taking a nap at his usual desk. She would even sit there with the boy, letting him sleep while reading her own book. When recess is over, she would wake him up so he will not be late for his next class. Each day that they spent together in the library, she learned more thing about him that was different from the rumor. That most of the fight he got into was not because of him and actually started by his opponents, which usually was one of the bullies still left in the place after Trevor moved to a different school.

As much as she don't want want to admit it, she kind of enjoyed his presence in the library, something that she never thought she would ever feel from anyone. Maybe he was a delinquent but she felt nice talking to him. If it was a mistake, then she can't find a reason why she should regret it.