Blue sighed, slightly irritated. "Well, I figured it wasn't that, but why did you break up with her then?"

There was silence and Blue felt an uncomfortable thing in her stomach writhe and turn. Expect the worst, hope for the best, she told herself. It was a couple minutes later when Hige finally spoke.

"I don't think a relationship is what's best for me right now," he said, a slight tone of regret in his voice. "I broke up with Christie because I thought it was wrong to get her hopes up when I just knew nothing would happen with her."

It was almost like a bucket of ice had been shoved into Blue's stomach and was chilling her whole upper body. "Well," she paused slightly. "Well what about me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you slept with me a couple of nights ago." Blue noticed that her eyes started stinging. Not a good sign. "Didn't that mean anything in the slightest?"

"I'm sorry,Blue," Hige replied. "I feel really about doing that. I let my emotions get the better of me."

"If you have such strong emotions towards me that way, then what's wrong? I don't understand what's going on." Blue shook her head and tried so hard not to cry. She hated crying on the phone. "Did you ever have intentions of dating me again?"

"I don't know, Blue. I just don't know right now. Like I said, a relationship just isn't the best thing for me right now."

Blue sniffed, trying to keep her head clear. She should have known not to get her hopes up or to get carried away, but it always happened no matter how much hurt she went through the time before.

"So would I be correct in assuming that it's over?" Blue asked. She knew what the answer was going to be, but she just had to ask.

"If you want to put it that way," Hige sighed. "I really care about you, Blue. But right now it's just as a friend."

"Right. Well, I guess I'll get my stuff in a few days. To be honest I don't think I would be able to see you right now."

"I understand. I'm really sorry, Blue."

"It's not your fault," said Blue. "I'll talk to you later." Blue hit the end key on her cell phone and curled up on the couch. It was going to be a long week off.

"Your fines are all caught up with, Mrs. Horton," Blue said cheerfully to the old woman who was standing across the counter from her.

"Why thank you, dear. I was sure I'd paid it, but my husband wanted me to check."

Blue felt a slight pang in her chest at the word 'husband', but continued to smile. "Well it's always good to check. Do you need help finding anything today?"

"Oh, no thank you. Have a good day."

"You too, Mrs. Horton."

Blue watched the older woman leave and found herself thinking about what it would be like to be that old. That old, and married. She shook her head as she sat down in her computer chair and spun around in a circle, fast enough for thinking, but slow enough not to look like a little kid. Sure, she was still eighteen, and that was pretty young, but Blue felt as if she would never get married. At least not to someone she could spend fifty years with. That just seemed so outrageously long.

"Um, excuse me, I need help finding a book."

Blue stopped spinning and looked at the little girl who stood across from her. The kid couldn't have been more than eight, but she talked as if she knew everything. Yep, she's one of those smart kids, thought Blue with a smile.

"Well, how can I help you? What book are you looking for?"

"I'm looking for something on killer whales for my science project, but none of the kids books are informative enough," the girl replied, with a slightly snooty tone.

"Well the ones in the adult section are much more detailed than the ones in the children's section."

"I know. I can't reach them because there aren't any stools that are tall enough."

"Okay, well then I can help you get one." Blue stood up and walked around the counter. The little girl followed her to the section where the animal books were kept, her arms crossed. Blue wheeled a stool over to where she stood with her foot and stepped up, looking through all the books on aquatic mammals.

"Here's one," said Blue, pulling down a book only about killer whales. "And it's a pretty good read. I read it for my biology paper."

"Thank you," said the little girl. "I'm sure this book will be highly informitive."

"It was when I read it. Good luck on your project."

The girl simply nodded and ran off to her mother, who looked just as uptight about knowledge as she did.

"Wow, that was an interesting kid."

Blue looked at the speaker and felt her stomach jump. "Tsume. How did you know where I worked?"

"Christie mentioned it. She said it was slightly nerdy to work in a library," he replied, a slight smile on his lips. "Do you get kids like that in here often?"

Blue shook her head. "No, not really. They're a rare breed, those kids."

"Yeah."

Blue began to walk back to her safe wheely chair and Tsume followed her, leaning on the counter since he couldn't go behind it.

"So how are things going?"

"They've been so much better."

"I don't see you much since Hige broke it off with Christie," said Tsume, a slight hint of regret in his voice.

"Yeah," sighed Blue. "All that was crazy. I hate drama."

"It's alright now. Christie's over it and she hopes that the two of you can put your differences behind you."

"I never had a problem with her," said Blue.

"You said that rather defensively."

"I know. I just hate the way she acts sometimes."

"She can be a little..." Tsume trailed off, not exactly sure of a word.

"Difficult?" Blue suggested.

"That's the word!"

Blue laughed and shook her head, not only at Tsume's obvious attempts at cheering her up, but at the way her mind was thinking. She noticed how more relaxed Tsume looked than usual. His posture was a lot less stiff and his attitude completely different. Blue didn't want to think that it had anything to do with her, but that nasty little thought just wouldn't get out of her head.

"Well, she means well," said Blue, recovering from her laughter. "And everyone is hard to get along with in their own way."

"True," agreed Tsume. "You get hurt easily, and I act too tough for my own good."

Blue shook her head and was about to say something risky before her manager stood over her shoulder.

"You know you aren't supposed to have boyfriends visit while you're working, Blue."

"Sorry, Tiffany," Blue said, trying not to blush.

"I guess I'll see you later Blue. Sorry, I didn't know you weren't supposed to have visitors. When do you get off work?" Tsume asked.

"Five," replied Blue, still conscious of her manager.

"Meet me at five-thirty at the resturaunt across the street?"

Blue nodded. "I'll see you then."

Tsume waved goodbye as he left, and when he was out of sight and hearing Blue let out a sigh and slouched in her chair.

"What happened to the last guy you were dating?" asked Tiffany.

"That was over a long time ago," replied Blue sadly.

"Well good thing! That's guy's a hottie." Tiffany patted Blue on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger."

Blue thought about telling Tiffany off, but decided against it. She couldn't honestly say that Tiffany was lying. Maybe things would work out with Tsume, since it was obvious he at least enjoyed her company.

Oh no, don't even think about making Hige jealous because you know he won't be, Blue thought to herself.

Yeah, well, he should learn that I'm not immune to other guys! She reasoned with her conscience. Besides, he is a hottie.

Blue glanced at her watch. The hands pointed to two-thirty. It was going to be a long three hours.

A/N:

Ok, I am SO sorry that I haven't written is so long! I really am. But you know how I'm trying to write this story with accordance to how my life goes, since I get inspired better that way. Well, lemme just say that life has been very confusing lately and I wasn't exactly sure how to convert that into a story.

Anyways, I've got my inspiration back! It hit me this morning, so once again, forgive me for not updating. If anyone is interested in helping me sort out possible endings for this fanfic, my AIM is NightOwl62442. Go ahead and send me an IM.

Thanks again everyone for reading. And please review!

Aeorith