I push through the door leading into the library and stop, taking a moment to scan the room. I opt to ignore the weird looks I'm getting from some of the kids considering how aggressively I pushed the door open. Instead, I just push my hands into my pockets and start wandering around, searching for that loser, [First name].
I cut through a couple random aisles of bookshelves, quietly searching until I notice some of [First Name]'s stuff at a table. But of course, I only knows it's theirs for sure, is because of how they were the only person in school who wore such large glasses that were taped together in the middle. I make a beeline for their stuff, my eyes falling onto their ratty green backpack that seemed packed to the brim with bulky items that I didn't care much for. I stop short next to the chair the backpack was placed upon. I reach down onto the table, picking up their glasses for a moment so I could look at them up close.
Of course I'd never really spoken to [First Name], but I'd seen them getting their ass handed to them by Wendy's friends in the hallway. And that was enough for me to know their face.
I place them down, after flattening a corner of the tape that was sticking out too much for my liking. I return to my previous mission of locating said loser, my eyes scanning the room yet again. Only this time, I finally got some results. I notice them through a bookshelf, trying desperately to reach a book on the highest shelf without a ladder. Maybe I could do this smoothly after all.
I once again adjust my varsity jacket and approach them, still ignoring the whispers of gossip and rumors just waiting to happen. I stop behind them and reach up to grab the book that they had their index finger on. I watch as they turn around, almost immediately jumping back and bumping into the bookshelf once they realize it's me. I pause for a moment at their reaction to me, and step back with wide eyes. I hadn't really meant to startle them.
"Cl-Clyde? Clyde Donovan?" They question, seemingly unable to believe that it was me standing before them
I furrow my eyebrows together as I notice the light pinkness dusting their [skin color] cheeks. But am quick to offer a soft smile as I extend a hand out to them. They clearly hesitate at my sudden friendliness, and instead focus on sturdying themself and rubbing the back of their head. I retract my hand and instead stuff it into the pocket of my varsity jacket
"It's [First Name]," I question gently "Right?"
They proceed to stupidly glance around themself, and I couldn't seem to get why. Because the only other person in this row was me. But I still chuckle at this, thankful that they weren't good enough at social interactions to realize it was fake. They look back at me and point to themself with a single index finger.
"Me?" They ask softly
"Yeah, you." I chortle
I finally hand them the book, catching the title from the bottom of my peripheral. 'Petals of Anguish' was written on the black leather cover in a gold colored font. They accept the thick book into their smaller hands whilst letting out a concerning wheeze.
"O-Oh wow," They stutter out "Y-you're actually talking to me."
I feel my cheeks heat a bit out of embarrassment as I look around, trying to see if anyone actually was looking. But from what I could tell, nobody was completely and outright staring. After confirming the coast was clear, I place a hand on their back and another on their shoulder since it looks like they were seriously about to pass out. I move to stand beside them as I rubs their back.
"Hey," I whisper "Relax."
They take some deep breaths as their entire face begins to glow as red as a tomato.
"Listen.." I began "I, uh.."
My eyes once again scan the shelves around me, sub-consciously hoping that there would just-so-happen to be a 'How to Tell Someone That You Just Bet Eric Cartman You Could Turn Said Person Into a Walking Chick or Dick Magnet By Next Friday; For Dummies' book just lying there or something. But of course, to my minor disappointment there wasn't.
Which, side-note, is why I hate libraries.
"Err.." I stumble "Well.. I just.."
I can feel them watching my every move with hope and anticipation written all over their face. I swear I could feel the slightest twinge guilt rising in my chest because of this dork. I finally settle on a group of girls who kept glancing at them and I, before gossiping amongst each other. I even repress a small groan just so I could sell this just right.
"Don't look," I gossip "But.."
I discretely gesture towards the group of girls and this dweeb goes to turn their head towards them anyway. I quickly turn them away, pivoting the both of us so we instead faced the end of the bookshelves.
"I.. overheard those girls talking shit about you." I tell them "It was pretty.. bad. The stuff they were saying."
I watch as their face falls substantially, and they turn their gaze towards their feet in a saddened way. It figures people would talk bad about them so it was an easy lie for them to believe.
"Why are you telling me about that?" They question in a soft tone
Their eyes wander back up to me, our faces a little bit too close for my liking. I quickly take a small step back from them to make and opt to pat them on the back, my other hand still on their shoulder as I stand off to their side once more.
"I decided to take you under my wing.. to make you popular." I lie "So people will stop picking on you and stuff."
They open their mouth wide, clearly about to reply in too loud a voice, but I slap a hand over their mouth before they could. Although, they push my hand away in an almost aggressive manor.
"What if I like how I am already?" They snap
"Then I'll leave." I shrug, silently praying that they won't make this difficult
They eye me a bit suspiciously, before glancing over to those girls. Their expression falters for a moment as they once again look at me.
"This better not be some prank." They tell me
"It's not." I swear to them "Scout's honor"
They slip their arms around me, catching me by surprise. I swiftly freeze up at this action, feeling unsure of what to do or say in this situation.
"Thank you." They tell me "I'll owe you."
Just as soon as they were there, they were gone. They unhooked their arms from my waist and stepped back, their face heating upon the realization of what they'd done. I clear my throat into my fist as they stare at me, hugging themselves up as I feel the sudden urge to pull my varsity sweatshirt hood to hide my embarrassment from the multiple prying eyes around me.
"I should get going." I tells them, gruffly
"Alright," They nod
i watch as they reach up to their face to subconsciously fix their glasses, only to realize they aren't there. Their hand falls back to their side as they turn their attention to the floor, book clutched tightly to their chest. I finally turn to leave in that moment, but as I walk, I feel a tug on the back of my jacket.
I turn back around to gaze at them.
"I meant what I said about this being a prank," They tell me gently
"And I told you it's not."
"Don't you want to know when we should start, then?" They inquire
"Oh," I reply, dumbly "Yeah. When are you free?"
"After school today," They answer
"Sure." I nod "I'll meet you out front after school is over."
They release their grip on the back of my jacket, allowing me to stroll out of the library. I pull my hood up as I exit the door, smiling proudly as I stuff my hands into the pockets. I whistle a small tune as I pass by my friends that were still accompanied by Eric's clique. I casually shove Eric into the lockers as I pass him with a single hand. I ignore the string of vile curses and whining that leaves him. I spin around, walking backwards as I flip him the bird with both hands.
"Be ready to cough up Bitch Wars 5, you fat shit!" I holler to him
"I am not fat you gaylord son-of-a-bitch!" Eric counters back
Nobody bothers to help Eric up, leaving him to his wheezing and panting as he does more exercise then he's probably done in years just to stand back up. Instead, they all disperse because of the bell calling them to class.
