Chapter 2 of Invitation! Hope that everyone enjoys!

Invitation

Chapter 2

"I can't believe that the librarian trusted you with a second key." Lucy announced, stepping into the dimly lit foyer, and shrugged her coat off. Thankful that the library remained heated, even after normal closing hours. Heavens above knew that it was cold enough outside to freeze Hell over.

"She didn't." Cobra announced, causing her to pause in hanging her coat up on the hook as he shut the door and began peeling his own cloak off. Peeking over, she noticed that he was watching her closely, and she bit her bottom lip. Questions after questions shot through her head, but all she could do was shift and wince before looking at him with a slightly pleading look.

"Anyway I can get a copy of your key then?" She asked, watching as a shocked look settled over his face, before he burst out laughing. She shivered as the deep, smooth sound washed over her. Heating her in a way that no heater could ever do. And quickly pushed the unfamiliar feeling away as she felt her face begin to heat.

Clearing her throat, she waited until he stopped laughing and gave a cheeky grin as he shook his head.

"You're not right in the head, if that's the first thing you ask after I said that." He got out, walking further into the foyer, with her tagging along behind. Causing her to giggle and look up at him.

"Never claimed otherwise, did I?" Once again, another laugh left him, and she smirked before looking around at the library that was just to the two of them at the moment.

"I am curious though, does Mira know you have a copy?" She asked, having never met anyone who could do something like that and Mira not know about it! Not to mention, there was no telling what the woman would do if she did find out. Mira was proud of being a librarian, and followed the rules to a 't', and having someone inside the library after hours was something to frown at. He was taking a big risk if he got found out.

"I have a feeling that she does, but if she doesn't..."

"No worries, my lips are sealed! Especially if it means that I can get my own copy." She exclaimed, plopping down onto a stool at the little desert bar that hooked to the library, and felt her eyes widen as Cobra easily hopped over the bar and began rummaging underneath.

"Never agreed to give you a copy." He muttered, pulling up a couple of glasses before giving her a pointed look. Rolling her eyes, she reached into her purse and pulled out the drinks that he had made her carry in there. Although, with the size of her bag, it wasn't all that difficult. Honestly, she didn't know why she didn't just use it as her backpack.

"Oh come on!" She whined, handing one of the sodas to him and watched as he poured some into one glass, and more into another before handing one to her.

"Why would you want a key..."

"Why else! To study more and read the books! Duh." She shot out, blushing as he smirked before shaking his head.

"You really are a bookworm , aren't you? By the way, what was the book that you were reading?" He asked, jumping back over the bar and sitting in the stool beside hers. His back resting against the bar, his elbows helping hi to keep his balance on the top while he bent his arm to take a drink.

"It's a political book, mainly just theories and what not. I'm just viewing it really, and not liking it." She muttered, scrunching her nose slightly in distaste. In truth, she had read worse, and figured that she was merely biased since political talk just hit too close to home with her past.

"Your studying to become an editor, right?" He asked, causing her to blink before giving him a look. He knew an awful lot about her for just meeting her just now.

"Calm down, Bright Eyes. I'm in your chemistry class, as well as creative writing class." He stated, a smirk tilting one corner of his mouth and causing her to blush. She had two classes with her! How the hell had she overlooked a man like this, not once, but twice!?

"I..I.."

"With your nose buried in those books I would imagine that you've overlooked a lot more than just me." He smirked, causing her to pout before taking a sip of her drink. Was she really that easy to read? Her gaze scanned the shelves upon shelves of books that were just feet from her. Her hands itched to stroke over the spines, her mind wanting to delve into the worlds that were held within the pages.

"So, why do you read so much?" He asked, causing her to blink before looking back to him. Seriously, something had to be wrong with her! Here beside her was a man actually giving her the time of..night, and she was wanting to grab a book. Releasing a sigh, she braced her arms on the bar and rested her chin on them as she looked to him.

"I wanted to get a scholarship to any college I wished. My father tried to plan my entire life, and I wasn't having it. So, I studied and made my own decisions to stay on campus so he couldn't use the whole 'live-under-my-roof' speech." She stated, tracing the rim of her glass as she watched him.

"So, they are a means of escape for you. Textbooks for school, and the rest for when you don't want to face reality. I can relate to that in a way." He muttered, causing her to tilt her head slightly.

"Chemistry is the same way for me. I've had a shitty childhood, but had found a talent for mixing chemicals. Don't ask." He shook his head when she went to open her mouth, so settled with a shrug and waited for him to finish.

"All through school, science and chemistry were classes that I thrived in. Especially when we were permitted to do labs. The smell of the chemicals and sterilized equipment, I don't know. I could get lost in the formulas, theories, and results...It makes it so I don't have to deal with some of the shit around me." He finished, downing the rest of his drink before pouring himself some more.

Lucy could only nod, it was the same way with books. Whenever she didn't know how to deal with the situation around her, she pulled out a book. It allowed her to focus on something other than the panic or embarrassment that wanted to drown her. Sometimes it gave her the answers she needed, and other times it just helped her calm down so she could focus better.

"I wanna show you something." Cobra stated, pulling her out of her thoughts and she slid off the stool as he started walking toward the back of the library. She blinked as they went toward the history section, and found her mouth opening in surprise as he squeezed through a small gap in the shelves. Looking around, she hesitated a moment before following after him.

She had expected more rows of books, having thought that they were in the wrong section, but found a gasp leaving her as she stepped into a different room. It held only four, tall shelves filled with books, that lined the walls. In the center was a large area rug that offered some comfort to the rough, hard wood floor. As well as a large desk, comfortable looking chair, and even a couch!

"I found this place when my curiosity about that damn gap got too much. As far as I know, no one else knows about this place. Everything was covered in dust, but I've fixed it up a little." He muttered, and she could only nod before running her hand over the polished desk, her gaze trying to count the books around her that she didn't even know of.

"I...I'll make you a copy of the key. You can come here anytime you want...As a little study. It's what I do." Cobra muttered, and she turned to him as she detected the slight hesitance and uncertainty in his voice. He was scratching the back of his neck as if he was uncomfortable about something. Giving a small smile, she shook her head.

"I was only joking, Cobra. This is your personally little haven, I can't just..."

"That's the thing. I...I want you to know about this place. I want you to use it, as well. Maybe...Maybe we could even meet up some times and...I don't know...Help each other study or something?" He grumbled, causing her to blink before giving a smile and clapping her hands together.

"That sounds amazing! I would love for that to happen." She stated, watching as he gave a small smile before giving a nod.

Until next chapter!