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Wonderment- Chapter 9

"You left this by accident in the classroom. Unlike you I try to return things back as soon as possible," Adam smirked as he handed me my book.

I couldn't take the book from his hands, for my arms were covering my chest and exposing them in front of him would be very embarrassing. I lowered my face.

"Are you ok?" he asked through a tightened jaw.

"No I'm not ok if you can't tell. I'm soaked, and if I am going to reach for that book, you will see everything through my blouse!"

"I wouldn't mind," Adam chuckled as I gave him a glaring look.

"It's too bad you couldn't have been gentleman enough to still let me keep me that coat for the day," I pouted.

"You don't belong to anyone. You're an independent woman right? You can deal with the problems that come your way, remember?" he said sarcastically.

"Besides why didn't you just opt for studying a different day. If you hadn't gone to the library you wouldn't be in this predicament right now, " he taunted.

"It's really none of your concern as to why I do things" I said affirmatively.

"You're right," he agreed. " It's just you come off so smart and noble. The decision to go to the library was a bit thoughtless don't you think?" he pressed on.

"Fine, what do you want me to say that you're right and I'm wrong? Fine I should've picked a different day to go. Perhaps you didn't know my great love for books and I couldn't wait another day longer seeing what was in store at our University's."

"That's the most childish thing I've ever heard!" He boomed.

"I guess that whole polite demeanor at the dance was just an act!" I exclaimed holding my ground.

Adam took two steps closer to me. That's all it took for there to be the least amount of space between our two faces.

"I would hate to drop this book of sonnets on the floor considering it's written by one of the best writers of all time. If you love books so much, let's see you not let this one fall to the ground," he gritted through his teeth.

I knew he was just testing me, but I couldn't bear to see such disrespect, and quickly snatched the book from his hand before he could ever think of doing something so vile. As I pulled in my arm that was carrying my book to my chest, Adam gripped my wrist. The pain from his hold was too much to bear as I winced. He took a step back as if he were admiring me, a smile slowly appearing on his face.

"You're really a jerk," I lamented through my teeth. I was disappointed to find that Adam was not the gentleman I thought he was. He was staring and my wet blouse, my drenched body, my soaked hair, admiring the sheer material giving away my undergarments.

"I'm not a jerk I'm just trying to get to know you but you don't really let me in," he coaxed, as he pulled me into his chest still holding my wrist.

"Please Adam, I don't want to get into this and not with you," I said softly. "I've had a hard day, and you're really hurting my wrist," I whispered.

His intensity seemed to die down. Remorse swept acorss his face. It's as if he just came back to the present from a far away place. Panic replaced the sadness on his face.

He abruptly let go of my wrist sending me to take two fumbled steps backwards from the release of the grip.

"I...am sorry Belle." As I looked up, I saw him head up the stairs. That was it. That was all. It was...odd.

He took off up the stairway. I wish I knew what room he resided in so I could go up there and give him a piece of my mind! But I didn't feel like following him. I now realized I wanted nothing to do with him. He was just so aggressive, and possessive.

It's one thing to court me but another to mockingly disrespect me. I couldn't fathom the sudden change in demeanor. I'm sure he had followed Ariel after class to see where I stayed. It still didn't explain however how he knew I would be returning to my room right that second waiting for me.

I took my key out of my bag and opened the door. I found Ariel on the bed reading one of her marine biology textbooks.

"Belle! You're soaked!" she cried as she jumped out of bed to help me. She took the sonnet book out of my hand.

I quickly set my bag down and headed for the washroom unbuttoning my shirt as I did so. I tore off my blouse and skirt. I kicked my shoes to the corner and gaze at myself through the mirror. My hair wet formed walnut colored curls as it touched my shoulders, and chest.

I was in nothing but my brassiere and panties. I rubbed my wrist where Adam had held it so tightly. A mark of his hold remained.

"Are you ok Belle?" Ariel called out.

I didn't answer. I was too startled to still respond. Adam's actions were still being processed in my mind as I pulled the taupe colored nightgown I had hanging in the washroom over me.

I headed towards the room, giving a subtle smile to Ariel I sat on the bed. Ariel took note of my sudden discomfort as I rubbed my wrist.

"Belle, you ok?"

"Something off happened," I replied solemnly.

"What do you mean?" she asked as she sat up near the edge of the side of the bed, toes barely touching the floor.

"Adam was just here waiting for me with my Sonnet Book. I forgot it in class," I started as looked down.

"He kind of changed in front of me. It was quick and sudden, but unexpected. "

I proceeded to tell her how he found me wet, and I admitted I was a bit annoyed he was not polite enough to lend me his coat and endure the light rain outside knowing the rain would get worse later on, when I'd be returning back to the dormitory.

I told her how my blouse was completely soaked, how he teased to see my chest, holding my wrist painfully tight as he did so. It made me feel very uncomfortable. He threatened to drop my book of sonnets on the floor and pulled me in roughly.

"I thought he liked me. I didn't realize that warning he had given me the night of the dance was truly one I had to be wary about Ariel. I almost don't like the feeling that he likes me. I don't like it that he finds me, interesting anymore. He makes me constantly feel jilted."

Ariel looked on nodding remorsefully.

"I didn't see that one coming Belle," Ariel silently lamented.

"Me neither."

"I don't mean to change the subject as I can see you seem quite troubled, but I can't help but wonder how the interview went," she kindly inquired.

I let out a sigh and started to pull down the sheets to get ready for bed. "Fairly well. I got the position but I am a bit apprehensive at the fact that I have to man the reference desk at times and interact with students. I was hoping to get paid invisibly," I said to my disdain.

Ariel began biting her lip. "How much is the wage by the way? Did you get the rate you had hoped you would?"

"That's the other thing," I replied as I went to my bag and pulled out an envelope.

"I actually got an advance, which was kind of the head librarian but it showed me a preview of what to expect I would be making every two weeks. Take a look," I stated handing Ariel the envelope.

Ariel opened the Envelope, containing the University symbol on it. As she took out the thin piece of paper, Ariel's eyes widened.

"Belle! This isn't even half of the pay rate you had hoped to receive! You deserve much more than this!" cried Ariel.

I shrugged my shoulders in remorse.

"I know. Maybe I should find another position or maybe do more than two jobs at once. I can't think of any job that could pay enough, during hours where I am not in class."

"Well," Ariel started, "never mind actually."

"What?" I pressed on.

"There is a job that will give you a good amount of money and will take place after class hours, but I know you would never consider, and I would never want my friends to consider such a position anyway."

I had to admit, the job prospects of the barmaid did come up several times in my head too throughout today. It especially came up when I saw my advance for the first time and as I was walking back home from the library. I kept dismissing the thoughts but I knew it would be easy money especially with the schedule having to be in the evening.

"It's ok Ariel. I too have considered it," I admitted truthfully.

Ariel looked up at me in shock as if I was reading her mind.

"You can't be serious!"

"I'm desperate Ariel, and maybe not too desperate but my father is old and I need to help. Especially after that whole playful ordeal with Adam, I think I need to get my head more focused on this and less about potential romance," I said as I rolled my eyes.

I stood up and went to my closet and pulled out a black silky blouse and an ankle length flared red skirt.

"Where are you going in this rain?" asked Ariel.

"I'm going to go to the Tavern, the LeGume Tavern. I'm going to ask for a job." I put a black shawl over my shoulders to cover my hair and identity in the rainy dark night.

"No Belle, don't do this! You can't be that desperate! We can think of something else."

"I just want to know what my options are Ariel. This doesn't mean I'll work in the tavern, but I just need to know of all the possibilities. The more I wait the more I'll have this burden in my head. I need to figure it out, Figure it all out!" I stated.

"Well at least let me come with you!" Ariel encouraged as she got up from her bed towards me near my closet.

"No, my friend. You stay back here. I'll be fine," I reassured Ariel "I'll ask the manager in the lobby to call me a carriage. I won't go walking."