He could have stayed in the library on campus, but the variety of classics in the public library was better. So, here he was, sitting in there after school hours. He loved spending the last few hours of his afternoon there, reading, rather than being at home. Don't get him wrong—he would argue to anyone who asked that he loved spending time with his family, but he also needed a little indulgence in his interest in books.
That's when he first saw her—slumped on the floor in the far corner of the library, leaning on her side, her head resting on the bookshelf. She is holding a book, but she doesn't seem to be reading it. He thinks that maybe she's waiting for a friend, or is that what they call it these days? Or maybe her crush? Boyfriend? He wonders. He usually keeps out of other people's business, especially if it involves a girl—yes, a girl. She's probably just, what, 18? She doesn't look to be in her 20s. But something is tugging at him, and he can't keep his eyes off her. He can't see her face. Her dark hair falls just a few inches off her shoulders, covering it. She looks defeated, based on the way her shoulders are slumped and how still she is. Ed wonders, 'is she drunk? Or do they do drugs in the public library now? She seems too young to be involved in such things, doesn't she?
He knows he shouldn't, but what if she's drunk or stoned and somebody sees her and instead of helping, does something nasty instead?
He sighs and walks toward her, keeping a safe distance. "Hey, are you okay?" he asks. He sees her move backward, like she's trying to get away from him, but he thinks he hears her hum—not sure if that's a 'yes.' She's wearing worn-out black sneakers, maybe a favorite pair, that look comfortable to wear, he thinks. She's in washed-out jeans and a simple gray T-shirt. That's when he sees it—her shirt has a few red drops on the left side, just above her chest and on her shoulder. His eyes gaze up, and he can finally see half of her face that isn't covered by her hair.
He takes a deep breath as he stares into her hazel eyes. It's evident that she's been crying—her eyes are puffy and red, but he still sees how beautiful they are. Not wanting to scare her, he kneels on his right foot in front of her. "You're bleeding," he states when he sees that the blood appears to be coming from her head.
"I'm... I'm fine," she says. Fine? How the hell can someone be fine when they're sitting in the corner of a public library, crying and bleeding from their head? His faint chuckle bubbles in his throat. "Okay, good. I'm glad you are. But, uh... did you have someone look at that cut on your head? Like clean it or I don't know, do something about it?" He shrugs.
She scoffs. "And why do you care? Do I know you?" she asks, a look of defiance in her eyes.
Oh, he should've just let her be and finished his book instead. He sighs. "My name is Ed. Ed Tucker. I spend a few of my free hours here, reading, and uh... no, I don't think we know each other." As he says the last words, he feels a small pang in his chest. He doesn't know why, and he doesn't bother to analyze it.
"But, uh, I just want to make sure that you've cleaned that wound and you're okay. If you need to go to a hospital or, uh, a police station, I can walk you..." He sees her eyes widen at that, and he figures that maybe offering to walk her somewhere is not a good idea right now, so he tries to backtrack. "Uhm... you know, with a five-foot distance. Just to make sure you'll be there in one piece." He tries to humor her.
He sees her lips curve up for a bit. Is that a smile or a smirk? Was it a smirk? But it's just a tiny one, like if he had blinked at the wrong moment, he could've missed it.
"I'm not going to either of those places. As I said, I'm fine." She says, without breaking her gaze on his blue eyes. Damn. He doesn't even know her name yet, but within seconds of meeting her—and after less than thirty words from her—he's convinced that this girl is the perfect definition of a gorgeous face with a stubborn attitude.
"Alright, if you say so." With that, he stands up and walks back to the table where he was sitting, grabs his bag, and pulls out a mini first aid kit he always carries. He takes his jacket, which he had hung on the back of the chair, and walks back to the girl, placing the jacket and first aid kit on the floor beside her feet. "Just make sure to clean it. I can't see it clearly from this distance, and I think some of your hair's matted with dried blood, too. Use it..." He taps the first aid kit, "and, uh... it's cold outside."
He stands once again to get his things and the book he was reading.
"Olivia... uh, my name is Olivia. Tha—Thank you," she says.
He turns to respond, but before he can say anything—
"Ssssssssh!" They hear from someone in the room. Ed chuckles as he sees Olivia's face redden, but he also notices her smile—this time fully. Oh! She is gorgeous, but that smile? Definitely one of the most beautiful he's ever seen. Could she be a goddess? With that face and smile, she must be.
Ed returns to the library, wondering if he will see Olivia again. Seriously? The girl just smiled at him when they were scolded about two weeks ago. Yes, two weeks. He's been visiting the library every day for the past two weeks at the same time, hoping to see her again, but to no avail. He sighs. He's been in the library for about four hours already and is on his way to finishing his third classic book. He sighs again, closes the book, and gazes at the corner where Olivia had sat before.
"Well, I hope she's alright," he says to himself as he leaves.
He feels his eyes getting wet, but he doesn't fight it back. Instead, he wills himself to shed the tears as everything seems to be engulfed in darkness—like sitting in a movie theater then someone turns off the lights.
This is a familiar feeling; he knows the scene will probably shift. It has happened countless times, and he no longer feels fear—just longing, excitement, and anticipation. He just wants to see her face. That's all he wants.