We Were Never Meant To Meet Again

chapter 15

Ruth.

ELIJAH WAS already at the library when I arrived the next morning.

It definitely surprised me, but I couldn't help but crack a smile at the sight of seeing him speaking with Mr.McRae so casually. He didn't seem uncomfortable or bored, he seemed content. It made me happy.

Elijah was lent up against the bookcase when I entered whilst he listened to Mr.McRae rant to him about god knows what. It could be anything. That man could go on for generations if he wanted to.

He looked very good today. His dark hair was slightly wet, meaning he probably went in the shower this morning. And he was wearing grey hoodie and black sweatpants with a silver chain dangling from his neck.

I slowly make my way towards them with a small smile and by the sound of my footsteps they lift their heads up and look at me.

"Hey." I breathe out, making eye contact with Elijah immediately.

"Hi Ruth!" Mr.McRae bellows, his voice echoing throughout the hollow library suddenly making me remember that he there too and it wasn't just me and Elijah in the small, cramped up room full of books.

"Hey Mr.McRae, how's business  at the library this morning?" I question, trying to distract myself from the burning gaze that hasn't left me the minute I waltzed in here.

"What do you think Ruth?" I look around the nearly empty library, the only people being me, Elijah and Mr.McRae.

I give the old man a smile with slight sympathy. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Mr.McRae. He spent his whole life dedicated to this library, and it just hasn't turned out the way I hoped for him or he hoped for himself.

"Nah, it's fine." He waves off my sympathy and lets out a laugh, "I hate nearly everyone in this town. I'd rather not have them barbarians walk in my library anyway."

I jump up, "Hey!" 

"Shut up Ruth, you know your my favourite person ever, except from my beautiful wife of course." Mr.McRae places a hand on my shoulder in a sign of comfort.

Suddenly, a awkward cough from the side of me makes me remember that Elijah had just witnessed all of that.

I turn my head to watch Mr.McRae gives him a bland glance and a shrug, "Your okay I guess."

Elijah nods, "Thanks Mr.McRae. Always a pleasure."

Mr.McRae hums carelessly and trails back over to his counter, "Now why don't you both help me out and go elsewhere."

I gasp and place a hand on my chest, "Do you not want us here Mr.McRae." I ask with mild offense.

"To be quite honest, I just don't want to be in the middle of this weird sexual tension that's going on in my library. It's suffocating me." He speaks so blandly, like it was normal to say something so..out there.

"Mr.McRae!" I scold him, whilst burning up with embarrassment.

And whilst I was scolding the elderly man, my eyes manage to drift over to Elijah who looked almost as awkward as I felt. His cheeks were the slightest bit red and he was looking elsewhere but me.

McRae doesn't seem affected by my outburst and just points over to the door, indicating for us to leave.

I sigh, giving up on the persistent old man and accept that he wanted us to go. However rude he was about it.

I feel someone walk up behind and nudge my shoulder, and when I look up it's Elijah nodding over to the door.

I nod in understanding and we both make our way out the door but before I fully make it out the door, I hear Mr.McRae shout "Finally! I can breathe!"

I scoff and instantly leave Mr.McRae in the library.

I make my way to Elijah who was waiting for me, and as I walk over to him he gives me a slight smile, his cute dimple popping out on his cheek.

I just wanted to poke i-

"So, what should we do now Gracie?" Elijah asks me, as we start walking through the quiet town of Ithaca.

I swallow and try to ignore the fact he called me Gracie, but it was very hard to do that when my heart suddenly felt like it was beating out of my chest and my palms were getting all clammy.

I clear my throat, "Hmm, I'm not sure. What would you like to do?" 

Elijah suddenly stops by the side of me and speaks, "Let's go in here."

I turn around to see where we had stopped at and what I saw was a coffee shop.

Ithaca's Coffee Shop.

It was the only coffee shop in town and everyone went here. 

I smile and turn back round to Elijah who was already looking at me.

"Okay."

....

A/N:

guys don't hurt me because i know it's a short chapter.

I'm trying to get back in the routine of writing again but I promise the next chapter will be longer, and there will be a little more development in Ruth's and Elijah's friendship ;) (finally)

i'm so sorry for disappearing off the face of the earth for many months but i am back.

i hope to post a chapter once a week, two at most of BOTH of my books.

i love you all and oh my god i can't thank you enough with how much support this book has gotten. like i am actually in genuine shock and has made me feel a lot more determined in carrying on with this book because of how many people love it. so i genuinely can't thank you all enough.

-b.