I'm Not Wicked

Part Thirteen

In the Library, Eleanor was startled to run into the Wizard; almost literally, as she stopped moments before slamming into his back. He was looking in the History Section, already holding a book titled A History of Oz.
He looked just as surprised as Eleanor did.

The green girl scurried past him, pretending she hadn't seen him at all. As she made her way further into the Library, she found Eddy and Dizzy, who were both quietly reading. Eddy with something about lightning theft and Dizzy with a guide to historical fashion and hairstyles.

"Eleanor," Eddy called, easily hearing her soft footsteps-he'd been listening for the Wizard, who he didn't wish to become acquainted with.

"Hey," Eleanor greeted simply, readjusting her grip on the borrowed books she'd been keeping in her locker in order to hide them from Gabriela.

"Can you please tell Eddy there's more exciting things for him to do in Auradon than read?" Dizzy pleaded, slipping a piece of ribbon in her book and crossing her arms, "I'd like to share the gift of Ice Cream with my friend."

Before Eleanor could answer, which would either help or hurt Dizzy's argument, Eddy jumped slightly.

"You consider me a friend?" Eddy asked, a strange mixture of hope and hesitation in his voice.

"Of course, why else would I follow you to the library?" Dizzy asked in return.

Eddy broke out in a smile at that, tapping his little hooves on the wooden floor beneath the table. He then turned to Eleanor for a moment before whipping his head back around to Dizzy, "Please excuse me a moment."

Eleanor almost forgot why she ran off to the library, smiling at Eddy as he hurried to her side and pulled her away from Dizzy.

"I've made a friend!" Eddy exclaimed, bouncing in excitement.

"I knew you would," Eleanor remarked.

A moment later, Eddy stopped jumping, giving Eleanor a hug before running back to his friend.

When he was gone, Eleanor brought her books over to the return table, nearly making it out peacefully when Dorian appeared next to her.

"Hello again," he said awkwardly, holding a book of his own, presumably the same one he was checking out when he'd interrogated Eleanor.

Eleanor didn't say anything in return.

Dorian laughed awkwardly and placed his own book crookedly beside Eleanor's, putting its cover to the table.

The green girl groaned, reaching to flip the book over, "There's a sign that says to place them neatly..."

She never finished her sentence, staring at the books cover.

It read, Happily Ever After: The Ultimate Relationship Guide.

Dorian's cheeks went bright red as he rubbed the back of his neck, waiting nervously for Eleanor to make fun of him.

"What's happening with you and Gabriela?" Eleanor questioned, surprising Dorian with her indifferent tone.

"I just...I don't know." Dorian answered, deciding it would be rude to withhold his relationship situation after Eleanor told him hers, "The last time we dated, Gabriela and I sorta grew apart. This time, I feel like there's a wall between us. Like she's keeping me at arms length, you know?"

"Practically everyone keeps me at arms length," Eleanor explained, putting her arm straight out in front of her; it didn't reach Dorian's chest.

"Right," Dorian said with a sigh.

He'd come here to comfort her, planning to use a book return as an excuse. He hadn't even finished reading said book-there was still fifty pages left.

"Do you think it's my fault you're not as close with her?" Eleanor asked, a bit accusingly.

Dorian nearly jumped, "No! I-I really didn't mean to-"

"I'll have you know," Eleanor interrupted, taking an extra step towards him, "no matter how I feel about you, I'd never do anything to break you two up. I would never want anyone, even you, to feel how I did."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, allowing them to sink in.
Then, without another word, Eleanor turned away, heading for the door.

"Wait!" Dorian yelped.

Eleanor stopped but didn't turn around, keeping her back to him.

Dorian preferred that. He'd wanted to ask Eleanor this for months, but he hadn't been ready for the answer. He still wasn't.

"Are you in love with Gabriela?"

The whole library seemed even more silent then before, like he'd cast a spell to make everyone but himself and Eleanor disappear. It was a burning question that Dorian desperately needed the answer to.

Eleanor stayed facing away from him, now burdened with the same question,
"I don't know anymore."