Mable and I walked to the library down the street instead of the school one. I didn't have anything against the school library, it's just that it like smelled mothballs and cheese that's been aged too long. Also, the librarian, Ms. Felder, wasn't exactly friendly.
I opened the large, glass door to the home of books and Mable slipped in with a quiet thanks. She was always so polite, even to me, and I've known her since the second grade. The air in the library held a sustaining silence, that wasn't suffocating, but calming. I breathed it in, dust particles and all.
"You're such a dork.", Mable giggled. I playfully pushed her with my elbow.
"Whatever. Call me what you want, but the library is amazing. Now, let's get a table.", I whispered. She nodded and followed my lead to the teens section.
We found a low, circle table surrounded by colorful bean bags and I dropped my backpack next to a blue one. Mable plopped down on the pink one next to me. She popped a strawberry mentos into her mouth.
"You're not supposed to eat in here.", I whispered like a warning. She rolled her eyes.
"Listen to yourself. You sound just like Ms. Felder.", she replied. That shut me up until we both had our math books out.
I helped her through her homework and did mine while she studied for her quiz tomorrow. It was 5:30 when we were packed up again. I suddenly remembered that I had to check out a book for English class and told Mable I would meet her outside.
I roamed the aisles shelved with paper treasure until I found the right one. I ran my fingers along the shelves looking for the book's title. A flash of brown caught my eye. I turned my head slightly to the right and saw a boy in the aisle opposite me. He had his face buried in a book. Curiosity got the best of me and I crept a little closer. Just then, the boy raised his head and I flipped my head back around to face the books. I let my eyes wander back to the boy and when I saw him again, my breathing stopped. All my girly adrenaline drained.
It was Ryland. He shut the book he was reading and the one I was intending to check out: Moby Dick, and placed it carefully back on the shelves. He looked around and we met eyes. His eyes were so pretty. I almost fell into them, but then I remembered what he said to me earlier that day and mentally slapped myself. Bad Brooke. Bad, bad Brooke. You are not going to compliment him or his eyes in your head anymore, kapeesh?
I went back to frantically looking for the book I forgot to tab. When I found it, I quickly grabbed it and rushed down the aisle, head down. There was no need for me to look at Ryland. I collided with a solid object and my book went flying as I toppled. My hand went to my head to stop the dizziness. I heard a familiar chuckle.
"Why is it, that whenever we meet, you have the sudden urge to run me over?", Ryland grinned and held out a hand to help me up.
I glared at him and propped myself up into a sitting position. From there, I stood up with ease.
"Why is it, that whenever we meet, you have the sudden urge to get in my way?", I snapped back in a hushed tone. No matter how much I didn't like him, I still had to respect the rules of the library.
"Again with the accusations! Must you always blame the innocent, little bull?", he grinned even wider. His turquoise gems glimmered with mischievousness. I rolled my eyes and pushed past him.
"Wait.", he burst out. I turned around, very, very annoyed.
"What?", I sighed. He held up a book.
"You left your book on the floor.", he replied while taking a look at the cover. His eyes widened with shock.
"What's so funny?", I demanded, stomping over.
"50 Shades of Gray? I'm pretty sure this isn't for school.", he was trying hard not to burst out laughing. I could tell from the crinkles by his eyes. My face immediately turned 50 shades of red.
"Crap. Um, I got the wrong book. Just let me return it to the shelves and get the right one.", I muttered. Although it didn't sound like the truth, it was.
I reached for the book, and to my surprise (and annoyance), Ryland held it over his head. He had well over half a head on me so I had no chance. I put my hands on my hips instinctively. I had to do this when my little sister, Jamie, misbehaved.
"Give the book.", I held my hand out, demanding.
"No.", he answered with a smirk. I groaned.
"Why are you messing with me? Mable is waiting for me.", I could hear the whine creeping into my voice. No, Brooke. You are going to stay strong and demand it like a woman.
Ryland seemed to think it over, putting his free hand on his chin. He finally looked down at me.
"On one condition.", he held his index finger up. I could practically hear Mable shivering in the dark outside.
"Okay, okay. What is it?", I hurriedly asked.
"You're in my English class right? With Ms. Patrick?", he asked out of the blue.
"Uh, 4th block? I think so.", I answered. He grinned mischievously again. Huh, he had dimples. Get it together, soldier!
"Good, just making sure. Back to the condition: you have to be my partner for the current, and any other group projects, for the rest of the year.", he stated simply. My jaw dropped, I couldn't help it.
"But why? I want to work with Mable!", I protested. He held the erotic book even higher.
"No offense to them when I say this, but Philip and Todd aren't the smartest when it comes to language arts. Maybe on the field, but not in the classroom. And then there's Angel. I don't really want to work with her either, for private reasons. So, here I am, asking you to be my year long partner.", he explained in a bored manner. Oh, I understood. I was his last resort.
Insulted, I walked around him and grabbed Moby Dick from the shelf. He could place that erotic book back himself. As I started walking to the check-out counter, I heard him call out.
"Brooke, wait.", he called. I swerved around, I couldn't help it. He knew my name! Um, I mean, that bastard. I raised an eyebrow expectantly.
"Please. Please be my partner.", he struggled to get the words out and around his insanely, inflated ego. His eyes were drooped ever so slightly at the edges, he looked genuinely desperate. Something inside me, I think it was my defensive wall, cracked just a little, seeing him like this.
I sighed in defeat. "Fine."
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Hi guys! So, what'd you think? Why do you think is the real reason why Ryland wants Brooke to be his partner so badly? The answer may shock you! Of course, the answer will slowly unfold as the story unfolds, so stay tuned!
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Love, Mama Koala
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Teen Fiction"It was Ryland Walker. Only the most popular boy in school. He was the captain of the lacrosse team, one of the top ten students in the district, and was incredibly rich. One more fact? I hated his guts." Merrifield High is where the story takes p...
