•strictly platonic• boy x boy •

•five•

Emerson Scott

Most people didn't like Mondays. That's a whole fact. It signified another monotonous beginning to a week of school. And the end of a weekend being free from the confines of the prison-like school. Maybe I'm being over dramatic. But, am I wrong? Even the teachers seemed like caffeine addicted zombies. People went home and took naps. Like Robyn. (If he didn't have basketball practice, that is).

I, for one, spent my Mondays after school in the library. It was a nice escape. Quiet, nice atmosphere, and I didn't need to bother with any drama. Nobody was there except for the two librarians at the front desk. Usually.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Scott," the old librarian greeted. Mrs. Woodsworth didn't even have to take her eyes off her computer monitor to know it was me. Next to her, was the younger librarian, Mrs. Nickelson. She waved at me.

"You finished those two books in a week? I'm impressed." Mrs. Nickelson happily took the books from my hands. "So, how were they?" She asked giddily.

"You never disappoint me. That second book really had me on edge. I think I would've had to fight the author if he sank my ship."

Mrs. Nickelson giggled in agreement. "Oh, I definitely understand how you feel. Well, feel free to look around since we got a handful of newcomers. The books just keep on getting better and better. I recommend the Lost Series, however. Lost and Found is an interesting one."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Do you need any help? I can organize those new books you mentioned."

"Oh, you don't have to," Mrs. Nickelson said as she batted her hand.

Mrs. Woodsworth cleared her throat. "Actually, one of the book shelves fell because of a certain somebody," she eyed the woman to her left, causing Mrs, Nickelson to blush in embarrassment. "If you could fix that, that would be great. There is also a stack of books that were supposed to be on it next to it. If you don't mind, can you also rearrange the books into their proper place?"

"Sure I could do that." I shrugged. I didn't really have anything else better to do anyways.

"Thank you, Mr. Scott. Hope it won't cause you too much trouble. I think the bolts were loose. All you need to do is tighten them after putting the shelf back up."

"No problem."

I walked over a few feet to the aisle. By no means was our school's library large or extensive. Since it was a small town, it was an overall small highschool with only around a thousand students. Besides, most of us got our information off the internet anyways. I lowered myself onto my knees next to broken shelf and got to work, putting in earbuds.

When I was putting the books into place, I felt a soft tap on my shoulder. I removed my earbuds and looked up to see a familiar face. It was that girl from the party. The one who looked like a freshman. Her hair was in a low ponytail, two curled tendrils of hair framing her face. She wore a white blouse underneath her dusty rose pink shift dress and had on small, shiny black shoes over her lacy socks. She smelled like mangoes and flowers.

"Uh, hey." her voice was timid.

"Hi."

"Do you, uh, remember me?" She was playing with her fingers, obviously nervous.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course."

That gave her a little more courage as she raised her chin up higher. Her voice remained soft. "That's, uh, cool. My name is Alice Hargreaves, by the way. Sorry I haven't texted. It was weird of me to ask for your number and then not ever text you." She shifted her weight from one foot to another.