Chapter Nineteen
Sophie
After my lesson with Damian on Monday, I decide to inaugurate my fixed car with a drive to the public library. Since I’m not allowed to buy new books and since the school library refuses to supply itself with new releases, I figure I’ll find something good at the public library.
The drive there takes about half an hour because it’s farther than the bookstore and the restaurant my friends and I usually eat at.
I put on an audiobook of one of my favorite books and basically say the words along with the narrator because I’ve read and listened to it so many times I nearly know it by heart.
I’m pretty sure I’ll know Dying to Kiss You by heart soon enough, since I keep reading it over and over.
Once I reach the library, I climb out of the car and enter through the front door. The place is full enough, with people of all ages browsing through the books.
I weave through the kids in the YA section, making my way to the new releases. Now that a new week has passed, there should be new books out.
As I scan the options, I notice something in the corner of my eye.
Raising my head, I catch a guy with golden blond hair peering through the fantasy section.
I do a double-take because I don’t really see many guys browsing through books.
Of course guys read, but it’s not a popular activity at Harrington Bay Academy.
As I take a few moments to study him, I conclude that I don’t know him and have never seen him before. He doesn’t go to my school. He’s reading the first page of one of the books and looks so into it that my heart soars. I’ve never come across a guy who seems to love reading as much as I do.
Have I found the male version of myself?
Could he be the guy I’m looking for? The guy Damian swears exists somewhere on this planet? A real-life potential boyfriend?
I’m squealing inside as I continue watching him devour the words. I’m not even looking for a book for myself. I’m focused on the guy.
Does he have a girlfriend? A quick sweep around the area tells me he’s not here with a girl, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have one. Of course a guy like that is taken. They say the good ones always are.
Suddenly, his head lifts and his eyes meet mine. My cheeks get so hot I swear it feels like I fell into an oven. He doesn’t look away, though. He smiles at me. A smile that makes my heart skip a beat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone look so good when they smile.
Fine, he doesn’t look as good as Damian when he smiles, but Damian is not a potential boyfriend. This guy might be. And it’s not right to compare the guys.
My eyes grow as wide as oranges when he heads over to me, book still in his hand. I’m holding three books in my arms and I might drop them because I’m fuzzy all over.
He smiles as he reaches me. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I say shyly.
His grin widens, his eyes taking in my school uniform. “You go to Harrington Bay Academy?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool. I go to Harrington Bay High.”
I smile in return because my legs feel all tingly, and I’m not sure how long they can support me, and my heart pounds in my ears. A cute guy is talking to me. And not just any guy. A guy who loves to read. Swoon! Meeting at a library is the best meet-cute ever.
“I’m Axel Thorne.” He holds out his hand.
I accept the handshake. “Sophie Reed.”
He smiles again. “It’s great to meet you, Sophie.”
“You, too.”
He glances at my pile of books. “So you like to read, huh?”
“Yes! It’s the best thing in the entire world.”
He laughs lightly. “I feel the same way. Books are the greatest things to have ever been invented. Can you imagine a world without them? I sure can’t.”
Can this guy be even more perfect?
He taps his book. “Better go check out this book before someone else puts it on hold or something.”
I nod. “Okay, sure.”
He turns to go. The thought of him walking away from me, of me never seeing him again, of missing out on a potential perfect guy for me, fills me with panic.
For the past few days, I kept waiting for the guys to ask me out or make the first move, but none of them did.
Feeling a confidence I’ve never felt before, I decide it’s time I go after what I want.
It’s time for me to make the first move.
“Wait.”
He turns around.
My heart hammers in my chest. I’ve never done this before. My mind fills with so many thoughts that I can’t make sense of them. But I shove everything away and focus on one thing only.
“Do you want to hang out sometime?” I blurt.
His lips form such a cute smile as he nods. “Sure, that’d be awesome.” He hands me his phone and I punch my number in. “See ya, Sophie.”
“You, too, Axel.”
He smiles one more time before walking to the checkout machine. I watch him until he heads for the exit. Before he leaves, he turns around to give me another one of his cute grins. Then he walks out.
I sink down on a chair, my heart pounding, my hands clammy, and my mind a whirlpool. How in the world did I just do that? Could it be fate?
I can’t concentrate on the books I’m trying to take out. I just can’t stop thinking about Axel. Imagining him and me talking about books all day. I’ve never had anyone to share that with, and I can’t wait to hear his amazing thoughts.
Okay, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself.
We didn’t set up a date or anything. But he did say he’s interested.
If I were home, I’d yell into my pillow.
Instead, I need to get a hold of myself, take out the books I want, and return to campus before the ten o’clock curfew.
I have time, but I need to be careful not to get so caught up in books that I forget to return in time.
My phone beeps with a text from an unknown number.
Hey, it’s Axel. Want to hang out tomorrow after school?
Wow, he’s fast. I guess he must be as interested in me as much as I’m interested in him. It makes butterflies flutter in my stomach because no one has ever been into me before. At all.
Sophie: Sure, but it’ll have to be a little later because I have tutoring after school.
Axel: That’s cool. We all need help once in a while.
Sophie: Yeah, of course, but I mean I tutor a student.
Axel: Nice! It’s always great to help others. You’re amazing.
I smile. He doesn’t even know me and already thinks I’m amazing?
Sophie: Thanks.
Axel: See you tomorrow, then.
Sophie: See you.
It takes me a while because I can’t stop thinking about Axel, but I manage to find books and drive home. The first place I go to is Harrington’s apartment and ring the bell. I know it’s not cool to go to the principal’s apartment, but I’m not here to see her. I hope she won’t mind, though.
The door opens and Damian stands there. His eyes widen like he wasn’t expecting me to be here.
“Sorry, is it okay if I come in?” I ask. “Or does your mom not let?”
He shrugs as he widens the door. “She’s not home, but I don’t think she’d mind because it’s you.”
“Oh, you mean your friend.”
“Tutor.”
“Right. Did you tell her we’re friends?”
“We don’t really talk.”
“Oh.”
We stand near the door, he with his hands in his pockets and me playing with the straps of my backpack.
“So, I have some news,” I tell him. “I met a guy at the public library. His name is Axel and he loves to read. He was looking through a book and he caught my attention.”
Damian’s lips lift in a smile. “Really? I told you that you’d find someone.”
“And guess what? I asked him out and he said yes!”
“Nice.”
“Nice? This is amazing!” I spin around in a circle. “I think I’m convinced that you’re right, Damian. There is a real guy out there for me.”
He gently takes hold of my arm, stopping me. “Who said anything about this guy being the one? You just met him.”
“I know.” I shrug. “But I have a feeling, you know? No other guy has made me feel like this. It’s the butterflies and the heart beating and all that. Have you ever experienced that?”
He shakes his head.
“You’ll experience it one day. Trust me. Maybe after I find my special guy, we can challenge you to find a girl.”
He scoffs. “Never in a million years.”
I want to ask why, but it seems like he wants the subject dropped. “I really think this guy could be him, Damian.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. We’re going out after school tomorrow.”
“That’s great.”
I beam. “Yep. I just wanted to tell you the good news. I’ll go now. I can’t wait to tell my friends. Thanks for pushing me to do this. Sorry I was so stubborn.”
He waves his hand. “All good.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He nods. “Sleep well.”
As I make my way from the Harrington apartment to the girls’ dorm, I want to dance around or squeal so loud they’ll hear me on Mars. I can hardly contain my excitement before I text Carly and Addie to meet me and Raven in our room.
When all four of us are gathered there, I blurt, “I have a date tomorrow.”
All three of them talk at once, asking a million questions. I tell them all the details and they’re so happy for me.
“If not for Damian, I never would have ever thought of asking a guy out,” I admit.
Raven lifts a brow. “Looks like your pupil is helping you as much as you’re helping him.”
“Yeah, looks like it.”
And if things work out and Axel and I are endgame, I’ll attribute it all to the guy who pretends to be a bad boy but is really so sweet and kind inside.