3| Ladies man
"I've got a free period for my last one, you?" I asked Kendall as we exited our class.
She shook her head, "I have history. I'll meet you out front after class?"
"Sure thing, see you later," I said before heading for the library. I turned the corner in the hallway, coming to a stop in front of a group of guys. They were all looking at me and whispering, but I assumed it was just because I was the new girl. "Excuse me," I mumbled, pushing past them.
I rolled my eyes, picking up my pace, and entering the staircase that I would take to go to the library downstairs.
I opened the door, turning around, glaring at the back of the heads of these guys when I crashed right into someone.
"Shit, I'm so sorry," I said, facing him, "Oh, it's you. I'm not sorry then, nevermind."
Nathan glared at me but he didn't say anything witty in response.
"Oh, what? No remark?" I scoffed.
He stepped aside, making way for me. "Just fucking go, now," he replied. He seemed angry. Like fuming angry.
"Uh, are you all right?" I asked, half out of curiosity, half concern. Concern for myself because he looks like he wants to kill me.
"Go."
And I didn't hesitate for even a second. I scattered down those stairs, landing on the ground floor. I entered the library, whispering to myself about how weird he was. I spotted a table where I left my bag and then took out the checklist.
There were three books I needed to get for my English Lit class so I started scanning around for them.
When I found the aisle and started scanning the spines of the books, I found the first one and grabbed it, but it seemed like someone was also holding onto it from the other side.
I instinctively let go and when they pulled it through and looked down, I saw a pretty face.
"Sorry, I didn't know," I smiled.
"That's okay, I didn't either, you can take it, by the way, I'll get another copy," he nodded.
"Thanks, I'm Emma by the way," I said, sticking my hand through the shelf.
"I'm Liam, nice to meet you," he chuckled.
"Nice to meet you too," I laughed.
"I'll see you around, Emma," he nodded.
"See ya," I mumbled, watching as he walked around the aisle and over to me. He seemed to be heading to the desk to check out some books but stopped, eyeing my shirt.
Oh, right.
"Is that yours?" he asked, looking at me in confusion.
"No, it's uh, actually it's... it's a long story, he spilled a juice box on me," I explained, feeling slightly embarrassed. Maybe I should have just taken Kendall's spare shirt.
"And then gave you that?" He seemed surprised. I wonder why.
"I kind of made him." He was even more surprised. "Uh, the book, please?" I smiled awkwardly.
"Right," he nodded, handing me the copy. "I'll catch you later," he smiled and aw, he has a dimple.
"Bye," I smiled.
"Bye," he replied before heading out. I watched till he disappeared out of my sight.
I sighed, leaning against the bookshelf. "He was cute," I whispered to myself, looking for the other 2 books.
"Who was?" I jumped, hearing another voice. I looked down, through the shelf and spotted Brandon. "Hi," he grinned, making his way over to me.
"You know, you really aren't as intimidating as you look."
"Thanks," he replied, "Anyway, who was cute?" he questioned.
"Nobody," I lied, "Just someone I saw walking around the hallways."
He thought for a minute. "Wearing glasses?" he asked.
"Yes," I said slowly.
"And a sweater?" he asked.
"Yes," I repeated.
"Hmm," he nodded, "Looks like Harry Potter?"
I looked at him in confusion, my nose scrunching up in confusion. "Huh?"
"He came here looking for a book?"
"Why else do people come to the library?" I lifted a brow at him.
"Liam Stevens?" He shot me a pointed look.
I nodded in response, still scanning the shelves for the books I needed.
"The photography guy," he concluded, "Oh, don't tell me that's your type too?
Why are all the girls obsessed with him?
It's like he puts a spell on them or something," Brandon groaned.
"He's cute, kind of charming," I shrugged.
"He's a ladies man."
"He gets all the girls?" I asked.
"No, all the girls try getting him. He doesn't flirt with one.
You know there's always that one guy who doesn't even have to try?
That's him," he explained, "He's just really nice to literally everybody, and all the girls think that's oh so very sweet of him, then they think he's flirting and he'll ask them out soon.
But then he never does. He's more of the 'focused on school' type of guy.
So he lets all the ladies down but still.
.. he's a ladies man. Some freaking how. "
I nodded slowly in understanding, "So the girls like him?" He nodded. "And the boys?"
"We try hating him but he never gives us reason to. Everyone likes him," he shrugged.
"So, he's like the Golden Boy?" I asked.
"Kind of, just take the sports part out. He takes photos for the yearbook too, and he's a photography student, you would have noticed the camera if you weren't staring at his face," he smirked.
"Very funny," I said sarcastically.
"Are you here looking for the books we need for the English Lit class?"
"Oh, yeah. You're in that class with me. Yeah, I'm uh, I'm looking for those," I said, finding the second one.
"How many do you need?" he questioned.
"Just one more." I spotted it on the shelf and tried grabbing it but someone grabbed it from the other side simultaneously. I rolled my eyes, yanking it out of their hand.
"What the- you? Again?" he groaned.
"That's my cue to leave," I said, heading for the desk.
"That's my book!" he yelled.
"Shh!" the librarian hissed.
He glared at her before rounding the aisle, walking over to me and Brandon. "That's my book," he snatched it.
"Nathan, come on. Just get another copy," Brandon whispered.
"Yeah, get another copy," I said, snatching it back.
"I found it first," he argued.
"I grabbed it first," I retorted.
"I came here first."
"Actually, I did. I ran into you in the stairwell, remember?
You were going upstairs and I've been down here in this aisle since last period started," I smiled at him, clutching the books to my chest and speed walking to the counter.
I got there, quickly handing her the last book first. She stamped it under the date and wrote my name in the system.
He came up beside me. "That's mine," he grabbed the book.
"This young lady already checked it out, Mr. Sterling, you'll have to find another copy," she gave him a sorry smile. He glared at me but I just blew him a kiss. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"Thank you," I said, putting all three books in my bag.
"Bitch."
"Asshole."
"Am I the only one sensing tension here?" Brandon asked, looking between us two.
"What kind of tension?" we asked in sync.
"Uh... sexual."
"Ew."
"Gross," we said in unison.
"With her?" Nathan scoffed.
"With him? Thanks, I'll pass," I said.
"You fucking-"
"Okay, see you later, bye," I sang speed walking out of there, heading for the field to kill the remainder of the last period.
I stopped by at my locker first where I put in the three books and then went to the field.
I sat down under the tree, leaning against the giant trunk and plugging my earphones in.
???????????????
I was driving Kendall home cause her dad drove her here this morning but wasn't here to pick her up. "Kendall, can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Mm-hmm," she nodded, turning to me while tying her hair up in a low bun.
"What's that guy's deal?"
"What guy?" she frowned in confusion.
"That Nathan Sterling guy?" I questioned.
"Um, I uh, I don't really know him that well. I mean, I've spoken to him a few times, he's really scary. I used to go out with Brandon," she answered.
"What? No way, you're kidding." I looked at her in shock.
"No. He just wasn't taking it seriously enough, so it was just a fling but I mean, as far as I know, Nathan was fine. He was normal up until last year."
"What happened last year?"
"I don't exactly know. Nobody does, it's like confidential or something.
But um, during sophomore year, he was in a car crash with someone.
I don't think they made it out alive, something happened, he got really injured too, missed some months of school, had therapy, everything.
And then when he got back, he was like this.
That's all I know. Wait, wait, wait, that's my house," she laughed.
"Oh, sorry," I said, pulling over.
"Pick me up tomorrow?" she asked, smiling. I nodded and then waved her bye.
I wonder what happened to the guy.
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