by B. N. Hale
He swallowed and forced his attention back to his homework. Opting to study in the library instead of his house, where Jackson and Shelby were constantly talking about him and Kate, he found a seat at one of the tables in the large study area.
The library filled all three floors of the building. Stacks of books lined the interior while a bank of windows looked out onto the sunlit grass. Computers were on the second and third floors while the first contained desks and chairs, many of which were occupied. The sound of students discussing group projects was a welcome hum. Reed turned the page and tried to read about the chemicals in the brain that contributed to certain psychiatric disorders.
What about Kate made her so arresting? He wanted to call her, to be with her, to see her smile. His classes, even the ones he liked, had become a chore, a distraction from planning the next date. Even though it was her turn, he kept thinking of what he could do next, with each idea becoming more extravagant than the last. As he considered his options, he surveyed his surroundings, wondering when her next invitation would come.
Growing bored with his textbook, he sat back in his chair and looked around the library, smiling and nodding mechanically at the girl behind the counter, who he’d taken on a date several months ago. She was a short brunette with a perfect sense of humor, and their date had been clever and fun. She’d described it as a pinnacle of her single life, and initially showed interest. When it became evident the relationship would not progress she’d accepted it well, and they were still friends. Molly smiled and nodded back, and then she returned her attention to her book, her expression annoyed. He guessed she was working on her physics homework, which she hated with a passion.
He sighed and returned his attention to his book. His professor liked to surprise his students with a quiz every Friday. The surprise was gone after three weeks and the students came prepared. Realizing he was reading the same paragraph, he rubbed his face and leaned back again. For what felt like the hundredth time he tried to solve the enigma that was Kate.
She’d matched him date for date, stepping into the creative dating with an ingenuity that surprised him. She didn’t just try, she triumphed. He smiled as he recalled her exiting the pool, her expression apologetic yet amused.
A clatter of metal drew his attention to the doors, and he spotted a member of the band entering, dressed in his uniform and carrying a trumpet. While not strange in itself, he was followed by the rest of the band. Whispers and smothered laughter followed as the group continued to file into the library and fall into formation, bringing their instruments to their lips.
The librarian spotted them and rushed over, her urgent hiss for quiet going ignored. More and more came in through the door and stood against the wall. All marched in place, their eyes fixed on the drum major as an expectant hum filled the library. Drawn to the disturbance, students appeared between the bookcases as the drum major stepped to a place between tables and raised his hands.
Reed braced himself for a blast of music, but instead the song was incredibly quiet. Titters of laughter came from the students as the full marching band attempted to play within the quiet confines of the library. Even the drummers were muffled, barely touching the drumsticks to their drums as they kept time.
At first Reed assumed it was a stunt from the band, perhaps orchestrated by a fraternity for their pledges. But as the band played and the librarians hissed their dismay, he caught numerous looks in his direction, and realized the band was there for him.
A smile spread on his face as he witnessed Kate’s handiwork. The band’s effort to keep quiet was well executed, but occasionally an instrument blasted a note, causing the entire library to erupt into stifled laughter, eliciting the ire of the head librarian, Miss Sturges.
The elderly woman loved the library more than the students, and many had been on the receiving end of her infamous glares. She made even the football players scurry away like frightened mice, although she was a third their size.
She stood several feet from the drum major, attempting to quell the marching band’s uprising by force of gaze alone. She nearly succeeded, but the combined might of a hundred and fifty students huddled together and armed with brass instruments proved too much for the old woman, and they continued to play.
“I never thought I see someone best the Sturg,” a student nearby murmured.
“The band will probably be banned,” another said, eliciting smiles and groans in equal measure. Someone threw a ball of paper at the speaker.
Reed sat listening to the muffled song, his smile undiminished. He’d used the stars and she’d returned with force, somehow enlisting the entire school band. How had she done it? How did she convince so many to show up for such a stunt? Or perhaps the better question was, who had her forceful roommate, Ember, terrified into assisting?
He snorted as he wondered who would win between Miss Sturges and Ember. One had a glare hard enough to bend steel, while the other possessed a look of fire that would melt said steel.
Reed noticed Molly shifting at her desk and glanced her way. She stood, enjoying the spectacle like everyone else. But every time the Sturg looked at her, she pretended intense annoyance. After three full minutes of quiet playing, the song came to its conclusion, and the banner bearers entered the room. Instead of their usual school colors, the banner displayed a question.
Brave a Dare?
Or Bare the Truth?
Friday, 6:00
They walked about the room, weaving through the sea of desks and chairs, ignoring the questions cast at them as they marched back to the band. Then the drum major closed the song and began to file out. Undeterred by the Sturg’s glare, the students erupted into quiet applause, their collective whispers a stamp of approval on the band, many of which broke character, their expressions showing triumph at their feat.
The whispers of praise and near-silent clapping came to a close, and Miss Sturges still hadn’t moved. She folded her arms and rotated like a wrinkled cannon, unleashing the full might of her glare. The students resisted, but ultimately could not endure and gradually fell silent.
“You will respect this institution,” she said, her voice somehow piercing the library to the corners, “or I will have you all thrown out.”
She turned on her heel and strode away, leaving smiles in her wake. The students didn’t dare raise their voices, but they whispered in huddled conversations, texting videos of what they’d witnessed to friends and reliving the moment.
Reed turned when someone stepped to his table, and found Molly leaning down. “She must really like you.”
“How do you know that was for me?” he asked.
Her smile was condescending. “I’m not stupid. What number is this for you. Five? Six?”
“Does everyone know about our dating challenge?” he asked.
“You’ve dated hundreds of girls on campus,” Molly said with a smile. “And I’m not the only to wonder who would finally snag you.”
“You make it sound like I’ve been hunted.”
Her smile widened. “Have fun on your date. Don’t worry about telling me afterwards. I’ll hear all about it.”
“Are all my former dates in a club now?” he asked.
She merely shook her head and walked away, leaving Reed confused and excited. Realizing he would never be able to study now, he gathered his things and left the library behind. On his way home he wondered what exactly he’d unleashed.
To continue to Volume 6, you can find 27 Dates: The Dare Date on Amazon here.
Author Bio
Originally from Utah, Ben has grown up with a passion for learning. While still young, he practiced various sports, became an Eagle Scout, and taught himself to play the piano. As a teenager he began creative dating and continued the practice into college, where he took a break to do volunteer work in Brazil. After school, he launched his first series, The Chronicles of Lumineia, and has since published over 20 titles across multiple genres. He loves to snowboard, build treehouses, and
play board games, especially with his family. His greatest support and inspiration comes from his wonderful wife and six beautiful children. Currently he resides in Missouri while working on his Masters in Professional Writing.
To contact the author, discover more about 27 Dates, or find out about the upcoming sequels, check out his website at 27Dates.com. You can also follow the author on twitter @27Dates or Facebook.