by Tiffany Tay
"David." I catch up to him. He turns, and I see that most of his anger had left his eyes. I sigh in relief. David might be one to anger easily, but he sure knows how to let things go. Or does he?
He forces a little smile, like it was all no biggie. I return that smile, trying to push down my unease.
He guides me around a couple of towering bookshelves. "Ready to meet some people?"
I hesitate. "Um... To be honest, I'm someone who really needs to flip through that book from cover to cover."
He smirks. "Come on, Star. You can't be that bad at socializing, I mean, come on!"
I glare at him. He chuckles, and I feel my face heat up. "David." I frown, then sigh. "Ah, well, take me... wherever you deem practical."
I raises his eyebrows devilishly. "Oh, anywhere?" He grins.
I roll my eyes."As long as, you know---"
I don't get a chance to finish my sentence before David reaches out a hand and grabs me by the shoulder. I choke back an indignant squawk.
"Shh... follow me." He assures.
I huff. "Fine." I give in and let him guide me through rows and rows of books. Finally, we stop between a couple of shelves. The gap between the two bookshelves is undeniably narrow, somewhere off the coordinates for the floor plan. Light does not dominate here. The shelf reaches up to the ceiling overhead, and every rack is jam-packed with books of about the same height, each just barely able to fit.
"This is my secret niche." David pulls me inside. I could pass through with zero problems. David had to enter sideways. "Welcome, to my cozy corner! Maybe a star could brighten it up?"
I survey the shelves. There is no space to see through. "So, what did you bring me to see?"
In answer, David turned to the left shelf. "Beyond that, there are some people you just have to meet." He proceeds to shift a couple of books, and lo and behold, this place made a very comfortable...
"Spy hole? David--- you've been spying on other people from here?" I narrow my eyes first at the little peek hole so cleverly disguised between two books, then at David, who raises up his hands, a goofy smile on his face.
"I couldn't resist! Plus, it's a good place to come to when you need some alone time---which watching other people plotting revenge against you behind your back---or so they think!"
"So you come to spy upon these--- these peaceful readers?"
"Take a look." He crosses his arms. I stare into his eyes. He stares back, as coolly as he could manage. "Go on, you have my approval."
This goes on for awhile, before I finally back down with a sigh. "Fine." I said. "But... if one day I suddenly turn into a snooping, rule-breaking..."
"Oh, you aren't snooping, my dear star! This is simply...observing from a distance. I call this carrying out our duty as we should! And what better way than to get to know people you don't know... by getting the background information on them... from none other than the great David Davis!"
I tilt my head. "You are impossible, DeeDee. Utterly wicked." I lower my voice. "You know---"
He laughs and pushes me toward the spy hole. I stumble and cling to the shelf. There isn't enough space to move around about, this being so narrow. It's hardly a one-man hideout, let alone two rebellious teenagers. Makes me wonder why he let me in on his secret...
I sigh. "Fine, I'll play your little game."
David extended his hand. "Welcome to--- Life as a Librarian! With no guarantee you'll ever turn out to keep your sanity under quality control, contain your perfection and keep yourself in check."
I blink at his grinning face.
"In other words, you can't escape what the next part of your Life will bring you! Now...ready to begin it with a little twist?
Who says Librarians aren't full of fun?"
I smirk. "I think... you've just overstated that fact!"
A/N: Helloooo guys!! Just want to thank you for all the support for this book! And for my other book, if you are reading it--- Dark Dreamers. It just hit 1700 reads!! Thank youthankyouthankyou!! ^^
Please vote and leave a comment, tq!
And this may be my last update--- for this year! Time really does fly, doesn't it? It seems like just last month, I posted my first chapter to my first book on Wattpad! It's been my dream to be a published novelist, and I will work hard to achieve that dream! I hope to do that in the most fun way possible!
So, guys have fun at Christmas or whatever holiday you are celebrating! Year 2014 is almost over... better start preparing those new year resolutions... you'll probably couldn't keep! :D
Your humble author:
~Tiffany :)
Happy Holidays!
Chapter Six// Stella
Stella's POV
I have to admit, with an ounce of reluctance, that David really did have an awesome secret hideout. I learned everything and anything about almost everybody who happened to unluckily chose that very morning to pay a visit to the library.
From the tiny slit between the two parted books, I spy about five librarians gathered at the same table, some distance from where David and I crouch unnoticed.
Two boys and three girls. A boy and a girl sit together on one side of the table. The boy, presumably seventeen, is dressed in a long sleeved white cotton tee. He lifts a small hand to flip his mop of blonde hair over his forehead--- a hand too dainty to belong to a guy, but nevertheless, he doesn't have much of a build. He leans over to the girl seated on his right and whispers something in her ear. She shrieks softly and swats him off with her hand, giggling hysterically.
"That's Theo." Beside me, David smirks in the dim light. "And that's his girlfriend--- Holly. Theo is a big softie, not much to look at, but he loves Holly, and she accepts him. Though..." his eyes drifts off towards the couple, who had turned to stare into each other's eyes. Theo reaches out and cups Holly's round cheeks in his hands. Holly wriggles her plump body, swivelling herself away from Theo.
"They kind of act a little weird, I mean, in couple standards." David mutters to me. I raise my eyebrows, taking in the scene. Holly had scrambled off her seat, crossing her arms on her loose fitting pink blouse, her lips pouted. She's wearing slacks, which covers her figure a little. I can see that she's trying to hide her plumpness from public eyes, but she's failing to show her true beauty. Her round face literally glows with health, her braided chocolate hair shines golden under the lighting. I watch and Theo scoots around and takes her hands in his. He murmurs something in her ear, and a grin tugs on Holly's lips, illuminating her gorgeous face.
"Heather and Theo just joined us two years back. Even then, they'd shown up together. No one seemed to give them a warm enough welcome then, so they had to stick together. They were kind of the different ones of the year. People talked, saying that they must be mentally challenged. But some people stood up for them--- gave them a chance. Now they are liked around the library, known as the sweet couple of the group."
I look away as Holly gave Theo a peck on the cheek, and he turned it into a full smooch on the lips. "Oh---kay. They are sweet." I laugh. "How about them?" I nod at the other people gathered around the table. A girl's making gagging motions, not unkindly, but with a glint of a smile in her twinkly eyes. I liked her as soon as I set my eyes on her. She's pretty in a dismissive way, like she's watering down her beauty as much as Holly tries to drown her faults. This girl has honey coloured hair cut in a simple bob, and she choose to leave it like that. She's the opposite of Holly--- slim, petite and small. She's dressed simply in a tattered pair of jeans and a plain red shirt, with her collar unbuttoned, and her sleeves rolled full up.
"Skye. I heard that she joined when she's just ten. The librarians took her in as a special cause. I hear that her parents had been librarians in the past, and they left our organization to start a new life. They--- they were killed... and their daughter, Skye, had been granted permission to live here, resuming the position as a librarian."
"Her parents died in the outside world...?" I wonder. David nods, refusing to elaborate. "Just don't me
ntion them to her, unless you want to see the completely opposite side of Skye. She's like a dice. Roll her one way, and she'll take on that personality until someone comes along and throws the dice another way. Anyway, you don't want to meet some of her sides." David shuddered, and I resist the urge to ask him. Well, all I ever seem to do since I step foot in the library is to ask questions. It's a wonder the librarians haven't invented a question answering machine. Like, hey--- come on up and ask a question... answers are provided for free! Librarians mustn't be too tired of answering questions for every new person with a gazillion.
The girl next to her sighs dramatically as the couple pull back from their kiss, propping her head on one hand and leaning against Skye, who, in return, pushes the girl off. She doesn't care. A loopy smile plastered on her fac something to Skye, who rolls her eyes and sticks out her tongue. The girl has creamy brown skine, she tells, like sweet mocha, and almond eyes. Her shiny silky dark hair makes me feel a twinge of jealousy. I'd give anything to have my hair shine tastefully like hers,
"She's Nikki--- the dramatic librarian--- always obsessed with her romance novels. She's the budding fashionista. Last year, she forced Skye, her best friend, into a look so beautiful, it almost ruined their friendship. And Skye's the naughty librarian, always one to break rules and sneak out. Sometimes she can be a bad influence, especially where Holl and Theo are concerned. With her around, those two could never be caught sneaking around, and even out of the library." David snickers.
I furrow my eyebrows. "Theo and Holly---"
David let loose a guffaw. "No! No--- those two may get a little warm and cuddle-some, but they'd never..."
"Great." It started to get a little too hot in here. I brush away my bangs, flustered, trying not to care that I'm the one sneaking around with a boy, who is also my group leader, who is also leading me to spy on innocent librarians, who is---
"And that other guy over there,,," David points out the last person seated at the table, the furtherest from the rest of the group. I can't see his face from all over here, as he has his head buried in a large book. As the girls start up a conversation, he puts the book down, shoots the girls an annoyed frown, and returns to his book.
"... Kale. He never mingles much, always has his head in a book. Always prefers to be alone..." David rants on, but I stopped listening.
Kale. I feel a rush from somewhere deep within. Kale? No... it can't be, yet--- I squint harder at the boy with the book. My brief glimpse of him left me with a warm shudder down my spine. I stare at the brown mob of locks on his head, wishing him to show his face once more. Just a short look at him, it would confirm or dismiss any suspicion I had formed about him...
"Stella?" I pull my face from the hole and stare at David. Even then, it's like he's hardly there. I mean, he is there physically, but I can't--- my mind is wrapped around Kale.
The mysterious Kale...
"Stella, what happened to you?" David looks at me, a little too shocked. His eyes widen, and he takes a nervous step backwards, bumping loudly into the bookshelf behind him. I frown. "What---" Then I look at myself.
Great. It happened again. Just as I thought I had mustered the art of controlling---
My face had lit up, Literally glowing, a pale luminescent yellow light, enfulging me. For a moment, I stand, shocked at myself, at the situation, as I take in my mistake. Too late, I realize I had set myself off again--- right in front of David. Hastily, I extinguish the light. I dare not look David in the eyes. OK, now where could I go to hide? I just got here yesterday, now that I'm rekindling so soon... how... I can't think straight. I feel tears rise up in my eyes, blinding my sight. I choke back a sob.
How stupid you are, Stella. You rekindled again. You haven't done that since---
I wipe away the tears and cough. David still stares at me, his eyes open in shock, his mouth hanging agape, as he probably thinks I'm a freak... they all did...
"Stella Starre... did you just... light up?" David finally found his voice. After my glow died down, he didin't seem to repel me, as scared as he might be at the moment.
I close my eyes. Please don't hate me, don't throw me out again...
I open my eyes, and to my surprise, I find David grinning at me.
"That--- that was some bright stuff... star!"
I blink. "I don't get it! How come you aren't running away from me, screaming 'Alien in the house?'" I fire at him.
He raises his palms. "Hey! Freaky? That was awesome cool! How... What...?" Now he's the one with the questions. I press my palm against my forehead. "David." I say in a warning tone. "Please." I find the sudden courage to look into his eyes. "Please don't---"
"Don't tell anyone?" David grins." Course, Star! You really did brighten this place up!"
I choke back an annoyed remark. "i'm not joking! You really can't let anyone know about this..." I glance around furtively, as if anyone else might be listening in on our conversation. "Not a word... do you hear me, David? You don't breathe a word..."
"Hey, heay!" David touches my shoulder. "Steady, calm down star! After what you just displayed? D'you really think anyone'd believe me? Of course I won't tell a soul."
I flailed in his grasp. I still couldn't shake off that terrified feeling... also... Kale...
"Whoa... steady, Stella." David lowers his voice, trying to calm me down. I must have on my crazy look, all wide-eyed and looking mad... "No one's going to know about this," he assures me, calmly patting my back. I feel myself relax just the tiniest under his comforting words. Staring into his honey brown eyes, I feel a surge of confidence. Yeah. This guy really means his words.
"I promise."
I don't know how long we stayed like that, him with both arms on my shoulders, gazing down at me, his eyes promising way more than we could handle, and with me shaky, under his comfort, trying to believe that this won't turn out like all those other times...
... when I had to run away...
I shudder, and slip off from David's grasp. "I--- It's--- I'm fine." I stammer, daring him to contradict me.
Instead, David straightens, resuming his cool and in control look. "Alright. I believe you."
I run my fingers through my hair. "Good." I take a peek from the niche of the bookshelves.
"But---" David starts. I immediately whip around. I groan. I guess I knew there's always a catch to every good deed, every promise.
"I know. You want explanations, and answers and all of that..." I sigh as David nods.
"If--- you know, you don't mind sharing..." David hesitates.
I'm touched by his concern for me, and by his respect that I have the right to withhold any information about my out of the ordinary show of light. Anyone else... okay. Everybody else had immediately demanded an answer and an hour later, everyone else started to run away from me...
I take a deep breath, wrestling with my mind. Should I tell him? My intuitional feelings tell me one way, my logical instincts direct me another way.
"I--- I'll tell you when I feel like it." Finally, I give him an answer. I cringe, waiting for his response. Instead he shrugs. "Fine with me. Take your time, Star. As long as you feel it. But..." He stares softly at me. I feel my face heat up. I want to look in another direction, but to my annoyance, I find that I could not look away from this boy. Some invisible force pulls me to stare back at him, into his inviting eyes.
"Yes?" I whisper.
"Sometimes, it's better to share your troubles. Hugging something big like that to yourself... you aren't doing yourself a favour."
"So you are asking me to open up to... you?"
David flinches. Oops. I guess he thinks I mean he's not the right person I have in mind to open up to.
"I mean," I hurriedly add. "I will, one day, in my own time. But--- at the moment, I'm choosing not to." I stare dejectedly at my hands. "And... thanks for respecting my decisions."
"As long as you want... I'm cool with it." David smiles.
I return that smile, surprised that, for on
ce in my life, I'm placing so much trust in a guy whom I'd just met recently. But David seems trustable. He makes me feel that way about him. I'd guarded my secret along with my life for so long, and David... he's the very first person to make me feel different about keeping that secret buried. He even thinks it's cool!
"Well... now that you feel better, and now that you have a little information about those people... what say we go join them?" David nods at the direction of the little group outside our comfort niche. My stomach churned.
Kale. In all the happenings, I'd neglected him. If he really is Kale... the Kale... I wonder if he had anything to do with my rekindling...
David sensed my hesitation. "Come on... they aren't so bad. The misfits, the total drop-outs... well... you'll meet them all soon enough. They are just a few."
"Wait... if they are the misfits... why are you taking me---"
"Because," David cuts me off, a teasing smile on his face. "I so happen to be one of them."
My tongue feels dry. "So... I'm hanging out with you. What does that make me?"
David throws back his head and laughs. He squeezes out throughout the narrow bookcases, and holds out a hand to help me out. He pulls me through, and I stumble before letting him catch me.
"Crazy star, by being in Group Nine with up... you are officially a member of the least favoured group of the entire librarian organization." He informs me with a maniac grin.
"You know what---? This just about sounds like you are summing up my entire life here."
David smirks. "Cause I am. Librarians have cliches too. You so happen to be in the least favoured one. Congratulations, and welcome."
Before I could resist, he had dragged me halfway across the landing over to where the group of exciting looking misfits sit...
and also towards someone whom I had mixed feelings about meeting at the moment...
A/N: Hola! I'm back!!! Boy, does it feel good to sit in front of a computer and write again! I so enjoy being able to write stories!
And thank you all for the reads... 1.4K in such a short time? Thank you all!!! You all get my loveliest and warmest gratitude!