Chapter 3: Unexpected Encounter
"Annoying!" I muttered while running, and also trying my best to avoid people who aren't looking on their way. My class ended and I wanted to eat peacefully in the cafeteria but this devil was waiting for me outside. Good thing that some girls distracted him while I used Cloede as a shield but I ended up losing her by the fountain. "Can you stop?"
"Stop running then!"
We both halted, catching our breaths. I estimated that he is a meter away from me and I have two escape routes possible if ever he harass me. On the left is the library while on my right is the chapel.
"You should be grateful that I asked you out," he smugly said, "Don't be such a hard quest, Gayle. You owe me."
"How do you even know my name?" I ask.
"I have connections," he shrugged, "Who wouldn't know you? Some guys in our department has a crush on you but you're the infamous heartbreaker."
"What?" my forehead creased, "I don't recall talking to guys like you!"
"Vanisse!" someone called. That's my cue to run for my life, I headed to the library. Swiftly tiptoed my way to the back and stumbled. Oh my goodness! The guy below me is no other than that guy's friend. I moved away from him and hid behind the pile of books. He had a weird look on me when he slowly got up.
"Have you seen someone run here?" Vanisse asked his friend when he arrived.
He acted like nothing happened and looked at my direction, I shook my head fast for a sign to not tell him. It seemed that he got what it means so he changed the topic. "Why are you looking for her?"
"Remember the girl I was talking to when you were about to leave last night?" Vanisse recalled, "She's Gayle Rueco and I helped her with something. It's appropriate to ask something in return since I don't do things for free, right?"
"I don't know," the other guy shrugged, "I'm not the one aspiring to become a lawyer here."
"Alright, smart pants." he raised his arms as if he surrendered, "I'm planning to go to the cafeteria right now. Leanne asked me to, do you want to tag along?"
"Pass." he abruptly answered.
"Don't read too much, books will hurt your eyes." he playfully warned his friend before leaving. I know his name but I can't say it since he wasn't the one who introduced himself to me.
I sighed in relief and stood where I was located while brushing off the dust from my clothes. "Thank you for saving my life."
"You're exaggerating," he remarks, "He's not wrong though, you owe him for helping you so why are you running away and hiding from him?"
"Your friend's insane," I blurted, "I have to properly thank him, yes, that is true. But he asked me out on a date. Who would accept that kind of exchange?"
He showed me his amused smile and didn't bother answering me. His eyes already focused on the book he was holding. Seeing him like this, makes me feel something different. I can't believe how unnerved I am when his sight was on me, he has nice-looking eyes, the kind you just drown in. Jet-black hair that falls across his eyes, glasses that perfectly fit his face structure, and pinkish lips that probably tastes like strawberries. He's like the guy I've read on books before except for they rarely show interest in books because their main task is wooing ladies.
"Do you need anything else?" his question brought me back to my consciousness.
"N-no." I said, trying to hide my embarrassment, "Thanks again."
That unexpected encounter made my knees weak and I usually daydream about him during breaks. Cloede noticed it as well and so she started prying, "You're acting weird, did something happen?"
"Nothing." I answered her with my defensive tone, "Did you start making your plates?"
"Look at you," she mischievously smiled, "Trying to change the topic, eh? That ain't gonna work on me, Rueco. What's the real deal? Answer it already or I'll keep on pestering you."
"Aren't you tired? You've been doing it for five years now." I rolled my eyes, "That Vanisse guy, he has a friend. I met him way back in the library and encountered him again today, I stumbled and we were in a very awkward position."
"How awkward?" she bit her lip, trying not to squeal.
"Peanut butter and bread? I was on top of him."
She couldn't contain herself and silently squealed like a small hamster not getting food, "And then what?"
"That's it." I shrugged.
She pouted, "No kiss?"
My eyes widened with her sudden question, she didn't whisper so some girls looked at our direction. I gently slapped her leg, "You're too loud, Cloede. People might think differently."
"Since when did you start thinking about other people?" she rolled her eyes, "Be like Sierra, it's okay to do naughty things with guys in public and not minding the people that surrounds them."
"It's not like that!" I scowled at her.
My mind involuntary drifts back to the scene at the library every single time I'm not occupied with something to do. To shake my mind off it, I carried the box filled with books to the bookstore. Mr. Pete is the usual him, all smiles and glimmering eyes. "What do you got there?"
"These are the books that I bought before, Mr. Pete." I placed it on top of his desk.
He opened the box, his forehead creased, "Are you returning it or reselling it?"
"I'm going to give it back to its owner." I bravely said. I contemplated on the way here since it'll be such a waste to give it back to the owner without asking something in return. The notes bothered me, if he's trying to convey something to a woman he loves, why not give it to her?
"But why?" his forehead creased even more.
I opened a few books to its first page and showed him, he fixed his glasses to look and read. "The handwriting is the same and also the initials. Every book has a note and it's like a love letter that can't get through."
"And you plan to help its owner?"
I answered without thinking twice, "Yes."
A smile plastered on his face like he was a proud grandfather, "Alright. I'll try to look into it and search for its owner. Do your part as well, Gayle." Mr. Pete took something from the drawer and handed it to me, "This is the list of the owners from last year. There are some useless information there but let's do our best to slowly complete the puzzle."
"Aye, Mr. Pete!"
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