The Library

Two more weeks left, and the exams will start, yet I still haven't caught up with my classes yet. Today is Friday, and since it is Friday, we have our early dismissal. I already messaged Ms. Ava regarding my absence from today's shift. I explained that I have upcoming exams, so I need to study for them. She sent a good luck GIF and told me not to worry.

I think I should drop by at the cafe tomorrow morning to at least help for an hour or two before heading out to study again.

It's our lunchtime right now, and we are at our usual table in the cafeteria. Kate and Jane were talking about having an overnight to prepare for the exams. Valerie chimed in, saying that she will get an in-house masseuse and someone to do their hair and nails. That doesn't really sound like a study night out.

"You're coming, right, Lu?" Valerie asked when she noticed I was silent the entire time they were planning. I smiled before answering.

"I can't. I promise Grandfather that I will do well this year." Mentioning Grandfather would be a quick escape. They do know well that I cannot, ever, defy him because his word is absolute.

"Sucks to have a grandfather like yours, Lu," Kate said in pity.

"I know, right. I wish I just have the same freedom as you, Kate," I said, patting her head the way I know she likes. Jane, Kate, and I laughed, but Valerie didn't.

"What's the matter, Val?" I asked, looking at her with concern.

"Nothing," she said, taking a bite from her plate.

I shrugged and continued eating. I looked around the cafeteria, hoping to see another familiar face in the crowd but ended up disappointed for not seeing him.

"Is he on the rooftop?" I thought. I shook my head and focused on what's right in front of me, and these are the girls. I should just enjoy my present rather than looking for something or someone that isn't there.

Professors are hardcore assholes. They know that exams are just around the corner, but they are swamping us with tons of assignments like research papers. The worst thing is that it's individual.

Goddamn! I really don't have any time to slack off.

The bell rang for dismissal, and I hurriedly got out of the room before the girls can even try to block me. I walk to the bus stop, subconsciously looking from left to right and vice versa.

"Luna! Get the hang of yourself," I said, slapping my cheeks hard to wake me up to my reality.

Maybe I just got used to him being always by my side that my body moves on its own looking for him.

Yeah, I guess that's it.

The moment that he asked me to go out on a date with him is still stuck on my mind. It keeps on repeating. Why didn't I say no, right at that moment? I should have said no. I have no interest in him. He's not even my type. But why the heck does my heart race every time he is near? I don't understand at all.

I snapped back to reality when the bus driver honked and asked me if I'm gonna ride. I stood up and scanned my phone, then took a seat at my usual spot.

The city is as usual polluted as it can be. However, still, I love how beautiful the sun hits the buildings and creates these beautiful landscapes of the architecture.

I've always found beauty in everything despite the fact that the world has messed it all up because of our apathetic culture. I sometimes wish there is still that paradise place where no pollution or chaos has touched it, but it would be impossible.

I pressed the button for my stop and hopped off the bus. For the very first time in my life, I am stepping into the city's library.

I have never been to such places like this before. Hell, I never even imagined I would come to this place to study at all.

I looked at my phone's contact to try and see if I have Nate's number. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, but that's not it. I know that I said "I'll manage" when he offered me to help with the exams, but I just didn't realize how difficult the lessons would be. I do regret avoiding him, but sometimes I can't help it. I don't feel like myself around him.

I need a tutor, for goodness sake! I am in a library, but I am in no way studious that could understand the textbook by just reading through it. I need someone to teach me these kinds of stuff. Now, I regret not listening through classes in my previous years. Yet, I am disappointed because I didn't even have his number on my phone.

After everything, I haven't asked for his digits? Dummy me.

I shook my head in frustration and disappointment, but I can't do anything about it. I am already here, after all, so I gotta do what I can do.

I look for a place where there's little to no distraction and, of course, no one to recognize me. I found a small table by the back hallway of the second floor of the library. I had to go through many shelves containing lots of books, from non-fiction to fiction, before finding the right spot. It was the perfect hiding place.

I prepared all the things I needed to study—my phone, earphones, notebook, textbooks, highlighters, and a pen.

The first thing on my list is Algebra. Oh god! I want this to be the last one, but I probably will need more time to understand this.

"Let's do this," I said, trying to motivate myself.

An hour has gone by, and I have been scratching my head in frustration because I really don't get any shit at all!

"Argghh!!"

The people by the shelves shushed me, and I lowered my head in embarrassment for disturbing them.

"How the hell did this x turn out to be a hundred?" I whispered to myself while circling the textbook for the nth time.

"Maybe I could help?" someone said behind my back who's head is just a few centimeters away, looking at my textbook.

"Excuse me? Mind your own business," I said in anger and pushed him to the ground.

He fell, and the pain was seen across his face, but he laughed it off then stood up.

"I'm sorry if I have startled you. I didn't mean to pry, but I have been observing you for thirty minutes now, and well, you caught my attention, and so I thought it would be kind of me to offer my help," he explained, showing his ID.

His name is Lucas Gregory Young. A freshman in a college university. So, he's older than me? He's tall and has a fair complexion. His eyes were cold oceanic blue but not his personality. Totally opposite! His hair is chestnut brown that's parted on the right side. His lips were small but naturally tinted in light pink. He sure is a hottie!

"And you are?" he said, extending his arm for a handshake.

"Name's Selene," I said, reaching out to respond to his greetings.

"Selene?"

"Just Selene," I said fiercely.

"Haha, okay. Okay! No need to be so grumpy. Hello, 'just Selene.' I'm Lucas, but people call me Luc. Do you want my help to explain that?" he said, pointing to my textbook.

As much as I want to brush him off, I really need someone to teach me, so I nod in embarrassment.

"Okay, but you will treat me to a dinner or coffee as payment. Deal?" he said slyly.

"You're smooth," I said, eyeing him intensely. He just giggled at my comment.

"Fine. The deal," I said.

He slid the chair in front of me to sit and took my book to read. I sat there looking at him. He seems familiar, but I can't pinpoint where I've seen him.

"Have we met before?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Nope," he said, emphasizing the 'p.'

After that, he started teaching me the topic.

I opened my eyes and checked the time. Damn! It's already 9PM. I looked up to say sorry to Lucas, but he's not there. It was a can of cold coffee and sandwich that greeted me with a note.

The note says, "Sorry! I had to go somewhere else. It was fun meeting you. I hoped to meet you again. Here's a token for your hard work."

Somehow, the note painted a smile on my face knowing that someone is supporting me and knows how I am doing my best to study. I can't really boast such things now, can I?

I flipped the paper, thinking that maybe he left another note because he does give off a mischievous personality, and I was right.

It says, "PS: If one day we meet again, maybe the universe is telling us that we belong to one another."

I laughed at his remark. Good thing there weren't many people around anymore. He's such a smooth talker.

I packed my things and went home for the night.

I woke up early to hopefully avoid bumping into mom by the living room. I wore a casual look - a black crop top and black skinny flare trousers. I tied my hair up and put on very light makeup since I'm not really gonna do anything relaxing today.

Soon as I walked out of my room, mom was already waiting by the door.

"What?" I groaned.

"Give me some money," she said, handing her hand out begging for cash.

"What for?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"None of your business," she said.

"Then, don't expect me to give even a penny to you. I'm saving it because I think I am only the responsible one in this apartment, which looks after our necessities," I said, walking away from her. Suddenly, I felt my hair being pulled.

"MOM!" I shouted in agony.

"How dare you disrespect your mother like this?" she said, still pulling my hair. I tried to reach her arm to break away. Luckily, I was able to.

"Stop it, Mom! You know how sick and tired I am with our life right now? Can you please, for once, be in the right mind? I know I'm an adult now, even if I don't want to, but I don't have a choice, but please, I can't do this alone. I need my mother back! I need her. Not this woman I no longer recognize," I said, crying in tears.

"Please, mom. Stop this nonsense. If dad sees you again like this…" I stopped and just left the apartment straight away. I can't stand being in the same room with mom. It just hurts every single time. I'm too furious with her, but at the same time, I am also with myself.

Today is Saturday, and there's not much to do except to study all day for the exams. I still have no idea how to contact Nate to help me study with exams, so I guess I will be staying again in the library and doing my best to study alone. I really should learn how to study… alone.

Anyway, before going to the library, I wanted to stop by the cafe first and help for an hour of work. At least this way, I could work for the absence I filed yesterday.

It was still early, so I arrived just right before the opening time of the cafe. Ms. Ava was surprised to see me.

"Selene, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Oh, I still have time before the library opens, so I thought to drop by and work for a while," I said. She smiled and greeted me on a good morning.

"Have you eaten?" she asked, and I responded by shaking my head left to right.

"Well, go get yourself some fresh bread and a cup of coffee. We still aren't going to open till five more minutes, so take your time and have breakfast. You don't want to study with an empty stomach," she said.

Ms. Ava is really a sweet one, yet I don't see why she is still not married. She always asks me about my family, but now that I think of it, I don't know much about her.

I'm in the staff room eating my sandwich while Ms. Ava was undressing her casual clothes to change to our uniform.

"Ms. Ava?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask? I don't mind if you don't want to answer, but I'm curious. Why aren't you married yet? I mean, you're beautiful, smart, and sweet. I'm sure a lot of men are asking you for marriage," I said.

She laughed but answered, "Well, I made a promise that I will put my happiness behind me and find someone. Unless I find that person, I don't want to commit to any man."

"A promise?" I said.

"Yes. A promise. Now, finish your food and prepare yourself for the opening of the cafe," Ms. Ava said, finishing the tie on her apron. I nodded in response and hurriedly finished my food.

Since it is morning, many people are coming in to take their breakfast and morning calls. We are usually greeted with business professionals having their meetings. Sometimes, students want to get started their day with a shot of caffeine.

As usual, I was serving tables. The door chimed, and I turned around to greet the customer who just came in. There were two males in front of me.

"Good day! Welcome to our cafe. Please sit right here," I said, pointing them to the vacant table.

I looked up to the customers once again and saw yet another familiar face.

"Well, I guess I am right. The universe is truly telling me we are meant to be together," the guy with the hat and gray hoodie said.

"What?" I said in confusion. His friend also looked at him bewildered. I heard him laugh, and then he took off his hoodie and hat. My jaw dropped in surprise.

"Lucas?" I said.

"Hi there, Selene!" he said with a wide smile on his face.

"You know her?" his friend nudged him by his shoulder.

"Yeah. This is my third time seeing her," Luc said.

"Third? But we only met yesterday at the library," I said, again… confused.

"Oh right," he said, trying to shrug off the topic we are discussing.

They both sat at the table I suggested and gave them both the menu. Lucas introduced me to his college buddy whose name is Ian Cruz. They are both in the same course studying engineering—no wonder he was so good at teaching me Algebra.

After two hours of working, I told Ms. Ava that I have to leave to study at the library. She was fine with it and encouraged me to do well for the exams. I smiled back and hurriedly went to the staff room to change. After that, I left the cafe through the staff room's back door.

"Hi, there! Going to the library?" Lucas said, which took me by surprise.

"How? Why? What?" I said in shock. Normally, it's a different guy who's waiting here for me.

"Haha! Why are we always in shock when we bump into one another? I asked if you're going to the library now?" he said.

"Ah y-yes! I am going to the l-library to study," I said, stammering.

"Okay, let's go," he said, walking towards the streets.

"You sure are one nosy person," I said.

"Well, I find you very interesting, Ms. Selene!" he said, turning to look at me then smiled. I smiled and shook my head.

"Whatever," I said.

Lucas and I were exchanging talks about how college life has been for him. I didn't want to share about mine, so I kept on asking about his experience. He was an open-book type of person. I enjoyed talking with him. We passed by a pharmacy on our way to the bus station when I saw someone familiar.

"Oh, could you just wait for a minute?" I said, stopping Lucas's tracks.

"Huh? Uhmm… okay?" he said, confused by my request.

I went inside to confirm if who I saw was the right person that I had in mind.

I looked around and saw the same person just a few minutes ago. I walked up to her and tapped her by the shoulder. She looked at me, and I was right! It was Nate's aunt.

"Hello, Ma'am! I'm not sure if you remember me, but I'm Nate's classmate. I was wondering if--"

"Oh, thank the heavens that I ran to you! Nate's in trouble..." she said. She was still explaining, but I turned around and left the pharmacy.

My face turned sour with her remark. I walked up to Lucas. I didn't understand what I felt when I heard her say that he's in trouble.

"Lucas, I'm sorry. I have to go," I said, leaving him behind and then called for a cab.