Page XXI - The Writer

She was eyeing on everything since this was the first time that she went here and she couldn't believe how huge it was. Several floors and its all empty. "Knowing his nature... I'm pretty sure this is a good place to read books seeing how its silent. But why is it that he went to the trouble to get in the music club?"

"W- w- welcome. Do you need something? Y- you've been there for a couple of minutes now..." A meek girl walked over to Anastasia covering the half of her face.

"Are you... Celaine Edelstein?"

"Y- yes! I'm Celaine. T- the librarian in this school... temporary..."

"Oh, good. I just wanted to ask some questions regarding on Theodore Payne."

"Ummm..." She began to look around trying to figure out what was going on.

"I'm part of the newspaper club, so there's nothing to worry about. We're just surveying people that has garnered the attention of our club."

"Oh! I- I see! P- please take a seat." Celaine led Anastasia to a nearby seat and they were across each other on the table.

Anastasia cleared her throat and began to talk, "So, Celaine, I just wanted to ask, who is Theodore Payne?"

"Uh... Uhm... Well, firstly... he likes books."

"Mhm. Continue."

"Well uh, he's a writer, and u-"

"Writer?" She began to flip on her notes again trying to find that information but nothing was there again.

"Y- yes. He's a writer but I haven't seen any of h- his works yet. B- but he gives me advice s- sometime about my wo- work so he's been really helpful!"

"I see... Alright, umm... What can you say about Theodore Payne?"

"Uhm... I think he's mysterious, incredibly silent and really enjoys reading. He's also cool and he looks really... good." Her face lit up with a blush and she instantly covered her face.

Anastasia had a wry smile on her face seeing how awkward she is. "Do you have any final thoughts on Theodore?"

"Uhm..." She lowered her book, "Well, I think he's socially awkward, b- b- but not as worse a- as m- mine! He hates talking to people and even though h- he hates it, he still talks to me. T- though most of the time I- I'm the one bringing up th- the subject since we're seatmates. B- but either way... Even though he hates it, he still does it. That's what I like about him."

Anastasia's eyes widened and turned into a sorrow smile. "Like huh? That's a big word."

"Ah wait! I- I didn't mean in that way! I- It's because T- Theodore is a really good friend to me."

"Hmmm..." Anastasia looked intently at Celaine as much as she wanted to tease her about it, she still needed some more information. "Thank you for your time Celaine. That's all I need for now."

"N- N- No problem!" She's still embarrassed about that 'like' part.

"Do you know any other people that may know Theodore?"

"Uhm... you can check Ms... Victoria..."

"Alright." She noticed that there's a hidden contempt on her tone of saying her name.

"You may also check his roommate. I don't know his name sorry... Or you can check out that woman from the basketball club... They m- must be childhood friends! I- I think... Since they were both listening to music one time."

"Do you know her name?"

"Uhmm... I think it was something about Gwynneth?"

"Oh. I know that person. Thanks Celaine for the information."

"N- no problem!"

They both waved goodbye at each other and she noticed that its already turning late so she could only do like two more interviews.

Anastasia hurried to the gymnasium and it seems that its the perfect time seeing how they're leaving and was about to take a rest.

She looked around trying to figure out where Gwynneth was. And just a few moments of looking around, she found her surrounded by her friends.

She waited for a while and they all bid farewell on Gwynneth and she didn't let this chance slip by. She rushed over, panting just a few meters away.

"Umm... Can I help you?" Gwynneth then reached out her hand to give Anastasia her bottled water.

"Uh, no- no thanks. Sorry. I just wanted to ask a few questions regarding Theodore Payne."

"Why?"

"Well, I'm from the newspaper club and I'm finding information on all of the new students."

"Hmm... I see. Alright, shoot. I don't have much time, so sorry but I gotta eat this while we're talking." Gwynneth sat down and opened up the boxed lunch and began to chow down on her food like no one was watching. "Sorry, sorry, continue. We only have a limited time to eat."

"Oh, of course. Of course. Well, first off, the biggest question, are you two childhood friends."

Gwynneth nearly choked on her food so she bashed her hands on her chest trying to gulp it down. After that, she was panting heavily and looked directly at Anastasia's eyes. "What!? That's so random. Of course not. That dude is like an emotionless prick. Doesn't even know how lucky he is to be meeting me. I don't even think about him either as an older brother or a younger one."

"Well, I apologize for that question. How did you meet and how was he?"

"Well, I was just playing some music under a tree and he just came by and listen. He was silent, so I wasn't bothered by his presence so I didn't drive him away. Once I finished, I talked to him and as I opened my mouth, that guy tried to leave. He's a weird guy. Interesting? Definitely. I don't know what's running in his mind but he seems to be that loner type."

"Gwen!!! Stretches! Our practice will start ten minutes from now!" Some girl in the distance shouted.

Gwynneth began to chow down even faster cleaning the lunch box within seconds. "I'll be there!" She then looked at Anastasia. "Sorry, I can't answer more. Duty calls."

"No problems! Thanks for answering." Anastasia stood up and then began to walk outside.

She began to think as she looked over the notes that she got from interviewing those other people. "Well... Gwynneth didn't give anything much... Victoria and Celaine were the best ones. It seems that he's pretty close with those two... Well then, the next one should be his roommate."