Part One: Too Much Free Time
“The library? Again?”
I nodded, triple checking my bag and staring at my three other class binders, contemplating whether or not I should take them.
“Girl, you are such a stereotypical Asian, always studying. You already have straight A’s, what’s the rush?”
I shrugged.
“Is it because of your parents? In my Sociology class, we got into this discussion about how Asian families are heavily honor based – “
I rolled my eyes. “Diane, you know my parents aren’t like that. They named me River for goodness sakes.”
“I know, but still, it’s unnatural. It’s your freshmen year! It’s easy now, so why are you stressin’?”
I shrugged again.
“Maybe you have too much free time. You know, Tyler has been coming by here a lot. To copy my notes, apparently, but whenver he’s here – “
“Diane, you know that’s because he’s hoping you’d dump your boyfriend for him, right? Or that he just wants to get in your pants, whatever happens first.”
“Well, you didn’t have to say it out loud.”
I slung my messenger bag over my shoulder. “I have my cell phone on me, if you need anything.”
And I was out.
One of the benefits of going to a rather prestigious university is that they always have an extensive library. Any book I could possibly want to read or need for research they have. All coupled with the hushed atmosphere that’s ideal for studying.
I made a beeline for the window seats, one in particular. The one in the corner with windows on two sides and the big oak tree in front, my favorite and my normal seat.
And damn. It was taken.
I settled for the other corner window seat. The one facing the main road. It still had a good view; the road was lined with Mom-and-Pop cafes filled with univeristy students. But still, not as good as the oak tree. Especially in late fall.
The library was unusually quiet for a Saturday afternoon. The window seats were normally filled with students, the main foyer filled with the quiet rustling of study groups and tutors. But today was different. It was nice.
As I passed my usual seat to go to the seat on the far end, I glanced at my seat’s occupant. I didn’t get much from the hunched figure, except that it was a guy who had dark hair and wore glasses. And he was studying organic chemistry, judging by the diagrams in his book.
Which reminds me. I have a quiz in that course Monday on Chapter 4.
I came across a term I didn’t know about halfway through reading the chapter again. I skimmed my notes, finding a bullet point of information on the subject.
Time to peruse the shelves.
I glanced at the guy in my seat. He didn’t seem like the type to steal, plus he was so engrossed in his reading that he probably didn’t even notice that I came in. But still, I took my notebook with me anyway. I had already forgotten what I needed to look up.
I ran my fingers across the spines of the books, pausing on a title that looked promising. I was startled as another hand made to take the same book as I started to take it out.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t see you.”
I looked up at the other person.
It was the guy who was in my seat. He had the same color hair and glasses.
He looked at me with a curious expression, his eyes full of confusion.
We spoke at the same time.
“You took my window seat.”
“Aren’t you in my organic chem class?”
I blinked. He blinked. We spoke at the same time again.
“Downing’s 10:15?”
“The oak tree one?”
Again, synchronization.
“Yeah.”
He stared at me, his expression still curious.
I picked the book off the shelf, breaking his gaze. “Did you need this?”
He looked at it.
“Oh. Yeah. Unless you need it?”
“No, I can find another book.”
He took the book from me, and I went back to perusing the shelves.
His footsteps were muffled, I heard them now since I wasn’t as engrossed in picking out a book. The slow cadence suddenly stopped as he turned back to face me.
“My name’s Aiden, by the way.”
I picked two promising looking books off the shelf and didn’t answer.
