Later that day, I headed toward the library for some well-needed quiet time.
A silent refuge to block all distractions.
The expansive library was surrounded by sturdy wooden shelves that held a collection of adventurous tales, passages from different worlds, and the latest sci-fi novel.
The aged hardwood had a sense of wisdom, like that of the trees they'd once grown. A tinted burgundy banner draped down the walls, proudly displaying the school's crescent emblem.
Two girls were chatting quite loudly at another table.
"Did you see that photo I posted last night? It totally broke 700 likes in an hour!"
"Oh my gosh, really?" The second replied. "Which one? At the beach or the party?"
"The dance outfit," she answered. "Everyone kept commenting on it! They were like 'total vibe' and 'you're a queen!'"
"Loved the caption, by the way, so clever!"
"Ugh, yeah, but did you see that guy trying to hit on me at the party? Like, I kinda felt bad for him. Poor guy, like he'd ever have a chance with me."
"Oh my gosh, Arisan, burn!" the girl with twin braids laughed. "That is so funny!"
"I know, so I was like…"
This is a library!
I mentally muted their conversation, sinking back to face my work.
Had to get started somewhere. Even if I couldn't work on every slide, it didn't hurt to see our current progress.
I sat quietly, deeply absorbed in the laptop's screen. I could have focused on the title slide without interruptions, but someone decided to interrupt my focus!
The conversation stopped, and suddenly, the footsteps got closer. I didn't have to turn. It was her, alright. So much for peace and silence…
Uh, no, here she comes…
"Hey, hey!" A cheerful voice rang out.
It belonged to the girl with lilac curls and bright burgundy eyes. She was from class and had been sitting at the other table.
Arisa Mayase.
Apparently, she was quite popular, known for her elegant charm. But we rarely spoke. As far as it went, we were practically strangers. So it was a wonder why she'd waste her time with someone like me.
"...Shhh, keep it down, will you? We're in a library!" I uttered in frustration.
I couldn't help but notice she was the first and only visitor at my table. Hopefully, her uninvited presence wouldn't draw any unnecessary attention.
Though considering my guest, that was a foolish thought.
Why was she here? Did her friends already leave or something?
But they were just talking minutes ago…
"Mind if I take a seat?"
I gazed over, she didn't even wait for an answer before pulling a chair beside mine.
"No, not at all…" I mumbled, scooting over as she made space for herself.
"By the way, I was just wondering."
"You're so shy in class, right? Why is that?" she pondered, resting her hands on her chin. "Are you some kind of silent genius or something?"
I tensed at the unwarranted compliment. She leaned closer.
Damn it! I can't concentrate if she's this close!
"T-thanks, I guess? M-mayase!" I replied. "But I wouldn't say genius… more like distantly observant?"
She laughed as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.
"That is so funny!" she said, brushing her curl back with a smile. "You don't have to be so formal, just call me Arisa, okay?~"
Well, that's certainly strange.
"O-okay! If… if that's what you want, Ah-Arisa! I'm—"
"Okay, great!"
"See, I'm struggling with this whole project thing, and thought maybe you could help me out?"
Didn't even… acknowledge my name…
"Ah, the project…" I said, trying to mask my irritation. "You mean, the Presentation?"
"Wow, you really do know everything!" she beamed. "So, you can help?"
I hesitated, shaking my head. "Don't praise me for… that. Everyone in class knows about it."
"Look, I'd help, but I—uh, have my own work to handle. Now's not the best time. I'm looking for this bird. So, you'll—uh… have to wait a while."
"Please?" she begged. "It's just a little favor." She reached out and clasped my hand. "It's supposed to be this flower…"
Her hands were soft… so soft. Every word became muffled, impossible to decipher. My mind raced as I tried to think of anything besides the scent of her fragrant perfume.
"H-have you checked a garden, maybe? Might be there? I don't know…"
"If I were looking for some ordinary plant, I wouldn't need your help! It's a special flower! It only grows under set conditions!"
"I was only offering a suggestion…"
I paused, considering her words. "But, if you have all that figured out… Then, I guess you don't really need my help."
She rolled her eyes. "Well, thank you, Mr. Obvious! I'll make sure to consult a local garden!"
Her attitude was really starting to grate my nerves. Why did she even ask for help if she was going to be so dismissive?!
Can I leave now, or would that be rude?
At this point, the exit option was increasingly appealing.
Guess I could… pretend to feel sick and excuse myself?
I made a show of clutching my stomach, covering my mouth.
"What's wrong? You look kinda queasy…"
"Ah…" Avoiding her gaze, I slowly pulled away. "It's nothing. Seems I must have eaten something bad. Guess, I'll just have to—"
"What about our project?!"
Our?
Since when did it become 'our' project?
"Have to go, sorry! Just got an urgent message from my phone!"
She frowned, unconvinced. "But, we're in the library? Wouldn't your phone be on silent if—?"
Shuffling reasons was not the right plan. I motioned for her to quiet down, not wanting to expose my blatant lie. "Emergency! No time to explain!"
She tightened her grip on my wrist, refusing to let go.
A few students gazed over and stared. It didn't help that she was being so dramatic!
"Why are you acting so nervous?"
"I promise it'll be easy," she said alluringly, loud enough for the others to hear.
I stepped back, bumping against the shelf.
"Hey, let go…" I whispered, trying not to draw attention to our compromising situation.
She started to tear up, her voice shaking. "But then, I'll be all alone… Don't you care about me?!"
"Hey, just hold on, okay?" I turned back, trapped against the shelf and the crowd's unnerving stares. "This is all just a big misunderstanding! Let's just calm—"
"No!"
"You promised you'd help me!" she trembled. "We don't have to do it here and now! We can do it at my place!"
My face burned at her choice of words, prompting looks of disapproval, disgust, and judgment.
"H-hey, keep it down! People are starting to get the wrong idea!"
My stomach churned as the crowd formed their own conclusions. I wanted to pull away, vanish, and disappear.
"Ughhh!" she groaned in anguish. "I don't have time for this! Someone like you should WANT to help me!"
My shoulders slumped in realization.
So that's how this is.
Someone who'd never spoken to me wanted my help?
I should've known it was too good to be true.
Now, she was upset and causing a scene. Was it all an effort to lead me to stay?
Didn't care enough to acknowledge my existence…
That thought alone was enough to make me boil.
"Hey, Arisa?" I muttered. "Not everything is about you…"
"Get. Off."
Her grip faltered as I stepped away. Eyes wide in shock, unable to believe I'd just rejected her.
Suddenly, her expression shifted, confusion replaced with frustration. "You're leaving?! But we haven't even finished our conversation!"
"Conversation?! It's obvious you don't care! You just want an easy way out of the assignment with your two-faced—!"
"I thought I could count on you…" She turned abruptly, slamming a fist on the table. "You know what? Since you're not going to help me, then I'll just leave!"
Despite my frustration, I felt I should say something—anything—to defuse the tension. "Listen—"
"No, you listen! I came all this way for what? For nothing?!"
"Look, this isn't the place to be arguing… Can't we, I don't know, discuss this somewhere else?" I suggested gingerly. "Yeah… Why don't we just talk this outs—?"
"I'll pass."
She looked over her shoulder in disdain. "Looks like you aren't as stupid as I thought. You're right, I don't care about you."
She turned towards the door, ready to leave. "It's too bad, really. You should've felt lucky. It's not every day I talk to filth."
I silently berated myself for having fallen for her setup. But for some reason or another, I couldn't shake the feeling this wasn't the last of her attempts.
I met her annoyed gaze with my own. "When you go, make sure not to attract an audience."
"And one more thing, Arisa…"
"Keep acting like that, and you'll end up in the bin yourself."