The Library Admirer

I've always thought of first meets. From something so cute to something so ridiculous.

I'm sitting in the library, two of my siblings reading books quietly. A baby in her carseat on the floor in front of me sleeping.

A book in my hand. Recommended to me by a friend.

The continuous pings from my phone. Probably from that friend.

It's so quiet, kids are still in school. Perfect timing for the library.

Just a few pages in and I'm already engrossed.

I continued to flip the pages, reading each word, a small smile placed on my lips.

I look up when I hear talking and watch a kid run past. Along with a mother and a guy around my age.

A baseball cap turned backwards. Brown hair sticking out. Wearing shorts and a hoodie. Typical for this chilly weather.

I watch the family with interest, there's no one else here so why not? They keep talking to each other quietly. And I'm not nosy enough to piece out what they're saying.

Then my heart flutters.

Right as he looks at me.

I feel so embarrassed for watching them.

Light blue eyes that contrast from his dark hair and skin.

So shy all of a sudden, I tap my foot on the ground a little.

And it feels like forever till he looks away, walking past with his mother.

I can't help but smile a little as I look down back at my book.

My heart skips nervously and I nearly forget everything.

I can't get the color of his eyes out of my mind.

My phone buzzes and I pick it up, reading the message.

Jules: How's the book?

The book was the last thing on my mind.

I type back a message and hit send. Then I slowly start to type another one.

"Saw a cute guy today..." before deleting it. Shaking my head I set my phone down and go back to the book that lays on my lap forgotten.

Not long after I find myself looking around for that guy. He's over looking at books with his brother.

I wish that I wasn't shy enough to be able to go talk to him.

Then again, I don't think any person in their right minds would do that.

I sigh and pick the book up, before glancing at that sleeping baby.

If only there was a way.

Maybe I could go and pick up a book from there.

But then, he might not have looked at me. I might've imagined that.

I run my hand over the pink cover of a lady. A pretty one. It doesn't show her whole face, but just her smile.

I might be romanticising it too much after reading about two people falling in love at first sight.

I hear my siblings talking to each other yet their words make no sense to me.

He must be thinking that i'm their mother.

I bite my lip and open the book again.

My phone buzzes and I check it.

As I hit send, I see him walk by. Closer. And my heart flutters anxiously.

What in the world? I frown.

Don't over think. Don't over think. I repeat continuously in my head.

His little brother runs past too and I fear that maybe they're leaving already.

I flip the page needing to start reading it again as I notice him go by again. And just like that, my breath catches.

I need help. I'm imagining things. After all this is a library. Of course he can walk around if he wants.

I glance up and catch him looking at me.

My cheeks heat and I don't know whether to look away or smile.

My siblings are right here yet I don't move. Too nervous to do so.

I see his cheeks pinken which makes mine flush.

I'm playing with the edge of the paper in the book.

My phone pings and I look away to glance at it.

I type back another message and set it down before looking up.

But he's gone.

My heart drops as I see his back right before he walks down the stairs.

It was my imagination after all.

Sighing, I open the book once more and decide to not get distracted again.

But I can't stop thinking about him.

Focus. I furrow my brows and try hard to pay attention to the story.

My mom sends me a message telling me that she's here and I get up to leave.

Packing everything up, we head downstairs towards the parking lot.

My siblings go first as I go to put the book back in the store.

That's when i'm stopped by one of the librarians.

"I've been told to give this to a girl with dark hair and who's wearing a red sweater. You're the only girl I've seen today, so here you are!" she hands me a card that I take slowly.

What in the world is going on?

"I was almost told that you can keep the book. It was already paid for at our sale."

I stare at her, panicked. Holding the card, book, and carseat in my arms. In the library. Alone. Where were my parents when you needed them?

"Th-thank you." I stammer, my cheeks flushing as I look away.

I can't look people in the eyes. Always too shy.

"W-who was it by?" I ask quietly, tracing the book.

"I didn't catch the name. But I'm guessing from a friend or a "secret" admirier." she winks at me before walking away.

I'm too scared to walk out. What if they're waiting? What if it was one of the older people who watched me as I contisouly came up and down the stairs to find a book?

My phone vibrates again and I leave the building with a sigh.

I open the door and put the baby inside, my thoughts whirling.

I feel the hairs on my neck stand as I go to open the passenger door.

Glancing around nervously I stop when I see him.

Standing on the other side about to go into the car.

He smiles at me. Just slightly.

And gives me a wave.

I fear that I'm going to faint.

I didn't imagine anything.

Getting into the car I barely hear my mom talking. I can't stop thinking about him.

I look at the letter and curiosity kills me.

Slowly, I begin to open it.

Please don't be bad. Please don't be bad. I squeeze my eyes shut nervously before opening them again.

'I know we're strangers, but I wanted to say that you have a lovely smile. And I was too nervous to tell you. Enjoy the book.

~ Carson. A.'

My smile widens a little as I look at the card.