Myne

three

“So, where do we begin?” Emi asked.

They were inside the library. As large as it was, the library was quiet, in the truest sense of the word. The girls were no strangers to quiet rooms. The library at school was quiet. The classrooms were quiet when teachers gave them tests, and during exams. It was scary quiet during the exams. But this was much worse. The quiet was heavier. So much more real. Emi couldn’t keep away the shivers every time she walked in. And she felt so much odder when she was with Rain. Looking at how calm Rain was, was unnerving.

Rain, on the other hand, didn’t see Emi’s discomfort. She felt at ease in the library. As if the building was welcoming her. As if the books were singing for her, in greeting. As if the whole place celebrated her arrival in the warmest way possible. She was in a trance from the moment she took the first step in. In such a state, how could she spare a thought for her friend? That would have to wait a few minutes, until after Rain had calmed. Then, Rain answered the question.

“I’m not exactly sure. All I know, is that the book is here. And we find it. Since I can’t bring you along everyday, and since you were with me in the dream, it must be today.”

“Because I offered to come along, of my own accord?”

“Yeah. Because you offered.”

“But now you’ve told me. That doesn’t change things?”

“I don’t know. We were already here, before I told you. The dream had already been realised. At least the important part. The rest should be easy, too. Shouldn’t it?”

“I guess. You don’t remember how you find the book?”

“I didn’t see it. The dream began with the two of us sitting together. In the corner.”

“Your corner.”

“My corner.”

Rain’s corner was her favourite place, with her favourite chair. She read so much better in that corner. The chair was so much more comfortable than any other. Gamble, the librarian, assured her, and Emi, many times that the chairs were all the same. Rain believed his words. But she believed just as much what she felt. The air was cleaner too. It was warmer in winter, cooler in summer. And quieter when the rains lashed down. And the books were all so much better. As if she found the better books when she was heading to the corner. Gamble was certain it was a psychological thing. Rain didn’t argue. Maybe it was. Maybe it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Didn’t matter. Didn’t change anything. She enjoyed being there, reading in that corner, sitting in her favourite chair.

“I was in my chair,” Rain continued. “And you were right next to me. I held the book open between us. And we were both reading the book. It was so green in my hands. Practically shining. And your eyes were glowing. You wouldn’t stop grinning. And you were looking at me as much as at the book. I think more at me. But that’s just you. When was a book prettier than me, in your eyes.”

“You’re right about that,” Emi said without a hint of embarrassment. “How can a book, any book, compare to my darling.”

Rain giggled. Emi put her hand around Rain’s shoulders, pulled Rain close, so close that she seemed to be hugging Rain. And whispered into Rain’s ear.

“So, we just walk in? And the book will show itself?”

“We just walk in,” Rain repeated. “And the book will show itself.”

“Okay.”

Emi shrugged. Her arm still around Rain’s shoulders, she followed Rain in. There weren’t a lot of readers today. It was winter. It was cold. And it was early. There weren’t many who were as excited as Rain. They walked in. Greeted Gamble, who was sitting behind his table, with a nod and a smile. The greeting was returned in kind. And they walked deeper in. They walked down a couple of aisles, her eyes following Rain’s, staring at the books on the shelves in passing. Into the fourth, Rain came to a stop. Emi looked at where Rain was looking. The spines of the books stared back at them. All ordinary. Nothing special about any.

In Rain’s eyes, however, was a very different picture. There was one book on the middle shelf, one spine, that was different from the rest. It was green. But it was far from the only book with a green cover in the library. It was, however, the only green book that glowed.

“This is it,” Rain said. Her eyes were glowing green.

Emi couldn’t see the book. But she did see the green glow in Rain’s eyes. It was a dazzling sight. So beautiful. Stunning. So dreamy. So exciting.

“Where?” Emi asked.

Rain pointed with her chin. “Right there,” she said. “We’re right in front of it. You can’t see?” Rain didn’t look away, afraid she would lose the book, and then it would another year before she found it. And so, she had to imagine Emi’s look from the tone and the voice.

“No,” Emi said. “I don’t see it. I can see it in your eyes. Do you know how green your eyes are right now? Like book is reflected in your eyes. And it’s painting your eyes, and your face, green. I don’t doubt it anymore. Not one bit. The green book is real alright.”

“I told you,” Rain said.

“Yeah. You did. I shouldn’t have doubted you. What are you waiting for? Grab the book. Let’s head to your corner. We should be reading it already.”

“Yeah, we should,” Rain agreed.

Rain pulled out a book from the shelf. Only when it was in her hand, could Emi finally see it. It was a green book alright, just like Rain described it. But it didn’t glow. And in Emi’s eyes, it was the strangest sight. The book was just a regular green book in Rain’s hand. But Rain’s eyes were shining green, and Rain’s face had a green hue, as if Rain was staring at something that shone bright green from near. Despite the many years of living with Rain’s strangeness, despite having accepted everything about Rain, Emi was still discomfited. It was most definitely eerie. Certainly made Emi not want to reach for the book.

They walked to the corner. Sat in their chairs. Rain in hers. Emi in the one next to it, after pulling the chair close, and doing so while making little more noise than a faint dragging. Rain stood the book on the arm of her chair, between her and Emi. She looked at Emi. Shared a smile. And a nod. And opened the book.