To Want You

67

So far, no one has approached us for eating in the library. I was starting to get suspicious when the librarian passed by. I mean. The burger wrappers were still there and so were the drinks. Speaking of drinks, I take a sip from mine. He seemed to have coincidentally pick my favorite drink.

Looking towards the direction of the man, I find him comfortable leaning back with a book in his hand. The title reveals the contents within.

Business and Success.

Even during his free time, all he thinks about is work. I let out a sigh and failed to realize it would capture his attention.

“You okay?”

I blink my eyes, drawing a smile across my lips. A rather forced one. “Yup.” I nod my head. “All good. What’s that you’re reading anyway?”

He shows you the cover. A man in a suit. “Business and success.” He voices the title. “A friend suggested I read it.”

“And the book is..” I wait for an answer.

“Informative. But mostly boring.” He says in all honesty. He places the book down and drinks from his beverage. Then my heart nearly jumps out the cavity of my chest when he suddenly reaches for my chosen pile of books. Taken the first one sitting at the top.

“Hold on-“ I attempt to block him but it’s already too late. He avoids my hand and pulls the book beside his head, giving me a seemingly playful look.

“Yes?” He says slowly, book still beside his head. My gaze flickers from his eyes to the hard cover stuck between his hand. And why does it feel like he’s playing around with me? Or teasing? Maybe I’m being delusional but it does feel like it.

Is he really playing with me right now?

“That book.” I point at the said item. “It’s not your taste.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because I know y- I mean.” I stop myself before I can say anything else. In the past, Abel held a great dislike for any genre that’s paranormal. Only because there are were so many informations that didn’t correspond with the way they are. I used to tease him a lot about it before. But now it’s a different case. “It’s childish. You said it yourself.”

“But that doesn’t mean I can’t give it a shot?”

“You’re right. But I bet you’ll still think it’s childish.” I say under my breath. Abel hums and opens the book. I stare at him, semi nervous but also looking forward to his reaction.

“You’re staring.” He says after a moment.

“No. I’m not.” I say almost casually. He looks up momentarily before cracking a chuckle. Much to my surprise. He’s amused isn’t he?

“If you say so. But this book.” As his gaze wanders the page, his eyebrows narrow down. “It’s about werewolves.”

I lean back, my motions showing that I expected that reaction from him. “See? I told you you’d hate it.”

“Hmm.” He flips the page. “It’s still too early to judge the book though.”

“I guess you’re right.” The words slip my lips. But I know he hates it. In the past, he made sure I knew how much he disliked books like that. I grab the burger and take a bite from it, enjoying the taste. Abel’s features remains neutral for the next thirty minutes. I returned to reading the book in my hand, deciding to remain unbothered by him reading one of the books I chose.

After a while however, he opens his mouth to mutter something under his breath. I look up, finding him now bothered.

“You’re staring.” He says.

“And you’re obviously not liking the book.”

“It’s just that. The werewolves here are all based on stereotypes. Unable to control themselves in a full moon?”

“Can they?”

He flickers his eyes to collide with mine and for some reason, it’s as if I was caught doing something I wasn’t suppose to do. I squirm a little in my seat and swallow a lump that had formed in my throat all of a sudden. I look away and clear my throat.

With a sigh, Abel closes the book and sets it aside. “How could I know?”

“You’re right.” I nod, still avoiding eye contact. “But it’s still an interesting book. If you ignore the whole stereotype thing. I’ve read it at least six times and it’s one of my favorites.”

“How do you find time to sit down and read stuffs like these? Doesn’t your job require you to be active almost twenty four seven.”

“It does.” I agree, thinking back. “I used to binge read back when I was in high school. Even during classes, I used to sneak in books to class and read them while the teachers were giving lectures. I got caught so many times because of that.”

The mere memory of the past makes me smile. It’s been so long since I’ve recalled the past. It’s also somewhat saddening. So many years has passed and many things has changed.

“I usually enjoyed reading with this.” I grab my drink, smiling. “My best friend used to bring me snacks to-“ My eyes meet his and I realize what I was saying. I stop in my tracks and swallow thickly. “But yeah. I used to read a lot back then.” I scratch the back of my neck, giving him an awkward smile.

“And this best friend of yours.” He suddenly starts off, causing a chill down my spine. “Where are they now?”