The Crush Plan

9

"Without libraries, what do we have? We have no past, and no future."

I smiled automatically when I saw this quote by Ray Bradbury hung up on the library's door. He was so right; if it wasn't for libraries, we wouldn't know history, nor would we know about the difference between right and wrong.

Going over to the nonfiction section and the philosophy part of that division, I began to search for the book I was looking for. I pulled out the book, and grinned when I realized it was exactly what I was in search of. The Republic by Plato. I took a seat on one of the tables, opening up the book and starting my read.

"We only suffer under the burden of justice because we know we would suffer worse without it." That was one quote that particularly stuck out to me, mainly because it was very true. Just as I flipped the page, I heard an exciting voice call out my name.

"Autumn!"

I tilted my head, noticing it was Caden, frolicking over to where I was. He had this satisfied—proud look on his face; like he had just won a jackpot. I closed the book and stood up from my seat, only to find myself crushed into a hug... By, of course, Caden.

His voice was muffled against my ear. "I got a hundred on that test, Autumn! Can you believe it? I excelled it!"

"Thank you so much, Autumn," Caden grinned, pulling back from the hug to look at me. "It wouldn't have been possible without you." Yet again, he got back to hugging me.

I realized I was so confounded by the last hug that I hadn't returned his gesture, so I decided to return it, now. Smiling warmly, I wrapped my arms around Caden. He appeared so happy and I found myself just as glad. Caden pulled back after a few moments, his grin still not wavering.

"See?" I began, nudging his arm. "I told you, you could do it."

He shrugged. "If I'd believed you, I wouldn't have been this happy, now."

I nodded slowly. "That's true."

"So, thank you," Caden said once again, placing both his hands on either side of my shoulders. "For making me feel so proud and so accomplished."

Glancing around, I observed a bunch of students were staring at us and not at their books. Their mouths were agape, and a few of the girls were glaring daggers at the view of Caden having his hands on my shoulders.

The librarian, Ms. Dalia, cleared her throat. "If you two are done, let me remind you this is a library. Get back to reading, or get out."

I looked down sheepishly.

"Sorry," Caden started, "I was too excited."

I shook my head, rebuffing his apology. "It's okay. It was worth being excited for... And I'm proud of you. You've done a great job."

He beamed in delight. "Thanks... I should probably go, now," Caden whispered.

"Yeah," I agreed, chuckling.

I watched, as Caden began to saunter out of the library. Even when he was nowhere in sight, I kept watching. Not because I was imagining him there, but because I was way too lost in reverie. Just when I looked down, from the corner of my eye, I saw Ms. Dalia glaring at me. I stood up straighter and muttered an incoherent apology, plopping down on my seat and quickly opening up the book to show her I was reading.

But, I wasn't.

I was too distracted by the thought of the whole conversation I had with Caden. He had a test, I helped him study, he excelled it, he hugged me. Oh, my gosh, I thought.

Caden and I just had our first hug! Scratch that, we just had two hugs! Oh, my.

I guessed that was enough to have me grinning like an i***t.

***

I was reading The Republic when the oven beeped, indicating the dish I'd placed inside was baked. Mom trudged over from the living room, having heard the beep, as well. She took out the dish, unraveling the aluminum foil so it could be baked again for five to ten minutes, as directed in the recipe guide. Once she was done, I crossed over and placed the dish back in the oven.

"So, tell me," Mom began, as I shut the oven and faced her. "Since when do you like him?"

I smiled at the question. "Since last year. He was there for me when I needed someone to comfort me. Even though he didn't really know me. He made me feel like I wasn't what everyone said I was. A wannabee. He made me feel like I was much more than that—like I was being underestimated. And—"

She laughed, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Autumn, I get the point. And trust me, I understand. I've been through it all."

"Sorry," I bit my lip coyly.

Mom shook her head, scoffing. "Don't be. You're in love, and love is a beautiful feeling."

I stiffened in protest. "Love? Mom, I'm not so sure if—"

"Autumn," she interrupted with a grin. "Don't bother denying it, because it's written all over your face. You've been smiling on your own, and you're not doing all of this because you want him to like you, you're doing all of this because doing something—anything for him makes you happy. Not to mention... When I ask you anything about him— even his name—you go on and on about him, and you can't stop. Literally." Mom paused to take a look at my expression, which was all warm and flushed. "You're in love with him and there is nothing wrong with that."

I peered up at Mom, and a faint smile formed on my lips. She seemed genuinely happy for me; like she'd been waiting to hear all of this for a really long time. Just then, Mom's phone rang and the oven beeped again, as well. I indulged in taking out the dish, while Mom attended to whoever was calling.

"Hello? Gerard?" she greeted, causing my hands to tremble as I started to cut the lasagne into pieces. "What do you mean you want to see Autumn? You wanted her to show Scarlet around, and she did show Scarlet around. What do you want, now?"

I grabbed a tiffin box, and placed the broken lasagne inside. Once I closed the box, I sat down at the dining table, pretending to read the book, but listening in on Mom and Dad's phone conversation.

Mom groaned, clearly annoyed by whatever Dad had said. "No, Autumn won't take Scarlet to Edith Stonehall's banquet."

Wait, what? I wondered. Scarlet was invited to Edith's banquet? But, I thought that was only for jocks. Was Scarlet a jock, already?

"Gerard, I don't like how you sound like everything's normal between you and Autumn. If that's what you think, here's newsflash, nothingis normal between you and her. So, please, stop calling and bothering us. I can see you think we're both still stuck on you, but we're not. Autumn and I have both moved on in our lives, so we'd appreciate if you did, too. Goodbye, Gerard," Mom scolded him, hanging up once she was done talking.

I gazed intently into the book, avoiding eye contact with Mom. She entered the kitchen, again, checking the clock for the time.

"Sweetie, it's five-o-clock. Aren't you going to Caden's?" she asked, reminding me.

I nodded, closing the book and standing back up. "Yeah, I'll go get ready."

Hurrying back upstairs, I picked up and threw on the outfit I'd prepared to wear to Caden's. It was a beige sweater, paired with my favorite sky blue jeans, and beige Toms. I slipped on a watch to keep track of the time, and applied some foundation. I decided to keep it simple with the slightest bit of makeup, and rubbed a light peach color of lip-gloss on my lips. I brushed over my hair that decided to be wavy today, and grabbed my beige purse.

"See you later, Mom," I hollered before taking the tiffin box and striding out of the house.

Caden's entire family was home, this evening. As a matter of fact, they were all seated around the living room, chatting away. So, when I showed up, they were pretty surprised, since I wasn't supposed to come today.

"Oh, hey, Autumn," Patricia greeted, being the one to open the door today. "How are you?"

I smiled, walking in. "I'm good, you?"

She shrugged. "Eh, okay."

"Autumn! Great to see you! Thank you so much for helping Caden ace the test," Willa beamed at me, embracing me in elation.

I hugged back, exhaling. "I didn't do anything."

As Willa pulled back, Mr. O'Connor waved it off. "Oh, quit the modesty. You did a lot and you know it."

"What's that?" Caden inquired, noticing the tiffin box in my hand.

I smiled, handing the box over to Willa. "I made lasagna."

She grinned, ecstatic. "Oh, thank you so much. I was actually whining about cooking tonight, and... Thank you, really, Autumn. You're too kind."

"It's my pleasure," I countered, waving her off.

At supper, I was extremely nervous as to how everyone would like the lasagna. Willa had served it to everyone, including me, but as much as I wanted to taste it, it seemed rude to eat it before they did. Caden took a seat next to me, while Patricia was on my other side. Willa and Phillip were seated across from us. I waited patiently, and watched as Willa and Caden took their first bites. Phillip and Patricia were next, slowly nibbling on their lasagna.

"Um—how is it?" I questioned hesitantly. My stomach churned out of sheer anxiety. Truth be told, I didn't want to know the answer. This was my first attempt at cooking and I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the best they had tasted.

Caden looked at me, his expression blank. "Um—great."

My worry dimmed down into relief. "Yeah," Patricia nodded, stifling a cough. "It's really good, Autumn. Seriously."

"Oh," I pursed my lips into a thin line. "It's horrible, isn't it?

Willa jumped in, swallowing down the lasagna. "No, it's just a bit spicy is all. Thank you, though, Autumn. You see, it's the thought that counts." Her face turned red as she continued to chow down the meal. It was overt she was just averting to hurt my feelings.

The rest of supper, no one said much since the O'Connor family believed in not talking during eating. They all did a great job covering up how horrid the lasagna tasted, but I did taste it, too. I had to do a breathe-in-and-out exercise to keep the tears from spilling out.

It was just that spicy.

Once we were done, we helped Willa with the dishes. Upon finishing the dishes, Phillip and Willa headed to the living room, Patricia to her room, and Caden to his car, so he could drop me home.

"Thank you, Autumn," he said as he was driving.

I scoffed, confused. "For what? For trying to kill your family with all the spice?"

Caden chuckled, shaking his head. "Like Mom said, it's the thought that counts. And, I'm not thanking you just for the lasagna—I'm thanking you for everything... You really are too kind, and I appreciate that about you."

"Well, I'm glad you do."

He parked the car in the driveway and I stepped out, feeling the frigid air hit me. Caden rolled down the window, noticing I was rubbing my sides in attempt to warm up. He slipped out of his gray hoodie, holding it out to me. I knelt down and furrowed my eyebrows, clearly not sure what he was doing.

"You can use it if you're cold," Caden offered, smiling politely.

I shook my head with a smile. "No, that's okay. You don't have to—"

He sighed. "You did so much for me, can't I even lend you a hoodie?"

"Fine," I gave in after a few seconds of silence, grinning. "Thanks," I said, taking the hoodie from him and putting it on. It smelt like a mixture of his branded cologne and a minty scent.

Caden waved as he pulled out of the driveway. "Goodnight."

I took a few steps back. "Goodnight."