The Creature

Chapter Six: By Its Cover

I had gathered a variety of books before heading out to work the following day. I was going to put what Ms.Phillips said to the test. I needed to know the truth. I needed to see for myself if he would turn down the books and maybe get some answers as to what was going on. I was working another late shift and decided to not even attempt a deep conversation with him until later in the night when I would have more time.

Once I had finally reached the end of the day, I made my way down section F and to Jamie's door and knocked on the door, a little harder than normal. I wanted to make sure he heard me.

" Yes? " he asked, seeming as though he hadn't been expecting me. Which is fair considering I tried to keep things short throughout the day. " So listen, I talked to Ms.Phillips and I brought you some books. I've got fiction, non fiction, western, romance, whatever you want, I've got you" I pulled the books out of my backpack and placed them on the ground beside me as I took my seat against his door.

" Oh..I don't know. I guess push whatever you want through the slot " I had forgotten that the only way I could even get books to him was through the tiny little slot. I looked through the books and picked one that I felt might fit through the tiny space. I could feel his grip on the other end, as the book slid through the slit.

" Thank you.." he answered through the door. " The book is a cheesy romance. I've only read it once but it was pretty good" I smiled, feeling relieved he even took the book.

" If it was good, then why only once? And why part with it? " he called back to me. The man had a good point.

" Well, I was never into romance books. They always seemed to end up with happy endings and I know that isn't how real life works " I answered which he immediatly responded with " Spoilers..".

" Hey, don't be complaining. You wanted to read and I got you a book! Although going by Ms.Phillips..you turned down offers for books before.." I snapped back. At this point I couldn't tell if he was teasing me or was just in general an asshole.

" Yeah. Well thanks for the book. It does mean alot" he completely ignored me. Because of course he would.

" Seriously, why did you take a book from me and not others? " I asked, I was not going to let him slip his way out of this. I wanted answers dammit.

" Because..I don't know. I just didn't want them. And you seem like the type to keep persisting.." his answer stung me a little. His presumption of me is something that I had felt like with Dennis. Maybe I was too annoying. Maybe if I hadn't been so pushy about things and forcing my opinions on Dennis..he would have stayed with me.

"Yeah..well if you don't want the damn book then just give it back " I snapped back, scooting away from his door.

There was a silence for a few minutes. A silence that I refused to be intimidated by.

" The main character seems closed off. She is going to end up with someone who pushes her to be more expressive" he answered. I guess he was reading the book. " Yeah..that is kind of...what it is. But it's still pretty good even if it's predictable" I answered.

" You should still give it a chance..you are going to enjoy it. Trust me" I tried to assure him though I was having doubts. Perhaps I should have offered another book or something.

" I will read it and see what I think" he answers, allowing me to feel relieved for a brief second. " So, you have a complicated relationship huh?" My eyes grew wide at this. What was the point of him asking me something so forward like that. " Why? " I asked. I don't really know why I even bothered asking. I knew I shouldn't it go on but I was so off put by his interest in it.

" You strike me as the type of person who believes in romance. You fight really hard for something even when it isn't respected mutually. Which means your relationship, if you even have one, would be complicated" he answered.

" What are you even basing this on? " Of course I was getting angry about this. This was ridiculous. He didn't know me. He didn't know the s**t that I had been through. Who was he to make these types of assumptions?

" Well, you did something out of kindness for someone you don't know. Someone who has been an ass to you..and yet you still went out of your way to talk to your boss and risk your job and then brought me books" he answered.

" Yeah well, I...didn't..well I didn't have to do it" I knew what I was saying didn't make alot of sense but I was trying to formulate sentences as best as I could.

" Yeah. Which is why I said you you seem like someone who cares more about people than those people care about you. It's very sweet. And..I didn't mean any offense. I just felt that you should know to be more guarded. People are gonna walk all over you with the way you are now. You seem like a kind person, you need to stand up for yourself. This world is cruel and I want you to be safe out there" he answered, his tone completely changing to something almost reminicint of pity.

" Yeah? Well what would you know about the outside world? You just stay in there. You have had the options to leave but you are so scared that people are gonna hunt you down that you won't ever come out. And you are telling me about how cruel the outside world is? The only cruelness I see is the one behind the door " I argued back. And then another silence fell. I hated when that happened. It freaking infuriated me.

" Go home.." he called back to me, and I was more than happy to do so but before I did, I picked up as many books as I could and crammed each and every one of them through the slot in the door.

" Enjoy the f*****g books " I snapped as I pushed the last one through even though it had gotten a little stuck and I'm slightly sure some of the cover had gotten ripped before I stormed off, taking my backpack and heading home.