The Library Agreement

02

The attendant's head shoots up and he stares at me like I've just come from outer space. I turn my dripping-wet body to face him, my eyes narrowed to slits. I'm about to ask him what his problem is—and then I realize who he is.

"No way," I breathe, incredulous. "You—you're Charlie Portman!"

________

No, no, no, no, no.

This can't be happening.

I'm not him. It's not me. I just resemble Charlie Portman. I don't even know who Charlie Portman is. My name is... Um...

She recognizes me. Oh my God, she recognizes me.

Play it cool. Lie if you have to.

"Uh..." I start off impressively. "I'm sorry, I don't know who—"

The girl gives a sharp laugh at that, but it doesn't reach her eyes.

"I get it." She snaps abrasively. "You don't want to ruin your oh-so-popular image by revealing that you work at the library."

I gape at her, speechless. Did—did she just—?

"Whatever. I don't care whether you're supposed to be a jock or not. You work here, so I expect you to help me out."

I swallow hard. "Um...uh...yeah."

The girl raises her eyebrows in mock surprise. "Huh. Everyone considers you to be a player—thought you'd be a bit smoother than that."

I clench my jaw, beginning to feel ashamed. And I hate that feeling.

"Why are you here at one o' clock in the morning?"

She checks her phone swiftly. "One twenty-two, actually. And couldn't I be asking you the same question?"

"I work here." I say through gritted teeth.

"As I just pointed out," she mutters in reply. "Now, please, if you could just help me find this book, seeing as it's your job."

Frustrated, I thrust myself from the counter and exit the kiosk to face her. She's several inches shorter than me; I could rest my chin on the top of her head, or use her as an armrest.

Not that I'd want to.

Not with those fiery hazel eyes burning into me.

The eyes that now know everything.

________

It's Charlie Portman. Charlie Portman, the sports star, the most-pursued guy in the school, working at a library, of all places.

"What book?" He asks, his face still tinging pink from the embarrassment of my discovery. I scoff under my breath.

He doesn't know what real shame feels like.

Nevertheless, I answer.

"It's for my sister. She wants..." I pause, leaning down to dig through my purse for the slip of paper she had handed me before hugging me and insisting that I was "the best sister ever", promising me all the ice cream left in the freezer. "Here it is...do you have The Great Gatsby?"

"F. Scott Fitzgerald, huh? Yeah, I think we have a few copies. Follow me."

He leads me down the hallways, cutting in-between what seems like walls of books, their shelves towering over both of us, almost like some sort of labyrinth. It feels like we've been walking for miles when he finally comes to a halt, his finger running cautious lines across the edges of books, their spines frayed and carefully preserved.

Charlie's finger stops on the vertically-written title reading The Great Gatsby, and he swiftly removes it from its place.

"Here you go." He mumbles.

"Thanks, Portman." I reply, and at the mention of his name, he tenses.

"Come with me." He says suddenly, sharply enough to make me comply.

I follow him back through the maze of books without another word.

________

We're back at the checkout counter in no time, and she looks at me expectantly.

What on earth am I supposed to tell her?

"Look, I know this might be surprising, but you seriously can't tell anyone that I work here at the library. It would ruin my friendships and my popularity. I can't risk everything."

That sounds so unbelievably stuck-up, it makes me sick.

So I start out small, hoping to work up enough courage to tell her the truth after we've already made introductions.

"What's your name?" I say, nearly under my breath.

She releases a sigh. "I go to your school. It's not that big. I thought you knew everyone."

The embarrassment floods in once more as I realize she's right. Reidville High is dreadfully small—the town itself consists of six-hundred-and-three people. Like I said before, everybody knows everybody.

Then why—why—don't I recognize this girl?

She waits a little longer before giving up.

"I'm Hailey Richards." She says finally, and realization slams into me.

The sound of her name triggers a thousand other ones she possesses—all given to her by the cliques of girls and guys, some of them my close friends, others just acquaintances.

Yes, I am familiar with Hailey Richards.

But I've never seen her up close.

I find myself wondering why so many people hate her. She's pretty, if I do say so myself. Even when she's sopping wet, there's a sense of intimidation and power behind her that intrigues me, and maybe that's the most beautiful part about her. She looks like she truly doesn't care what people think about her. The fire in her eyes, the composure in her posture.

The world, I realize, needs more people like Hailey Richards.

________

He's staring at me with a strange look in his eyes, and I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable.

"So...can I check out now, or what?"

Then, the stone-cold expression is once again on his face, turning his features grim as he lowers his voice to a whisper.

"Listen, you can't tell anyone." He murmurs.

"Tell anyone what?" I challenge, standing my ground and boring my gaze into his. His eyes are as blue as ice, much more penetrating than mine, but I don't care.

"That I work in the library!" Charlie continues in a harsh whisper. "It's just—it wouldn't—"

"It wouldn't be good for your reputation." I conclude bitterly, and he nods, gulping. "I get it. Well, of course I don't get it—but I'm sure all the other popular kids do."

The sarcasm in my tone is biting, just like I want it to be. He knows nothing of reputations. It makes me want to go around and tell everyone, just so that he could know what it feels like.

But no one would listen.

They'd call me needy. Insecure. Begging for attention.

I don't need even more labels in my life right now.

"Alright, Mr. Portman," I say matter-of-factly. "You don't want me revealing your inner geek."

"I'm not a—"

I raise my voice, talking over him. "And I won't. But what do I get in return?"

Silence ensues, and he bites his lower lip apprehensively. "I don't know...uh..."

Then, an idea seems to spark in his mind. His eyes are luminous, the flame in them flickering like lighters raised high in the dark of a concert.

"I'll keep any secret you want." He replies. "Anything at all. You don't have to tell me now, or ever, really. But—if there's anything I happen to find out about you—I won't tell a soul. You won't have to deal with any of the crap anyone gives you around me. Is that fair?"

I take a moment to contemplate this. Vowing my secrecy just to have him vow his? Doesn't sound very fair to me. After all, it's not like I'm going to tell him anything.

Charlie seems to see my silence as a warning, and he starts trying to come with alternate ideas, his words hasty and rushed.

"I—I can give you free rentals!" He says suddenly, and I look up at him. "You like to read, right?"

"Kind of." I respond warily. "Why?"

"Free book recommendations, rentals. If you keep anything longer than it's due date, I won't charge you. And...and I'll still keep your secrets, if you want."

Free library books without charge? No more scrounging for nickels when Penny forgets yet another book?

This sounds like something I can live with.

"There's only one small catch," Charlie says, his eyes downcast as I stand, still staring him down. "You could only rent when I'm around, so the other staff won't find out. And my work hours—"

He pauses, grimacing, as if this small fact could be the one thing to bring the whole deal toppling down.

"My work hours are from midnight to two in the morning."

I shrug. "I don't sleep well, anyways. I've always been a bit of an insomniac."

Portman glances back up at me, beaming. "It's settled, then. The Library Agreement."

I scoff. "That's what we're going to call it?"

"Got any better ideas?"

"No." I sigh. "I just want to get back home. The Library Agreement it is."

He sticks out his hand, and I take it in my own.

There's no going back now.