READ FOR ME

MISS ME?

Barbara wasn't there the next day.

A lanky old man was sitting behind the Librarian's desk and I had been staring at him all day hoping he was just filling up until the blond lady came in.

But she didn't.

The clock hit 04:00pm and I was last to walk out.

I almost asked the man if the lady was sick or something but thank God I had my sanity intact. Was I really being frustrated over someone I didn't even know? Pffftt. No.

I cursed myself and left the building.

Maybe I should make more friends ... I mean, apart from book characters.

The question was: Did I even want friends? Big no. I had nothing against humanity but I just really didn't enjoy being around people that much.

Heck, I could hardly tolerate my own Mom at home. All she does was point out my mistakes and yell at how stupid I was. As if I hadn't been pushed out of her womb twenty one years ago!

The bus came in early, thank God! But the ride took forever, by the time I got off it had began to get dark. I contemplated over taking a motorbike and walking the fifteen minutes distance to my Uncle's house.

I ended up walking, of course. Anything to save my five hundred shilling coin.

My body was exhausted but my mind wasn't. I told myself not to sleep without a shower but next thing I know I had binged on Adam Johnson's 'The Orphan Master's Son' till 2am.

I was reading the book for the second time because I had this tendency of developing an emotional connection with some protagonists. Well, most protagonists. Okay, maybe all of them.

I had gone to shower at 4am, not sleeping a wink.

At least I kept my promise.

I had finished the book, again.

I pulled on a pair of clean panties and fresh out of shower, I was back in bed reading 'Purple Hibiscus' by Chimamanda. N. Adichie.

I had a class to attend at the university but that's not what had me up and dressed. It was a certain blond lady in my mind.

I didn't go for class.

I was hungry but I ended up using half of my money on a notebook and a pen. Maybe I should've consulted my common sense because my stomach was growling so loud people were shooting me glances.

I was in the library, mind you, so let me not even start with how silent it was.

Barbara was nowhere to be seen again. And for a second I thought, maybe she wasn't real. Maybe she was just a phantom of my illusions. A ghost.

Haha, so funny, Mack.

'Maybe you should've just asked for her number instead', the voice in my head said.

I almost slapped myself.

Or maybe just forget about her. Period.

I focused back on Jane Shemilt's 'The Daughter' and washed away all the guilt I felt for dodging all my classes all week.

Books were always worth it.

They always left me with a secret joy that made me wanna scream my lungs out and keep it to myself at the same time.

My mom would literally crucify me for sacrificing my education over books but I couldn't even find it in me to care. I was doing what I love, that's what mattered.

I was noting something from the novel when I felt a hand on my shoulder, sending a course of electricity through me.

" It's 4pm, didn't hear the bell again?", Blue eyes looked back at me.

There was a bell?

I looked around, only two other people were walking out.

"Sorry, got carried away", I struggled to play nonchalant while my insides tingled in satisfaction from the sight of her.

Why was she making me feel like this when i barely knew her?

" I didnt see you around today.", the statement left my lips before I could process it.

I swear her eyes glittered.

" Missed me already?", she grinned, joking.

I rolled my eyes playfully as if my cheeks werent burning.

She stared at me as I got up and began my way to the door. Apparently being around her was unhealthy and despite how much i hated my life, i didnt want to die from cardiac arrest.

" Have you finished that book?", her voice stopped me on my tracks.

" Sing you home, Jodi picoult?", she added.

I had.

" Yes.", glad I had a reason to look at her again. " Why?"

... Barbara just stood there ... staring back at me as if I asked her the most difficult question. She was fidgeting with the sleeve of her pink cardigan and- was it just me or was she being shy??

Her lips parted as if to say something but changed her mind, "Its n-nothing, nevermind. I'm packing up, by the way, would you mind waiting up for me?"

" Not working today?", signaling at the too-many books scattered on the tables.

"No, I'll do it first thing tomorrow. I'm not feeling so good today."

"Oh, is that why you weren't around this morning?", curious.

" Not entirely but yeah", she nodded, switching her computer off.

My eyes skimmed her up and down quickly and it didnt take a brain surgeon to tell that something was off with her today.

I had no idea what to do so I just stood there and waited for her until she was done.

" Lets go", she finally said after making sure all the windows were closed.

We walked in silence to her car.

I didn't mean to stare but she looked really good. Pink cardigan, a white flared mini skirt, and doc martens. She smelled nice too ... like her car, lemons.

Her phone started ringing and she picked it up once we both sat in the car.

" Hello, Mom", her voice had lowered a bit. " Yes. .. .. Yes, I did. .. .. Okay. .. .. I did, I feel so much better now. .. .. Okay, I will. .. Bye."

She cursed under her breath as she hit the key to ignition.

She looked pissed.

" Everything okay?", i finally asked, unsure if I was poking into none of my business or not.

Then she hit her head on the steering wheel, leaning on it.

" Yes.", she marked. Then.. "No.", she breathed.

What was making a beautiful girl like her so restless?

" Anything I can do?", I asked, it wasn't common courtesy, I really meant it.

There was a long moment of silence ... Barbara with her head down and me ..well, I was just there worried and wondering if she had drifted off to sleep or something. Hopefully not, I couldn't drive to save a life.

But I could sit and wait for her till eternity if she wanted me to, that's all I knew.

" I'm good", She said when she finally sat up. " Sorry about that."

She avoided my gaze, clearly embarrased

that I might think she's pathetic or something.

I almost laughed, because honestly, I thought she looked cute.

" It's okay", I muttered, almost patting her back. " I'm here if you need anything."

What was I saying? I just met her yesterday!

Barbara gave me a soft smile and I knew that she seriously was the farthest from okay. She needed help ... so when she was'nt looking, I pulled out 'The Wedding Planner's Daughter' by Coleen Murtagh Paratore from my bag and swooshed it in the glove compartment.

" Good night, Mackenzie ", I heard her say when she dropped me off.

My heart did a somersault I didn't see coming. She remembers my name!

I wanted to scream.

" Good night, Barbara."

With that, I watched her drive out ... a permanent smile plastered on my face like a maniac.

I hope she likes the book.

I hope it lifts her up a bit from whatever that made her frown like that.

I hope it makes her laugh.

I hope it makes her happy .... like how it did for me.