Chapter Twelve - Bicycle Ride
I finally got a job.
I tried my luck at the library and it seems they were short-handed. I immediately got the job and was handed my shift schedule. I personally thought I'd get rejected, but here I was, starting my first shift.
My shifts would consist from Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It's alright and the pay would be enough for me to hoard new cult items.
I could finally buy that creepy mannequin or that limited premium book from my favorite author. It would make my horror fanatic heart happy.
The library wasn't jam packed since majority of people would rather spend their weekends going on dates or somewhere better than the library. I mean some people aren't even interested in reading books.
The people that were currently in the library were children doing their homework, elderly people and some nerds--I mean I'm stereotyping but they truly are. It was peaceful and nice, finally away from a certain person.
I let out a sigh, propping a hand beneath my chin as I stare lazily by the people occupied in their books. Some were pacing back and forth, looking around the different shelves and some were even sleeping.
Why are you even sleeping in the library? Go home.
"Hi," I flinch when I hear a voice from behind me. I turn around and was met with a guy who seems to be in the same age as me.
He had smooth locks of hazel hair that covered half of his eyes; sparkling blue eyes that captivates you by just one glance, long lashes that complimented his alluring eyes and a charming smile to add to it.
He extends his hand, smiling as he spoke. "I'm Oskar Matthew."
I nod, taking his hand and shaking it without any further thought. "I'm Avery Summers."
His eyes flashed in recognition, as if he was reminded of something. Then he glanced at me and looked hesitant---rather, skeptical about what he was about to say. "You're the rumoured ...witch, aren't you?"
I nod once again, this time nonchalantly. I mean I knew people thought of me as a witch and I wasn't going to fuss over it. As much as I'd like to say that I was a paranormal fanatic, not a cursing witch----was an understatement.
"Cool."
I looked at him in disbelief. He gets all fidgety about asking me the darn question and he just says cool, as if I'm the nervous one.
He sees my furrowed  up expression and lets out a lazy grin, finally removing his hand from mine, letting it rest on his sides. "I mean I've heard rumors about you. It's cool, I mean do whatever you want."
I didn't reply--rather I didn't know what to say. He looked so chill, like he's just going with the flow. It seems nice for people like him to act like that. You don't care about what other people say about you. You're just there, just..idling.
"My mother always say that I'm the black sheep of the family because I spend all my time playing the keyboard instead of being an honour student like my bro," he starts up without me even asking. "---it's tiring ya know? Being judged and shunned for what you want to do."
I nod, this time just doing it for the sake of just doing it. He shrugs, then glances at me with a smile. "I tell ya, someday I'll be a renowned musician and my parents would be surprised."
"Cool...dude," I say awkwardly, not knowing what to say. I don't know how this just went from polite greetings to his life story.
But it's alright. I mean at least he knows what he wants. I don't even know what I want to be. He seems to get the hang of things. Wished I was chill like him.
"So...uhm, you're not worried I'm gonna curse you or something of the sort?" I ask to clarify one thing.
"Nah. I think my life is pretty cursed enough so I'll manage," he briefly replies.
I let a half nod and decided to leave the desk to Oskar. He's just sitting there with earphones around his ears and I was getting anxious just sitting down. I decided to go around the empty tables, picking up the books they piled up on the table and head to the shelves they supposedly belong.
A minute later as I was busy searching for the Science Fiction aisle, someone tugs around the hem of my sweater and I turn around to find a girl holding onto me with her innocent blue orbs of eyes staring back at me.
"Excuse me, do you have any Goosebumps books around?" she asks.
I scratched the nape of my neck, unsure of what to say. "Uh, I'll check."
I decided to head to the children's fiction, skimming through every title but to no avail, I couldn't find one single book entitled 'Goosebumps'. I opt to head towards the front desk, glancing at Oskar for help.
He notices my stare and looks up, plucking his earphones from his ears and smiles. "Need some help?"
I nod, glancing down at the girl. "I can't find any Goosebumps books."
He turns with the swivel chair and types something on the computer. Then glances at me and to the girl. "Sorry. Our copies of Goosebumps are borrowed at the moment."
I stare at girl, thinking that she must be devastated to not have a copy of a book she likes. She tugs once again at my sweater, then murmurs. "Thank you anyway."
She heads off to the children's section and finally picks a book of her choice. I let out a relieved sigh which made my heartbeat revert to normal.
By this time, I was planning to head back and arrange the books on the shelves. Some people might be too lazy to return the books in their rightful places and would shove it into some random section.
All of a sudden,  the door to the library opens, and on cue my eyes dart up to meet the figure.
Our eyes locked and he lets out his annoying grin. I roll my eyes, watching him come close up until he was finally in front of me, his smile not vanishing. His hair was dishevelled but it was compensated by his good looks. If I was him, I'd truly look like Ursula from the set.
"So you work here?" he says innocently, as if he hasn't known.
I think we both know he knows.
"Right," I frown at him. "--so what are you doing here?"
He looks away, glancing at the shelves, then pretends to be thinking deeply with a hand propped under his chin, caressing it. "I'm here to read."
"Right," I say incredulously. Yeah that's totally the truth.
"Why not?" he pouts, seeing my disbelief expression. He looks stupid, like dog who hasn't been given treats.
It's kinda..cute.
Ew. Did I just say that?
I scrunched up my face, cringing at the internal thought that managed to go inside my mind. He's not cute! Urgh, what is happening with me today?
I gave him one last look before heading to the Non-Fiction, pushing along the cart that came with the library. Tom follows behind, his footsteps taking one large heaps of steps while I walk like a scrawny rat.
I pause altogether with my cart and so does he. I turn my heel, giving him a glare. "Why are you following me?"
"Hey," he puts his hand up like a shield. "--I just happened to go to same section as you."
I raised a brow and he just smiles, showing me his pearly white teeth. I huff, moving along as I didn't want to deal with him any further. I picked up the books from the cart and place them on their respective places.
While I was busy doing my job, a certain someone decides that it was alright to just stare at me and prick stares at my back like I was some sort of entertainment.
I sigh, slumping my shoulders as I spoke. "Aren't you gonna read? Why are you just standing there?"
"I'm bored," he responds.
"It's not my problem," I hiss, trying to block him out but it served no help when he decided to hold a small chit-chat like we're best friends.
--We're not.
"When is your shift going to end?" he inquired, standing by my side as watches me pick up the books then placed them on the shelves.
"In thirty minutes," I grumbled, not bothering to put up a fight.
"Let's go home together then," he suggests, cocking his eyebrows upwards in a teasing manner.
I roll my eyes for what--the fifth time? One more and my eyes are going to get stuck. "Is this what you came for? Just to walk home with me?"
"Ride is the keyword," he clarifies. "--I've brought my bike. So technically we're not walking."
"Smart ass," I scowl, putting the last batch of books. "--since when were you one?"
"Well, I've learned from the best," he nudges, meaning me. "---it's just what they say, friends influence you."
"You're not my friend," I grunt, pushing the cart back as I was finished with my duties.
"That kinda hurts," he says in a crest-fallen manner. "---it's unfair, you know? You're more lenient towards Lance and Emily but you're so cold towards me."
I raised a brow. "And what? Want to gain my pity?"
"News flash, I don't care."
"Lance told me you cared," he fights back, as if that brat heard me say that.
I snicker. "That's why you shouldn't trust kids."
"Isn't it the other way around? Kids don't lie you know," he smirks, making me more exasperated.
"Well he doesn't know what he's saying," I crossed my arms. "--I don't care about you and that's that."
. . .
"I'd rather walk home than be seen with you," I glare at him, hoping he fully understands I'm not riding on his bicycle.
He smiles. "Come on, Avery. This is faster than walking, unless you want to spend more time with me."
"Why do I bother?" I murmured under my breath.
He motions me to hop in and I roll my eyes for the last time, begrudgingly heading his way as I hop in, resting my hands on the seat firmly.
He starts to pedal as the wind brushes past us, making my hair flow in all directions. I try to tuck them to the back of my ear but it all just comes back slapping my face, making me eat some of my hair.
I groan, giving up from trying to stop my hair from slapping my face and just stared at the view while Tom pedals as swfitly as he could.
It feels nice. It's relaxing to just feel the cool wind brush under your skin and feel silence submerge into you. I sigh, deciding to give up my own stupid ego and leaned my head on Tom's back.
I could imagine that stupid grin on his face but I didn't bother. After all, it made my ride all the more comfortable.