Chapter Text
Elle was at ease as she walked down the aisle, passing multiples rows of shelves that filled with books – various genres and sizes. She spared a few minutes arranging some of the books as she passed. The library’s closed, and she thought it was only right to organized the disarrayed books. Elle didn’t notice the time as she was buried into one of her books, yet again. This time, though, the book was all about pandas – and now she’s grown fonder of the gentle creatures.
It wasn’t out of the ordinary for her to leave the school at this hour, especially these past few months. Elle was aware of her love for books, but recently they’ve become an escape for her – reading one book after the other. She found peace in it, thus she also found her solace inside the library where she could pick one book then another, if she wanted to.
The librarians have grown accustomed to her late nights, and also have grown very fond of her. They stopped interrupting her from reading a month after she started staying until everyone at school, except some of the staff, left the campus.
“Thank you for today!” Elle cheerily spoke as she grabbed her bag from the couch she had spent about four hours on. “I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”
The older librarian, Nicola, smiled warmly at her. The creases on her cheeks deepened when she did so. She was the first one to warm up to her, and started giving her books to read. “Take care on your way home,” she reminded.
Elle only smiled at her. “I always am, Nicola. Thank you!”
“I’ll leave you a fresh new stack of recommended books tomorrow,” Ally, the younger librarian – she’s not far from her age, possibly in her mid-twenties, regarded as she waved goodbye to Elle. “Take care.”
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” She gave them another wave before she maneuvered herself in the familiar hallways of her high school.
It was already dark, and there were only a few lights turned on. It should’ve spooked her, but after months of walking down those halls alone at that hour; she adapted to it. She carefully snuck out of the building, making sure Mr. Norris doesn’t find her – he’s the school janitor and he’s grumpier than the grumpiest person alive, so finding her wasn’t an option.
Quietly, she pushed the metal doors – leaving it only ajar enough for her and her bag to fit into. Once she was out, she was greeted by darkness. It masked the once blue sky of the day. The moon was already high up, and the stars glimmered in the inky sky. She noticed that some of the streetlights still haven’t turned on. She grimaced, knowing that it’s been a problem for months now and there hasn’t been anything done to get them fixed.
She took her time in grabbing her headphones, and phone, from her bag. Scrolling through her music application, she looked for the album she wanted to listen to – it’s the one Patricia, her best friend, recommended. Blue Neighborhood, she was just a few tracks into the album, but she was already enjoying it. Elle smiled to herself as she hummed along the song. She pulled her hood, and zipped her jacket all the way up. She walked alone with her hands dug inside the pockets of her jacket, and her bag loosely hanging just by one shoulder.
The walk from school to her house wasn’t a short one, but she didn’t mind it. It gave her time to think and some exercise. She needed to stretch her legs because she spent four hours straight in different sitting positons just to get comfortable whilst reading. It was only reasonable that she’d take advantage of the walk.
The coolness of the night made her shiver, despite the amount of layers she’s put on. It’s mid-November and the temperature’s dropping quickly by the day. She let out a quiet sigh, seeing her breath in the process. The year’s close to ending again, yet she feels that she hasn’t done remotely productive. Besides attending her classes regularly, and devoting most of her free time to reading; she really hasn’t done anything substantial.
Oh well, maybe next year. She thought to herself.
The neighborhood’s quiet at the time of the day, most of the people are already at their own respective homes. She hummed quietly, wondering what her mom cooked for dinner – she’s starving, and she’s ready to eat any home cooked meal.
She was crossing the street, mindlessly – seeing that this is a quiet part of the neighborhood, and she hasn’t seen a car for the past ten minutes – when she stopped midway because she heard a loud screech of tires just a few feet from her. Her head snapped towards where the sound came from and found a fast vehicle approaching.
Elle didn’t have the time to scream because she precipitously threw herself out of the way – dodging the certain death she could’ve faced if she didn’t react quickly.
The car swerved uncontrollably before it stopped, in the middle of the street. It stopped sideways, occupying both lanes – only a few meters away from her. She heard the driver stepping out of the car, and slamming the door shut but she glanced down on her own body. She checked for possible injuries she could’ve gotten from her fall. Noticing that her palm’s bleeding, she grimaced. It must’ve scraped on the pavement when she tried to catch herself when she jumped away.
“Shit,” she muttered under her breath. There was a shooting pain from her left leg, she thinks it isn’t bleeding? She really couldn’t tell because of her dark coloured jeans. It felt numb and painful at the same time, though – like when your leg has fallen asleep but worse.
Elle looked up when she saw a pair of old black Chuck Taylor’s stop in front of her. She figured I was the driver, and she noticed that he couldn’t be much older than him – possibly the same age as her, in fact.
“Are you going to lie there all night or?” The culprit asked as he extended his hand to help her up. He spoke in a rather annoying tone, Elle notes.
She rolled her eyes and pushed herself off of the ground – completely ignoring the help the stranger offered her. She dusted herself, wincing when she mistakenly used her left hand. There was still blood gushing out of it. “I won’t, but thanks for almost killing me, though,” she said, glaring at him.
He easily raised an eyebrow at her. “You were the one who was crossing inattentively,” he said as he looked down at her. He’s got dark brown eyes – they’re beautiful and possibly enchanting – and she wanted to poke the hell out of them. “Not my fault.”
She gaped at him, surprised. “You were the one driving recklessly, and you’re blaming me?” She hissed, trying to hold on to her patience that’s withering quickly. She’s aware that it’s very thin, but she doesn’t want to cause more damage.
“You were the one who wasn’t looking if there’s a car or not,” he said sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re the one who was crossing inattentively.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. She didn’t have time to argue over who’s at fault. She’s bleeding, she needed to go home and tend to her injuries. “Just fuck off, alright?”
Grabbing her bag that was thrown back when she jumped away from the speeding car, she started to storm away. She scowled because she felt another wave of pain when she used her left leg. It was no use, it’ll hurt even more if she placed more pressure into it – so she limped her way away from the stranger. It greatly bruised her ego, but she needed to get away before she said things that she knows she’d eventually regret.
“Are you not going to apologize?”
Elle stopped, turning to look at the stranger. She looked incredulously at him, and laughed grimly. “You’re kidding, right?” She spoke in a flat tone.
He rolled his eyes before striding towards her – immediately covering the distance she tried to put between them with his long legs. She couldn’t help but narrow her eyes as she watched him approach her. She took note of his appearance, in case she needed to run and report him to the police – damn the consequences if she does. His eyes were dark brown, she already noticed that when they unfortunately met. He has dark hair, but she was sure that it’s a bit lighter during the day. It’s cut short – undercut, and the rest of his hair was styled to the left. He wore a plain white v neck t-shirt with a black bomber jacket over it, and a pair of black skinny jeans.
The culprit stood in front of her. He towered over her. She hadn’t really noticed that he was that tall a few minutes ago. She suddenly felt uneasy, and at a disadvantage.
“What are you doing?” She asked, placing a brave face on. Elle has already considered how she’s going to outrun him with her leg injured, but he hasn’t given her enough motivation to brave the deathly option.
She felt his hot breath against her cold skin when he leaned down. Elle felt shivers down her spine, but she chose to ignore that – unwilling to look vulnerable.
He smiled at her. “What, are you getting nervous around me?”
Out of habit, Elle rolled her eyes and glared at him. “No.”
“Of course not,” he said in a different tone. It’s lower and quieter. It made her want to punch him because he wasn’t supposed to be obtain these inappropriate reactions from her, but she could feel her face heating up and her stomach being pulled uncomfortably.
He moved closer to her. She felt his lips brushing her ear, and she felt her heart stop. Immediately, she placed her right hand on his chest – putting as much space between them. Who the hell is this guy and what is he doing?
He laughed. Her body betrayed her as she felt shivers down her spine. “I’m not going to do anything to you,” he whispered.
“Then why are you –“ but she was immediately cut off as she felt his lips on the corner of her mouth, lingering. Her first instinct was to push him away farther, but she couldn’t move a single muscle. It’s been so long since someone was this close to her. It’s been so long since she felt this way. It made her vulnerable.
He pulled away, smiling. She was about to speak when she was swept off the ground, feeling an arm on her back and another under the fold of her knees. He was carrying her.
“Hey! What are you doing?” She thrashed, but it was no use. He managed to hold her perfectly, and keep her still. “Let me go!”
“Will you stop moving? I’m trying to help you,” he hissed. “You’re bleeding.”
Elle stopped. She noticed the stain of blood on the left leg of her jeans, she winced. It wasn’t something she fancies seeing. Elle wasn’t very fond of blood on anything really. She let the stranger, culprit, take her to his car. He placed her on the passenger seat, not bothering to park his car properly.
Kneeling in front of her, he rummaged through his glove compartment, and grabbed a shoe box. She wouldn’t guess what it was if he hadn’t opened it – it was a first aid kit. She couldn’t help but laugh. He’s trying so hard not to be obvious about being careful that he actually used a shoe box to store his first aid kit. He’s an idiot, Elle thought.
“Shut up and hold out your hand.” She did what she was asked, and grimaced at the sight of her hand. Most of the blood has already dried, but she can still see fresh ones gushing out – it really stung.
The stranger took out an opened box of antiseptic wipes and took two. He didn’t hesitate on wiping it on her wound, and she growled at him. That stung more than the wound itself. She shot daggers at him for not warning her, but he only smiled annoyingly innocently at her.
“I only have adhesive bandages. I hope you don’t mind,” he said as he picked two Band Aid strips from the box. He placed them on her palm carefully. She watched him smooth it over her palm with his thumb to make sure they’re placed properly.
He looked up at her, and she immediately avoided his gaze. She felt like she was caught doing that she wasn’t supposed to. Elle heard him chuckle, and she flushed. “Can you roll up your jeans?”
Elle looked at him, and waved the offer to clean her leg wound. “I can do it myself at home,” she reassured, trying to get away from him as soon as possible.
The stranger clicked his tongue, and narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re going to bleed out if you continue being stubborn,” he spoke sternly.
Elle considered the options: staying here and let him treat her wound, then endure the awkwardness or make the run for it. She sighed, deciding that the latter option would be a stupid choice.
She bent down a bit to roll up her jeans. She cowered away from the wound instantaneously – there’s too much blood. Her gaze trailed elsewhere, not wanting to see what happened to her when she had fallen.
It took more than four antiseptic wipes, and four strips of Band Aid to treat her wound. She only had the strength to look down at her leg when the stranger notified her that he’s done. Elle released the breath that she didn’t know she was holding. There was no trace of blood on her, except on her jeans – she’d have to wash that off later.
Elle laughed, shakily. “Thank you.” She looked at the brown eyed boy, and smiled at him. He might’ve annoyed her, but she was grateful for what he’s done.
He only nodded, and returned the first aid kit into the glove compartment. “I’ll drive you home,” he said, standing up his kneeling position. He dusted off his jeans before pushing Elle’s legs into the car, then closing the door.
Elle waited for the stranger to settle on the passenger seat before she spoke. “I can walk on my own, you don’t need to drive me.”
He rolled his eyes, and turned the engine on. The car roared to life, and it doesn’t seem like an old car at all – it must be an older model, but the engine isn’t. “You’re already in the car, so just tell me your address,” he said, adjusting the rearview mirror.
She was about to open the door when he accelerated, moving his car to the left side of the road. She glared at him, and knew that he did that on purpose. “I’m not going to win this, am I?” She asked rhetorically, and gave up on trying.
Elle told him her address.
+++
“I told you over and over again, I’m fine,” Elle reassured her best friends for the umpteenth time. She was frantic on the other end of the line, refusing to calm down because of what Elle told her. “He helped me out, and drove me back home. I’m quite thankful, to be honest.”
“But he still kissed you,” Patricia said, quiet and calculating. Elle knew that she was. She always needed to know what exactly what, how and why it happened.
Elle groaned. She chose not to remember that, but Patricia pried every detail. She didn’t have any other choice. Patricia threatened to drive to her house and pry it out of her with her bare hands, if she had to.
But apparently out of all the details she bore to her, that was the most important one. “I don’t know,” Elle said, quietly. “I think it’s just a way to have me vulnerable.”
Patricia hummed in response, contemplating. “You do have a point, he did carry you after that,” she said – Elle could hear the tap of her pen on her desk. “Slimy git, he is.”
Elle laughed, agreeing. She flopped down her bed, and rubbed her temple. She felt a bit lightheaded from talking to Patricia for the past hour and a half. Patricia refused to hang up the phone until she got everything she needed.
“Are you sated? Can I get some sleep?”
Elle could hear Patricia’s eye roll, and she couldn’t help but laugh. But she said that she’s sated – for now, at least. She reminded Elle to get some plenty of rest because she’s gone through much today, and she needed it. They exchanged quick goodbyes, and then ended the call.
At the end of the day, Patricia only wanted the best for Elle. Despite her crazy and assertive exterior persona, she really is just concerned and worried – that’s just the way she handles it. Elle adores her for it, still does even after years of friendship.
There was a knock on the door, and she weighed the options: answering the door and having to communicate with the person on the other side of it, or pretend to be sleeping and avoid any more human contact.
“Honey, there’s someone downstairs. He’s looking for you,” her mom said from the other side of the door. First option it is then, she groaned to herself.
“Who is it?” She asked, already sitting up from her bed.
“He told me that he’s your classmate,” she answered. Classmate, at this hour? “He said his name’s Greyson, I think?”
Greyson? She tried to remember. She tried to place the name on a face, but she couldn’t. It couldn’t be him, right? She gasped, then jumped immediately from her bed and raced – okay, limped downstairs.
She found him sitting on the couch staring at one of the photos on the opposite wall when she stepped on the landing of the stairs. It really is him, she thought. She unconsciously smiled when he saw him concentrating on the portraits. He actually looked beautiful from afar. If only he wasn’t an arrogant prick who takes advantage of wounded women, she might’ve admitted that she found him attractive.
She cleared her throat, catching his attention. His gaze me hers.
“What are you doing here?” She asked even before he could greet her.
He smiled. It completely threw her off, it was different from the smiles he gave her earlier. “Hello to you, too,” he said.
Composing herself, she crossed her arms over her stomach and looked at him straight in the eyes. “Answer me,” she demanded.
“I brought these.” He raised a brown paper bag. He took out two tubs of ice cream, and a box of Band Aid. “I wasn’t sure what flavor to get you, so I bought two.”
She stared at him incredulously. “You came back, just to bring me these?” She asked, completely caught off guard. Who is he? She asked, baffled at his actions.
He nodded. “Also, I didn’t catch your name.” He placed the paper bag on the center table, and walked towards her. “So, I wanted to ask you personally before I go home and get some rest.”
Elle snorted. “Is it really that important that you’d have to bother me in the middle of the night?”
The stranger shrugged. “It’s not every day you meet someone you’re genuinely interested in.”
Her eyes narrowed – unsure if she should be scared because this guy is actually creepy or if she should be charmed because he seemed to be really sweet. “You wouldn’t leave my house if I didn’t tell you, would you?”
He shook his head, inching towards her. She took a step back, leaving as much distance from him as possible. “I could call the police on you,” she said before she clicked her tongue – hesitating. “I’m Elle, now will you leave me alone?”
“I’m Greyson, he said before leaning down. She flinched away, and he laughed. “Good night, Elle.”
She watched him exit the front door, and waited for the sound of a car engine to start before locking the door. She slumped against the door, and groaned to herself. Her mom reappeared a few seconds after that, and she was smiling at Elle.
“What?” She asked, completely indifferent from the situation. She didn’t like that she gets to gain that kind of reaction from her. It’s frustrating her.
“So, how long have you been seeing that boy?” She questioned, sounding like a teenager rather than a mother.
Elle rolled her eyes. “I am not seeing that boy. I’m not seeing anyone, Mom,” she said with finality in her voice before she strode back upstairs and locking herself in her room.