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Eli: So, just asking for a friend, what do eighteen-year-old girls like these days for their birthdays?
Me: Asking for a friend, huh? Well, I’m no ordinary girl, but I personally find historical books sexy.
Eli: Really? Good to know what turns you on. Do you think I can make you come just by using words like Plato and Aristotle?
I clap my hand over my mouth to smother my laughter. I love that he’s such an idiot.
Me: Is it inappropriate for me to touch myself in the library?
Eli: Well, yes, but don’t let that stop you. I’m sure the dude at the table to your left would be up for the show, judging from the looks he keeps throwing your way.
I glance to my left and catch the eye of some guy. Blushing, I look around and spot Eli standing outside the glass doors of the library, smiling at his phone. His dirty blond hair is disheveled from being outside, and it takes all my resolve not to race out there and kiss him.
Me: You want me to study, so leave me alone. I’ll call you later.
Eli: You’re so cute when you’re concentrating. Call me when you get home. I’ll text dirty to you.
***
“Miss?”
I look up and see the librarian standing in front of my desk. Glancing around, I can see the library is empty. She smiles at me, almost apologetic. “I’m sorry, miss, but the library is closing in five minutes.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Shit. It’s almost nine.
How did I lose track of time? Packing up my books, I walk toward the door and notice I’ve got several missed calls and a whole lot of text messages on my phone. One is from Mom to tell me dinner is in the fridge and to text her when I get home, and the rest are from Eli. I click open the latest one, sent five minutes ago.
Eli: Where are you?
I dial his number and he answers on the first ring.
“Where the hell have you been?” he growls, his voice mixed with anger and worry.
“Jesus, relax, would you? I’m leaving the library now,” I reply, surprised by his reaction. Surely it wouldn’t have been that hard to figure out I lost track of the time and was still in the library. He saw me here, didn’t he? “I’m pretty sure it was you who told me to focus on my study.”
“That didn’t involve ignoring my desperate texts,” he mutters. “I was worried about you.”
Walking across the main common area, I’m still on the phone to Eli but I can hear footsteps behind me. At least, I think I can hear footsteps behind me. Probably my mind playing stupid tricks on me. It’s still dark outside, but there is nobody around. It’s unnerving, actually, to think that no one would hear me if I screamed.
My heartbeat speeds up. I’m psyching myself out. I just need to get out of the school and onto the main road and then I’ll be fine.
“Jill, are you listening?” Shit. I wasn’t.
“Sorry, I’ll call you back tonight. I need to catch the bus.” I hang up without waiting for his response, as the footsteps behind me get louder.
Breaking into a small run, I’m nearly at the gate when I’m pulled back by my backpack. The fear coursing through my body is palpable and my skin is prickling. Spinning around with force so I can retaliate if necessary, I rear my hand back, ready to punch the intruder and run.
“Freaking hell, you scared me,” I snap, recognizing the librarian. My legs are shaking and I feel on the verge of collapsing. I hold the gate to steady myself.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she says. “I was calling out, but you were on your phone. You left your book on the table.”
I mumble thanks and take the book, shoving it into my backpack. This is what too many horror movies does to a person.
“Mom,” I yell from the doorway.
Silence greets me. Throwing my bag on the floor as I trudge my way to the kitchen, I open the fridge, take out the stir-fry, and throw it in the microwave.
