I had seen him around before, but we had never talked. Occasionally I would catch a glimpse of him looking at me, his eyes briefly growing hungry before turning away. I had been too shy to say anything, to get closer, and all the things I wanted him to do had remained a fantasy… until today.
It was late by the time I arrived at the library, only half an hour or so until closing. It was quiet; the usual groups of students were gone, no kids running across the floor, no assistants to hush them. I almost held my breath as I slipped past the desk and in between the massive shelves filled to the brim with books, my fingers mindlessly tracing their backs as I went.
I was about to pick up a copy of *Alice in Wonderland* when I heard steps approaching. I glanced over my shoulder, my heart skipping a beat when I saw him. He was standing at the edge of the section, his dark eyes fixed to mine.
“You’re here later than usual,” he said.
I stared at him for a moment, unsure of what to say. “…yes. I got caught up studying.”