Library

Resounding as if being played through a speaker with delay. 'This constant barrage of rain renders a place of silence into one filled with noise. Some would have argued that the rain, peaceful as they'd have described to add and ameliorate the overall atmosphere,' holding a pen, '-I'd beg the differ.' Written on the pages, description of memories of times better left forgotten. 'Down the piles of things to never gloss over again,' packed and placed inside the bag, '-I'd better get back to studying.' An impromptu break after the mind grew to be a jumble of information, incoherent but present. 'What jobs can I score,' thinking about the future, '-possibly, the option of becoming a history teacher, maybe language. The path I've taken is already out of what the norm would have endeavored to follow,' uncommon and unlikely to gain anything of consequence, studying History, Art, and Literature would bring nothing but personal gain. 'Who cares,' white noise grew to overpower the downfall.

Struck at noon, a vintage clock with a pendulum going back and forth – as opposed to making noise, gave a faint click. Loud enough to be noticed yet subtle to not break concentration. Sat farther down the hall with the outside in view – the eyes wandered to check the outside as a distraction.

"Hey geezer, is this place open?" sharp as a needle, a lady's voice resounded. As if planned, lightning struck a tree opposite the building – the light cast a shadow of a silhouette across the tiled floor. Deafening, the impact it made, startled any who sat. Gasps, though faint, were heard. A few students were scattered or rather, lost in the immensity of the building. Set to fly in an endless pool of knowledge and material; a dream for any up and coming scholar.

'Obnoxious,' he thought since the guard and lady spoke as if old friends. Her tone didn't seem friendly in the least. Unbothered or enchanted, the man made small talk until, "-silence," was shouted across. 'How ironic,' a chuckle followed by the pen gliding across the pages.

"Don't get worked up," voiced the lady, her footsteps, steady and rhythmic – broke the idleness of the cacophony outside.

"Here we are," slamming books, muffled by the sound of thunder outside, she pulled her chair and sat as if the world owed her praises for being alive.

'Selfish,' turned to catch a glimpse of who had caused such an upheaval their eyes met. 'Black-hair tied in a pony-tail, a beauty mark underneath her left eye and almond-shaped eyes, *Cough,* a warmth welled from within, not the good kind. It was one resembling of those that would surge during a do or die situation.

"I know you," lowering her glasses onto the table, with a confused expression, "-you're that coward from last night," she pointed.

"Please keep quiet, miss," choosing to act nonchalant, though as it was, the subtle shaking of the fingers could not be hidden. "You're maybe thinking of someone else," shaky, it didn't make the cut.

"Don't lie to me," she stood, brought over her stuff, and settled a seat away from him. "How can I forget a face like yours," she held his chin, "-yes, you definitely are him, that coward who has the eyes of an emotionless freak." Trying to stare away, the eyes wandered everywhere except her face.

"Please," mustering a little confidence, pushing her hand away, "-you're being quite rude to the other people," embarrassed as the bookkeeper stared the duo intently, he stood. 'I better leave,' a single thought, climbing wooden stairs to the first floor, *History of Celestials,* under the category of History. Located pretty far back into the building, secluded and away from prying eyes. 'Why is she here,' holding the book close, '-I need to get it together,' he breathed as the legs shook involuntarily.

"History of Celestials huh?" leaned for a better view of the book, the ponytail moved ominously. "You're a student here too?" asked whilst straightening her posture, "-I've never seen you around before," without tact, she stood in front of him.

"Sorry but I have to go back to studying," turned. "Hold on a second," she grabbed his arms, "-what's your problem?" offended, a quick tug pulled him around, "-are you so gutless that you'd run away given the chance?"

'What is she on about,' with a woeful expression, '-can't she catch a clue? I'm not running away, I'm j-just…' lost for words, the head lowered, '-I'm running away, aren't I? I don't know this person, yet I've thrown the gauntlet and admitted to being inferior. All that from a single match of Manticore – still,' breathing calmly. "Since you're a student here, I've no reason to remind you that exams are in three days. I'm not running away, there are more pressing issues than to deal with someone with a superiority complex," patience ran out, '-best way to get out of this situation is to try and insult her. I might get slapped but she'll leave me alone.'

"Superiority complex, do you think I view the world as being inferior to me?" she chuckled, "-let me guess, you're thinking that if you offend me, then I'll get angry and leave?"

"What if it is so," a smirk came naturally, "-I would not mind that. Think about what you want, I may be weak and feeble, but I never give up. That's the only redeeming factor I have," sharply, "-I know that you're trying to past time. Someone like you probably has the whole campus around her fingers, why not go speak to them. I'm a loner, and choose to be this way," returning the book, "-good-bye." Awestruck, the girl stood as he climbed down. 'I don't even know who she is and said all those things. I generalized her personality from what I've observed. People like that are surrounded by yes-man, her beauty and charisma, are both a boon and curse. Those who sit at the top of the pecking order, let's hope that we don't cross paths ever again.' Showing 14:00, "-I'll be taking these on loan," approved and sign, '-the weather has let up a little.' Books kept inside layers and layers of plastic bags, poncho back on, the walk home resumed.

*W-ender,* nearing the commercial district, a supermarket not that popular. 'Guess I'll get supplies for this month,' with 2250, the budget was limited. 'I'll get eggs, rice, and veggies. They should last a few months if I prepare them correctly.'

"That will be 950 Bits," said a lady with a formal tone.

'That should last me a month, I'm not going to die of starvation before my exams are over,' packed and heavy, the walk continued. SCHD on full volume, time passed without noticing, the would-be fatigue never showed its face.

*Click,* opened, '-I wish people would at least flush or something.' Somber, no light with the wind whistling inside the apartment,'-time to clean.' Food kept safely inside the fridge, using a t-shirt and a bucket, the floor was wiped. Slowly, the bucket filled till, *splash,* it was thrown outside. 'I'm cold,' an hour later, stood in front of the stove as the rice cooked, '-I wish my feet would be warm as well,' glancing at the bedroom, living room and common room an all in one package, '-no chance of sleeping there today.'

"Hello, Ma'am," SCHD in hand.

"Yes, who is it?" answered Dimia with a yawn.

"It's Sayer, I was wondering if I could take a few days off. I have exams coming up, I have to study. I'll work the convenience store then leave at noon, is that ok?"

"Sure, when will the exams begin?"

"In three days, on Thursday and Friday. I've already handed over the assignment, now it's for the written exams."

"No problem, you have been working nonstop for the past five years – I'll cut you some slack just this once. Tomorrow and the day after, no need to come to Boycott, you'll work at the Convin. Good luck on the exams, see you on Saturday," she laughed, "-two days to suffer then returning," the phone cut after giggles of a child was heard in the background.

'That's taken care of,' at ease; having rice and salt as dinner, the night ended at around midnight. Studying under a warm, inexpensive light. *Achoo,* '-it's cold,' laying on the floor with no blankets and only boxers, with a thin layer of spongy yoga mat in between. It took persistence between the shivering and coughs to sleep.

"Should you not focus on revising?" asked Jerry whilst combing his hair. The night ended prematurely with the wind gathering speed. Awake at 04:00, studies till time came to head out. On a half-filled stomach this time, one filled with warm water, he moved.

"I'll go at noon, it's the least I can do. Ma'am Dimia has helped me more than I can ever repay. Leaving because I have an exam would be wrong," they debated in the storeroom.

"Do what you want, also, take one of the rejected lunchboxes. She's given me orders so that'd you have the ones that aren't sold."

"Thanks," with a nod, the supervisor left the room.

"Ma'am sure is being nice for a change of pace, I wonder what brought on the change,' time showed 08:00, '-I always feel better after paying all that I'm due. The student loan sure is pain off my shoulders, I can smile and focus properly now."

"Excuse me, miss," standing on her toe staring into the magazine section, a few aisles away, he called.

"N-no," startled, she jumped back dropping candy.

"Let me help you," crouched, "-do you have a crush on Jerry?"

*Cough,* her demeanor changed, "-w-why w-would you t-think that?" embarrassed, her cheeks flushed.

"I see you coming here every morning, buying the same sweets and staring Jerry," he held out a hand

"T-thanks," she stood, "-I must say it's a bit awkward now that you've noticed. I thought I was being secretive," her eyes befell the floor.

"Whatever do you mean?" asked as if baffled, "-I came only to help a customer who needed help in picking snacks. I've not seen anything out of the ordinary," to that, a smile later, '-I should probably not have intruded on her privacy,' mounting the register, '-I'm going to be named a stalker,' he thought.

"Do keep this thing between us," whispered as she purchased the snacks.

"I have a bad memory, sorry," with a reassuring expression, the girl headed out. 'She was more understanding than I gave credit for. Highschool I presume, after which it's university – must be nice to be carefree and enjoy the world and take things for granted,' in and outs continued. 'If Elise was awake, she'd been in her fourth-year,' on auto-cruise, he worked.

"You can leave," entered Roger with a new assistant, "-we'll take over the Convin. Go study, I'm expecting results," darker skin complexion, bald head with an infectious smile.

"Thanks for covering," in normal clothes, "-I'll see you tomorrow," waving, he left. 'Roger��s always been the father figure of our work-force. I wonder how he can keep a smile despite his wife dying in a freak accident. That's courage and braveness I'll never have,' back and forth in his mind, the thoughts and question of what it meant to be courageous.

"Sayer," called one of his classmates sitting in the yard, "-you here to study?" with girls sat beside on the bench, he asked.

"Yeah," he nodded, "-I'll be going now, see you."

"Alright, take care man," Jay waved.

'Still as popular as ever. I've known him since high-school, that guy is rich and is an up and coming Pro Florma player. A game of strategy where one goes against another. It's similar to chess with the exception being that the player is a commander who has to walk into an undiscovered plot of land to fight against his opponent. Random with the only major prerequisite being intelligent. I've seen a few of his games, he's a beast – some may say a prodigy.'