Chapter Three: The Library

"Do you have your schedule?"

"Yes."

"Locker and your locker combo?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Mr. Carson here will escort you and Mr. Leo to your first class that way we don't have to worry about either of you getting lost. Luckily, you both have Calculus. Miss Harmony, Mr. Leo, welcome to Springfield High." I returned her polite smile and mentally rolled my eyes. I didn't have a problem with Mrs. Hoover, I liked her tough love personality. Personally, it's my favorite school personality. Someone who gets to the point, expects the best out of you, and doesn't take any crap. But Springfield? I mean, what's up with schools and their weird nature names?

Not only that but for a name like that – it was sure dull here. The polls outlining the hallway paired with the brick walls made it feel somewhat like a prison. Entering the building didn't do much to help its image either, considering the black classroom doors were surrounded by grey lockers. It's the second semester, where are the school event signs and graffiti?

"Here's your first stop. The class has already started since you were meeting with Mrs. Hoover. Have fun, I've got to go to my class."

"Thank you." He nodded and walked away. Carson was so polite, maybe this school was actually an etiquette jail. I stared at the black door, not wanting to actually go inside.

"Whatcha waitin' for?"

"Oh. I just… don't want to go in first." I avoided Leo's glare.

"Well, ladies first." Jerk. He opened the door and I awkwardly walked in first. Immediately, twenty eyes were on us. I felt like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. It was as if my feet were sinking into the floor and I couldn't breathe. Leo furrowed his eyebrows and started to open his mouth. I gripped my thumb and squeezed, breathing out quietly at the same time. A ritual to calm me down that I'd learned in counseling. I let go.

"I'm Harmony, nice to meet you, Mr. Reilley." I smiled and scanned the room for a route to the empty seats in the back of the class.

"I'm Leo."

"You two may take your seats by Thomas. Thomas, please raise your hand." Both Leo and I left to head to our new desks. I tried my best to get out all my utensils without making too much noise. I hated being new in school. From what I could tell by the student's behavior, the school, and how excited mom was – this is a nice school. I missed my old school where I already knew everyone and didn't have to feel anxious because people left me alone. Maybe I should have someone "accidentally" find out about past reputation? But that would result in the teachers having a prejudice against me because they would think that I'm a bad student. Which I am not. Fighting with your peers and having good grades can go hand in hand.

Math wasn't my strong suit, yet here I was. In all honesty, I worked my butt off to be in advanced courses because the kids were more tolerable in these classes. Most of the time they focused on their studies instead of people and gossip.

I started to relax as Mr. Reilley went back to his example of implicit differentiation. It's been a week since I got out of the hospital and therefore more than a week since I last went to school. I needed some normalcy in my life, and so far, haven't been getting it. The feeling of a pen in my hand as I took notes was second best to the feeling of my boxing gloves.

My first two classes went well, despite the anxiety I got when first going in. The teachers seemed decent and only a couple kids tried to be overfriendly. On the other hand, it was now lunch. I'd casually turned down the kids who invited me to lunch and did not regret it. Instead of being happy to have someone offer me up to their friend group like a nice new piece of meat, I found it uncomfortable. By now everyone already had the newcomers of their group settled in. Plus, it's awkward when everyone is close already and has their inside jokes. I could almost guarantee that if I'd accepted any of the requests, I'd currently be fake laughing and trying not to express how out of place I felt. It was now between the library and my car. Since the library is closer to my English class, I guess it was the better choice.

I put my earbuds in but didn't bother turning on music. Honestly, this is probably the best way to be left alone. While some are oblivious to the unspoken rule, I find that most teenagers respect it and will give you your space. I watched the repeated pattern of grey pillars and black classroom doors, boring. I sighed outside of the almost-black navy library door. *Behind you.* I turned to see the guy from earlier, Leo, behind me. Eyebrow raised and hand right about to tap my shoulder. He put his hand in his pocket and gave me a half-smile.

"Don't want to go in first again?" I stood there for a moment, confused. I just realized I heard a voice, not mine or my conscience's. "You okay?"

"Huh?" I realized he was still waiting for a response. "Oh, no I was just thinking."

"I see." He pulled the door open and stood beside it. "Ladies first."

"Thanks." I rolled my eyes but stepped inside anyway. I wasn't about to discourage his politeness; heaven knows how many people would open the door for someone. Even if he did so with an attitude.

I stood for a moment in the entryway, absorbing my surroundings. The library was a good size for a school. It was almost the size of a public library and had plenty to fill it. Half of the room was filled with rows of tall black bookcases, at least twenty. The other half was lined with seating, computers and printers, and a checkout area. I scanned the shelves before stopping at "sci-fi". As if he had the same though, Leo was already at the shelf, reading the summary on the back of a thick book.

Then I looked at him, well I guess more like stared. I'd seen him both this morning and during my first class but hadn't paid him much – if any – attention. His height showed as he reached up to look at one of the books on the top shelf with ease. Probably around six foot two. He was quite handsome too, in a weird way. His skin seemed as if he hadn't gone outside much due to the fact he was pretty white, but his build held a statement that was quite the opposite. His build was similar to a football player or wrestler, thick muscle, and a chiseled jaw. He had chin-length almost white-blonde hair, which somewhat made him look like a movie villain.

He ran his hand through his hair, pulling half of it into a sloppy man bun half up. His eyes met my gaze and he smirked. He had just watched me size him up. I slowly dragged myself to the sci-fi section.

"You know, usually when you come to a library, you check out the books. Not people." He chuckled as I wrapped my earbuds up and shoved them into a pocket.

"I am here for the books." I glared at him and then scooted past him.

"Mhm. Well, I sure hope you don't look at all your books like that. Your boyfriend might get jealous." He stacked the two books he had and walked to the checking out area. I grabbed the book I was looking for and quickly caught up.

"It's not my fault you look like a movie character." Beep. Beep. He picked up his books and turned to me.

"Now, we both know that wouldn't be a valid argument if the roles were reversed." Beep. The librarian handed me back my book.

"Thank you." I kept my book tucked in my elbow and followed him as he left the library. "Fine, fair enough. I apologize for sizing you up."

"Sizing me up? Are you looking for a fight little lady?" He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Little? I'm like five inches shorter than you. And if I wanted a fight, I would've just asked."

"Well, then I guess that you're more polite than others who just go about starting battles without discussing any reason." I laughed as we walked down the hallway.

"Battles? What kind of fights have you gotten into before?"

"Ones that took and threatened what mattered to me." The sincerity in his voice and the way he avoided my gaze made me stop. That was a painful statement, to say and hear. Most of the fights I'd gotten into were to save my own behind, but I could tell he was someone who fought for others. I cleared my throat.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I know I don't know you but, how you holding up?" He turned to face me and sighed.

"It's been a while, so I guess I've accepted it." He shrugged.

"I know enough to know time doesn't heal everything." He looked sorry for a moment, which I found odd since we were talking about his pain. "But you learn to live with it and get stronger." He nodded in agreement and the bell rang.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around." He waved and started to walk away. *Ask him to come over or something.* I blinked confused. The voice again. *Come on. It's important.*

"Hey, Leo." He stopped.

"Yeah."

"This is reeeally weird, since we just met and all, but want to come over after school. We can study, or talk, or just ignore each other and read our sci-fi books."

"Is food involved?"

"Yeah, why not." I shrugged.

"Sure, I'll wait out front." I headed to class, smiling. I felt like I'd accomplished something. That was until I realized Lily was coming over today too. Crap.