5. The library Encounter

-- ♡ - Narrated by Halena - ♡ --

After a full day of handling ridiculous classmates, dodging responsibilities I never asked for, and pretending Ethan didn't get under my skin, I needed a break.

The only place that offered true peace in this chaotic college?

The library.

No screaming. No group projects. No one trying to dump more work on me.

Just silence, books, and a chance to breathe.

Or so I thought.

-- The Plan: Avoid All Humans --

I walked into the library like a soldier on a mission.

Step 1: Find a secluded corner.

Step 2: Grab a book-any book.

Step 3: Enjoy my alone time.

Simple, right?

I found the perfect spot in the back row, hidden between shelves. I sank into my chair, stretched my arms, and sighed happily.

Finally. Peace.

Then, disaster struck.

-- Enter Ethan, the Menace --

The moment I got comfortable, a chair scraped back across from me.

I looked up.

And there he was.

Ethan.

Silent. Expressionless. Holding a book like he owned the place.

I stared at him. "What are you doing?"

He ignored me and flipped a page.

I narrowed my eyes. "Ethan."

Nothing.

He just sat there, perfectly calm, while I was having a personal crisis.

Did he not know the rules of personal space?

> "Of all the seats in this library," I hissed, "why are you sitting here?"

He glanced up. "This is my seat."

I groaned. "You said that last time!"

> "And I meant it." He turned another page. "I always sit here."

I squinted at him. "Are you following me?"

He smirked. "You think I plan my schedule around you?"

> "Maybe....."

Ethan shook his head, amused, and went back to reading.

I stared at him for another five seconds before giving up.

Fine. If he wanted to sit there, whatever.

I was going to ignore him.

So, I focused on my book.

And immediately regretted my choice.

-- The Book Incident --

I had grabbed a book at random earlier.

I hadn't even checked the title.

But now that I actually looked at it...

Oh. No.

I had accidentally picked up a romance novel.

And not just any romance novel.

A dramatic, over-the-top, totally embarrassing romance novel.

With a ridiculous title.

> "Whispers of the Moonlit Lover."

I wanted to die.

I slowly looked up, praying Ethan hadn't noticed.

And he was smirking.

> "What?" I snapped.

He casually leaned back. "Interesting choice."

> "It was an accident," I hissed.

Ethan tilted his head. "Was it?"

Oh. My. God.

I slammed the book shut and glared at him.

> "This is a library," I said. "People come here to read. Silently."

Ethan flipped another page. "I'm not stopping you."

I gritted my teeth. He was enjoying this.

So, naturally, I had to fight back.

-- Declaring War --

Since Ethan wanted to be annoying, I decided to test his patience.

Step 1: Annoy him first.

I flipped my book pages aggressively. Loudly. Like a menace.

No reaction.

Step 2: Disrupt his focus.

I started tapping my pen against the table.

Still, no reaction.

Step 3: The ultimate move.

I slowly reached into my bag... pulled out a bag of chips... and started eating loudly.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Crunch.

Ethan finally looked up, his eyes narrowing.

> "Are you serious?"

I smiled sweetly. "I'm just enjoying my book."

He sighed deeply, like he was rethinking all his life choices.

Victory.

I smirked and went back to my crunching.

-- The Unexpected Silence --

For a while, we actually sat in peace.

Him, reading.

Me, pretending I wasn't still annoyed by his presence.

Then... something weird happened.

It got comfortable.

Like, weirdly comfortable.

I wasn't annoyed anymore.

He wasn't smirking.

It was just... quiet.

And somehow, it wasn't awkward.

I didn't know what to make of it.

-- The Almost-Conversation --

After an hour, I closed my book and stretched.

Ethan looked up. "Leaving?"

I blinked. "Uh... yeah?"

He nodded. "See you tomorrow."

I froze.

Wait.

Tomorrow?!

Did that mean-

> "Do you always study at this time?" I asked.

Ethan shrugged. "Yeah."

I stared at him. "So... we're going to keep running into each other?"

He smirked. "Looks like it."

OH, NO.

I had accidentally created a routine with Ethan.

I walked out of the library, my brain spiraling.

Was this a thing now?

Were we... library seat neighbors?

Did this mean we were officially rivals? Friends? Mortal enemies?

I had no idea.

But one thing was certain...

Ethan wasn't going anywhere.

Oh. No.

-----

To be continued...