Love at the Library (closed)

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte's favorite place at the university was the library. As a foster child, she had gone to dozens of schools growing up and the one constant in any school was the library. It was the way she helped herself to feel at home. She would check out some books, and linger in the library taking comfort in the familiarity of the pages.

She was a scholarship student at a private university. It almost felt like being a visitor from another planet. She didn't know how to interact with the other girls, her room mate had spent the summer in Barbados and had a brand new Range Rover. Charlotte didn't know how to explain that her family had imploded when she was just seven years old, and she had spent the next eleven years bouncing between foster homes.

So, her job at the library was really a refuge. She felt at home in the stacks, and she would find books that interested her that she would have never found otherwise.

On the Friday night that she met James, she had been sitting at the check out desk reading about Forensic Ornithology. She hadn't even known the discipline existed. It had been pioneered by a female ornithologist at the Smithsonian. She had solved a murder by identifying microscopic feather fragments for the FBI. Charlotte was engrossed in her book. Her pencil was stuck in her auburn, loose bun. Her glasses were sliding down her nose. Her cheek was a little flushed where it had been resting against her hand. Her ivory skin marked easily.

 

[GallantWriter]

James had been working late that night at the library. He never seemed to notice the passing of time until it was too late. He was close to finishing school. On his way to teaching Highschool.

He was working on a paper about what makes a classic a classic. He was combing through books he had read before and really loved.

He had a few more pages to comb through and didn't have a copy of the Great Gatsby so he decided it would be best to borrow it. He walked over to the check out girl. He was tired but as soon as he saw her he felt awake. He tapped lightly on the counter.

"Excuse me, I know it's late but I'd like to check out this novel. Is your book interesting? You look quite engrossed in that book you have there."

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte startled a little when James asked to check out his book and asked about the book she was reading.

"Yes, actually." She closed her book and scanned the copy of Gatsby he was checking out.

"My book is about Roxie Laybourne. She created the field of forensic ornithology... I didn't even know such a thing existed. Her work has solved crimes and helped the military prevent bird strikes. She solved almost 1,000 cases a year by examining feathers. No one has checked out this book in ages... I just wanted to..." Her voice trailed off.

She took his student ID and scanned it.

"I am sorry that I am rambling, I just really curious about jobs I have never heard about... I mean who knew there was a little old woman in the Smithsonian studying feather fragments."

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, she had no idea why she was telling him these things.

 

[GallantWriter]

James smiled at the mousy woman before him. Her rambling was actually quite adorable. He listened to her and nodded. Happy to learn about such an interesting subject.

"Oh, you could never bore me" he said with a smile. "It's always a delight to learn something new about this world of ours."

He took the copy of Gatsby from her and their hands touched. There was electricity in the this light touch. He smiled at her.

"I'm usually here late into the night. I know you are too. Should I make you a snack and give it you when I come? Or we can have a snack together, it isn't good to work so hard and not eat."

He blushed lightly. She made him nervous. But it was a good kind of nervous. The butterflies in his stomach were jubilant.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte smiled up at him.

"I have my break usually around 8. We aren't allowed to eat at the desk. I usually go sit on the back steps. There is a pretty view. "

She bit her lip a little nervously.

"I could meet you there tomorrow at eight."

 

[GallantWriter]

He smiled back.

"Sounds absolutely lovely. Plus you'll be there" he said looking away, his face tinted slightly pink.

He scribbled down his number and smiled.

"It's a date," he said before realizing how nervous she actually was. "I mean if that is okay with you..."

He realized he didn't know her name and blushed even more.
He kissed her hand and grinned, trying to hide his emotions.

"I will see you tomorrow", then he said with a grin.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to be brave and he seemed like such a nice guy.

"I will see you tomorrow." She managed to say with a shy smile. Her hand shook when he kissed it.

Charlotte had to shut down the check out desk and then lock up the library. She got her tasks down and then locked up. She found herself smiling and excited as she walked down the sidewalk towards her dorm.

Her roommate was out partying, so Charlotte was able to change into her pajamas and settle in for the night. She was got out her book and nestled into the covers.

She hoped her library friend, was as nice as he seemed.

 

[GallantWriter]

James went back to his dorm with a smile on his face. He had been lead astray by a woman a few months back and finally had begun to trust again. This new woman, was something else. She was demure but also vibrantly beautiful.

He soon fell asleep with the Great Gatsby open below him. The eyes of TJ Eckleburg shimmering on the cover.

He woke up and headed off to his classes enjoying his day. Counting down the minutes until he would see his new lady friend.He was beside himself with glee. He couldn't wait to see her again.

He was lucky enough to live in an apartment close to campus. He created a nice dinner, nothing to fancy. Just some sandwiches, a little cheese, and some fruit. He also brought a bottle of sparkling grape juice and two goblets hoping to class things up a little. He couldn't help but bake a small chocolate cake which he stuck into his basket.

He may be overdoing it but he was just excited. As he approached the library dressed up in a button down shirt and jeans he saw Charlotte. She was standing looking up at the falling sun. He cleared his throat.

"Well, I'm so glad you came."

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte had kept her hair down. She was dressed in a simple green top and her slim dark jeans that fit like a second skin. She was watching the sunset. Part of her had worried that he wasn't going to come that this was just some sort of a joke.

Her face lit up when she saw him there with his picnic basket.

"Well, I couldn't miss dinner with you." She offered with a small smile. Charlotte nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I am Charlotte. Charlotte Nixon. I don't think I introduced myself the other night."

 

[GallantWriter]

He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm James, James Spacey, and it is a pleasure to meet you Charlotte."

He held her hand for a moment until he realized what he was doing. He let go and blushed before spreading the blanket he had in his basket. He set out the sandwiches, cheese, and the ripe berries he had brought. He took out the sparkling juice and smiled.

"Hope you like grape juice" he said as he poured two glasses.

He looked up at the sun and smiled. She glimmered in the twilight. He nearly kissed her but he held back.

"I read the Great Gatsby last night until I fell asleep. I must say I imagined you as the young female characters." He blushed.

They are sandwiches and he was happy. It was a little quiet though.

"Why did you choose to work in a library?"

 

[wideeyedone]

She smiled when he mentioned Gatsby.

"I hope I am less selfish and materialistic than Daisy." She offered with a giggle.

When he asked about the library she found herself struggling to answer, she wasn't sure how much to say, but he seemed to be the kind of person he could trust.

"I went to lots of different schools growing up and the only thing that was the same at all of them was the library. So, libraries have always been a sort of second home for me. And I needed a job, and luckily the library was available. I get a chance to study and read. I get to read books I wouldn't otherwise get a chance to see."

She took a few bites of her sandwich. It helped her nervousness to take a few bites.

 

[GallantWriter]

"From what I can tell that appears to be true. I do hope my story doesn't end up with me shot in my pool."

He laughed. He did enjoy her bookish ways.

He took her hand instinctively at that moment. He held it and smiled.

"Well I'm glad your journey through lead you to me" he said blushing realizing that what he said was out there. He let go of her hand and took a bit from a sandwich.

"This spot is beautiful, but nothing compares to you."

Again he blushed, she was bringing out his urge to compliment. Something he had developed because he was just an honest soul.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte sliced an apple and ate it carefully. She smiled up at him.

"I only have thirty minutes for my break." She offered shyly. She tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. "I am off this weekend. I am looking forward to a Saturday when I am caught up on school work and have the day off."

She bit her lip, wondering if she was being too forward.

 

[GallantWriter]

He smiled down at her, she was incredible.

"Would you like to go out on a date with me on Saturday?" James asked sensing she wanted him to ask her out.

He blushed, because he was used to reading signals wrong.

"I actually have an idea of what we could do."

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte couldn't hide her smile. She felt her smile light up her face.

"I would love to." She offered shyly. She glanced at her watch. "I have to go, tell me about it at the check out desk?" Her voice was sweet and tender as she raced back up the steps to go inside and clock in.

 

[GallantWriter]

James smiled back at her. He blushed but his eyes were sparkling.

"Well, then it's a date." He watched her run away and sighed happily. He cleaned up the picnic, and headed towards the library. He put the food in the car and headed inside. He smiled at her, but she was busy.

He took out his work and began sifting through the classics again.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte clocked in and then headed back to the check in desk. There was only a professor picking up some books he had put on reserve. She quickly checked out Dr. Nesbit's books on Chinese civilization. He thanked her and headed out of the library. Next she got the cart and began re-shelving books.

She smiled at James when she passed his study carrel. She took one of the slips of paper from the cart and wrote her cell phone number down for James and slipped it onto his table.

 

[GallantWriter]

James smiled down at the number. He quickly typed it into his phone. His first text said "You are beautiful". He smiled down at his books. He was a little nervous.

He wanted nothing more then to talk to her. But knew she was working. He didn't even know if she would respond since she was such an incredible librarian.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte re-shelved the books on her cart and then returned to the desk. She checked out a few more patrons.

Then she noticed the text on her phone. She read it and smiled.

"You are a charmer." She replied.

 

[GallantWriter]

James' face lit up when he saw her response. He was nervous, but he had a crazy thought in his head. He looked over at her, talking with patrons. She really did look beautiful.

He thought about his next move.

"I've always had this wild idea in my head." Was the message he replied with.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte got a break. She looked at her phone.

"What is your wild idea?" She replied. She looked over at him, and raised her eyebrow playfully.

 

[GallantWriter]

"I've always wanted to go to a Gatsby esque party. Been hearing of one for the past few years but never had a lady worth going with."

He winks at her and gets back to work. It's getting later and he knows she will be finishing up soon. He smiles and waits for her response.

 

[wideeyedone]

Charlotte had to reshelve books and help some people check out books before she could see his response.

"I would love to go." She replied. She thought for a moment and bit her lip. "I will need to find something to wear. Maybe hit the resale shops."

She ran her fingers through her hair and waited nervously.