Read Any Good Books Lately?

Mary nervously tapped the edge of her book with a pen. It was two days later and she hadn’t seen or heard from Gray. Her mind was going crazy with worry that he didn’t want to see her anymore, that he thought she was weird, or gross, or some other horrible thing. Or maybe he decided that he was too good for her. He’s a lot more attractive than me, she admitted to herself. But I’ve always felt like he really liked me…so why hasn’t he come to see me? She started the cycle of worry all over again in her head.

She considered going by the blacksmith or even the inn to see him, but she knew she was very emotional, and she was desperately afraid of him rejecting her in a public place, and everyone seeing her cry. So she sat in the library and waited. Every time the door would open with its familiar creak, which wasn’t very often, she would sit at attention, hoping it was him. The last time, it had been the farmer Claire, who checked out a book on chicken breeding. Mary assisted her and then collapsed back into the chair as she left.

She decided to do something to keep herself busy, to try and take her mind off of it. She got a duster and set to work on the shelves. After she had been at it for twenty minutes, she just barely heard the door creak, but didn’t get her hopes up this time, and kept dusting. She heard footsteps approaching her, and she turned around curiously.

It was him! It was Gray! Her heart leapt in her chest with joy, but then sank in despair just as quickly as she agonized whether or not he was just coming to tell her that the other night was a mistake.

Gray smiled sheepishly at her and pulled his hat a little lower on his head. “Hey,” he said softly.

Mary fidgeted with the duster. “Hey,” she replied, looking down at the ground.

Gray shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. “Um…um, how are you doing?”

Mary kept looking at the ground. “Good. And you?”

“Good.” They stood in silence for what seemed like hours. Then they both suddenly looked up and started talking at once.

“Mary, I-“

“Gray, why-“

They both stopped and laughed nervously, then Gray made a little gesture. “You go first.”

Mary took a deep breath. “Why…why didn’t you come by yesterday?” she asked quietly.

Gray scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Grandpa made me do a bunch of extra chores. Plus…I wasn’t sure if you wanted to see me or not.”

Mary gaped at him. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Gray fidgeted. “I don’t know…I thought maybe you thought I was…I don’t know…like some kind of pervert or something.”

Mary sighed in relief. “Oh, of course I don’t think that!” She was so relieved and happy that she threw her arms around his neck for a hug. He encircled her waist with his arms, and shaking just a little with nerves, leaned in and kissed her softly. Mary sighed and kissed him back.

Mary rested her head against his shoulder. The door creaked open once again, snapping them to attention, and they broke apart, Mary industriously going back to dusting, and Gray scanning the bookshelves blindly. It was just Claire, coming back to return the book already. She explained that she wrote down the part she needed, and figured why keep it around any more. Mary thanked her, blushing furiously. Claire raised an eyebrow and looked from the embarrassed Mary, over to Gray, who was staring at Mary like a sad puppy, and then back at Mary.

Claire moved her body so that her back was to Gray, in case he could read lips. “Am I interrupting something?” she whispered to Mary.

“N-n-no! I mean, yes. I mean, no. Well, actually, a little.” Her eyes shimmered up at Claire. Claire could sense what was up, and winked at Mary. She discreetly left.

Mary returned to Gray. He slid the book he had been pretending to look at back onto the shelf. Mary exhaled audibly, then stepped closer and took both of his hands. “Why don’t you come back and see me tonight?” she implored him.

Gray’s mind was inundated with memories of what had happened their last night together, and he nodded his head vigorously.

“Okay, come back at 8 o’clock,” Mary told him.

He kissed her once more, and then left. Mary returned to her desk, sighing a little. She wanted him to stay with her now, but she didn’t know what would happen while they were together, and she didn’t want to risk being interrupted by anyone.

The hours seemed to drag on until it was night. Mary went up to her room after dinner. She changed her clothes into the “sexiest” thing she owned, a pink short sleeved blouse with cap sleeves, and a gray and white floral skirt that was shorter than her other ones. She brushed her hair, and swiped on a little more cherry lip gloss. She slipped in the back entrance into the library, and sat in wait for Gray.

A few minutes later, there was a light tapping on the door. Mary jumped up and rushed over to open it. Gray grinned widely when he saw her, and pulled his hand from behind his back to reveal a bouquet of wildflowers. She drew him inside and hugged him, and then locked the door behind him.

Gray glanced over at that. “Eh? Are you afraid I’m going to get away?”

Mary giggled. “No, I always lock it at night. I don’t want anyone wandering in…”

Gray blushed a little, and then his mind was overwhelmed with a sudden realization. He slapped himself on the forehead. “Mary, what about the door that goes into your house? Is that locked? Was it locked…the other night?”

Mary looked down at the bouquet she had taken from him. “It wasn’t locked the other night, but it is now.”

Gray smiled nervously. Mary put the flowers in a glass of water, and then they went to “their couch” together, sitting down carefully. Mary took off her glasses and Gray took off his hat, and they laid them aside. They sat in silence for a while, both staring down at their own hands. Mary edged just a little closer to Gray, and reached over and took his hand in hers. They laced their fingers together, and squeezed back and forth for a few minutes. Gray turned his head towards Mary, and took his other hand up to stroke her hair. He admired how glossy and beautiful it was. Mary looked back at him lovingly. Gray wanted to tell her something, but he was so nervous he was afraid it was going to come out all backwards.

“M-m-mary…”

“Yes?” she whispered.

“Mary…I….I think you’re really special,” he managed to say. “You’re not like other girls…I mean, you’re better than them. I don’t feel as nervous around you, and I feel like you really like me for who I am.”

Mary just listened quietly, her eyes shimmering.

“What I’m trying to say is… I …”