Anya shouldn't have expected anything from Chad.
When they got to the library, Anya obediently took her seat, scooting back so her feet dangled off the ground. She sat there, swinging her legs with a sulky expression.
The city library wasn't packed, but it had a diverse mix of people—locals mostly, with occasional college students like them.
Leo put down his coffee mug, "Aren't you going to look for some books?"
Anya pouted, her round face looking a bit displeased.
Leo handed her his mug, "Can you get me a refill?"
Anya took the mug and headed to the familiar water station.
Leo wandered through the bookshelves, picked out a book, and glanced back at Anya, who was sitting there, looking downcast next to an open, steaming mug.
Sunlight poured in, casting a serene ambiance.
After a while, Leo returned to his seat.
He placed the second book of a series Anya had borrowed earlier in front of her, "Here, read this."
Anya looked up at Leo, "Chad, why don't you like the campus library? You always prefer coming here on weekends."
Leo replied, "At first, it was because at the campus library, you try to study, and a bunch of girls would sneak photos of you. Then, I started working and didn't have time during the week."
Anya bit her lip, understanding his explanation.
"So, if I go with you to the library, would they still take photos?"
"They'd take photos of us," Leo affirmed.
Anya rested her chin in her hand, pondering over his words, which seemed to make a lot of sense.
"Let's read."
"Chad, I didn't know we were coming here. I didn't bring my mug."
Leo opened his book, glanced down, then casually offered his coffee mug to Anya, "We can share this one."
Anya, with her straightforward innocence, asked, "Doesn't this mean we're indirectly kissing?"
Leo closed his book, looking at Anya for an answer, "You drink from the lid, and I'll drink from the rim. How's that?"
"Okay, then." Anya held the mug in her left hand and the lid in her right, ready to pour.
Leo watched her, careful not to scald herself or spill any on the table.
He casually tossed his book on the table, tapped it to get her attention, and motioned her to hand it over.
Anya passed him the items, watching as Leo carefully divided the water, making sure not a drop was spilled before handing it back to her.
Leo wanted to read, but before he could get into it, Anya noticed some mysterious white particles in the water and asked, "Chad, what's this?"
Leo, a bit exasperated, suggested, "Anya, there's a book called 'The World of Curiosity' over there. Why don't you check it out?"
Seeing Leo's impatience, Anya kept quiet.
Eventually, Leo read his book while Anya busied herself with pouring and drinking water.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sweet Mischief's Rollercoaster Romance