I set my bag down on the chair and pulled out my laptop. I needed to look up some articles on the Internet, so I decided to escape my hot office and got to the library. It was always cooler in the library, and after recent remodeling, there were dozen of Ethernet outlets on the long tables in the main hall. It was late Thursday afternoon, in the summer, so there were far fewer students there as normal, in fact, I only saw two other people in the hall as I sat down. I picked a spot close to the far wall, so I was assured of having peace and quiet. I also wouldnât bother anyone else with my mouse-clicking.
Normally, the understood, unspoken etiquette was to find a space as far away from others in the library as possibly, so as not to disturb them. Normally, a person could have an entire side of a table to him or herself, even during the school year. I was a little annoyed when I saw, out of the corner of my eye, someone sit down only a few seats away from me, on the same side of the table. However, that annoyance quickly evaporated when I gave a good look in this invaders direction.
I was treated to a glorious sight; a short, slim creature, with shoulder-length blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and perfect lips. I do admit that I noticed those things only after letting my eyes wander over the semi-transparent shirt she was wearing. I started at the top of her khakis and moved up, fixing my eyes on the bra that I could almost completely make out; a light color, with a floral pattern. She seemed to have small, firm breasts, from what I could tell.
I felt like a freshman in high school, staring at this girl like I had only just hit puberty and never thought to look at girls before. Without even saying a word, or even acknowledging my presence, she had taken a hold of me. I could no longer concentrate on what I was doing. I tried to look away, but I couldnât. I didnât think I could be more flustered, but at that exact moment, she looked in my direction and our eyes met. I had just been admiring her lips, when she turned her head. I was so surprised my it, that I turned away. I had spent the last few minutes staring at her, with obvious attraction, and when she actually looked in my direction, I panicked, and turned. I couldnât manage a smile, or the nerve to stand and walk over to her. I really had reverted to being a teenager.
I was kicking myself on the inside for being such an idiot, for being so shy. I convinced myself that I had just ruined a chance, and felt like crap. I tried to focus on my computer and get back to what I was doing. I didnât get a chance to wallow in my self-pity, because just as I began to type again, I felt a presence nearby. I turned to my right, and there she was, stand just couple of feet away, looking down at me, a smile on her face. My eyes started with a view of her slightly freckled chest and neck, bare for the several buttons that were undone on her shirt. Up close I was even more tempted to stare through that shirt, but her voice helped me regain my senses and I looked into her eyes.
âIâve never received this kind of attention before,â she said in a soft voice. Her upper lips was thing, but the bottom was full. I felt lost, for words, for myself; I felt so taken with her right from the start. I managed finally to regain my tongue.
âI donât usually stare like that, but I have to say that you have a strange affect on me. I donât even know your name.â I held tight to the chair to prevent myself from shaking. Why was she affecting me this way?
âI donât mind, in fact Iâm flattered. Iâm used to just fading in the background wherever I go. Itâs nice to⊠stand out. My nameâs Kristy, with a K,â she said and offered her hand.
âDamien,â I replied, as I took her hand. Soft, was the only thought in my head.
âI, uhhhh, canât imagine that you would blend in anywhere.â Incredibly soft hand. âYouâre so, soâŠâ I stuttered.
âSo⊠what, Damien?â she asked, a little red from my previous compliment.
âBreathtaking.â After I said it, I must have turned crimson, because my face felt very hot. It wasnât an adjective that seemed appropriate for just meeting someone. But she turn the same color that I felt like, and the soft smile on her face, told me that she like the compliment.
âThat wasnât a word I expected, but I love that you think that. I do notice that you are still breathing, thought,â she joked. âAnd that look on your face is priceless.â Apparently I look as embarrassed as I felt. I thought for a moment that she was enjoying making fun of me, but a squeeze from her hand pushed that thought away. I had forgotten that I was still holding her hand, or was she still holding mine. As she sat down next to me, she finally let go. At last I could look at her, without straining my neck, or having to resist looking through her shirt again.
âIâm used to fading in the background too. Iâve always felt that I was never notable,â I said, almost a whisper. I remembered we were still in the library. I was also surprised ad how comfortable I felt looking and talking to Kristy.
âSeems like we have some things in common, because you sure donât fade into the background,â she whispered. Her smile was intoxicating. âSay, there have to be better places to have conversation than the library, even an empty one. Why donât we get out of her.â With that, she stood, and waited for me to follow. I agreed with a nod, and quickly gathered my things, and followed her down the table. She never got the chance to pull out her things, so she grabbed her bag and we headed outside.
We walked close together on the sidewalk, seeming to give others the idea that we had known each other for years. The air had cooled off, since the sun had set, and we moved comfortably under the streetlights. We discovered that were both grad students, she a first year in molecular biology, and myself, a second year in chemistry. In fact, she only worked a few buildings away, but I had never seen her. Kristy said she often heard comments from people that she was too young to be a graduate student, indeed she did look quite young, but she was never bothered by it. She turned out to be a local, whereas I was an out-of-stater. We both liked good coffee, good beer, and long hikes. She also happened to like dancing, especially ballroom, and I wasnât a big fan, mostly because I didnât think I could dance.
We didnât seem to be headed in any particular direction, and our conversation sound made us lose track of time. I didnât bother to find out, because I was enjoying myself too much. I decided to steer us down toward the river, which always looked wonderful under the moon and stars. There were a few benches at the spot we found, one of my favorites in the city. The moon was a thin crescent so it didnât offer much light, in fact, the only light was from the street yards away. We could see the river flowing lazily, reflecting the faint light. We sat down on the bench, and in a few moments, the river absorbed out words and we were sitting quietly, just getting to used to each otherâs warmth and presence.
We sat a few inches a part, hesitating to make contact again, just like teenagers. Soon, I felt her edging toward me, first feeling her shirt against my arm, and then her forearm against my leg. My heart started to pound; I thought that Kristy would be able to hear it in the quiet of the night. Again, acting like a nervous kid. I was 24, dammit, I should act like it. I decided then, not to let this chance get away. I put my arm around her shoulders, and pulled her gently against me. She sighed, and leaned her head against my neck, and put her hand on my thigh, giving a little squeeze.
âI was wondering when you would do that,â she murmured.
âSometimes, Iâm a little slow. I canât help it, Iâm shy,â I replied, a little embarrassed.
âThereâs not need to be shy around me, Damien.â I enjoyed how my name sounded in her voice.
âSo⊠what about me actually first caught your attention?â she asked.
âHonestly?â
âHonestly. I expect nothing else.â
âIt was that semi-transparent shirt of yours. I could pretty much see your bra,â I said almost under my breath, but I knew she heard me.
âI see. So it wasnât my eyes or smile?â she teased. I felt her give my thigh a little squeeze.
âUmmm⊠sorry. I noticed those things afterwards.â I felt really embarrassed, and I tried to pull away from her, thinking that she didnât like my answer.
âHey, now donât do that,â she said as she held me in place. âThis shirt is meant to attract that kind of attention. Iâm just glad that the attention comes from a really cute, nice guy.â I was glad for the darkness at that moment, because I knew I was redder than I was in the library.
âSo after a couple of hours, you think Iâm a nice guy already?â I asked.
âWell, you havenât tried to take advantage of me in this light, or lack there of. In fact, I can tell that you are just as nervous as I am. Iâm a pretty good judge of character,â she said. It gave me a little confidence to know that she was just a nervous as I was.