Of course, the thesis. Finally. After pushing the work off, I only had 3 weeks to pull together two semesters of work. Luckily I was a fast reader, and I was able to pull together cohesive reports quickly.
Friday night the fluorescent fixtures flickered as I poured over textbooks about financial scandals. The library was open 24 hours, and I fully intended to utilize the late night weekend silence to help my work progress.
A rustle disturbed my peaceful reading. I looked up, startled. No one ever came to this corner with the encyclopedias.
"Hi, just checking, do you need any help?"
The librarian. The new one that everyone was talking about. It was true. He wore his pants just a bit too low, but those eyes...I looked up. Crystal clear emerald green. My friends had not lied. I shook my head answering his question and willing myself to refocus.
"Nah...just busy....thesis....ya know." I replied nervously.
He looked apologetically at me.
"We have pizza in the staff lounge if you want it, and...um...I can help you find sources..."
I gulped and nodded. Assuring myself that he was just being friendly. It's his job.
"Thanks, I'll let you know."
He walked away and sat down several tables away, playing on the ancient computer that sat there. I turned to look at my work, but my cheeks felt hot. Perhaps I could use help finding sources. I called out to him.
"I'm researching financial scandals and political activism...could you help me find news articles?"
Maybe this could work.
"Sure," he sprung to his feet, tie hitting the screen lightly, "come with me."
He lead me through a stack of books and into the archive room. It was musty and full of mysterious stacks of unmarked papers.
"Financial scandals."
He repeated to himself as he searched the rarely used card catalog.
"Found some..."
I looked at him gratefully. I knew that we were supposed to do our own research, but this kind of assistance was welcome. He handed me a stack of papers. The covers bore promising headlines. I turned to leave.
"Miss...you have beautiful...eyes..."
The compliment took me by surprise. Here was a man with the most beautiful facial features I had ever seen and here he was complimenting me on my hazel eyes.
He cleared his throat.
"eye...deas?"
He winked at me and my stomach fluttered. Was he flirting?
"Thanks..." I awkwardly mumbled.
"Come here, you have fuzz in your hair..."
He stopped me. I tried to comb through my hair with my fingers, but he stepped forward deftly plucking a tiny wad of dust from the archive room from my hair.
Toe to toe we stood for a second. Those eyes. Mesmerizing.
My heart beat skipped and then double timed as I stared up. I couldn't help it. Those eyes. He leaned forward. Was this. Is this? The kiss was warm and passionate, and utterly surprising. I leaned into it, taking his soft lips over and into mine. Sharing tongues and probing. After a few seconds I pulled away.
"I'm a..student?" I wasn't sure which way was up or down.
"I know...we must keep this quiet. I saw you staring at me when I went to help you. And I couldn't help myself. Is this too fast? Too much?" His brow furrowed in concern
"No...not too fast...we just...shouldn't....here...especially...you work here." My voice trailed as I thought about the professor student affair at a local college earlier that year.
People were fired. The student was expelled. All terrible things that I didn't want to happen. He paused, taking in the concerned look on my face.
"Just once here, okay? Then we can try seeing each other elsewhere?" His eyes pleaded. Those eyes. No one can say no.
Truthfully, I was exhausted, and needed a break. He grabbed my hand and pulled me further into the archives.
"Are you sure, no cameras?" Nervously, I scanned the ceiling.
"None here...nope." He tugged my hand, and I stepped closer.
His breath was minty. I wish I had been chewing gum. Self consciously I looked down at my old leggings and oversized sweater. Student attire. The teal in his tie shone under the dim lights.
Hand under my chin he lifted my face up towards his, and tenderly kissed my mouth.
