Joseph went over the whole library once more and finally stopped at the most secluded corner of it.
He held his face in his hands and sighed, "I'm obviously doing something wrong. Think Joseph. Think!! Oww!???!!!" Joseph suddenly exclaimed and held his head.
Something had just hit his head from above. He looked around when the pain subsided a little and found a big book. Joseph looked at the title and chuckled. Of course!! He had been such an idiot! This was the book Aria had been wanting to read for quite a few days now and Joseph had told her that they had it in his home library.
Joseph stroked the book and twirled his fingers. He elevated upwards to the top of the shelf, and there, sure enough, was Aria sitting cramped between the roof of the library and the top of the shelf. Joseph stared at Aria. This was the second time he was seeing her so defenseless. His gaze travelled over Aria's face and rested on a lock of her hair that was falling over her forehead onto her eyes.
Joseph reached out a hand and carefully tucked the lock behind Aria's ear. His hand seemed reluctant to leave Aria's face as it slowly moved from her ear to her cheeks. Joseph's hand froze as he stroked Aria's lips.
He stared long at the ruby red lips of this girl in front of him before Joseph gulped. He moved his hand to Aria's cheek and leaned closer to her face.
His forehead was touching Aria's and his lips were inches away from Aria's. Joseph stopped as he took heavy breaths. He could smell Aria's scent. It was kind of flowery, like something one smells when strolling through the forest on a bright morning.
Joseph's head suddenly snapped in the direction of the library entrance and he instantly moved a away from the sleeping Aria.
He sighed and called out, "I'm here Helen. And I found her."
As he raised his voice, Aria frowned and awoke. She rubbed her eyes and looked around as she sat up straight. The next instant she winced in pain as she bumped her head against the library ceiling.
"That should teach you not to sleep anywhere. As for your lesson for sneaking away, Helen's here." Joseph said with narrowed eyes as he lightly landed back on the floor.
He had flown down Aria too by the time Jacob led Helen to the corner of the library.
Aria yawned and wiped away the tears that formed at the end of her eyes. "That was a great nap!" she exclaimed.
Joseph hit her on the top of her head and Aria shook her fists at him as Helen and Jacob came into view.
Helen freed herself from Jacob's hand and rushed towards Aria. "Oh my god!! I was so worried!! We thought something had happened to you!!!" Helen exclaimed.
Aria chuckled, "You should know better than that."
"This? Is the punishment?" Aria mouthed to Joseph over Helen's head with a smug expression. "Wait a minute." Joseph mouthed back with a smirk.
And sure enough, Helen pulled herself away from Aria and exclaimed, "Come on!! We're already late! I need to get you ready for dinner!!!"
Aria: "....."