I sat up and wiped the tears from my face. I took my glasses off and wiped them clean too. I looked around the room searching for my laptop. It wasn't anywhere in sight.
I got up and moved to my drawers. Just as my fingers were about to pull the top drawer open, they stopped.
The library.
The library would be a better option. I also needed some fresh air after all the crying.
I pulled open the second drawer instead and picked a notepad and some pencils. I put on my all-star sneakers and moved to the bag hanger by the door. I unhooked my purple backpack and placed my writing materials in it. I fixed the bag securely behind me and left the room.
In the corridor, thoughts of going to Kelvin's room floated in my head. But I wiped it off.
Not now.
Taking my time to carefully descend the stairs, I made a beeline for the main entrance door.
The day was still young and the librarian would definitely love some company. I kept my mind clear and focused more on the grayish-black color of the tarred road than the people walking around me as I made my way to the library.
The library was just a five minutes walk from my house but with the pace, I was taken, I reached the library's huge stairs in three minutes.
The Aromes Library was a large grayish green building constructed on a higher elevation than the road. I needed to climb fifteen stairs to get into the large hall that housed millions of books. The books were arranged in hundred rows. They were placed in high cupboards made with the best wood on the entire island.
The library interior was painted white in the book section. The reading section —which comprised of comfortable cushion seats made in different shapes and sizes —was painted in a calming blue color.
I took a deep breath and ascended the stairs up to the reception area which was located adjacent to the reading section. I walked up to the reception desk where the librarian —Mrs. Samantha —was gulping down a huge pint of fruit juice.
"Hello, Mrs. Samantha!" I greeted as sweetly as my already sour mood could muster. The short walk to the Library had helped clear my mind and smoothen my features.
"Hello, Xena!" She shrilled in surprise. The sudden action made her spill some of the drink on her cream shirt. She began taking pieces of biscuits off her table as quickly as she could with trembling pale fingers.
"I should have known you'd be here," she said under her breath, as her pale fingers continued working on the mess.
She probably feared I might report her eating in the library. She kept forgetting this wasn't the first time I had caught her breaking the library rules and would definitely not be the last. I patiently watched as she cleaned the scrubs off the desk and then she proceeded to clean her shirt.
Mrs. Samantha was a big lady with a large body and a small round face on her shoulders. She had the fairest skin on the island, which I guess was because she hardly left the library even during town meetings. She was of average height, with hair too dark for her age. She was a sweet Lady who had a smile for everyone except Mr. Olaf. Nobody knew why she never liked Olaf and nobody cared to ask her about it. Maybe after I have solved this 'Chosen' situation, I'd make her tell me about her and Mr. Olaf's situation.
"Mrs. Samantha, I need your help," I started when she had finished clearing her mess and composed herself.
"Anything for you Xena. Do you want more romantic novels? Or more talk about our dear Rema. Handsome he grows every day, doesn't he?" she announced cheerfully. Her awkward moment was now long forgotten. She adjusted her small reading glasses and waited for my answer with a smile.
I was one of the few that actually enjoyed her book recommendations and chitchats. The rest of the kids in town found her too awkward and too sweet. I had to admit sometimes her sweetness was creepy.
She always ate biscuits during working hours. I am sure she had tons of them in the storeroom just behind her. Today though, I didn't come for chitchats or book recommendations. I wanted something else.
"Mrs. Samantha, are there any books in here about 'Chosen children' in families?" I asked. I tried to make my voice neutral, so she wouldn't ask me further questions.
But I failed.
Her features changed the moment the question left my mouth. She returned to her jerky awkward self. She started batting her eyes around like she was scared someone might pop up from the ground or behind her.
"Mrs. Samantha, are you okay?" I asked. I looked around us and found no one. I became worried.
"Xena, y-you can't talk about things like that," she replied stuttering. Beads of sweat had formed on her small round face and I could tell she was scared. But scared of what?
Did she perhaps sell the books for packs of biscuits, again?
One time, she confessed to me that she traded some old books for cash because the Aromes' society of scholars didn't pay her enough for her services.
I didn't have time for this!
"Mrs. Samantha, you don't understand. It's really important I find a book that talks about 'Chosen children'. Please help me?" I pleaded with her. It was more like a matter of life and death for me. If my mum hated me because I was a chosen child, then I needed to find out why I got chosen and what was going to happen to me, so I could stop it and make my mum love me.
But Mrs. Samantha still wouldn't respond. She became paler by the minute and I started to get really worried for her.
"Xena... you are not allowed to go to that section," she stuttered. My eyes continued to roam around the area in fear.
"Really?! How can I not be allowed to go to a certain area of the library?" I demanded ignoring her fear. She was just being her jerky awkward self again.
"Zu-" she started to say but clipped her mouth shut with both of her hands.
"Zu- who?" I probed her, growing impatient. I frowned.
Something wasn't right here. Or was she just being her usual weird self?
"I can't tell Xena," she said from behind her hands. Now she looked like she was going to cry or pee her pants.
What was wrong with this woman now?
"Why can't you tell me? Who could stop me from reading a section of the library and why am I just finding out about this now?" I rubbed a hand through my coils, messing up its arrangement. I was becoming frustrated.
"She wouldn't be happy about that!" She declared.
"Look, I don't care if the governor of Aromes himself doesn't want me here! All I know is that I need that book!" I screamed losing my patience. I have had enough!
"Xena please stop, it isn't safe for all of us," she whimpered.
I looked around in confusion at the few people seating in the reading section but found nothing strange. Yes, some of them stared at me disapprovingly but that was normal for I know I was creating a scene. But whatever was scaring Mrs. Samantha, I couldn't find any.
"So you won't give me?" I asked. This time I reduced my voice to a normal level. I turned my eyes to the readers again and this time, there was pity in their eyes.
What?
She shook her head sadly. "Xena I am so sorry," she announced wiping a stray tear from her eyes.
The whole scenario felt wrong. Maybe I should have just tried my laptop after all.
Hissing in frustration, I turned around and walked out of the damned library.
The laptop would definitely be more helpful.