I was looking deeply into two books in front of him. Pretty old. The folded pages, and they were half-torn. Sort of. His head kept moving from one to another. He was comparing the information. Was this guy for real? He was comparing the ancient texts? Oh, God. But that was still my guess, though. I silently walked up to him. I thought he would look up at me and walk away. But he didn't even notice I was standing there. Goddamned concentration. Just like Neil. I stood right in front of him, peering into the books. They were pretty intriguing. Both were two different languages. What the hell was he up to? It was already like Greek because of how I looked at it. So, I went behind him and looked over his shoulder. I tried to read it. But it was indeed super hard to even decode what language it was.
"You're a freak," I said.
He jumped from his chair and nearly fell.
"What did I tell you about not sneaking up on people?"
He looked genuinely furious. I was too busy stifling a burst of laughter to notice anything else.
"To do it more and more because it is so damn funny?"
He gave me a look that ranged between what-is-wrong-with-you to I-want-to-kill-you. I gladly settled for the most minor limit.
"Alright, I'm sorry. I was truly sneaking this time."
He sighed. "Passion for prison life, I see. But why?"
"Because the books looked interesting, and it would have helped if I knew that language. What is it?"
He sighed. "You're still talking to me?"
I felt like punching him. I rolled my eyes. "Guess so."
"How often do I have to lash out at you or not talk to you to clarify that I have nothing to do with you?"
I would break it to him. He had a right to know. I wouldn't leave him because he said he didn't want to talk to me. Also, at the moment, I was scared to be alone.
Thinking, I answered him, saying, "Till your patience wears out."
I was walking behind him. His strides were long and fast.
"Fine. What do you want?"
I felt a bit offended, although I wasn't clear why.
"Would you talk to me only if I wanted something?"
"Of course. Why would I talk otherwise?"
Ouch. Ash was not open, which made him that much more interesting. Why? How? What happened? The questionnaire could go on. Maybe being interested in this type of guy was cliched, but I couldn't help it. It was how I was. My life is a mystery. I was in a constant search of answers wherever I found questions.
Additionally, there was a continuous feeling that I knew him. Somehow, deep inside, he and I had a connection. That's conspicuous, right? Just like the book thing?
"Because we're friends?"
"We're acquaintances," he pointed out.
"Ouch," I muttered.
It wasn't like I'd known him too long. It's just that I knew him too well.
"You're so…." I trailed, searching for the right word.
Anything that struck me didn't seem to fit.
"Impossible?" he offered.
"Exactly."
My face might have given away the confusion running in my mind because his following words were, "Yeah. I'm used to it. So, yeah."
"Maybe that's your cue that you should, you know, repaint your attitude."
He faced me reluctantly.
"What do you need?"
"Jeez, grump. Nothing. I was just trying to make conversation. A new friend, perhaps."
"You got the wrong guy," he declared and stormed off.
Like the hundred times before, I was still in the small talk area.
"Oh, you're so the right guy," I confirmed, looking at him walk away.
I didn't go down without a fight—at least, a try. I'm getting through to this guy. I decided then and there. He did put me off. But it wasn't his fault. I didn't know how I knew that. He just doesn't look like a rude guy. He was being a jerk on purpose. Otherwise, he wouldn't have helped me with the Math homework the other day when I was struggling in the canteen. Nor would he have been talking to Pearl about how her family was. He did so many things that would make anyone reconsider the type of person he was. Good for me. I haven't settled on an opinion yet. I looked at the time and decided to go back. It was past dinner time, and Maya was faithful to our deal. Never call me when I was in the library. I promised her I would be safe because of my karate training in childhood. This was one place where I could be myself. Calm. Peaceful. And all alone without any empty feeling. Well, me and the book. I always felt so good after coming out of the library. I was going out; someone fell in step with me. Ash.
"What are you still doing here?"
I asked, surprise clear in my voice.
"It's a wrong time for you to be alone. For anyone to be alone. This neighborhood isn't very safe."
I sigh. "You are impossible."
He looked at me, confusion written all over his face.
"What did I do now?"
"You're being nice to me. After so much iciness. Seems like a little out of character for you."
My eyes narrowed. So did his. That wasn't entirely true. Even he knew it. He'd been nice to me before, too. But they were tiny gestures.
"I just, you know what? Never mind."
And we walked in silence. He looked glad that I wasn't talking. Though it stung a bit, I didn't take that away from him. I always thought I was a likable person. When we reached my house, he cleared his throat.
"Hey."
I turned back.
"I am sorry about that day."
I smiled lightly.
"Which day, exactly?"
"Couldn't have accepted the apology normally, huh?" He said, smiling.
"Finally! You said something other than 'go away' or 'none of your business' and stuff like that."
He was looking down at his feet then. That's an excellent shoe choice.
"Well, why didn't you?"
"Be more specific."
"Why didn't you stay away?"
Oh, that.
"Honestly? You're the first guy who's a nerd and good-looking."
His head snapped up, and my face was on fire.
"I mean, you're okay. Not bad. I mean, it's not too bad. But…"
The corner of his mouth went up, and he waved with his right hand, dismissing my clumsiness.
"Now, actually, be honest. Why?"
He was too severe for me to joke again.
"I don't know. I thought you needed another ear to listen to you. A new pair of eyes to look at you. I needed someone who didn't know you inside out so they could understand you in a new way. That's why. I wanted to be that person."
I didn't think anyone got him like that before. His following words confirmed my doubt.
"What made you think that?"
I shrugged like the answer was obvious.
"Let's just say my gut instincts are excellent."
He nodded stiffly and was on his way. I couldn't help but think about the sincerity in his voice. And mainly in his eyes. He had meant the apology. And that was something coming from Mr. Acquaintance. I laughed at myself for that name I'd cooked up. He wasn't the guy who would do something like this to win a girl over. Hell, he wouldn't even accept my friend tag. He wasn't a complicated person. He just wanted people to think he was. I dropped it because I was trying to read him much more than he needed. Immediately, my mind went to that strange book. Could the book glowed, and only I could see that? Being a huge fiction fan, I had many reasons to believe what I saw and felt was true. Maybe I was being over in my head. Perhaps I wasn't. I needed to talk to someone about this.
Who would listen to me without labeling me crazy? Of course. Neil. Ah, the best. He's an archaeologist. He must know about myths, about whatever that 'Tak' is supposed to mean. I went to the drawing room. He was there with a relic under the microscope. I went closer to take a look. I gasped at its beauty. It was a rock or something close. I have weird yet eye-catching inscriptions. He then noticed me and took it away from under the scope. Jeez, this never happened. I looked sideways at him. With his oversized glasses on, he always looked funny. I chuckled lightly.
"You should get rid of the glasses. Makes you look older."
It's just a failing attempt at lighting the mood.
"I know. But I can't help it. What brings you here?"
Then, I peered a glance at the clock behind me.
"Wait, why are you still up?"
"There's something I need to ask."
"You're not pregnant, are you?"
My eyes went so wide, I could've burst a nerve. "What? No, no. God, no!"
He laughs rather loudly, very amused by my reaction. "Well, Thank God. What did you want to talk about?"
Clearing my throat, "Do you know something about the 'Tak'?"
I asked.
He chuckled uneasily.
"How do you know that word, Andy?"
"Oh, I came across a book in the library. Weird book."
His eyes shoot up at me. Fear? Uncertainty?
He mutters something.
"Huh? Neil, I couldn't hear you. What was that?"
He clears his throat. "Hmm, it means under."
What? I think. "What?" I ask.
"Yes, the word under. It means under. It's a famous preposition."
What is happening? "Neil, I know that. But under what, specifically?"
"Would you go to sleep now? It's late!"
"Jeez, okay. Calm down. It's nothing. Sorry, I interrupted your study. Night, Neil."