" She's been like that ever since dad died. " Emma tears off her fingernails, talking absent-mindedly.
" How did he die? What killed him? "
The little girl stays quiet for a while, gathering her thoughts, mustering up some left-over courage. She sucks in air.
" He... He got killed. On a cold night. They said he was some psycho. "
" Did they catch him? "
She shakes her head. " Eversince then, Billie's been obsessed with anything murder or psychopath related. Must be some coping mechanism and it scares mom. "
I nod slowly, drifting into my own world of thoughts. It makes sense. I had been curious as to why she wanted to find out my identity so bad. Turns out she just wants to make up for her dad's injustice. Pathetic.
" Well Emma..... " I pick myself up from the grass. " I have a class to go to. "
" Senior Jasher? "
" Yeah? "
" Are you friends with Billie? " Her brows are arched.
I give a slow smile. " I plan to be. "
- - - - - - - - -
The library is a wonderful place, don't you agree? The room smells of old and new books, even that wooden smell and ours was no exception. The librarian smiles as I saunter into the vast building innocently, fiddling with the edge of my school blazer. I went for a less nerdy look today.
" It's been a while, Jasher. I thought you had lost interest. "
" Me? Never. I've just been busy, that's all. I'm done with this by the way. " I stretch forth the novel Perfume. Interesting read.
" Ah! It was with you. Some kid asked for it a while ago. So? Which is it? Recreational or academic? "
" Hmmm..... Recreational. Something extremely gory this time. "
" A fresh badge came in. Check the horror's section. "
I flash a smile, heading for the direction she pointed at. Students walk by, some leaning on shelves flipping through huge textbooks, others buried in a world of fake ecstasy. I reach the horror's section, already aware of what I want.
The American psycho by Bret Easton. Funny how I haven't read it yet, but apparently it's an excellent book, so read I must. Thumbing through the T section, it doesn't take me long to stumble upon the book and I grip it's spine, but here's the problem. It doesn't budge.
Someone's dragging it from the other side and the person succeeds in yanking it out of my hand. I catch straight blond hair cascading down an angular face, a mole spotting the edge of a pursed lip.
Billie Tyson.
Our eyes lock. She frowns, circling the shelf to stand in front of me. Baby powder fills my nostrils.
" Do you want it? " She's already stretching the book to me.
I shake my hands frantically, laughing nervously. " No! No!! You got it first. I'll read it when you're done. "
" Sure? "
I nod. She makes to leave.
" The principal never called me. "
Her eyes bulge, teeth already sinking into her bottom lip. " Ah! That? I must've heard the wrong name. Sorry. "
" It's okay. "
She smiles awkwardly. I smile awkwardly. We wait. And she finally twirls around, heading for an empty table.
Just what do you need that book for Tyson?
- - - - - - - -