MY UNUSUAL ROMANCE
Chapter 4
The library is one of the school's facilities where Olivia likes to hang out the most. Obviously, Eileen isn't the type to read books passionately. There's a room inside the library that's full of pillows with sitting mats and a TV on the wall. The one in-charge of the facility thought that it's a good idea to add a room for visual learners where they could watch movies or animation clips. Eileen occasionally goes there to watch a movie the staff picked at random. Whenever Olivia goes to the library, Eileen lets her read her books by herself while she goes inside that room to watch a movie.
She isn't entirely alone inside that room. In fact, there are a few students who are also watching movies. Majority of them like horror movies, including Eileen. She believes that watching horror movies can make her body feel excitement and thrill.
As usual, Eileen went inside that room, while Olivia immersed herself finding a good book to read. After a while, Eileen surprisingly went out of that room even before the movie ended just to find Olivia.
Perhaps she isn't in the mood to watch a movie, but for some reason, she wants to watch Olivia elegantly sitting on a chair while reading a book instead. When she finally found her, she was about to approach Olivia, but she paused in her steps. Eileen saw a girl, who she doesn't know, chattering amicably beside Olivia. What surprised her the most is that she noticed her friend didn't chase her away nor ignored her. In fact, she's replying to every comment this girl is saying!
"Liv!" The two turned their heads to face Eileen who excitedly approached them. "Liv, I was just gone for a moment and you've already made a friend!" Her face shows enthusiasm when she finds out that Olivia is finally making a friend on her own!
"O-oh…! W-we're not entirely friends…" the girl awkwardly waves both of her hands in front. "Besides, Ms. Olivia might not be interested in forming a friendly relationship with me.." she spoke softly and slowly with a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Olivia shook her head. "No, I don't mind, Ms. Eleanor. I'm happy to be friends with you." In contrast to the girl's voice, Olivia is direct and firm. There's no hesitation perceived in her voice.
"R-really..? Then, I'll be troubling you in the future." the girl gently smiled.
Eileen observed their peculiar way of conversing. Damn… they're way too formal! Are they really just high school girls or did they come straight from a historical movie??
"Eileen, this is Eleanor. Eleanor, this is my friend, Eileen." Olivia introduces the two of them.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Eileen…" Eleanor slightly bows.
"Ah, no need to be so formal! Just call me by my name." Eileen said.
"Is that okay..? Then, I'll be troubling you to call me by my name too."
"...It's no trouble at all." Seriously, why is this girl so formal? Eileen already feels inferior just by standing next to her!
From then on, whenever they visit the library, Olivia has been hanging out with Eleanor the most. Not that she was complaining or anything, Eileen is actually happy for Olivia. This could be a first step for her to mingle with other people rather than isolating herself from the world. Although it looks like she's forcing Olivia to be out in the open, she only wants what's best for her…
However, she couldn't help but feel a little prickly whenever she saw the two of them together, getting along just fine. She should be happy, right? This is what she's been doing for the past few days. Now that it's happening, she felt a strange feeling that she can't explain. What exactly is happening??
Just now, she saw them getting more chummy with each other while chattering and discussing a recent book they just found in the library. Naturally, Eileen couldn't relate since she doesn't get the feeling of joy while reading a book. Still! Why is there a need to display such affinity!? Are they even aware that she's in front of them??
"Liv, accompany me to the canteen." Eileen knows she shouldn't be impulsive, but her mood is getting worst when she sees them together while her stomach demands for food.
"Go on your own." Olivia busily read a book beside Eleanor.
Eileen starts to whine on her seat. "But I'm getting hungryyy! Can't you just tag along??"
Olivia frowns, clearly annoyed. "You're an adult now. I'm sure you can handle it on your own."
Eileen pouts and stares at her for a while. Then, she shook Olivia's arms. "Pretty pleaassseee?? I want you to accompany me and buy some snacks!"
"For your information, snacks are not allowed inside the library."
"We don't have to eat here though! Please??"
"Stop it, you're bothering me and Eleanor!"
"Eleanor, am I bothering you? Surely not. See? Eleanor doesn't mind, so let's go!"
"Eileen, stop pulling me!"
"U-uhm… Olivia, maybe you can go with Eileen for now..? She might be really hungry." Eleanor's voice interrupted the two.
"Oh, don't mind her, she's just being childish! I don't know what's going on in her mind, but she's really getting on my nerves!" Olivia raised her voice.
"..!" When she heard Olivia say this, she immediately let go while processing the initial shock from what she heard. She didn't mean to be forceful nor childish. Eileen couldn't even explain why it is irritating whenever Eleanor is being close with Olivia. She felt that her childish behaviour is connected to this irritating feeling. Not long after, she composed herself and walked out of the library.
She could hear Eleanor's faint voice calling out to her from behind. Eileen didn't stop from walking away. Instead, she helplessly finds a way to cool her head down, then try to apologize to them later. For now, she wanted to be as far away from them as possible. Of course, if she said she's going to the canteen, she's really going to the canteen.
Eileen bought herself a Choco Milk Bar and sulkingly nibbled on it, sitting on a lonely table at the corner. Her tears were about to flow, when Eileen saw Olivia enter the canteen. She froze as Olivia saw her on the corner and approached her.
That's when Eileen noticed her friend's elegant face, now with knitted eyebrows covered with a gloomy expression.
"Why are you acting like this?" Olivia asked, frowning. "The librarian scolded us because of your tantrums. You also brought trouble to Eleanor, aren't you ashamed?" Her voice filled with spite and frustration.
Eileen hasn't spoken a word since Olivia opened her mouth. She gave her childish friend an earful inside the canteen. Surprisingly, Eileen didn't protest, but instead listened to every word Olivia said. After scolding her friend, Eileen simply nodded and left without a word.