JULIE'S POV
After a few minutes leaning against a wall away from the bathroom, I let out a long sigh before adjusting my bag on my shoulder and heading to the library to hand in some books I had checked out last week.
_ Good morning, Sônia. _ I greet the librarian with a joy that was not even close to what I was really feeling at the moment.
Sônia was a woman in her sixties. With her gray hair, tired blue eyes, and a smile that made even the darkest days brighten, she came around the counter and greeted me with a hug.
_ Good morning, my beautiful. _ She holds me in her arms, but soon lets me go. _ You're shaking, dear. What happened?
_ Nothing to worry about. _ I offer a comforting smile in her direction and despite the worried expression on her face she seems to understand that I didn't want to talk about the subject and doesn't ask any more questions, which makes me thank her silently.
_ What brings this beautiful girl here? _ She sits back down on the stool she was on before I approached.
_ I came to return some books I borrowed from Daisy. By the way, isn't today her day?_ Daisy was the other librarian and unlike Sônia, she wasn't friendly at all. Despite the age difference, since she seemed to be in her early twenties, she didn't understand young people and seemed to be behind a library counter just out of obligation, something I discovered to be true after having a conversation with Sônia the other day.
Daisy was studying Business Administration and after being caught last year, at night, doing forbidden things with a fraternity boy in the college lab, she was forced to spend two days out of every week, for two years, as a receptionist in the library and that was the reason she always treated students coldly and with a huge scowl on her face.
_ My grandchildren will be spending next week with me, so I asked the dean to work on Daisy's days and in exchange, I will spend the whole week with them. _ Her voice was full of excitement and I was really happy for her.
After losing her husband to a rare disease that affected his nervous system, Sônia began to live alone. Her children lived in another country and the most time she had with her family was when her grandchildren came to spend some time with her during the school break at the beginning of the year.
_When are they arriving?_ I ask as I take the books out of my backpack and place them on the counter. She places her glasses on the bridge of her nose and approaches the computer screen to look for my name on the registration form for books leaving and entering the library.
_ On the weekend. I still can't believe that I'll finally be able to spend some time with them. _ She picks up the books and walks towards the shelves. I follow her as she puts each one in its proper section.
_ I see how happy you are. _ I smile at his back.
_ I really am. Today, when I leave here, I'm going to stop by the store that's right on the corner and buy the cookies they love so much. _ Sônia turns to me _ Markos, the children's father, is negotiating with a company here in the city and if everything goes well, they'll come back to live close to me in a few months. _ She smiles and I can see the hope on her face.
_ I'm rooting for everything to work out. _ I say sincerely and she smiles in gratitude. _ I have to go now. Give my kiss to your grandchildren, I already like them even without knowing them.
_ Yes, I do, and who knows, maybe you two will meet one day. I'm sure they'll love you. _ She pulls me into a hug, which makes me realize that my arm hurts where Penny squeezed it. I let out a sigh of pain, but Sônia doesn't seem to notice. _ Take care, dear. _ She whispers before letting me go.
_ You too. _ I wave one last time and leave.
Once I was far enough away that I couldn't find anyone, I looked down at my arm and it was much worse than I had imagined. The bruise was starting to turn purple and the nail marks were quite visible. I blew on the spot to try to ease the pain, but it only seemed to get worse. I pushed the feeling out of my mind.
If I don't remember it hurting, it won't hurt.
As I was walking down the stairs leading to the college exit, I saw Scott talking to his friends. All this confusion with Penny made me forget the real reason I was in a crowded hallway before going into the bathroom in search of shelter. I got just close enough for one of his friends, Leo, to see me and nod in my direction. At the same moment, Scott's eyes met mine, he smiled and I remained still without showing any reaction. After a few seconds, he turned to his friends, mumbled something that made the others laugh, adjusted his backpack on his shoulders and waved goodbye to each of them before walking towards me with determined steps.
_ Hi. _ He says as soon as he stops in front of me.
_ Hi. _ I respond in the same way.
_ Do you want to talk to me about something? _ He runs his hand through his black hair, leaving it slightly disheveled, and looks back at me.
_ It's about the anatomy work. I wanted to know if it would be possible...
_ What was that on your arm? _ He interrupts me and I see that his eyes are fixed on the bruise that is even worse, as if it were possible.
_ It was nothing. _ I try to hide my arm behind me, but he holds it, preventing me from doing so.
_ Tell me what that was, Julie. _ Scott gently holds my arm as he analyzes the effect left by Penny which reminds me that he was the reason she did this to me.
_ I already said it was nothing. _ I answer and he looks at me with an irritated expression on his face.
_ It was nothing? Can't you see how this is? Tell me who did this, Julie. _ His voice came out as a warning tone.
I try to escape his intense gaze and I see Penny looking in our direction, I let go and Scott follows my gaze before turning back to me.
_ It was her, wasn't it? _ He asks, but it seems that the expression on my face confirmed what he already imagined _ Don't move from here. _ I tried to stop him, because if he were to demand satisfaction from her, everything would be even worse.
_ Never mind, it was nothing. _ My voice sounded panicked and that was exactly how I was feeling. Panicked.
Scott ignores my request and walks in long strides towards Penny who was already coming down the stairs. Before she could reach the last step, Scott grabs her arm and she looks at him with a look of wonder on her face. I leave as quickly as possible and before I know it I am already walking towards the library. I rush past the reception so I don't have to explain myself to Sônia and collapse on the furthest table. I try to hold back the tears, but I have no control over them anymore, they fall without any ceremony.
After a few minutes and after composing myself, I leave the library and find Scott leaning against the wall with an ice pack in his hands. As soon as he sees me, he shows a weak smile and walks towards me.
_ Come. _ He offers me his free hand and, half without knowing why I did it, I accept it. He pulls me into the library and walks between the bookshelves, leading me to the same table where I was sitting a few minutes ago.
I sit in one chair and he sits in the other before dragging the chair across the floor until our knees touch.
_ Let me see your arm? _ Somewhat hesitantly I show him my arm and he grimaces when he sees it _ It's getting dark, maybe the ice will help. _ He directs his gaze to my face and I nod without knowing what to say. He carefully presses the ice on the area and I writhe with the pain caused by the contact _ Does it hurt? _ Scott asks worriedly.
_ A little. _ I say and he puts the ice back in, this time even more carefully.
_ I talked to Penny, she won't torment you anymore. And if she does, tell me. Okay? _ I nod once more _ What did you want to talk to me about? _ He asks and it takes me a few seconds to remember why I was looking for him.
_ It was about the anatomy work, but I don't think it can be done today. _ I explain and he looks at me before nodding.
The minutes that passed were filled only with the sound of book pages being turned over. Scott was still holding my arm with one hand as he gently applied ice to the wound, which was no longer as painful.
_ Are you better? _ Scott asks after some time.
_ It is. Thank you. _ I thank you and the corners of your mouth curve into a small smile.
_ This is my fault too. _ He points to my arm and moves the chair back to its previous place. He puts his elbows on the table and rests his head in his hands. _ So, what did you want to talk about the Anatomy work? _ He makes a face of disgust and I can't help but smile.
_ I would like to schedule a time for us to start doing the research.
_ And it can't be today anymore? _ He asks, frowning as he walks around the place looking for what I assume is the clock. He gives up and takes the cell phone out of his pocket, looking at the screen for a few seconds before showing it to me.
It hadn't even been two o'clock yet, but the problem wasn't the time, but everything that had happened. Although I always tried to show that I didn't care about what others did or said about me, this time it was different and the proof was the huge bruise left on my arm. And besides, Penny's accusation that I was interested in Scott, when in fact it was nothing more than an unfounded accusation, made me nervous and afraid that this would become a reason for more humiliation and aggression, since Penny seemed quite determined to keep me away from Scott. And the worst part was that I would have to spend more time with him than I would like.
_ Better not, I want to go home. _ I direct my gaze to the puddle of water that had formed where Scott had left the ice pack and he looks at the same place.
_ Shit. _ He mumbles and takes the ice pack from the table. _ Tomorrow, then? _ He asks as he passes the sleeve of his shirt over the wet table.
_ It may be. Then tell me the time that is best for you. _ He nods and I stand up at the same time he does.
_ Do you want me to take you home?
_ No. Thank you. _ I kindly dismiss it.
_ Stubborn as always. _ He comments with an amused smile on his face and I automatically roll my eyes. Something I've been doing too much in the last few days. _ Since you won't accept my ride, I'm going now because I still have to return this. _ He shakes the ice pack.
_ Where did you get it? _ I ask curiously and he just winks at me before answering: _ I have my contacts.
Then he walks away leaving me with troubled thoughts thinking about the way he treated me just now.