Chapter 8 8

The Library "Anthony Morelli?" Simon leaned forward across the library clerk desk. Rosie had told him about the art opening that she was going to with Anthony. "You're talking about the Anthony Morelli who's on the baseball team? That guy's a legend." Rosie pursed her lips as she stared down at her shoes. She knew Anthony was a social creature, a very friendly one with many acquaintances. She just didn't know entirely how big his presence was on campus. Rosie's silence was enough of an answer for Simon. He whistled out a breath of air, smirking as he leaned back in his chair behind the clerk table. He was impressed. "Hell of a guy to go on a date with, Rosie. Props." Rosie's head shot up to gape at Simon with wide eyes. "What? It's not a date." Simon scoffed. "What else would you call it?" Rosie shrugged her shoulders, going back to staring at her shoes. The rest of her shift at the library, she was riveted with anxiety. She couldn't stop pacing around, finding anything to keep herself busy with. She restocked books that were already stocked in their rightful places, just because she didn't know what else to do. She was overwhelmed by the whole ordeal. Anthony was always somewhat present in her life because he was best friends with Tamara. But it stopped there. He would be around, sometimes at their apartment, they would cross paths but never say much more than hellos. His presence in Rosie's life was simply as a background character because of his connection to Tamara. Lately it had been different. He was talking to her more, spending more time with her solo. Now that he had invited her out, Rosie didn't know what to think of it. She didn't have friends. Aside from Tamara and Simon, she didn't talk to anyone. She spent all of her time alone, doing her own thing. She wasn't good at being friends with people, nor was it ever something she looked for because she was comfortable and peaceful being alone. Anthony made her nervous but she did like his company. She had never gone out like this before, alone with a boy, especially one as charming and out-going as Anthony. She was scared out of her mind. "Rose, my shift's about up so I'm going to head out." Rosie stopped scanning the aisles of books to nod at Simon. Simon narrowed his eyes as he walked over to her. He could easily see that she was distressed. "What's up? Why are you so worried about this not-date with Morelli?" Rosie heaved out a heavy breath, shrugging. "I don't know." Simon gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It'll be a good time. He's nice to you and you love art. What would be a better combo?" Rosie chewed on her bottom lip as she looked at Simon with creased eyebrows. Her fret was evident all over her face. "I can't be friends with him, Simon." Simon gave her an odd look. "Why not?" She shrugged weakly. "What if... he thinks right now that he wants to be my friend and hang out with me but later realizes that's a mistake?" Simon felt sympathy for Rosie. He sighed, shaking his head lightly. "Hey, you're one of the nicest people I know. He won't think it's a mistake to be your friend." Rosie sighed. Her worries were nowhere near gone nor was she any more reassured. After thanking and saying goodbye to Simon, she was left alone in the library with nothing but her overthinking mind. It was different with Simon. He himself was much like Rosie- not having very many friends and preferring to spend their time alone, being introverted and very social. It was why they got along so well; they understood each other, didn't have to pretend to be anyone but themselves when they were together, and they related to or at least understood each others problems and worries. Rosie was worried that Anthony would quickly come to find her boring or a total freak. They were complete opposites. She didn't think there was any way they could be friends so she was unsure why she was even going to this art gallery with him in the first place. The remainder or Rosie's shift, the library didn't get very many customers. Like usual, she had the whole place to herself. She passed time by reading or sketching where she sat at the clerk desk. The bell that rang when the door opened sounded, causing Rosie to look up from her sketchbook. She held her breath when a familiar face appeared. Blaze Winters walked over to the clerk desk, smirking down at Rosie. "Look who we have here. I shouldn't be surprised to see you here." Rosie exhaled a shaky breath. Her stomach was churning wit anxiety. She did her best to keep a blank look on her face so Blaze wouldn't get the satisfaction of seeing her panicked. "Can I help you?" Her voice came out scratchy and quiet, something she wasn't able to help. Blaze laughed lightly. "I need a book for an econ class." "Third aisle to the left." Rosie turned her gaze to the computer screen on the clerk desk, pretending she was busy with anything else. Blaze looked at her for a long moment before disappearing in the aisle Rosie mentioned. When he came back a few minutes later to check out his book, Rosie made sure to keep her gaze from locking with his. Blaze tapped the tips of his fingers on the desk in a taunting manner. "There's a party tonight. You should come." Rosie wanted to scoff but she stayed silent. "Maybe a drink or two could loosen you up." She continued to ignore him. "Did your parents never teach you that ignoring someone is quite rude?" Blaze rolled his eyes. For the first time, he was actually growing frustrated by her ignorance, rather than staying amused by his own taunts. Rosie finally looked up to meet his eyes, holding out the book for him to take. Her other hand was hidden under the desk, gripping the side of the chair so tightly that her knuckles were turning white. It was the only way for her to stop herself from shaking. Blaze didn't take the book right away. Instead, he tilted his head and scrutinized her face. "Why are you so quiet anyways?" Rosie swallowed the lump in her throat. Even if she wanted to answer him, she had no idea what to say. Her mind was blank, her throat was dry and choked up, her hands were sweaty and she had the urge to cry. She hated this. Blaze huffed out an agitated breath as he snatched the book from her hand. "Absolutely weird." Rosie shut her eyes as she heard the door open and close as Blaze exited. She took deep breaths, her eyes remaining shut as she tried her hardest to push away any urge to cry. I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay. She had to repeat the mantra in her head to calm herself down. "Rosie? Are you okay?" Rosie's eyes shot open. "Anthony?" Anthony walked over to the desk, his eyebrows drawn together. Worry flashed across his eyes as he approached her. "Hey, what's going on?" Rosie blinked, utterly confused to see him here. "What are you doing here?" "Oh. I was... I needed a book. Yeah, I needed a book." Anthony glanced around the library like he was in a maze. Rosie nodded unsurely, still confused. "Anything I can help you find?" Her disorientation was evident in her tone. Anthony ignored her question. He analyzed her face with his eyebrows knitted together. "Are you okay?" Rosie nodded her head, her face blank. Anthony sighed. Without thinking, he had reached forward and gently wiped a streak of wetness off her cheek. Rosie hadn't realized that while she was trying to calm herself down, a tear or two had escaped her eyes. Her breath hitched in her throat as his thumb brushed against her skin. She felt like she had fallen into a trance, blankly staring up into his compassionate eyes. Anthony stood straight, frowning. He rubbed his eyebrow. "Do you want to tell me what happened?" Rosie shook her head, still staring up at him like she was hypnotized. Anthony sighed but still nodded his head in understanding. He was concerned. He knew something was wrong and he wanted to help, he wanted her to let him in but he was never going to push her for answers. "Is your shift almost over? I can walk home with you." Rosie offered him a grateful smile. "I'm going to be here a while, it's okay. You don't... have plans?" Anthony chuckled airily, shaking his head. "I'm a free man, Rosie." He was lying. He was supposed to head to the party. "Call me if you want some company walking home later, I won't be far from here." Rosie's heart swelled at his kindness. She was still worried that one day Anthony would see how difficult she was and regret ever trying to be a friend to her. Although she remained worried, she chose to let herself ignore that for the moment. "Thank you, Anthony." Anthony offered her one last smile but concern was still flashing in his eyes. He turned to head to the door. "Wait," Rosie's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. "Didn't you need a book?" Anthony's mouth formed the shape of the letter 'O' in realization. "Right," he forced a laugh. He walked into a random aisle, pulling out the first book he got his hands onto before bringing it over to Rosie to check it out. Rosie peered down at the book, a questioning look flashing in her eyes. "'The Mormon People'," she noted, looking at him in amusement. "Interesting choice." Anthony's face flushed a shade of scarlet. "Research," he coughed out. Rosie let out a quiet laugh as she rang up the book and handed it to him. "Happy reading." "Happy travels, Rosie."