When I woke early that morning, I knew I would have benefited from a few more hours of sleep. But the book that had slipped from fingers, called to me from the floor. It was the first time that I had ever taken interest in Shakespeare. I tossed and turned a few times, before giving up and retrieving the novel. Covering my snoring grandfather with a nearby blanket, I moved to the recliner.

      Though I had heard many complaints from classmates, I had never attempted to read these supposed complex plays. Doing so for the first time, my eyes grew wide, blinking blankly at the first page. There was a reason people paid other people to read these books for them. Sitting up straighter, suddenly trying to shake off my grogginess, I was determined to understand. I would not look a fool in front of Lexi... not again, to say the least.

      Re-reading the first page, I nearly threw the book at the wall. I was an idiot for thinking this was the way I would impress her. Sure, she had agreed to help me, but I didn't think Lexi would appreciate the need of having to explain the meaning of every sentence. I reckoned she was a lot smarter than she believed if she truly thought the words were simpler than they seemed. Even with my edition's side page of definitions, I found myself stumbling on every couple of words, barely finishing a sentence before getting caught on another word I didn't understand... "It's simpler than it seems if you don't get caught up on the wrong things", she had said. I doubted the wrong things could be nearly every word of the play, and I very much believed that her statement had been a result of a lack of confidence in her own intelligence. Yet, that didn't deter me from giving it a shot. I convinced myself to act as though the simplicity of the words were of the same equivalence of that of my favourite sport articles.

      Reading just to read, I gave up my attempt to understand. Strangely enough, minutes later I found myself smiling, refusing to put down the book. Many puns and jokes flew right over my head, and I continued to struggle to understand various words, but I had a general understanding of the story. I was admittedly enjoying it. Though fatigue eventually returned, I pushed it away, forcing my eyes to remain open as long as physically possible. Only when the heaviness of my eyes became unbearable, did I fall asleep mid-way through the third act, book falling lazily across my lap.

     Exhaustion having caught up, and having spent most of my night awake, I in turn spent most of my day asleep. Neck stiff, I woke in the late afternoon, glancing at the clock as though it had betrayed me. I had so little time, and I just wasted my day. Huffing with defeat, I took notice of the novel, now placed on the side table. Retrieving the book that grandpa had put away, I removed the note placed between the old pages.

     Errands again. Laptop is on the kitchen table, though I have a feeling you won't be putting it to much use.

      Narrowing my eyes at the small piece of paper, I could picture my grandfather laughing as he wrote the short message. I hated how quickly I had become a hopeless sap, and I hated how noticeable my new state had become, but to hell with my pride. I was quick to do exactly as my grandad expected: I made myself suitable for a visit to the library. My pride was long gone; the likeliness of embarrassment beat the definite loneliness that would result from staying home.

      Excited to share my thoughts of the story, my demeanor could only be described as giddy. A near skip in my walk, I frowned at the red truck in the parking lot, having hoped and expected to be alone again. Deciding that the new individual would pose no risk to my plans, confidently I swung the door open. Looking expectantly at the computers, I scowled upon concluding that none were occupied. No one stood in the book isles either, my eyes finally landed on the main desk. My expression of excitement; wide eyes and grin transformed into a pout. I composed myself quickly when the older woman greeted me, trying to mask my disappointment.

      Lexi wasn't working.

      Despite my disappointment, I took a seat. I was already there, and the librarian was better company than I had at home. Making myself comfortable on one of the rolling chairs, I reopened the book and started where I left off.

      I remained in the same seat for hours, Library so silent that I found no distractions to pull me out of my trance. Nearing the end of the story, I paid little attention to the opening of the door, nor to the quiet conversation of the new arrival and the librarian. I planned to impress Lexi the next time I saw her, by admitting that I had already finished the book.

      Hours after my arrival, I finally reached the last page and lifted my tired gaze. Noting the darkness of the night through the long windows, I raised my brows in surprise. Had I really been there that long? Shocked that I spent so much time reading, so preoccupied that I had forgotten to eat, I removed my stiff body from the chair.

      I took pause at the door when I noticed that the open sign was flipped. They closed the library while I was still here? With a frown, I snuck a glance at the time, and noted in my peripheral view that the employee's room was dark. When I turned around, I found Lexi leaning against the front of the main desk, bookbag strapped to her back. I stared at her blankly for a few moments, refusing to believe that I hadn't noticed her earlier.

      "You close at 8, don't you?" I grimaced in anticipation.

      Looking up from her phone, Lexi shot me a small smile of confirmation. My shoulders slumped, it was already a quarter past, she had probably been too shy to kick me out.

      "Sorry about that," I said, hand hovering above the door handle. "I completely lost track of time."

      "No worries." She smiled again; standing straight as she gathered her lunch bag and books. "My dad's running late anyway."

      My entire body relaxed when I realised that she wasn't upset. I would have understood her annoyance. Doing my uncle a favor, I had worked a week at his festival lemonade stand. I had had to refrain myself from dashing off the moment the clock struck the time that was meant to indicate the end of my shift, prepared to throw the drink at the customer who would arrive a minute before the stand's closing time.

       "I didn't realize you were here," I admitted.

       "I only did a three-hour shift." She shut the light off before joining me by the door. "I came in at 5."

       Holding the door open, my jaw nearly cracked open. She had been there three hours without my knowledge? Again, I couldn't help but feel as though I had wasted very valuable time.

      Lexi laughed at my surprise, and we exited the building together.

      "You're really enjoying the book, aren't you?" she asked. Amusement dancing across her pupils, she locked the old wooden door behind us.

       I nodded, peering down at the book with appreciation. "I woke at the crack of dawn to read it. I've never really taken the time to finish a whole novel, but I've got to say it was pretty thrilling."

      Lexi laughed, her own expression reflecting light surprise. "This is the first novel you've finished?"

       I flushed, pausing in attempt to word my response in the least embarrassing way possible.

       "By no means did I mean that as a bad thing," she was quick to reassure. A small smirk played at her lips as she used the words that I had used the day before. "I was just surprised. Not everyone likes reading."

      I smiled, both relieved and pleased by the noticeable increase of comfort that the night seemed to bring her. As if the darkness created a sort of mask that lessened her anxiety and allowed a greater part of her true self to shine through.

      "I do read," I felt the need to clarify. "But I tend to prefer articles, anything related to sports... I've finished the odd children's book when we first learned to read, but other than that I've been one of those people who reads the online summary," I added, speaking the last part quietly, with a tone one would use when speaking of a crime.

      Lexi chuckled, shaking her head playfully. "I hope you've come to the conclusion that you've been missing out."

      I nodded enthusiastically, continuing down the sidewalk. Realizing that I wasn't being followed, I stopped in my tracks, not sure where I had even been walking too.

      "Still waiting for your dad?" I guessed

      Lexi nodded and took a seat on the curb. "I usually wait outside. I like the fresh air... He has the tendency to run late."

      Looking at my car and back at her, I chewed the inside of my cheek. "At risk of you thinking me a douche, I'd like you to know that under different circumstances I'd offer you a ride, but I'm hoping not to look like a creep tonight."

      "Thank you." Lexi laughed, streetlight sparkling in her dark eyes. "I don't think you're a douche or a creep."

      "Great." I grinned, smile slowly dissipating as I once again bit my red lips. I shuffled from foot to foot. Not only did I want to spend more time with her, but something about leaving her in the darkness, flipped my stomach upside down. I looked up hesitantly. "Can I keep you company until he gets here?"

      Lexi nodded, smiling shyly.

      "Are you sure? If it makes you uncomfortable in any way—"

      "It's fine, Jaxson," she promised with a very soft chuckle. I reckoned no one had ever spoken my name as nicely, syllables falling perfectly from her pink lips. "I'm not uncomfortable."

      Knees pulled into her chest; Lexi watched quietly as I sat next to her. Long legs outstretched, I left ample distance between us.

      Very brief silence overcoming us, Lexi remained relaxed and eventually pointed at the book in my hands. "What do you think?"

      "Hamlet's a big mood," I started, earning her interest with a peaked brow. "There are quite a few bits I didn't understand, but I actually enjoyed the general idea of the story."

      "Big mood, how?"

      I shrugged. I already knew that my answer would sound strange, but the smile on Lexi's face encouraged me to go on. "Just his general attitude. He's very dramatic. He's so done with his life and people. Slowly falling into insanity..."

      "And you relate to that?"

      Jokingly, I narrowed my eyes at the grin Lexi failed to hide. "Don't you?"

      "Do I related to feeling as though I'm slowly falling into insanity?" she clarified, still very much amused.

      Rethinking my words, I winced. "That was a weird way to put it, wasn't it?"

      "A good strange," she promised.

      "That's nice, but off the record, I do not think myself insane, and I do hope you share that opinion."

      Lexi laughed. I ignored the instant flutter in my chest, every time she did so.

      "I don't think you're a douche, a creep or insane."

      Despite the smile on my face, I groaned into my hands. "I knew this book choice would come back to bite me in the ass." I sighed, though the corner of my lips remained turned upwards. "And to think I chose it with the intention of a good impression."

      Brief shift in her stance, she finally seemed to conclude that she might be the one I wished to impress. Though she mostly remained relaxed, few of her nervous habits returned like the slight jumping of her leg and chewing of her bottom lip.

      "Whoever you're trying to impress," she started, careful not to assume it was she. I reckoned I could blatantly admit that it was her, and she would still have doubts. "I can't think of a single reason it could have already come to bite you in the ass."

      Despite her own anxiety, she was quick to reassure me.

      "Can I give his relatability a second go?"

      Lexi nodded encouragingly. I sat up straighter and inclined my body towards hers. "Instead of relatable, I think he's understandable," I started, warily. "As in, I don't personally relate to him, but I understand where he's coming from. I love life and I would take any opportunity to lengthen it, but I understand his anger and desire for death... His fear of death is just so well portrayed and that speech you were talking about really does make you think."

      Lexi smiled softly, watching me through her dark lashes.

      "Was that stupid?" I ran a hand through my wild hair, mind already rethinking every word that had come out of my mouth.

     She shook her head. "Not stupid at all. I love how he describes his perspective of death in the To Be or Not to Be speech... And it seems like every time you read it, you understand something new, or the words touch you in a different light."

      I listened intently to every word she uttered; afraid the wind would drown them out. This time she didn't bite her lip in hopes to stop herself from speaking.

     Curiously testing her statement, I flipped through the pages until I found what I was looking for. I read it for a second time with Lexi and we both recited our favourite lines. The words did in fact hit deeper, Lexi's explanations of the bits I struggled to understand creating a deeper admiration for both the drama and the girl.

      I could have sworn we were sat much longer than fifteen minutes, frozen in time as I lost myself in her words, watching the way her tiny finger slid softly against the page, passion creating a glimmer in warm brown eyes. Completely caught up in our conversation, I was only brought back to reality by the sound of tires screeching against the gravel road. Following Lexi's gaze to the beige van turning into the library parking.

      "Your dad?" I presumed.

      Lexi nodded.

      "Will it save you relentless questioning if I make a quick dash for my car?" I asked.

      I knew how parents could be. My mother had once caught me talking with Jonah's ex-girlfriend, when she needed help with his upcoming birthday, and by the next day, I had received congratulations from most of my family, thinking I had a new girlfriend. I guessed such conversations with Lexi's parents would make her uncomfortable.

      "Don't worry about it." She gathered her things and took a stand.

       Remaining seated, I tilted my head upwards. "Thanks for tonight... It'll be helpful for the project."

      Lexi shrugged nonchalantly. "I enjoyed it." She headed towards the waiting van. "I'll see you later."

      I couldn't help but smile widely then, the statement revealing her expectations (with no resentment) of our future interactions. Just briefly catching sight of a bald head, in seconds the van was gone, and I was left alone to smile in the darkness.

       Grandpa still wasn't home when I returned, but for once I couldn't be bothered to dwell on the feeling of being alone, easily distracted by the evening's events. The smile never left my face, even as I slipped into bed. It was crazy, and I tried to deny it, but the flutter in my chest every time Lexi crossed my mind painfully eliminated any doubt; I was falling hard, falling nearly as fast as my new favourite author's famous star-crossed lovers.