29TH NOVEMBER
ORION ACADEMY:
CAMPUS.

"WHAT took you two so long?" Karan asked when Aphrodite and Lex approached him. He glanced at Yumi who was a safe distance away from them--talking to her hacker friend--and smirked at the two of them. "You both totally hooked up, didn't you?"

"What?" Aphrodite scoffed. "No, Jeez , Karan!"

Yumi hung up and neared them. She analysed Aphrodite's outfit change and opened her mouth to throw a question when West said, "Let's go first, Yumi. Just to not raise any suspicions." Yumi gulped her words down her throat. West and her turned around and walked towards the Grand Quarters.

After receiving a 'we reached' text from West, they began walking in the same direction that West and Yumi used. "I am so excited to sneak into the academy's precious restricted section of the library," Aphrodite said, tucking her flashlight in the backpack. She slid it over her shoulders and passed an are you in look between Lex and Karan as they walked towards the Grand Quarters. Lex glanced at Karan before they both nodded at her.

"Remind me why am I stuck with you two?" Karan questioned as soon as they paused at the entrance of the Grand Quarters to check if all three of them had revised the plan.

The night sky was still. The crisp smell of grass infiltrated in Aphrodite's nostrils as she refrained from the memories of last summer with Riley resurfacing her mind and taking over her emotions.

"Why? What's wrong with us?" She pinched her eyebrows together.

"Because I could smell your lust even when I'm standing ten feet away." He made a look of disgust as he eyed between the both of them.

"Says the guy who texts Baz every hour of every day," Lex countered.

"At least I'm not picturing him naked right now."

"Oh, puh-lease I'm sure you--"

"Guys!" Aphrodite yelled. Her face turned red. "We're getting late! Can we go now before it's too late?" She tried to calm her squeaky, embarrassment filled tone down.

Lex sent one dagger at Karan and stomped inside. The guards checked their ID's and the pass provided (technically, stolen) by their Housekeeper and they were reminded that the library will be closed in less than an hour. Aphrodite lowered her pace to catch up with slow walker Karan. When she was sure Lex wasn't hearing, she jabbed Karan's arm.

"What the hell?" He cried out.

She pressed her index finger to her lips. "Shush." She scolded. "What the heck were you saying? Lust and whatnot. Are you out of your mind?" She whisper-yelled.

Karan rolled his eyes playfully. "Look me into my eyes and tell me that you haven't pictured him naked three times today."

She couldn't. She pictured him worse than just naked. And she hated that. They were in the middle of turmoil and even though they didn't talk about it on their way back, Aphrodite couldn't help but think about the kiss in the bathroom. His lips over hers. His skin against hers. His eyes filled with lust. To be continued.

"See, told ya." He grinned. "Why aren't you two being so absurd about it. You already are dating and want more than a kiss. Just fuck and get over with it."

"We were going to." Karan widened his eyes but she continued, "We kissed when I went to look for him. And it's the kind of kiss that you want behind the closed doors. He said we'll do it when we're ready but I won't bring it up. I can't. I have never been this nervous before. Why is everything so different with him? "

"Well, easy. You liked the people you dated before but you love Lex. And I can help you if you wanna bring it up. Repeat these exact words Lex, I love you. And I know you love me too. I know things haven't been great but you are the only thing keeping me sane and I really want to get into your pants right now--" Aphrodite smacked his chest but he continued, "--and I am imagining your dick in me--" smack "--and it feels so good. Ah, ah--"

"Keep it shut, you two!" Lex yelled, seemingly unheard about their conversation. "Why is he moaning? Are you thinking about doing things with Baz or--"

"Yes," Aphrodite said. "He was telling me that in a very gross way just to make me uncomfortable. Anyway--" she halted. "We've reached the library, let's go inside." She didn't wait for them to respond and ran into the library. Her eyes momentarily hindered at the Restricted Section sign but she quickly turned her eyes away to see how many students were there. Yumi sat on a large study table. She acknowledged that they had walked in. West was lingering close by in one of the aisles.

The librarian, Mrs. Lu, was sitting exactly on the opposite side of the entrance to the locked doors of the Restricted Section for a clear view. Mrs. Lu was staring at them, her eyes narrowing as she analysed them. Aphrodite plastered a smile and approached the desk as Lex and Karan followed them.

"You three are late. You only have--" she pointed at the ancient wall clock hanging on the wall behind Mrs. Lu. "--forty-five minutes. Hurry up."

"I, um," Karan scratched the back of his neck. "We just need a couple of books. I tried to find How To: Doctor but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Could you help?"

Mrs. Lu sighed. "Let me see if we have it." She began to punch a couple of keys on the keyboard as her eyes fixated on the bright computer screen. Aphrodite took this as an opportunity to pull him back and whisper into his ears.

"Does that book even exist?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. I don't read!"

Mrs. Lu looked up from her screen and Aphrodite quickly let him go. "How To: Doctor by Dr. Anjali Chakraborty is available at section 7 and shelf 5. The second edition will arrive tomorrow," she explained.

Karan sighed in relief. "Oh, great! Could you please take me there? Libraries confuse me and these two idiots don't know how a library works either..." He trailed off with the best of his puppy eyes. Aphrodite glanced at Lex who was holding back his huff at Karan's previous sentence.

Mrs. Lu scoffed. "Fine." She stood up. Aphrodite's eyes caught a glimpse of the Restricted Section's swipe card tucked in a small pocket bag. Mrs. Lu eyed Karan and guided him to section 7. Aphrodite checked her phone to receive a signal from Yumi. She prayed for her to hurry up so that they could sneak into the restricted section and come back without getting caught. Aphrodite's phone beeped just when Mrs. Lu and Karan walked into one of the far aisles.

He has hacked into the CCTV footage.They can't see you. Yumi texted. Aphrodite left a sigh of relief. She gave Lex a thumbs up and he took it as a cue to rush towards the librarian's desk to steal the key. In the next two minutes, West exited the aisles that Mrs. Lu and Karan had walked in--a wide smile playing on his lips. He had successfully pickpocketed the card. He slid the card in Lex's hand as if they just made a drug deal.

Aphrodite looked around the library to watch out if anyone had their eyes on then when Lex swiped the card. He pushed the door open a little which was enough for them to sneak in. He closed the door once Aphrodite had walked in.

The darkness had surrounded them. Aphrodite extended her hand towards the wall. She stroked the wall and finally found a switch. She tripped it upwards and the lights began to flicker on. One by one, the lights above the shelves were switched on as their aisle names were revealed. Aphrodite's mouth fell agape when she read the sign that was right before her eyes.

Lex followed her gaze and he too couldn't help but widen his eyes at the enormous library with the signboard 'The Supermassive Library' in front of them.

header image by Janko Ferlič

sneaking into the restricted section of the library would be a dream come true. alas, my college library doesn't have a restricted on banned books section.

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