Arthur still couldn't get yesterday out of his head. Olive's face kept popping into his mind, and for some reason, he couldn't stop a tiny smile from forming.
He was sitting alone in the downtown library, buried in a book called Love. Quiet. Peaceful… until someone tapped him on the shoulder.
Arthur looked up, and his heart jumped.
"Uh… what are you doing here?" His voice came out half surprised, half panicked.
Olive smiled, leaning slightly toward him.
"Just wanted to see what you're up to," she said casually, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.
Arthur forced a stiff smile. "Just… reading a book."
But inside, he was still thinking about yesterday—about how her laugh had filled a space he didn't even know was empty.
The smile returned, small and unintentional.
Olive tilted her head, eyes sharp on him.
"Why are you smiling at me like that? You like me or something? Xixi."
Arthur froze. His face burned like he'd plunged it into boiling water.
"N-no… uh… it's nothing," he stammered, trying to sound calm, but the nervousness leaked right through.
Looking for an escape, he pointed at the book.
"D-do you want to read this?"
Olive took the book, eyes scanning the cover with curiosity.
"Sure… looks kinda good from the cover and the title."
And as they started reading, conversation flowed—slowly, naturally. Arthur noticed that Olive really liked reading,
and time seemed to fly when they were together. Every page they flipped made him feel more comfortable… and closer to her.
The book told the story of two lovers, from playful moments in the park to little acts of love. Olive looked at the first page, a soft smile on her lips.
"You really don't know about this?" she asked, a little surprised.
Arthur shrugged, his face turning red.
"Uh… what do you mean?"
Olive frowned, slightly annoyed but funny at the same time.
"Ehh… why not?"
They kept reading, taking turns looking at the words and pictures. Without realizing it, Arthur felt more and more at ease.
There was a strange, warm feeling… and it annoyed him because he couldn't stop thinking about Olive.
When the book was finished, they talked about it.
"Ehh… why's it a sad ending ):" Olive's lips curved in disappointment.
Arthur tapped his chin, smiling.
"Maybe the author was feeling sad too, so the story matches the author… lol."
Olive looked at him, eyes sparkling. "Whoa… you're talking to me really smoothly now. Already on the 'special people' list, huh?"
Her tone was teasing, but her wide smile and warm laugh made Arthur's chest tighten.
Arthur blushed, ears hot. His head and heart were a mess—mouth couldn't stop thinking, mind couldn't stop racing.
The sun had started to tilt toward the west. Arthur took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I-I… gotta go home now…" he said, voice shaky but firm.
Olive waved, her smile still bright.
"Okay, bye! Tomorrow's gonna be fun… I'm so curious already lol."
And as Arthur stepped outside, he realized one thing: his heart had never felt this confused before.
TO BE CONTINUED…