✯ library

(random starter)

Tzuyu hummed softly as she sat in the corner seat, reading. It was what she did during the day when she wasn't doing anything else. She worked /mostly/ at night. But had some day shifts. She liked those less. With a soft sigh she continued reading. Completely content.

@z niki he suddenly felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him at the girl's gaze, lowering his head slightly as if it would help him shrink away from her view. realising he'd seem too oddly motionless, jeno shifted in his spot a little. he listened to her mutely, staring down at the satire fiction in his hand. he'd rarely heard people talk about books in a way the lady just did—not that there's anyone else who would talk to him, not especially about books—but from the way she sounded, this book must /really/ be that bad.

his field of vision wandered back up from the book to the girl when she came closer, occasionally sparing her face a glance, but he'd look away just as quickly. he turned his attention to the book she was holding, and listened to her explanation with a series of weak nods. then he watched as the book got slid back in between the other books, and he tried to mirror the smile he was given even though he knew he'd look weird.

at the mention of the other book, he looked back down at it, contemplating for a moment before reaching to put it back where it came from. when he was done with that, he turned to face where the girl had stood earlier, realising a second too late that she was already gone. "wait, i haven't said thank—" she probably wouldn't hear him from that far, but he completed his sentence anyway. "—you." he went to where the book she suggested earlier was placed and took it off the shelf. everything happens for a reason, right? and for some reason, at that moment, jeno had a feeling that he'll be seeing her again soon.

@l jeno His reaction made her chuckle softly, shaking her head at the taller male. Niki turned to him completely, eyes running up and down on him and took note of his appearance, quirking an eyebrow as she crossed her arms at him. “I said, that book is absolute trash. Just don’t- trust me, it’ll waste your time.” She answered, taking a half-step near him and takes out the novel she recommended him, handing it to him.
“In Cold Blood is a non-fiction novel about-“ she waved the book in her hands as explained, “how a family of four was murdered, how the killer was lead to the act- basically the theme is about how everything happens for a reason.” Her words free-flowing as she explained, showing him a warm smile before placing the book back in place. “But if you want to read… that book in your hands then I won’t be stopping you.” She said, scrunching up her nose as she remembered how she read that for a literary class she took up; her hands grabbing the book she wanted and took off, looking back at him with a grin, “If you ever want a book recommendation again, just find me here.”

@z niki jeno has the habit of getting too engrossed in the things he's doing that he completely dimisses the existence of his environment. if he'd just been more aware of his surroundings, he'd have at least heard her footsteps coming towards the bookshelves and avoided embarrassing himself by flinching this hard. his hands on the book almost gave away, and he would've dropped it and made an annoyingly loud noise had it not been caught between his chest and the bookshelf.

"w-what," he tilted his head up towards the voice, eyes widened as if he was a deer caught in the headlights. a petite girl he'd never seen before stood just a few steps away from him. and it began. 'oh, no. it's a human!', 'they're talking to you!' and 'panic!' were among the few phrases that circulated in his head when he tried to open his mouth and speak, making him look like a goldfish gaping for air. he felt cold sweat forming at his nape, not expecting that he would have to talk to anyone else today except the receptionist. he then threw a meek reply in her way. "what's it about?"

@l jeno Niki was back in her own habitat, seated at one of the tables in a much more deeper location in the library with her face deep into a case she yet again was reading for one of her classes. She usually loved reading but she was starting to get sick of annotating and highlighting civil cases— she'd much prefer criminal ones if you'd ask her.

Getting tired of the case, she stood up to browse the various books spread on the bookshelves. Her nimble fingers carelessly gliding across the books as her warm hues get caught with the male a few feet from him, a warm smile forming on her lips at how adorable he seemed with his thick specs. Though the smile slowly faded at the mention of the horrendous book that was in his hands, "I wouldn't read that if I were you. That book is absolute trash— why don't you try In Cold Blood by Truman Capote instead?"

@z niki jeno had arrived at the library half an hour earlier than he normally would, adjusting his glasses which were sliding down the bridges of his nose as he chained his bicycle. the feeling of the cold library air against his slightly sweaty skin caused a shiver to run down his neck, and a contented smile made its way onto his face at the familiarity of the sight; he was back in his zone again. there weren't many people here at this time of the day, so jeno was able to relax his nerves a little. he took quick strides towards the counter to return the books he borrowed the last time he came here and made his way towards the arrays of bookshelves. he'd normally come in holding a list, names of the books he wanted to read scribbled in messy letters on a scrap of paper, but he figured he'd go freestyle today, like he would when he ran out of books to read. he began wandering around, scanning through rows and rows of books stacked neatly on the shelves that were looming over him. then his eyes paused, a book with a peculiar-sounding title caught his attention, so he drew closer and retrieved the book from the shelf. "bob honey sings jimmy crack corn...?"

@n yuta His reaction made Niki break character for a moment, breaking out into a small smile before returning back to her deadpan state, her eyes scanning his taller figure— her mind taking note of how much of a mess he actually was. His hair color was a nice contrast to his pale white skin, his piercings shining against the light of the library and his worn out sneakers that looked like it had been used for more than it can take. Her arms crossed as she quirked an eyebrow at him, not really angry— mor curious about the state of the latter. "So you're not following me?" She asked, feeling a bit guilty at how she first approached him. "It's just weird because I literally see you everywhere I go. I was at the bakery yesterday and you were there too— But thanks for the offer, I know this place like the back of my hand." She subtly pressed, checking out her nails before showing him a small yet sarcastic smile. "But no need to apologize, I'm sorry for finding you weird. I'm Nicole, but call me Niki instead."

@z niki Yawning quietly as he covers his mouth, he had only gotten two hours of sleep last night, Yuta didn't really mind at this point since he was used to it. He quickly got back to work, he couldn't afford to lose this job! Even with his sugar momma sending him money every other week, he still feel quite bad just living off of her. He places some book in a certain area, Yuta looked over to the side, staring at his reflection. "Oh geez..." He muttered, Yuta looked like a COMPLETE mess. Turning his head, getting back to work with a sad sigh.

Jumping in the air, letting out a scream when he felt a hand onto his shoulder, has death finally came to kill him? Yuta nervously turned his head, facing the female who had tapped his shoulder, his heart still racing. Oh god.. did he perhaps anger somebody without realizing it? Oh god, why must his luck always be so bad. "I-I.. uh.. Sorry..? I work here..." He stuttered out, almost feeling his legs about to give out in nervousness. "U-Uh.. I don't need anything.. uh.. er.. D-Do you need help finding a book or something?" He crooked out, tilting his head as he tries to look away from her deadly stare, he felt like he was going to pass out, from the nervousness and from not being about to get a good night rest. Clicking the heel of his almost ruined shoes with each other, scrunching his nose as he began to chew on his lower lip. "Sorry....?" He said in a tiny voice, blinking rapidly.

@n yuta Being a major in Law meant that Niki was always drowning in readings to memorize and analyze; despite living by herself, the girl chose to study out in public— whether it be the local cafe or the library. With her bag slung against shoulder, her feet dragged across the barren oaks of the library floor as she settled down in the deepest nook inside the library. The peace and quiet complimented her nicely due to the unbearable headache she had due to the hangover from the unhealthy amounts of alcohol she had consumed the night before.

Barely thirty minutes inside the building, her eyes spotted a figure she'd been seeing for the past few days. Wherever she went she would see the male— when she was at the bakery, he was there. The library? He was there picking out books. She rolled her eyes at the latter, focusing back on the paper she was working on. Her mind, however, can't help but pry back to the probably idea of him following her around due to her parents orders; her dark hues looked around the room and saw him by the aisle a few steps away from her.

Having been fed enough by the thought, the lass stood up and walked to the bookshelf where he was. She then took notice of the multiple piercings he has— and the evident dark bags under his eyes. Her hand reached out to pat the male on the shoulder, face as deadpan as she could, "I've seen you everywhere I go and it kinda freaks me out. Do you need anything?"

being a student, albeit part-time, had it's perks; no one questioned you when you came to the library late in the evening, seeking some alone time to 'study'. doyeon feigned a sweet smile to the receptionist, mrs. gray who handed her a red velvet cupcake and swiped her card to let the young girl in. "as usual, missy comes when everyone else is gone. you need to come and make more friends, doyeon!" the middle aged woman chided; sure, it was with good humor but doyeon had to keep herself from grimacing.

"you know i'm too shy, mrs. gray,"she purred sweetly, playing the role of the girl next door perfectly. she looked like one too, long locks of obsidian hair pulled up in a messy ponytail and face bare of makeup save for the red tint she wore on her lips. grabbing her library card again, she shoved it into her wallet and tossed it into her backpack, careful not to shake it too hard in case any jostling of any sort caused... inconveniences. waving goodbye to the lady, doyeon walked off. "i like what you did with your hair today!"

lies. she didn't give two s about it. still, she needed to keep up the pretense. combat boots clad feet led her past the thick bookshelves and corridors, her gaze roaming around the premise warily; it was a habit she had developed over the years, always keeping an eye out for trouble. she didn't need her wonderful night ahead ruined.

sneaking past the various shelves and into the deepest corners right next to a window, she made herself comfortable, nestled into the nook she had created for herself ages ago. she sank down into the bean bag, long legs spread out in front of her after she'd opened the window, the cool summer breeze blissful on her skin. perfect. she was quick to line her stencils, rolling papers, lighters and bags of weed on the sill, expertly fixing her a blunt which she lit up within moments, the tip between her lips so she could take a drag enough for her senses to get intoxicated. ah, this was what peace was like, she thought to herself as she leaned back so she could almost lay down, blowing the smoke out slowly and watched it disappear out the window.