Chapter 100 YES, A LIBRARY
MERRIELYNN.
I tossed my pen on top of the pile of open textbooks and leaned back in my chair, rubbing my forehead. It’s been back-to-back classes all day, and upcoming finals breathing down my neck.
My brain felt like mush, but I knew I couldn’t slack off.
Not now. I needed to focus and get through these study sessions.
I was halfway through reviewing my notes when my phone vibrated on the desk.
It was Cormac, and my heart skipped. Whenever Cormac called, it was never just a casual conversation.
I picked up and put the phone in my ear. “What do you want, Cormac?”
The bite was intentional.
“Nice to hear your sweet voice too,” he said. “What are you doing?”
“Studying. Did you forget finals are next week?” I asked, putting the phone between my ear and shoulder as I flipped a page in my notebook.
“Studying? That sounds boring.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, it’s necessary. I can’t wing it and hope for the best.”
“How about you take a break and come over?” He asked smoothly, almost coaxing, but I wasn’t falling for it. Not this time.
“No way,” I told him. “I really need to focus. I can’t afford distractions right now.”
“You can study here,” he countered.
“Right, because you’re such a great study buddy,” I said. The idea sounded like a disaster just waiting to happen.
“I’m serious,” he said. “I’ve got a library.”
That made me pause and look up from my note. “A library?” I repeated in disbelief. That was hard to believe because Cormac wasn’t exactly the bookish type.
“Yes, a library. You know, books, quiet, all that good stuff. You can come over, get your studying done, and I won’t even bother you. Promise.”
I hesitated.
The idea of Cormac owning a library seemed so absurd, yet part of me was curious. Besides, I had been stuck in my tiny dorm room all day. Maybe a change of scenery wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
“Fine,” I said, against my better judgment. “But if you distract me even once, I’m leaving.”
“Deal,” he said quickly. “I’ll be there soon.”
When he arrived, I arranged my books and headed out.
As I slipped out of the dorm, I kept my head down, glancing around to make sure no one was paying attention.
Cormac’s car was already waiting by the curb. He’d picked me up enough times now that it was starting to feel… strange.
Luxurious cars like his were attention-grabbing, and I hated the idea of anyone connecting the dots between us. But I always made sure to sneak out when the hallways were empty and the campus was quiet, avoiding the attention his car would inevitably draw.
The ride to his place was quiet and when we arrived, I stepped into his apartment after him. True to his word, there was a library. And not just any library—a room with walls lined with shelves, stacked high with books.
“Okay,” I said, crossing my arms and nodding. “I’ll admit, this is impressive.”
Cormac gave me a knowing grin. “Told you. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll leave you alone to study. I’ll order some food.”
“Thanks,” I said, watching as he disappeared down the hall.
Left to myself, I wandered through the room, trailing my fingers along the spines of books. There were titles I’d never even heard of and some I’d been meaning to read. I pulled one off the shelf, flipping through the pages.
I was still running my fingers along a glass paperweight on the desk when Cormac reappeared, leaning against the doorway with a cocked eyebrow.
“If you’re done snooping,” he said, “I ordered Chinese.”
I turned, feeling a bit caught. “Why Chinese?” I asked.
He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck like he hadn’t expected the question. “I don’t know. I just… assumed you’d like it. .”
“I’ve never had it before.”
“Then you should try it,” he said, his eyes doing a slow sweep of me, “I think you’ll like it.”
I shrugged, “I guess we’ll see.”
An hour passed, and within that hour, we’d eaten enough Chinese to make me wonder how I’d ever missed out on it before.
He thought I would like sushi.
He also thought I’d like Chinese.
And he was right both times.
We binged two episodes of ‘One Piece’ and then I buried myself in my notes for three straight hours.
Cormac had mostly stayed out of my way, which Iresentedmore than I cared to admit.
Eventually, I stretched, putting my pen down, and then made my way to the bathroom. As I headed back to the library, I caught a glimpse of Cormac through the sliding glass doors leading to the balcony.
He was leaning against the railing, smoking a cigarette.
I hesitated. My cheeks flushed as a memory resurfaced—the last time we were on that balcony together. That night had ended with me on my knees in the shower, and the thought alone sent a shiver down my spine.
Shaking it off, I pushed the door open and stepped outside.
“You like it out here, don’t you?” I asked, wrapping my arms around myself as the cool air hit me.
Cormac glanced over his shoulder, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. “It’s quiet. Gives me space to think.”
“About what?” I asked softly, leaning against the railing beside him.
For a moment, he didn’t answer. I thought he’d brush me off or give some vague, Cormac-like response, but instead, he said, “My life. My title. What happens after graduation.”
The honesty in his tone surprised me. I stared at him, but his gaze was fixed on the city lights, like he was once again deep in thoughts.
Silence stretched between us and I glanced down at my hands, his words stirring something uneasy in me.
My mind wandered to my own uncertainties—not just about finals or the future, butstupidlyabout... him.
About us.
Whatever this thing between us was, it didn’t feel like something with a clear end, and yet Iknew deep in my heart that eventually it would.
Come to and end, that is.
I swallowed hard, hating the feeling.
And hating how much I hated the feeling even more.