“Please!”
“That’s not how this works. Now stop flexing.”
“I’m not?—”
“I want to see you. The real you.”
“Are you?—”
“Stop arguing.”
“Fine.”
Tyler let out a long sigh, his body relaxing. His shoulders slumped, and the curve of his bellyappeared. This was the real man, and he looked downright beautiful. Sitting behind his desk at the library, he was in his element. The stacks of books half-blocking my view framed him while giving away part of his story.
“What?” He glanced down as if I was staring at a stain on his shirt.
Sitting in one of the leather-back chairs, I scribbled, blocking him out. Every time I glanced up, his eyes were fixated on me, and I had to fight a smile. He had no problem getting in front of Firefly and waving about an impressive cock, but my admiring him left his cheeks red.
“You’re going to make me self-conscious.”
“Just ignore me.” He made it hard to create a spontaneous sketch. I had a process and Tyler focusing on me interrupted the creative flow. I was about to give up when the door opened.
She couldn’t be older than fourteen with raven black hair flowing past her shoulders. There were colorful people in Firefly… literally. Our new friend didn’t fit the status quo, and the way she focused on her chunky boots, I sensed a story. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught me staring and gave me a meek wave.
“Can I help you?” Tyler asked.
She didn’t answer as she pretended to read the titles of books on a nearby shelf. Little by little, she worked her way toward the desk. Tyler had quickly busied himself, shuffling books as if he avoided her. I couldn’t sort out what was happening between them. I figured he’d rush to everypatron’s side, suggesting books and guiding them to their next perfect read. Instead, he kept his head down.
I sketched.
When she reached the desk, I focused on my drawing as if I wasn’t eavesdropping. She glanced over her shoulder, and I gave her a quick smile before going back to my sketchbook. In a few seconds, I had her blocked out, standing in front of the desk. The pencil had grown dull, but I didn’t dare stop and sharpen it. I couldn’t explain the feeling in my chest, but I sensed a moment of beauty unfolding.
“Can you help me?” She stared at her boots as she stood in front of his desk. He stopped shuffling. Her nervousness came through as she continued brushing hair behind her right ear.
“Let me guess…” Tyler leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “You need a heroine.” His head tilted to the side. “Somebody who defies the rules. She’s going to get into trouble, and she’s going to save herself.”
My heart swelled as he used his gifts to read her. I couldn’t move the pencil fast enough. From my angle, I could only see half his face past the books. He exuded confidence, and at the same time, he built a rapport with this anxiety-filled teen.
“Yeah,” she said. “I like adventure books.”
“Kissing?”
She shook her head.
“Magic?”
She shrugged.
“Family drama.”
She didn’t respond.
“She finds friends?”
Her head drooped.
“I’m Tyler.”
