To the library!

You're pretty sure that you don't want to be involved with anything that involves radiation suits. You hop off the bus and hurry to the library. You think that you might pick up a few books you need for class, then walk downtown and do some window shopping.

And then, when you're walking through the library stacks, you think that you might stay at the library a little longer. Because it looks like Brad is working at the library today.

Brad also goes to your high school, and he helps out at the library sometimes. He's tall and blonde and good-looking, and being close to him always makes you feel a little light-headed. You've seen the way he looks at you, and you're pretty sure he likes what he sees, though he hasn't said anything yet. You've though about what he might say to you, though, and how you might answer him, and what you might do together. You've thought about it, at night, in bed, under the covers, with your fingers between your thighs, moaning into the pillow so that your mom doesn't hear.

You pause in the aisle, and he looks up from the cart of books he's pushing and sees you. His blue eyes light up. "Naomi! What are you doing here? School's canceled for today."

"I know. I just, um ... well, I needed some books for class."

"Gotcha. Can I help you find something?"

You dig out the list of books that your English teacher handed out, and offer it to Brad. He takes a quick look. "Okay, this one ought to be right here ..."

The two of you set about finding the books on your list, while you try to think of a way to hint that he should ask you out to lunch. You trail your fingers along one row of books, but don't see the book you want. You look left, then right, then up. There it is ... someone, for some reason, has laid it down on the very top of the shelving unit. You go up on tiptoes, reach up, get a couple of fingers on the book, and pull. But your fingers slip, and the book comes tumbling down.

Suddenly, Brad is right behind you, and he catches the book before it bonks you on the head. You look up and see his hand holding the thick volume. "Oops," you say.

"Sorry about that," he says. "Some people just can't be bothered to put their own books back. Did you need this one?" He continues to stand close behind you, holding the book out in front of you so that you can see the title.

It's very nice and cozy, standing here in the shelter of Brad's arm. He smells good. You can't help but lean back against him a little. "It's good of you to help me," you tell him.

He pauses, caught off guard as he finds your body in contact with his. "It's no problem," he says, softly.

"How long do you have to be at the library today?"

"Um ... all day, I think. The librarian wanted to take advantage of the class cancellations to take inventory."

"Oh." That's a disappointment. You were hoping to lure him away. Maybe he could sneak out ...

He puts the fallen book in your arms, and then his hands are on your shoulders. You shiver a little.

"I don't think I want to take inventory," he says.

"No?" Your voice is suddenly a little husky. "What do you want to do?"