Another Day at the Library

(John’s POV)

I’m going to die. Seriously, my body is broken. I’m sitting behind the reception at the library. My thighs are sore, my butt is sore, my arms hurt.

How did Maria cause me this much pain in under an hour? I sit and watch her because that’s all I can do after breaking my body this morning. Why did I agree to do this everyday before work? How am I going to make it through this shift when it hurts to lift my arms and use the computer?

There’s a school group at the library today and Miss Maria is more popular than ever. Maybe I should’ve thought twice about giving her two cup-size awards in 12 hours. Or maybe she needs another?

Maria's wardrobe is completely different now. It’s amazing that no one says anything. Yesterday, she had nice average boobs. Today, she looks … sizeable.

Her attitude is so different at work. Here she acts like each kid is her baby and the best ever. At the gym she acts like she wants to make a baby with everyone she sees.

That’s not the only change, she has a presence which makes the library warm and inviting. Her warm laugh is bug and comforting, like one of her many boobie hugs.

I think I created a monster with that quest. She passed her five and seems to be only speeding up. It doesn’t help that she grew 5 cm. The taller she gets, the easier it is for her to smother people. And she’s so bubbly that no one minds, it’s a win-win.

That gives me a quest idea:

Level Up!

Cotton completed a basic permanent quest. [+ 3 xp] [+3 bonus xp]

Rita completed a hard quest. +14 xp [+14 bonus xp]

Maria will receive the following quest: Clutch 5 people to your chest.

Reward: Quest becomes permanent

Beware world, there's a boobie hug monster on the loose. I promise to continue to use my powers for awesome even while disabled.

Now to move Cotton in the right direction. She'll probably come the library and ask me for help, that will let me know what she's majoring in and what to do with her in the future.

Cotton will be unaware of the following quest:

• Read a book related to your major.
• Discuss it with someone

Select a reward from the three choices:

• Learning I perk
• Increased understanding of the subject
• Improve your grade by 10%

Reward: Increased understanding of the subject.

That should do for her.

As the day passes, I notice that Rita hasn't come in today. Usually she'd be here by now. I should check on her. I send her a text. [Hey Rita! I enjoyed our date yesterday. Hope you're having a good day.]

Now for lunch. With my broken body. At least Maria made me some chicken and potatoes.

Maria completed a basic permanent quest. [+ 3 xp] [+3 bonus xp]

(Rita's PoV)

"Rita? Are you listening to me?" June interrupted my thoughts. She's right, I drifted off again. “We really need to study for this test.”

Test? How can I think about a test? He kissed me! I can still feel his lips, I haven't even removed my lipstick since yesterday.

"Rita!" June must've been talking again. "You can't just sit there with that look on your face. You just met this guy and he's not paying for your schooling. We. Need. to. Study."

"Don't wanna!" I resist, putting my my best pouting face. June's not amused by my resistance. She's right though, there's a test on Wednesday that I'm not prepared for since I spent the weekend getting ready for my date. "Alright, alright. You're right, June. Let me take a walk and clear my head."

I'll feel better with some fresh air out side of my dorm. Also, I have a quest. "Oh! June, do you have a pair of heels I can borrow? Maybe the challenge will help me clear my head."

Her eyes narrow. "Who are you and what have you done with my gremlin friend Rita?"

"Please, June." I pout again. This time I think it worked.

"Fine, fine, fine! You can wear my black ones. They're only 5 cm. Should be fine for a rookie like you."

"Yay! Thanks!" I put on her shoes and head to the door. My excitement vanishes when I step into the hallway. I can't believe I'm doing this! I'm so nervous people will see me! The confidence I felt in cosplay is completely gone. In it's place there's a sudden tightness in my stomach. I can do this! I can walk in public as Rita. I know the dorm hallway isn’t public, shush you critical voices.

Honestly, the “walk” part is hard enough to distract me from the “in public”. My balance is awkward slouching forward in heels, so I have to bring my shoulders back a bit. I pass a mirror and am surprised by how confident I look. I was so focused on the quest I didn't even think to put on my hoodie, so I'm walking in my pajamas. It's university, so I'm not the only one in pajamas, but I'm used to wearing more out. The cami and loose pants are so comfortable, but outside of my room I feel exposed. Surprisingly, I don’t hate that.

After stumbling my first couple of steps, I realize I need to put one foot almost in front of the other to keep balanced. I also slow my stride a bit, the opposite of my usual rush to be invisible. I thibk I’m getting the hang of this!

The hallway isn't too busy, so I'll just walk up and down a couple of times. I see other students, busy about their day, they must think I'm weird. Nothing changed there, they already think I'm weird.

After my first lap, I notice that I like the height the heels give me. I'm still on the short side, but I could pass for normal. I finally find my stride when I walk past the common room, again.

On the second lap I’m feeling pretty confortable. I’m walking by a group of girls giggling to each other when one looks at me. "Practicing your streetwalk, troll?" The girls dissolve into laughter. "You left your makeup on, from your job last night, hope the pay was good."

Fuuuuck! I didn't clean off my makeup after the date yesterday! I must look awful! Noo! No! No-no-NO!! I turn around and start running back to the room. *Crash!* I trip over my heels and go sprawling to the floor.

"Wow! Clarissa! You burned her so bad she fell over." I have to get out of here! Back to my room! I gather up the heels and take off barefoot for my room.

I burst through the door and fall to the floor behind it. I’m jot going to cry!

June gets up, shocked. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"My life is over! I'm never leaving the room again." I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. "Why are people so mean?"

"I guess we aren't going to get any studying done?" June asks.

I wipe my face. I wasn't crying. "No. We are going to get all the studying done." I need something to take my mind of quests and mean girls and dates with cute boys.

(John's PoV)

Maria completed a basic permanent quest. +3 xp [+3xp]

Yup, she's a monster. It's been less than 90 minutes and 5 kids have sacrificed to Maria’s boobs. She enjoys it and it's free XP so whatever.

As the day goes on I get more and more worried about Rita. She's been in here everyday since we started talking. We're almost closing and she hasn't even responded to my text.

Maria's been considerate of my condition. It's the least she can do considering she's responsible for it. I've been able to stay at the desk. That's given me more time to worry about Rita. She completed her quest, but hasn't replied to my text. Something bad must've happened. I should give her a call.

I tap on her cell phone and the call goes immediately to voicemail. Her phone must be off. That makes me more worried.

My concern must've summoned Maria. "What's got my big boy down?" I'm sitting down, so I cannot escape her embrace. There's something to be said about the comfort of a boobie hug. "It has to be the girl. You were happy this morning so I thought your date went well. Tell Miss Maria, I'll make it better."

How can I say "no" to this? I nuzzle into her bosoms for good measure. "I think something happened to her. I don't think it's me."

"Sounds like nothing flowers or chocolate can't fix." Trust Maria to have mature wisdom.

I think about it for a second. A gift would be nice. One problem. "That's a great idea, but I don't know where she lives."

"You know what school she goes to, right?" The soft boobies ask another good question. I can only nod in reply, the answer is obvious considering it's the university library. "Then take your new girlfriend some flowers."

It is that simple, isn't it? "Maria. You're the best!"

"I know sweetie. I'll finish closing here. Go take care of my girl." The boobie hug ends and the world loses some color. *More boobies would make these hugs even better.*

I stand up and regret my whole life. "urrg" I can't keep the groan in.

"You big baby. You'll be fine after a week. Now shoo! I'll see you tomorrow."

I get up and slowly make my exit. I think I'll die on the walk over

Somehow my feet take me to the florist for a basic bouquet. Another miracle brings me to the dorms.

I go to the front desk of the residence. There's a bored looking girl behind the desk full goth makeup and everything. I wait for her to address me for a minute, but she's more interested in her phone than anything else.

"Hello." I speak up.

"Yeah, what?"

"I wanted to take some flowers to my girlfriend, she's not feeling well."

"You have a girlfriend?" She looks unimpressed. "What's her name?"

"Rita Torres."

"Uh-huh. Call her down and you can deliver the flowers."

"That's the problem, her phone is off." She's not going to help me.

"Uh-huh. Her phone is off. Look, weirdo, maybe you should take a hint and move along."

"Can I just leave these with her and you call her or take them to her?"

"How 'bout this. Leave the flowers and text her. If she wants them, she'll ask for 'em." She gestures at a spot on the desk for her flowers and picks up her phone again. This conversation's over.

I leave the flowers in the indicated spot and hobble out of the residence building. This seemed like a better idea when Maria was suggesting it.

Author's Note: If it seems like John's suddenly way less dense it's the Shared Perk, Empathy. He's both more aware of people's emotions and more influenced by them and at this point he doesn't realize it. The effect of empathy scales with attention, connection, and physical proximity.

Also, I feel bad for poor Rita. Don’t worry there’s good times ahead for our girl.