An Annoyed Afternoon

(John's PoV)
I can name one big improvement in my quality of life, meal-time satisfaction. Lunch was delicious, and the consistent company is even better. I never want to eat alone again.

Mat pulled her chair next right next to me. She sat close and snuggled under my left arm. That left me with only one hand to eat. Mat solved that problem for me by feeding me. She would put together each fork with precision, delivering all the flavors at the same time. Saucy pork, sweet potato, greens, all met in my mouth.

The girl can cook and I told her so.

I enjoyed the combination of the soft, tasty pork in my mouth while enjoying the feel of soft, squishy thigh in my hands. I can’t tell which smells better, the barbecue or Mat’s perfume.

I made sure to enjoy all of it.

Lunch was over too soon. Mat had made enough food for Maria, but the older woman stayed busy with work.

“Now that your belly is nice and full, it’s time to give me what I came for.” Mat finished the dishes away. Maria will have to re-heat her lunch.

“My pleasure.”

“Not that, silly! Desert is waiting when you come home.” Mat slaps my hands away from my belt. She adopts her animal planet announcer voice again. “After eating a large meal, the bookherder ventures to the wild to patrol his herd, making sure not a single one is out of place."

I guess we’re doing this. Time to reshelve the books.

(Maria’s PoV)
The library was quiet again. The giggles and snickers had faded, the students returning to their studies. I notice that short blonde girl with the annoying boyfriend is here, without the boyfriend. She seems upset.

She's a third year, so she knows her way around. I walk over to check on her and hear sounds of exertion before I come around the row of shelves. The girl is on her tip toes stretching for a book on the top shelf, it’s still too high.

"Can I help you, hun?"

"No, no! I'm fine! I can do get my own stupid books!" She doesn't even look my way.

Er-hem, I clear my throat at the sharp response, crossing my arms. The girl looks over with a guilty look.

"I'm sorry. That was rude." She shrinks down with the realization. At her penitent response, I allow my attitude to soften. The poor child needs comfort.

“You poor thing, you look like you’re having a bad day. Come here, cara mia." I draw her close and pat her head. "You're Jessica, right?"

She nods.

"Whatever's got you down, Jessica-carissima, don't worry, momma's here."

After a moment I feel some tension flow out of the girl.

"Can I help you with reaching the top shelf?"

She nods again. "I need the Early English Text Society original series. It's on the top shelf."

At her request I find the volume she mentioned. It's legendary among the students studying Old English. Legendary due to its size. In the past, I would need to get the step stool, but since I've gained a few centimeters in height, I can easily reach the shelf. Pretty convenient. I place the large red volume into Jessica's hands.

"I never understand why you keep such a large volume on such a high shelf." Jessica pouted.

I smile down at the shorter girl, straightening her hair. "It's so we can keep a watch over who's accessing delicate volumes."

"Uh-huh, sure." She rolled her eyes. "Thank you for your help."

"It's what I'm here for, cara mia. Feel free to leave the book at the front desk when you're finished. John or I will return it to the shelf."

"Thank you, Miss Maria."

“And, piccola mia, if you need someone to talk to. I’m happy to lend an ear.”

“Thank you, Miss Maria.” Jessica excused her self to continue her studies. What a nice girl, I wonder what had her all worked up.

I continue making my rounds of the library and hear some loud giggling. If it's Mat again, I swear I'll make her suffer next time I get her alone. The sound of the girly laughter leads me to an open door in a study room.

Three girls are in the room, spreading poster boards and markers across the table. As I approach I hear music playing from a speaker. Where do these girls think they are, causing this fuss? There is a bleached blonde girl who is seated in the corner, filing her nails, while the other two both with black hair, one with blue tips and the other with blonde front streaks, are setting up by the poster boards.

I walk to the open door and knock loudly, standing with arms crossed. "Ahem." The two girls at the table look up at me. I look at the speaker and back to the nearest girl, the disinterested blonde, who's still looking at her nails, humming along.

"Ariana!" Blue tips calls out to her. "I told you we couldn't have the music in the library."

The blonde, Ariana, sighs loudly and stops the music from the speaker. "Ugh! Fine! Happy now?"

"Much better." I respond. "You made a fuss coming in, pasorette. I trust you'll be more appropriate on your way out?"

"Yes, Miss Maria." Both of the black haired girls respond.

The children get my point, so I relax my arms. I close the door behind me and approach the table. "What project has you all excited, bambina mia?"

“We’re making posters for cheer tryouts!”

“We want to help all the freshmen do their best!”

“And what about you, principessa?” My question is directed to the only one that doesn’t seem excited, the blonde in the corner.

“What they said. Yay tryouts.” She wasn’t excited. The other girls seemed to her apathy and started work with templates and stencils.

“You girls mind if I lend a hand?”

“Of course you can help!”

“Here, I penciled in this design, can you ink it?”

I spent the next half hour helping the cheerleader girls. During which time I learned their names, blue tips is Cassidy and blonde streaks is Sophie. With the door closed we’re free to make a but more noise and before long we’re talking and giggling together.

Except for the blonde, Ariana. She’s more interested in the perfect selfie. Somehow she’s less annoying than Mat disrupting the peace of my sanctuary and bringing lunch for my man. I know I told Cotton we have to share. I know I agreed to share. Seeing that pampered pink hairdo bounce into my library, like she owns it! With lunch for my man, like she owns him!

Crack!

“Is everything okay Miss Maria?” Sophie asks.

“Yes, cara mia, I’m fine.”

“If you’re fine, you might want to wash your hands.” Ariana spoke up. Hearing from the aloof girl drew my attention to my hands. I was holding a snapped pen. Ink was starting to seep between my fingers.

“Oh, cabbage!” I stand up carefully to make sure I don’t ruin the poster or my clothes. “It’s been fun, ragazze. Let me go clean up, then I should get back to work.”

"Bye, Miss Maria!"

(Mat's PoV)
John was adorably focused putting the books away. I wonder how much crossover there is between my girlie gaming fanbase and people who'll want to look at John's butt while I whisper? I know I loved watching his quiet competence at the simple tasks. Pick up book, look up location, wheel cart to shelf, locate space, make room, side book on shelf, repeat.

My mic picked up the soft scrape of sleeve against vest. It picked up the one wheel that squeaked a bit. I had to get extra close to get the slide of book on book.

I sure can shot an ASMR a video. Maybe I'll open up a new demographic.

Now to help Maria with planning the Ball. Where did that woman slip off to? Maybe I should make a big fuss so she comes and finds me? I feel a sudden chill at that idea.

“John, love. Can you take me to where Maria hides when she’s working on something?”

“Of course. I know where she is.”

That works. No need to work extra hard when there’s someone who can help me. I follow my escort across the library.

"Here it is, our little library office."