Study Room

“What do you think you are doing?!” A voice broke me from my trance like state as I scoured my text book for resources. Looking up I was faced with the site of Thea, a girl from one of my classes standing at the door hands on her petite waist, dark brown hair done up in a ponytail wearing black shorts and a simple red singlet top. With irritation written across her face.

Confused I responded quizzically, “I’m not sure what you mean?”

“This is my spot. You are in my spot!” She replied, her voice dripping with disdain as if she thought I was stupid.

“I’m really sorry but I booked out this study room, but if you…” She cut me off with a grunt of annoyance and turned and stormed from the room. For a moment I sat there confused, the whole situation seemed to have appeared from no where and I had booked the study room.

After it was clear she wasn’t coming back I continued my studies focusing my attention on some upcoming exams. As it began to grow dark I began to collect my belongings and took in the small study room. It was typical for Genesis University or Gen U. Power points all over the room for laptops, Wi-Fi available inside, insulated padding on the walls to minimise any sound (lots of music students here) and a single door wooden door with a frosted glass window obscuring anything inside.

Why did she want this room so badly? She had made it seem like I had killed her dog or something with the way she was carrying on. Thea Thomlinson, pretty popular in and around campus, she was on the cheer squad and pretty well off, we were competing for grades but she had a squad of friends who usually followed her everywhere. The Queen Bee of Gen U.

I had been about to offer for her to use the study room also, I mean there was more than enough space for both of us to study but she had been in a rush to leave so I hadn’t got the chance. I tidied the space for the next person and went out to check to see if I could use it tomorrow and double check it hadn’t been booked.

Approaching the desk of the library I was greeted by a huge smile from Emma who worked part time in the library. Blonde hair, tied up in a bun, with a conservative blue top and knee length blue skirt with glasses that I guessed were for show but had never had the guts to inquire.

“Hi Arcane.” Emma smiled happily at me as I placed a pile of text books on the counter. “Finished with these?”

“Not quite, Em. I still need them for tomorrow. Is the room booked?”

“Nope it is free, give me two seconds,” She typed away at her computer for a moment before smiling back up at me. “All done room is all yours, and I’ll keep the books separate for you til tomorrow.”

“Thanks Em, you’re the best. Before I go, Thea Thomlinson came by earlier and said I was in her spot? Any chance I accidentally double booked the room?”

A thoughtful expression ran across Emma’s face as she checked the records for the Study room.

“No chance Arcane, you have pretty much been the only person booking study rooms ahead of time this semester. But if it pops up again let me know.

“Sure, thing Em, thanks heaps. Goodnight.”

“Night Arcane.”

What happens next? Your response to this question will define the next chapter!