Bad Luck, Worse Chemistry

"I'm going to the library," I called to my mom. She looked stunned that I even knew those places were even real. Thanks for the confidence, Mom. "Library, seriously? You mean that place full of books?" she asked, one brow lifting a little. I laughed under my breath and nodded. "Yeah, Mom. That one; I need a book for some report. If I don't get it, I'm absolutely failing," I answered. "Sure, enjoy yourself," my mother snorted. The amusement was written all over her face. Her dark brown hair, which I got from her, was pulled into a messy bun, and she wore an oversized t-shirt with sweatpants. I waved once and climbed into my Jeep, a black Grand Cherokee I had worked my butt off for. My parents helped with it too, but I still came up with my half. It beat sharing a car with my older brother Nolan by a mile. Thinking about that idiot, we had gotten into a fight earlier this morning. I scowled at the thought as I pulled into the library parking lot. It was mostly empty except for a handful of cars. Whistling and spinning my keys around one finger, I headed for the entrance, tugged the door open, and let the warm air wash over me while I crossed to the counter. "I'm Sadie. Can I help you?" the blonde girl chirped. I smiled back, instantly getting the feeling she was one of those girls who is far too nice for her own well-being. It isn't the blonde thing; she just seems like the type who puts more weight on everyone else's opinions than her own; I bet more people step all over her than they do the library's welcome mat. That's kind of sad, honestly. "I'm just looking for a book," I said casually, leaning against the counter. She started clacking on the keyboard while scanning the computer screen. I pushed my glasses up my nose. Don't let the look fool you; I am not a nerd, if that's what you're thinking. Unfortunately, back in 8th grade, I spent way too much time playing video games, so my eyesight went to crap and I got stuck with glasses. There is absolutely no way I'm putting a contact on my finger and jabbing myself in the eye with it. Besides, my eyes are ridiculously sensitive and water all the time. My finger won't even make it that far before I'm blinking like crazy and my eye is making its own Niagra Falls. "You'll find it in row four, on the second shelf," she said with a cheerful smile, pointing toward the shelves. I nodded and muttered a quick 'thank you' while shuffling across the tiled floor. The place was nice, and I don't get why I don't come here more often. Ha, who am I trying to fool? Sure, it's nice, but I'm not the type to camp out with my nose in a book. I'd much rather be at home gaming or flopped out on my bed with my laptop in my lap. Or at the mall, checking out cute guys while they shop and joke with their friends. Or just somewhere, maybe hanging with my family or my friend Wren. I looked up and noticed the ceiling was tall, and there was a second level, or at least a curved balcony with glass windows and couches you're supposed to read on, I'm guessing. I spotted a sign for Free internet and lifted a brow, nodding slowly. Maybe I could actually hang out here. When I got to the fourth row, I heard the door open. Or at least I figured it was the door; this was maybe my first or second time being in a library in all 16, almost 17, years of my life. "I'm Sadie, how may I help you?" the girl at the front desk called, her voice echoing through the empty library. Yeah, I was right. That had been the door. Somebody else was here. It was probably some old lady returning a book she'd checked out in 1975. But instead of an old, fragile voice answering, I heard a guy. He didn't sound very old; his voice didn't have that wise sort of ring.