Flytrap

Chapter Three

Walking through the door and into an array of both ancient and new pages, the musky smell of old books wafted it's way to me, filling me with the urge to sit in a cushioned seat with a cup of chai- novel in hand. I smile, losing myself in the vision of "Madapple" by Christina Meldrum captivating me just enough to almost forget about a fresh chai tea latte awaiting consumption; the crisp sound of turning pages calming me away from the bustle of my mind.

Wait, why was I here again? ... The new girl. There was something about her that captivated me. Seeing her come into the library most definitely didn't make my curiosity falter. Would she sit in silence as she did yesterday? Did she like to read?

I spot her across the room, browsing music with a distant mind. Did she come here to escape something? I pick up a random book and sit at a table, hoping to catch a moment to engage in mundane conversation.. I could recommend her music. Ask her what she likes, or just properly introduce myself. Does this make me a creep? .. Maybe I should just go.

All of a sudden I felt the warmth of a body sit beside me at the table. I look up to evaluate, and there she was. Closer than ever; her stare making me blush as I refuse to meet her persistent gaze. She succumbs to adverting her eyes across the room and I loosen up slightly, still aware of her closeness. But before I could think, her hand appears on my thigh and caresses inward close to my womanhood, making it melt in the sudden excitement and nervousness. What is happening?!

"You're interested in me," she retorts.

I don't deny it. I don't say anything at all... I guess it's because I'm so surprised. She runs her hand closer to my pulsing heat.

"Why?" she continues.

"I....I.."

She turns to me completely and pierces my plain caramel eyes with an electrified green that I could have never imagined to be real. "You.. you.. what? Cat," she grabs me full on this time, "got your tongue?"

Overwhelmed, I scoot away from her.

"I know I- I don't know you," I say. "I don't know you and I wanted to I guess. I wondered what made you come into this place. Since you wandered into the Cafe and now a library, I thought you might be somebody I could share interests with and maybe..." I look at her. Her eyes are distant. It's as if she wasn't listening to a single word.

"Forget it."

I look down at my book. I leave it on the table and stood up to make my leave, feeling the ice cold buzz of embarrassment run through my body as all of the blood pools in my face. Scooting the chair back into its place beneath the table, I turn and step toward the door. I feel a tug back. I turn my head to find her sitting there, recoiled, her hand grasping my shirt apprehensively.

"My name's Bianca..."

Bianca

I stand there for a long time, looking at her. There is no deciphering her. She was rude in the Yellow Brick Barista, she was bold and in charge only seconds ago, and now she's almost vulnerable. She came out of nowhere, accompanied by nobody. She wanders aimlessly with what appears to be no reason at all. It feels almost like a training stage. Like she is attempting something unknown to me, but she isn't experienced enough to do it without abrupt, panic-induced changes in tactic. It's choppy, illogical, staged..

I stop staring at her long enough to sit down beside her once more. She's let go of my shirt, but sits with both hands in her lap- poised. I sit perfectly still, continuing to look at her for some time... waiting for anything else to slip out of her or for a new persona to introduce itself. She continues to sit with me, but no words are exchanged.

I break the second layer of ice, "what's your plight?"

Her eyes raise to me. Looking offended, she bursts, "I confess my name to you and you follow that with asking what's wrong with me? You could have just told me yours." She scoffs at me and moves a wandering hair from her face, avoiding my question.

"I didn't ask for your name," I say, "I didn't actually have the opportunity to ask you anything- what with you..." I trail off beginning to feel awkward but aware of the remaining arousal left over from her wandering hands. I shake it off and continue, "And now all you've done is give me more questions to ask."

"Well I'm not obligated to answer you," she deflects.

I start to get a little annoyed, "And I'm not obligated to give a shit!"

"Then don't!"

I feel the heat rise to my face once more. She's so... stubborn!! I think to myself for a moment. Let's use the self interview technique here to regain coherent thoughts. Why did I come into this library? Because her outfit today drove you banana sandwich? Maybe I shouldn't be sarcastic with myself right now. I have to be totally honest and lay everything out on the table for myself before I can make a next move. So, why am I here?

Bianca was an anomaly. From the moment I witnessed her, I was questioning her. She's new in the area and she doesn't settle right with me. Whatever it is, I want to know. If she is trouble, I want to know. If she is simply just that introverted, I want to know. I don't have an exciting social life. My home life isn't that wonderful either. I can console in Tony but he's really my only good thing. When I look at Bianca, I just feel like she's a person I would want to see everyday if I could. She was that mystery walking on the streets that people don't understand.

I want to understand her.

I start to piece together an apology, an introduction. Something to get me back on my feet, but then I hear Tony's words in my head. Don't be friendly. I consider it for a moment, but it seems so wrong to me. Disrespectful..

It isn't me. I can't treat somebody that way. There are other manners in which to treat a situation. If she was treating me this way, there was something about her that nobody knew. I look up to her. She is looking down, but as soon as I look at her she glances up-as if feeling my eyes. We stare into each others eyes for a few uninterrupted seconds. Her bright green eyes bore into me like a field of clovers on the brightest of Summer days. I can feel some heat rise into my cheeks slightly. Breathtaking... 

I zone back in only to realize she is staring at me blatantly. My eyes widen. Did she say something? 

"I said, are you going to say anything or did I scare that cat away earlier?" she smirks. Her eyes descend slowly before meeting my eyes again. My blush deepens at the thought of her checking me out. She throws a sideways smile my way, rubbing her bottom lip with her right thumb in a very slow way. I clear my throat. 

She didn't want interrogation, and that was natural. Diving into a person's personal life was invading and prying. She was a new person. So what do you do when you meet someone new? You introduce yourself. Lets start over Grace. 

"Yea- yes. Uhm, I'm Grace. Not like graceful but like, my name. I mean, my names Grace." Cue internal eye roll. "A lot of people just call me Gray. Or they would, if I talked to them." 

"I like that," she says, "Gray."

My chest flutters at the sound of my name coming through her voice. I don't forget all the things I want to know about her. I don't forget that I have questions. But I decide the best way to get to know a woman... is to take your time.