Rhiannon

Chapter 1

When I walked into the same old library as always this morning, I knew a total of four things:

1. I didn't want to die someone who's never looked up at the stars in pure awe and disbelief or smiled only because their coffee tasted perfect that morning or thought about the individual stories of each person who walks past. 

2.  I had a new philosophy for life- leave disaster in your wake if you can't do the opposite. Which, if you haven't already guessed, happens quite a lot in my case.

3.  My mom was not a huge fan of my new slogan, although she never really said that aloud. In fact, when I brought it up, she mumbled something to the effect of, "Rhiannon, you sound like you have a fetish for chaos or some shit." And proceeded to continue on painting. 

And 4. The guy sitting a few feet to my right was hot as fuck.

I hesitantly glance over to get a better look at this fine specimen of a human being, trying not to be too obvious. Once I see his dark, curly hair, worn-out leather jacket, chiseled jaw, and pink lips upturned into a smile at one of the novels on the table in front of him, I quickly jerk my head back down to shelving these books, a job that is now not nearly as captivating. Especially since it looked like tattoos were peaking out beneath his sleeves. Needless to say, that's a weakness of mine.

"Goddamnit," I whisper to myself, letting out a breath, "He's gorgeous." Now I have absolutely no chance, not that I really did in the first place. A guy that's cute, can read, and enjoys it? Impossible. 

"Hey," a low voice brings me out of my thoughts and back to reality where a pair of jade green eyes stare into mine. I look around, raise my eyebrows, and point to myself as if to say 'Me?'

"Yes, you," he smirked, amusement evident in his voice. "Is there a reason you've been staring at me for the past five minutes?"

My eyes widen and the book I was previously holding falls to the floor. "Ah shit," I say bending down to pick it up. "Sorry, no, no reason I was just... umm," I try to gather my thoughts, scrambling for a reason to be staring at this complete stranger, no matter how pretty.

"I just- I really love that book you're reading. It's one of my all time favorites," Okay, not so bad, I think to myself. 

"Oh really?" His bushy eyebrows raise in surprise, "Your favorite book is the Communist Manifesto?"

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Well," I smile hesitantly, silently thanking my older brother for the ability to lie...somewhat (he claims he never finished 'training' me.)"It's obviously not my favorite, but it was interesting  I guess." 

"So you're a communist?"He grins, leaning forward in his chair.

"No! No, not at all, I just thought it was interesting," I lie, rushing to defend myself. "Wait, why are you reading it then? Didn't you just accuse me of being a communist?"

"Yeah, but I'm also not the one that said the Communist Manifesto was their favorite book," he lets out a breathy laugh. "I'm only reading it because I lost a bet."

"Mmhmmm, sure Communist Boy. Make up all the excuses you want, your secret is out and eligible for blackmailing purposes," It's my turn to smirk, now, bitches.

He feigns an overly dramatic gasp, "Is that so? How will I ever live out the rest of my days?"

"I don't know, you just might have to become yeti and move to rural Alaska," I shrug.

"Ah, just what I've always aspired to be: a yeti," he responds sarcastically.

"See, I always knew I was psychic. I've known you for all of fifteen minutes, and I already predicted your dreams." 

He doesn't answer me for a few silent seconds, never breaking eye contact, which I found slightly comforting for some odd reason.

The shrill ringing of my phone breaks the moment. I sigh in frustration and pick up the phone, holding up a finger to Communist Boy as I get up from the table, "Mom?"

"Rhiannon, baby, you wouldn't happen to have any extra cash would you?" She sounds panicked, her breathing coming out in uneven pants.

"God, no, not now," I whisper under my breath so that he won't hear me, "Mom are you using again? I thought you said you were off that shit?"

I hear her take a shaky breath, "No, baby, I just need a few dollars. I know you have that little job at the library. If you love me, you'll give me a few bucks when you get home, right? I know your shift is over, baby."

I hang up, grabbing my purse, and hurriedly shelving the last few books. A tightness curls its way around my core and my hands begin to shake. Not now, not now, not now. I take deep breaths in attempt to calm myself down, but, to be honest, it's not really working.

"Hey, are you okay?" The boy stands up, concerned. 

I ignore him, swiftly making my way to the library exit, nodding to my manager on the way out.

"Wait, I never got your name!" I hear him call to me from behind.

I glance back for one second only to say, "Rhiannon."

AN:

Hey, peoples! I hope you enjoyed this, I'll probably end up adding more to this first chapter later, but I wanted to get something published before I deleted the whole thing lmao. Don't forget to vote, comment, and share:)

-mary

ps.  i know you barely know the characters, but what do you think of them?