Melody was humming while her eyes scanned the backs of the books in the library. Since she had started to date Max her health had improved a little and now she was thinking about finishing a research project she had paused a few months ago.
Even though Daniel couldn't stand Max, he did like the influence the boy had on her.
Melody was singing under the shower, she was almost floating instead of walking and every morning she woke up with a smile on her face.
At some moments Daniel had wished that the boy would mess things up, but so far Max had been nothing but the perfect boyfriend.
Max had paid for her dinner, had paid for her cinema tickets. He had brought her flowers on the third date. He had not once asked if he could kiss her lips. On the sixth date he had officially asked her to be his girlfriend.
Every time Daniel thought about it his stomach turned around. He had never had many problems with romantic comedies, but this one was literally sickening. And if this comedy would get a happy ending with a fairytale wedding and four beautiful babies, Daniel wasn't even sure if he would survive.
"Excuse me, miss, I can't find the book 'When a parent has cancer: a guide to caring for your children'. Could you help me find it, please?" Melody leaned on the counter and the young woman behind the desk looked up with a smile on her face.
"I will check it for you, do you have a minute?"
"Were you looking for this one?" Daniel walked towards her with the book pressed to his chest. "I just heard you asking for it."
"Daniel?" Melody's eyes widened and her cheeks started blushing. "I didn't know you were a psychology student?"
"I'm not." Daniel shrugged his shoulders and he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "I just wanted to look something up for a friend of mine, but if you need the book it's yours."
Melody shook her head and she turned towards the lady behind the desk. "I'll find another book. Thanks for the help."
"Are you sure? Because I think your project is more important than my curiosity." Daniel wasn't even sure why he was doing it. He didn't know why he had grabbed the book she was looking for and why he was once again talking to her, even though it was forbidden. Maybe he was simply trying to get called back, but so far it didn't really seem to work.
"There are other ways to get my information." Melody cocked her head a little. "I'll simply search for articles first and I'll borrow the book once you're done with it."
Daniel rolled his eyes.
Why did she say yes to everything Max asked and no to everything he proposed?
Daniel was not actually asking for inappropriate things. He had simply taken a book she needed and he was offering to give it to her.
"I hope you'll be able to help your friend." Melody nodded and she wanted to turn around, but Daniel grabbed her wrist and forced her to stand still.
"Or, you could give me some tips and tricks so I won't have to read the book anymore?" Daniel raised his eyebrows a little and a smile spread across his face.
"Well, I was actually planning on working on my project before I'm out of energy today." Melody turned her wrist around and freed herself. "Actually, this entire conversation cost me a lot more energy than I would have liked to spend on it."
Daniel bent his head and he stared at his feet. "I didn't wanna keep you from your work."
"Great." Melody walked to the nearest computer and she concentrated on the screen.
Quietly Daniel took an empty seat only a couple of meters away from her. He opened the book and he started scanning the pages.
Apparently not only humans did crazy things for love.
Daniel couldn't believe he was actually doing this. He was reading a book on a topic that didn't interest him. He was stalking a girl he would never get. He was breaking rules that could get him killed. Somehow he didn't want to know how much worse it could get.
"Can you watch my computer for a bit while I get something to eat?" Melody tapped on his shoulder and Daniel looked up.
He swallowed a few times. Saying no would be weird, but he couldn't say yes either. If Melody was going to grab something to eat, he would have to go with her. "I was actually feeling kinda hungry too."
Melody sighed and she shook her head. "Fine, I'll simply close it then." She leaned forward while she closed all her documents. Her shirt fell open a little and her jeans tightened around her hips.
Daniel took a few deep breaths and he closed the book.
"Are you done reading the book already?" Melody turned around again and she put one hand in her side while she leaned on her crutch. She never noticed it herself, but she was cleary more tired than she thought. She would probably pay the price as soon as she would go home.
"No, I've actually only just started." Daniel scratched the back of his neck.
"If you give it to me, I'll borrow it for you so you can continue reading after lunch." She held out her hand and Daniel placed the book in it.
"Thanks, that would be great." He smiled, but Melody didn't smile back.
"Sometimes I can be pretty nice." She walked towards the counter and she waited until the lady had scanned the book.
Daniel knew she could be pretty nice. He had seen it during the last couple of weeks every time she had been with Max.
"Here, take care of it. I'll be in trouble if you lose it." Melody gave him the book back and she raised her eyebrows a little.
"Don't worry. I'll guard it with my life." Just like he was guarding her with his life. "So, how is the restaurant here?" He was not carrying a backpack so he was forced to hold the book while they walked down the stairs to the crowded cafetaria.
"I wouldn't keep my hopes up. The bread is kinda dry and there isn't much choice, but at least it's not that expensive." Melody shrugged her shoulders and she was slightly out of breath.
"Good, because..." Daniel scratched the back of his neck again. "I think I've forgotten my wallet at home."
"Seriously?" Melody raised her voice and she shook her head. "You're inviting yourself for lunch and you don't have money to pay for it?" She took a few deep breaths. "I don't even know you! Why would I buy you lunch without knowing if I'll ever get it back?"
"Our paths have always crossed again, right?" Daniel cocked his head a little. He knew however that he would never be able to pay her back. He didn't earn money. He would be able to steal it, but he was not sure if that was the right way to do it.
"No, it's fine. I'll simply watch how you eat." He didn't need to eat anyway, but that was not something he could tell her.
"No, I'll buy you a sandwich and it's a gift, okay? I give it to you. I don't need the money back. You can have it." She stood still and she ordered a sandwich with ham, cheese and pineapple. "What do you want?"
"I want the same as you have." Daniel shifted his weight from one leg to other. He didn't really feel like reading the entire menu while he had not the slightest clue what he liked and didn't like. He had never tasted human food before. He wasn't even sure if he would be able to hold it down, but that was something he was about to find out.
"Since I'm paying, you can at least carry the tray." Melody pressed the tray into his free hand and she walked to the cash desk. "You can find us a spot already." She lifted her chin a little bit up while she placed some cash on the desk.
Daniel nodded and he walked slowly towards the nearest free table. He put the tray down and he watched how Melody made her way towards him.
She stood out in the crowd. Her blonde hair seemed almost golden in the sunlight. The smile on her lips and the lights in her eyes gave away that she was in love. She was more beautiful than he had ever seen her before, but at the same time even looking at her hurt. She wasn't more beautiful because of him and somehow that still stung.
"Enjoy your meal." Melody grabbed her bread from the tray and she took her first bite.
Daniel hesitated for a moment before he took a careful bite too. He had never thought about what food would taste like. He knew that Melody used a lot of sugar, but he wouldn't be able to say if this tasted like sugar or not. He chewed a few times and eventually he swallowed. He regretted it immediately. A little piece of pineapple was stuck in his throat and he coughed a few times until the piece came out again.
"Hey, don't die on the sandwich I bought you, okay?" Melody looked up, but she had a caring look in her eyes and Daniel lifted his hands up.
"I'm fine, don't worry. I'm totally fine. More than fine. Thanks."