Flashbacks entered my mind like warning signs. Events of the past replayed as I stood up and made my way towards the familiar bookshelf. Previous emotions coursed through me, reminding me of the pain my actions might cause me. But I kept walking. I kept walking until I reached the shelf.
A chill went down my spine as I considered the weight of my situation. Visions of destruction and fear flashed in my thoughts, but I shook my head and pushed them away. I couldn't let my anxiety get to me. After all, that's all it was: anxiety. I needn't worry about destruction or crippling fear.
I took a deep breath and scanned the bookshelf. A tiny layer of dust had formed on the books and on the shelf itself, but I payed no mind to it. I used my knowledge to determine which books were untrustworthy and then I focused on the ones I deemed to be safe.
I quickly skimmed the titles, my hand hovering in the air, ready to pull out a book if needed. Then I proceeded to grab the books that I thought would be most helpful.
I carried them to a comfortable spot and plopped myself down. Then I gazed at the covers once more and slowed my breathing. After this, everything could change. By reading these books, I could be throwing a pebble into a pond and producing ripples at first puny but then profound in size. Was I sure I wanted to do this?
Maybe not, but I was still going to do it.
I opened the first book and began reading, soaking up the words like a sponge. Then I let the words fall softly from my lips and felt their power course through my veins. And then I repeated this with the second book and then again with another book. And I kept doing this until my eyelids became heavy, my eyes burned, my throat sore, and my body weak.
Then, just when I would have normally called it a night, I stood up and made it even clearer what I was doing.
I performed a spell, first to soundproof the room, and then another spell to give a little bit of protection to the contents of the room and myself.
And that's where it all really began.
I practiced spells until they started becoming second nature. I practiced until my legs gave out and even then, I picked myself up off of the floor and kept practicing.
It wasn't perfect at first, none of it was. In fact, most of it wasn't even decent at first, but I didn't give up.
For what felt like forever but was perhaps only a week, I practiced spells in the library every day after training with the proxies. Actually, sometimes I even practiced spells during training. It was never anything obvious. I only ever performed "natural" spells, as I called them. It was an occasional boost to my speed or my hearing. It was increasing my stealth every so often.
Even without practicing spells during training, I improved. The proxies commented on my stamina being much better, my analyzing of situations too, and also my strength. I felt that they were proud of me, even if they didn't say it.
"Why don't we have some cheesecake after this (Y/N)?" Masky would ask.
"Let's have some waffles too!" Toby would add enthusiastically.
"Yeah, I agree," Hoodie would contribute.
One night, after a good day of training, the proxies left on a mission as usual, and I went to practice spells. I later left the library and entered Toby and I's room. It wasn't too late, so I figured I had plenty of time before Toby returned.
Maybe the room was particularly cold, or maybe it was just me, but either way it was cold. So I quickly took off my pants and pulled off my shirt. I still had on a tank top and my undergarments of course, but that was all.
I shivered slightly as I made my way to the closet and opened it. My eyes immediately gravitated towards Toby's clothes, particularly a warm looking hoodie. I pondered the consequences of stealing it, but I must have pondered for too long.
Because as I stood in front of the closet, wearing nothing but my undergarments and a thin tank top, I became so lost in my thoughts that someone was able to enter to room and it wasn't until I heard the door shut that I realized I wasn't alone.
I jumped, my heart rate accelerating, and turned around towards the door.
"Ah! Toby!" I squealed, my eyes widening.
I pulled down my tank top as much as I could as I hoped for the floor to crumble beneath me and take me with it.
Toby was frozen.
We both stood, waiting for the other to make a move.
Finally, Toby coughed violently and removed his jacket. Then he shuffled towards me and extended it in my direction.
"U-uh h-here..." he mumbled, eyes looking everywhere but at me.
I gulped and grabbed the jacket shakily. Then I put it on.
"Thanks," I managed to squeak out.
Toby nodded his head before turning around and going to the dresser. I watched as he pulled open the middle drawer and took out a pair of basketball shorts. Then he came towards me again, and handed them to me.
I put the basketball shorts on too and managed to let out another 'thanks'. Then Toby sighed and walked back towards the door. He took off his shoes, set his hatchets down, and put his goggles as well as his mouth guard on top of the dresser.
I realized I should do something besides stand there and watch, so I shuffled over to the bed and slid in. Then I buried myself under the covers, trying to hide my burning face.
Toby took off his pants, now just in boxers and shirt, and slid into the bed beside me.
"I-I'm sorry," he said after a few minutes of silence.
"It's okay. I probably should have locked the door or changed in the bathroom instead," I replied.
After another few moments of silence, Toby cleared his throat.
"Are y-you embar-barrassed?" He asked.
My head was screaming 'yes', but I took a second to think it over.
"I think I'd be more embarrassed if it was someone else. But because it was you, I don't feel as embarrassed," I answered.
"W-why's that-t?" He questioned.
I thought for a moment. What made it less embarrassing for Toby to walk in on me?
"I think it's because I trust you more? I think I'm closer to you than the others so that's why," I explained, suddenly feeling very cold.
Toby must have been psychic or something, because he asked me, "Are y-you co-cold?"
"Yeah, a little," I admitted, wrapping my arms around myself.
Before I could think of anything else, Toby gently pulled me towards him and wrapped his arms around me, then buried his head in my neck.
I was thankful for the dark room at that point because I was sure my face was redder than a fire truck.
"B-better?" He asked.
I simply nodded my head, afraid that my words would give away the sea of emotions I was experiencing.
Security.
Warmth.
Happiness.
And a want for it to never end.
•••••
1246 words
Hi! So it's been a while. Oof.
Anyway, I think I just really needed a break. Before, I had so much writers block and no matter how long I stared at the screen, I couldn't think of anything. But after a few weeks away, I was able to type up a whole chapter without struggle right away. : D
Also this isn't really important but I'm going to share it with you guys anyway. So usually when I write these chapters, I don't listen to music. There's not really a reason for it, I just never thought to do it I guess. But today I decided to put on some Pandora and write. Soooo, from now on I'm going to try to play some music while I write and maybe that will help. I'm also going to share the station I listened to while writing in case any of you want to check it out, because I don't know, maybe it will help you? I don't know, but I'm still going to do it XD
So yeah, today I listened to "Easy Listening Radio" which was inspired by my art teacher who always plays that type of music during class XD
I'd really appreciate any feedback you guys have to share or just any general comments or ideas or whatever really.
Did you like the chapter?
And yeah, I'm going to end this here before I type too much lol XD
Unedited