I bought a Vitamin Water from a vending machine and headed to the library. I set up shop at a table in a dim corner and tried to draw something, anything. Shapeless forms appeared beneath my pen on the paper. They were nothing. They were terrible. I put my things away.
I folded my arms on the table and rested my head on them. I was tired behind my eyes. I was tired a lot these days, I thought. I watched a slim, wise-looking girl idly browse the bookshelves. A philosophy major, perhaps. She had the look of a budding philosopher. She looked like someone who gave good advice. She looked like someone who told stories. I wondered what her story was. Did she have a mother who came at you full speed with a battering ram? Did she have a father who ducked and ran? What did people think of when they saw me? Did I look as lost as I felt? Did I look like someone who told stories? Was it obvious that I liked to watch people?
“Do you mind?”
I looked up. The girl hovered a small stack of books on the edge of the table.
I shrugged. “Go ahead.”
She returned to the bookshelves. I wondered what section I was in. I wasn’t actually very familiar with this library. The girl added some more books to her stack. I couldn’t see the spines.
Suddenly, I felt like it was very obvious that I was watching her. I slung my bag over my body and left.
Labels: january brings few faces
