Chapter 7: The Public Spectacle
1331 Words
I almost dropped the book I was holding when I saw Leonard.
Aubrey: “Leonard? What are you doing here?”
Leonard: “Uhm, I came to see you.”
I looked at him and he seemed not so sure of himself. He also looked quite shy. I also got a little nervous as I saw him holding some flowers in his hands.
Aubrey: “Uhm, I’m a little busy right now. I’m working.”
Leonard: “Okay, I understand. This is for you.”
I looked at the flowers and hesitated before taking them. As I did, Leonard smiled a little. He waited for a bit, before turning around and walking away.
Aubrey: “Wait.”
Leonard stopped for a few seconds before turning around. I don’t know what came over me and I just walked towards Leonard and pulled him in for a kiss on the lips. He must have been surprised as he wasn’t able to move right away.
As I pulled away from Leonard, he took my hand and pulled me towards him. Our noses are now touching.
Leonard: “What was the kiss for?”
Aubrey: “Uhm, I don’t know. I just wanted to kiss you.”
Leonard: “Do you want me to kiss you again?”
I nodded slightly while biting my lip. Leonard put his hand on my face and kissed me on the lips. It was very sweet and I felt tingles all over my body.
As we stopped kissing, Leonard kept his hands on my waist and said “What time do you get off work?”
I looked at my watch and said “In about 20 minutes.”
Leonard: “Can I wait for you until then?”
I nodded slightly. Leonard smiled and said he’ll wait by the computer station and I can come see him when I’m done. I nodded once more and he gave me another peck on the lips before he walked towards the computer station.
As I finished shelving the books, I couldn't stop smiling. The librarian noticed and looked at me while tilting her glasses.
The Librarian: “You can go now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Aubrey: “Uhm, okay. Thank you, ma’am.”
I fixed my stuff and put my bag on then said goodbye to the librarian. She said “Take care,” as I made my way out of her office.
I got nervous as I walked towards the computer stations. I smiled as I saw Leonard sitting in front of one of the computers. He looks so good even from the back. I walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He smiled as he turned around and looked at me.
Leonard: “Hi, baby doll. You’re early.”
Aubrey: “The librarian had me leave early.”
Leonard: “The librarian? Who’s that?”
Aubrey: “My boss.”
Leonard: “Your boss’ name is the librarian?”
Leonard said this while chuckling.
Aubrey: “Uhm, no. That’s just what I call her. I’ve gotten used to calling her that.”
Leonard: “Okay. You’re ready to go?”
Aubrey: “Yeah.”
Leonard: “Okay. Let’s go.”
I was surprised as Leonard took my hand as we walked out of the library. Our hands are now intertwined and people started looking at us as we walked past them. I bowed my head as I felt shy with all the attention.
Leonard: “Lift your head, baby doll. I want everyone to know you’re my girlfriend.”
My eyes went wide as he said this. He smiled at me and kissed my hand which made me blush more than I already was.
As we got out of the library, Leonard kept hold of my hand. I saw some familiar faces and I kept my head high. When we reached his car, Leonard stopped and stepped in front of me. He seems to be shielding me from something.
As I moved my head to look at what he’s seeing. Dianne is leaning on Leonard’s car and seems to be waiting for him. He turned around and looked at me as he said “Baby doll, can you wait for me here? I just need to take care of something.”
I nodded and said “Okay,” softly.
As Leonard walked towards Dianne, she put his hands on his chest and he swatted her hands away. She kept trying to put her hands on him until he held her on the wrists and said loudly “What the h*ll do you think you’re doing?”
Dianne suddenly stopped crying and Leonard didn’t seem to know what to do. He’s still holding Dianne’s by the wrist as she did.
He waited until she had calmed down. She noticed that a lot of people are already looking at her and that she is already making a spectacle of herself. She pulled her hand away from Leonard and walked away from him.
She started walking towards me and I froze in place as she looked like a rabid dog about to take a bite out of me. She stopped in front me and looked at me with her tear-stricken face. She looked at the flowers I was holding and said “Don’t be too happy. What happened to me will happen to you too.”
I was bracing myself for a physical assault as I closed my eyes. When Dianne walked away without laying a hand on me, I sighed in relief. I looked at her as she walked away. I almost wanted to run after her and give her a hug. I regretted not making her feel better. But what was I supposed to say? I didn’t know what happened.
I felt Leonard’s hand on my shoulder as she said “Let’s go, baby doll.”
I let him lead me to his car. He opened the car for me and had me get into the passenger seat. He made his way to the driver’s side and took his seat.
He started the engine but didn’t leave yet. He turned to look at me.
Leonard: “Listen, let me explain what happened earlier.”
I turned to face him and said “Okay.”
Leonard: “I used to go out with Dianne, but I broke it off with her months ago. She didn’t agree and kept following me trying to spend time with me.”
Aubrey: “Okay.”
Leonard: “Are you okay?”
Aubrey: “Uhm, yeah.”
Leonard: “Baby doll, you believe me, right?”
Aubrey: “Uh-huh.”
Leonard: “Why do I have a feeling you don’t fully believe me?”
Aubrey: “Uhm, what’s going on with us?”
Leonard: “We’re dating now, aren’t we?”
Aubrey: “I don’t know. Are we?”
Leonard: “Yes, we are. I really want you to be my girlfriend.”
Aubrey: “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
Leonard: “Okay. I’m willing to wait until you’re ready.”
Aubrey: “Okay. Thank you.”
Leonard: “Can we go to dinner?”
Aubrey: “I need to be at work in an hour.”
Leonard: “Okay. Can we get a quick bite to eat before then?”
I nodded and we put our seatbelts on. Leonard started driving. I thought about the whole situation. Am I ready to be in a relationship with someone as controversial as Leonard?
- Writer
