A Light In The Darkness

Chapter 3

"I wasn't trying to be rude or weird you out earlier. I'm sorry." He says.

"It's okay, I'm glad it didn't take you six years to apologize this time." We laugh. He sits in front of me and I wasn't expecting it.

"Hey, do you want my cookie? I don't like raisins." He asks me.

"No, I'm not really hungry" I pray he can't hear my stomach growl.

"Okay cool." We sit in awkward silence. I play with the rip in my jeans. I don't have a phone. I did, but Kevin took it away when he found out.

"What happened to your eye?" Mark asks but before I can respond Alyssa walks up.

"Hey Mark! Layla, I hope you don't mind. I asked Mark to eat lunch with us." She smiles and I smile back.

"Of course not!" But I do. Of course I do. Plus the only thing I've eaten in 4 days is a piece of toast and a sandwich Mollie snuck in the shoe closet two days ago. I can't hear their conversation over my hunger pains. I want to ask for Mark's oatmeal raisin cookies but I have too much pride-

"Layla! Earth to Layla!" I hear Alyssa.

"Wha- Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to the movies with us after work?" Mark chimes in. I don't want to be a third wheel to the boy who took my virginity and my best friend. But I don't want to be a b***h either. Plus I would get my ass beat when I got home. I could tell them I picked up a shift at the library. Which I need to do anyway.

"I can't. I'm working over at the library tonight." I say. Alyssa smiles. She didn't want me to go anyway.

"Okay, I will still walk Molls home though." I smile and nod. They chat for a while longer but I tune it out. Then the bell rings, thank you Jesus.

"Well, time to get to gym, Alyssa can I walk you to class?" Mark asks

"Absolutely" Alyssa says with a huge smile.

I get through the rest of my classes but they go by in a blur. I'm just ready to get my shift over and get home. I'm exhausted and can't wait to sleep in my own bed. Even if it is a mat on the floor. We got big blankets from the Salvation Army for Christmas. I am too old but Darbie just says how many kids she has and says we are all under thirteen so it's fine. I grab my jacket and put everything I don't need in my locker. The library is about 6 blocks away. Not too bad. But when I get to the doors, I see it's raining.

"f**k my life" I say out loud to myself. But I just started walking. I finally get to the library and Jenny already has work ready for me since I missed a few days. I think she knows what is going on at home but when she tries to talk to me I shut her down. Jenny is a bigger built woman. She reminds me of my aunt. She's so warm and has short hair and glasses. She also has blue eyes; you can't really see them because of her bulky glasses.

"We got a new werewolf fiction history book today for you to stock. I like your makeup by the way!" I smile then realize my makeup is probably gone because of the rain. I quickly run to the bathroom and sure enough my green eye is the only thing not washing away. Oh well. Mondays are never busy anyway. I get back and grab the fiction cart. My favorite. I love to read books about vampires and werewolves. I feel like I connect with the stories.

After a bit of stocking I get to a nice looking vampire romance book. So I take my break and start reading. That is until I hear the doorbell ring and Jenny likes for me to look busy for customers so I go over to start stocking fiction books again. I head Jenny chatting with someone. I just keep stocking the books.

"Eh-hem, Miss" I gasp. I hear a very deep voice behind me. I quickly turn around.

"Yes, how can I hel- woah," I turn around and have to look up because this man is so tall, he has brown hair and he has diamond light green eyes, and it feels like they are getting brighter as he looks at me. He is also very muscular with big arms. He starts to smile. But his smile, it's like he is smiling into my soul. I instantly get flustered.

"Can you help me?" He asks. My mouth is dry. And he hasn't stopped smiling.

"Yes! I'm so sorry, what can I help you with?" I'm whispering and I can't speak up.

"I'm looking for Indiana's werewolf history?" He asks. Hmm. Why?

"Of course, we just got a book today on the subject! Let me grab it for you!" I turn around to go to my cart but it's right behind me and I knock it over. There are books everywhere. I sigh and start to pick them up.

"Here, let me help." He starts helping me pick up books and we both reach for the same one. Our fingers touch and it feels like sparks are flying off my fingers. It's so strong I almost faint. I grab his arm to steady myself.

"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to shock you!"

"Oh, you felt that too?" He asks. He looks puzzled.

"Yes I'm sorry. Ah, here's the book!" I grab it and go to hand it to him. He leans into me. And then he lifts his hand up. I flinch, but he just moves my hair away from my neck and he- Did he just smell my neck? I want to hit him and call him a freak but something is stopping me. He pulls away..

"Are you, human?" He whispers...