Third period had just ended and we finally got free time, but instead of looking for my friends like I normally would, I decided to walk around the library for a little while since they recently renovated it. And HOLY was I shocked...

The entire library went from something out of a horror movie, to the library from Beauty and the Beast! It looked AMAZING. I couldn't wait to get my grubby hands on those new polished looking books.. EEK!! So exciting!

"Excuse me!"

A voice called out.

It was Susan, our librarian. Possibly the nicest woman you would ever meet in your life. She also has the thickest Texas accent ever, and whenever she calls me honey, it makes my heart feel all fuzzy and warm.

I turned around and yelled:

"Hi Susan!" I said enthusiastically.

"Good morning Ellie! It's great to see you back again!"

"Haha yeah! So, what's the matter? You were the one that said excuse me, right?"

"Ah, yes! Well, you know how you've attended every battle of the books since the 6th grade right? I assumed you'd want to join too this year and since it's starting earlier I thought maybe I'd give you a reminder?"

Susan said pointing at the battle of the books poster that was stuck onto one of my bookshelves.

"YESS! Totally! Thanks for reminding me, I'll go sign up now." I responded.

"No problem honey, happy readin'!" She said warmly.

I made my way to a little box at the entrance of the library that I had missed because I was too busy ogling over the new books.

On the box in scribbly handwriting wrote: SIGN UP HERE, PLEASE WRITE YOUR NAME AND CLASS.

RINGGGG!!! It was time for class.

I grabbed a lavender post it note and scribbled my name down before heading back to class.

IN THE CLASSROOM

"Okay class! I hope you guys had a chance to catch up with your friends during break because we have some important stuff to announce. As some of you may have already seen in the library, it has been decided that battle of the books would start earlier this year! Meaning, sign ups are open now and will be open until Friday, please raise your hand if you're interested or has already signed up."

Silence

Then, slowly a few people hesitantly rose their hands including me. Of course I'd join! I'm only one of the biggest if not THE biggest book enthusiasts in our school.

Out of nowhere, CLICK!

I felt my breath stop. Not because of the hand that just grabbed me. But because of who the hand belonged to.

Aaron had grabbed my wrist. Not hard, or forceful, just a light confident grasp. Like we'd been besties for years or something...

I completely froze. And I felt my face turn bright red. And so did the entire class. No one knew what was going on, other than Aaron of course.

I turn my head slowly, and there it is. Aaron's smug grin. Complete unaware that he's making my heart compete in Olympic level gymnastics..

"She's with me!"

Ellie.exe has stopped working.

I yanked my wrist back, heart pounding.

"I'm sorry?!" I whispered defensively.

"Don't be stupid Ellie." He replied. "Not now, I'll explain it to you later, okay?"

He whispered, grabbing me again, but this time instead of  grabbing my wrist, he went straight for my hand.. Then, he stared at me with those dark brown eyes of his as if he was saying "please don't say no!".. DAMN IT AARON!!

Then the new teacher, who clearly wasn't getting paid enough just nodded and responded with a swift:

"Alright then. The rest of you, sort yourself out into groups of two and write your names down on the whiteboard by the end of this class."

I just stood there, in disbelief... it was already bad enough being in a group with Aaron for a random school project, now I have to work with him in the battle of the books competition this year, MY MOST FAVORITE SCHOOL EVENT OF THE YEAR?

"Meet me at the small room in the back of the library during lunch, okay? I'll tell you about it there." Aaron declared, it was like I had no choice.

I just nodded.. and watched as he sat back down and pulled me down with him.