It was finally lunch time and I clutched on to my ham sandwich as I walked to the back of the library. Mom wasn't feeling well today so I had to quickly throw together this random ham sandwich that I didn't even want to eat anymore. I feel so stupid. I can't believe I actually listened to Aaron...

I guess the only reason I'd agreed was because I was in a state of total shock. I was completely blindsided! I mean, what guy would just grab a girl's hand like that? Especially at our age...where girls and guys start having boundaries...

Does he not see me as a girl, or does he just not care, or was he just playing some weird game he and his stupid friends made up. WHERE ARE HIS FRIENDS ANYWAY? Come get him already! UGH, why does it even matter... I don't like him anyway...

I walked through the library, the book shelves seemed like they were never-ending.

That's when I spotted Aaron, sitting on a bean bag in a small room at the back of the library. Beside him was one piece of paper and a pencil and in his hand was one of the books that were shown on the poster for the battle of the books. I watched as he flipped through the book, like he wasn't the most annoying person ever.

Finally, I take a deep breath and walk in, pushing the door as hard as I can because god damn it was heavy. Aaron watched me for a few seconds, the edge of his lips slightly lifted. Before he sighed, got up and pulled the door open for me.

"Thanks, but I don't need your help opening the door." I hissed.

My face was heating up because I knew for a fact that I needed his help. And he was totally aware of that too..how embarrassing..

"Haha, glad you could make it partner." Aaron laughed.

With a teasing tone in his voice he tilted his head, silently lifting his chin to signal where he wanted me to sit. Right beside him.

The room smelled like old books, dust, and Aaron... There was a small window at the very top of the room, leaving an opening for fresh air to come inside so the old, broken books don't end up rotting here. But it's not like anyone would read them anymore anyway.

I rolled my eyes and sat down.

"We are not partners. Aaron."

He raised his eyebrow then furrowed them.

"You want to win, don't you?" He questioned suddenly.

Well, I can't argue with that.. but at what cost.. working with him?

"Listen Baker,"

He began, grabbing my shoulders and turning my face to look at him.

"We both know, you and I are probably the smartest people in our grade."

I nearly choked. Did he just compliment me?

"Really?" I said out loud unintentionally.

He gave me the "You weren't aware of this face?" And nodded. Before bringing me even closer and making sure I was looking straight into his eyes.

"I mean, come on Ellie. We're like the only two people that read for fun. And no offense to them but they're total idiots when it comes to stuff like this."

He shifts his vision away, letting go of my shoulders and mumbling under his breath:

"You're the only one I ever look for first."

His voice was low, breathy.

My heart skipped another beat, the words were hitting me like a train.. my palms felt sweaty and a rush of heat ran through my body.

I'm the only one he ever looks for first? What's that even supposed to mean?

I stared at him again, watching as the light from the small window hit his face, creating a light cast. The room felt even smaller now, it was only now that it had really settled into me that it was only us in here. Just the two of us. Staring into each other's eyes.

I watched as he picked up the piece of paper next to him showing me what he had written down while he was waiting for me.

On it was a list of  10 books and he'd split them into half. One half for me one half for him.

"We have quite a bit of time before the competition will start, so take your time. Don't rush it." He reassured.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'm not a very fast reader."

An awkward silence followed..

"Here, this is the first book you'll be reading."

He said, grabbing and giving me a book that had been sitting behind him this entire time.

The book was old, yet surprisingly well kept.

"Thanks." I nodded.

Aaron nodded and sat back down on his beanbag, restarting the book he had been skimming through when I first arrived. His fingers were long, following the words on the book as he read. Slowly getting faster and faster until his finger couldn't keep up. He breathed slowly, and so did I.

You know he can sense you looking at him right?

Fuck, yeah. Totally forgot about that.

I snapped back out of it and started on the book he'd given me. But the image of his fingers still linger in my head... what was I doing??

For the next hour, we sat in silence reading our own books, sure, it was annoying having to share a room with him and having to see that his reading speed was way above mine but it was nice spending lunch time with someone else other than my friends.

Soon enough, lunch was over, me and Aaron left the little room awkward and headed to our lockers.

I sighed as I walked to my locker, gripping the book Aaron had given me. My head was still a mess, though. The "You're the only one I ever look for first." Was still messing with me.. What the heck was that supposed to mean?! I hate that guy....

The moment I reached my locker, I yanked it open with more force than necessary, it was a total accident though. I needed to stop thinking about him. I mean, he's always been like this right? Nothing has changed. It's just my mindset being all weird and different now that I'm a teenager. Aaron's just really full of himself. None of what he said meant anything..

Before I could overthink any further, a familiar voice interrupted me.

"So, uhhh, what was that?"

It was my older sister, Rebecca.

"What was what?"

I questioned, avoiding eye contact.. shit.. did she see me with Aaron? I tried to play it cool but it was hard knowing the fact that she would definitely somehow figure out what was going on in a matter of minutes.

"Oh come on Ellie. Don't play dumb with me. You have that fuck she's onto something face. Plus, I saw you and a certain someone walking out of the room behind the library just a few minutes ago." She accused.

HUH?? SHE SAW??!

"Ugh, how do you know I was with someone? I can't even name them." I responded defensively.

"Oh really?" She said, popping a piece of gum into her mouth. "Let me see...what were you doing during lunch?" Rebecca questioned.

"Studying."

"During lunch?"

"Totally. I'm locked in." I smirked mockingly.

She tlited her head, waiting for me to say something. But I didn't. She glanced down at the book I was holding and looked back up at me with a big smirk on her face.

"YOU WERE WITH AARON!!"

She screamed as if she wanted the entire school to hear.

"GIRL. Keep your voice down!! How the heck did you even figure that out?!" I whispered, but it came out way louder than I expected.

"Oh come on, I saw him check that book out at the library at the very start of lunch. So... what's happening? I thought you hated him?"

"I do hate him."

I muttered. Shoving the book into my locker.

Rebecca looked me up and down

"Then why is your face red?"

"It's not.. even if it is, it's probably cause I'm annoyed by how much you don't mind your own business." I defended myself again.

Rebecca rolled her eyes,

"Oh please, you're not fooling anyone."

I exhaled sharply. Getting more and more irritated.

"It's not what you think, we were just preparing for the battle of the books, it's nothing. Really."

"Uh-huh... and does the rules of the competition mention having to stare at your partner 24/7?"

"I'm not staring at him.." I uttered. And that's when it hit me...

I felt my head start to spin...

"He's not looking at me!"

"No.. he definitely is..." Rebecca continued. "Listen, I couldn't care less about who you have a crush on or who has a crush on you but I don't want you to get hurt. You and I both know that he's not as innocent as he may seem. I mean, come on. The amount of hearts he's broken is crazy. Just... stay away from him."

I turned away from her and slammed my locker door.

"Yeah I know, but don't worry sis, I'll never fall in love with a guy like him."

I announced as I walked off waving her goodbye and trying to resist her urge to see if Aaron was actually looking at me.

I don't like Aaron.

I don't like Aaron.

I don't like Aaron.