《That Small Library by Dover Street》28. Break

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The ambiance of the library was the same as it had ever been. Despite the upswing of foot traffic due to the fact that schools and universities were settling in for the summer season, there weren't many new arrivals that came in the library. Even fewer that made it their haunt.

Not that it stopped Paige from coming to the library for longer hours at this point. The air conditioning certainly helped beat off the hot summer air, which was a godsend. Still, it wasn't the aircon that brought her out of her blissful thinking.

Instead, it is the sound of a shoe tapping against the floorboards that brings Paige away from her thoughts, and she glances down to find Escher standing next to the stepladder with a cross expression on his face.

“Escher”, she greets with a smile, “What is it?”

“Don’t hog the aircon for yourself, idiot.”

“But it’s so hot outside.” She whines gives him a flat glare while grumbling under her breath, “... Not like you’d know that though, since you’re all cooped up inside this damn place.”

“Counterpoint: I don’t have to go outside.” He replies with a smug smirk. “That’s for peasants like you who have to toil under the sun while I keep myself cool with a mug of hot coffee in hand and–” He paused, catching himself a second later and cursing at himself. “–Nevermind. Just get the hell out of there, will you?”

“No.”

He stares. “I’ll shake this damn stepladder until you fall off.”

“I’ll sue for medical damages–” She shrieks, hands immediately reaching out for the railings as the stepladder shook once. Even then, it takes her a few seconds to calm down, and another second more to turn back towards him and glare. “You’re a piece of shit.”

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“I did say that I’ll shake the stepladder.” He huffs. “Now off.”

She turns back towards the aircon, giving it one last forlorn look before shaking her head and stepping down the ladder. “Now, that wasn’t too hard, was it?”

“Fuck you.”

He shrugs, shoving his hands into his pockets while making his way back towards the front desk. “Just doing what my job entails, is all. That also includes wrangling rowdy children who think that the library’s their own personal playground.”

She ignores the jab, more interested at the thought of him trying – and failing – to convince a toddler to stop eating through the books. “You sucked at it.”

“As about as well as you can expect.” He nods, taking up his spot behind the front desk and sliding a cup of coffee towards her. “The whining and crying just ticked me off even further, so I just kicked them out.” He takes a sip out of his coffee, before letting out a satisfied sigh. “You have no idea how scared shitless I was when their parents went on a warpath.”

“Probably off staring into space while drinking your coffee.” She drawls, watching him nod in response to her while she takes a blissful sip of coffee. “... Ah, that hits the spot.” With a smile, she drums her fingers on the countertop, grinning in his direction. “So, got someone to try and whack the coffee while you’re doing so?”

He frowns, glancing towards his computer for a second before letting out a sigh. “Yeah, a few people tried that.”

“Shit.” She whistles, “What happened.”

“Got some minor burns, told them to get the fuck out.” He shrugs. “Some tried taking a video and posting it online, didn’t really do them any favors. Got a few of them downloaded on my computer on the off-chance that I need a pick-me-up.”

“Can I see them?”

He smiles. “Uh, no.”

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      To Be Continued...
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