A T H E N A E U M
noun [ath-uh-nee-uhm, -ney-]

A library or reading room.

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You ran your fingers across the spines of the books neatly placed on the shelf in alphabetical order. You were in the non-fiction section at the university library, looking for books on the quantum mechanics for one of your essay assignments.

You mumbled the name of the book to yourself as you read every title on the spines and-

You stopped suddenly, frowning as you saw a space between two books. That is where the textbook you're looking for is supposed to be sitting but someone must have taken it out.

You sighed then placed your hands on your hips, thinking of other ways you could get your hands on that book.

As you looked around, you spotted an empty computer. Thinking of searching up the current borrower of 'Introduction to Quantum Mechanics' by David J. Griffiths, you did exactly that after logging into your library account.

After a painstakingly long minute of waiting, the page returned the borrowers ID number. You clicked on the number and it opened up to a page with their details.

You rolled your eyes and buried your face in your palms. "For crying out loud... not you," You whispered to yourself then sighed, resting your chin on your hand and staring at the photo next to the name 'McAvoy, James'.

James.

You didn't really know anything else about him than his name and the fact that he's a student at the university since he's in the same physics course as you. And the fact is you didn't even want to know more about him. The guy seems... odd, in your opinion. He's way too quiet and way too obsessed with his books, he's not the stereotypical classification of a nerd but yet he checks out most of the boxes. He dresses extremely well and has this way of communicating with people that makes him seem professional and experienced but... The guy bugs you.

He's too conflicting and he's someone you wish didn't have the book you wanted.

You shook your head slowly then logged out of your library account. You got up then walked back into the non-fiction aisle from whence you came.

No matter what, you had to get your hands on that book if you wanted a solid grade for your assignment... and James seemed to have the same idea as well.

*****

You stared at him while he was sitting at a table in the corner next to a window. The book was open in front of him and he was making notes in a notebook. He pressed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked around for a moment in thought-

You moved away swiftly, hiding behind the shelf and remaining completely still, hoping that he did not see you.

You leaned back and looked at him, relieved that he went back to reading and writing. You took a long and deep breath before calming your nerves and walking up to the table.

You drummed the side of your leg with your fingers then bit your lip, clearing your throat softly and asking, "Is this seat taken?"

James looked up to you, his blue eyes immediately pierced through your mind, making you forget why you approached him in the first place. "Not at all," He responded then moved his things and the textbook-

Right, I'm here for the textbook. That's all, You remembered.

You removed your notebook out from your bag and uncapped a pen, fidgeting with it in your hand while you stared at the textbook. You glanced up to James, wanting to ask him for the book really badly but-

"So what are you writing about for your essay?" James asked and you stared at him. His question caught you off-guard.

"What? Oh um, 'The Many Worlds Theory'," You responded flatly then ran a hand through your hair, "It's just that... I can't seem to find the right information for references."

He furrowed his eyebrows in contemplation then smiled, "You should check the online database if you haven't yet." He leaned closer to you and looked around closely, "I have some secret login details that can get you exclusive stuff if you want."

You raised an eyebrow, "Uh... sure, yeah."

He grabbed a scrap of paper and scribbled a username and password then folded it and slipped it into your notebook. You watched him intently, his behaviour was rather peculiar and you couldn't shrug it off no matter how badly you wanted to.

*****

An hour later...


Minutes stretched out and you didn't get a single opportunity to ask him for the book. The longer you sat at the table the ruder the idea of asking him for the textbook and getting up seemed.

You sighed and-

"What's wrong?" James questioned and you looked to him in surprise.

"It's nothing... I'm just stressed about all this work," You said truthfully and he looked at you with a warm smile, "I always wanted to study this but ever since starting university classes I just-I don't feel like doing it anymore."

"Same..."

You tilted your head in confusion as you sat up straight in your seat, "You don't want to study anymore... you?"

He chuckled nervously and nodded his head slowly, "Yeah actually... My parents wanted me to go into acting, of all things. Seriously? Me, an actor?! No way."

You smiled softly and he rubbed his face. "They're in the industry themselves and on top of that my sister has decided to go into acting," He frowned, "Because of their expectations, I'm not... enjoying this course anymore. I've wanted to study this too, for a very long time but..."

He trailed off and you stared at the table in silence. You never realised that he'd have a story like that. You didn't expect it from him at all. He had something in common with you, the feelings were mutual.

He looked at his wristwatch then started gathering his things, placing them neatly into his satchel bag. Your gaze remained on the table while you were zoned out and thinking about your encounter with-

"I'll see you around?" He asked and you nodded your head. James smiled then stepped closer to you, "There's always a silver lining to everything."

You watched him walk away, thinking about the words he said to you then you shook off the thoughts and looked back at the table-

Sitting on the surface was the textbook you were chasing after. You forgot to ask James for it, and it seems like he forgot it.

You stood up quickly and grabbed the book, jogging towards him and tapping him on the shoulder. "Hey you forgot this James," You told him and held the book out to him.

"No I didn't," He smiled, "You wanted to use it right, for your essay?"

You raised your eyebrows slightly. If you remember correctly you had never mentioned your intention of using the book, you had never asked him about it.

"Well I..."

"I have to give it back next week. You can keep it till then and take it out in your name afterwards," He suggested, "It was nice talking to you [y/n]." He walked off towards the library exit while you stood there completely speechless.

There was something about him that made him different from the rest... and now you actually did want to know more about him.