Chapter 4: 4
It takes a total of five days for the storm to pass. Longer than what Xavier predicted. I spend the remainder of the week reading the ebook of the copy I lost in the tidal cave. I develop a casual obsession with going back there and finding the book perfectly restored. I can't remember when I fall asleep. Why did I fall asleep...
Are you visiting the beach today? It's Xavier. The weather is clear enough to go searching. I read the text message while I pour rice crispies into my bowl.
No. Mum is off to work. I'll need a ride there.
The bots bubble while he formulates his response. I can drive you. If you're comfortable, I can pick you up in about thirty minutes. My shift at the beach only starts in about an hour.
I want to ask him about the work he does at the beach. Is he a lifeguard? Sure, I type. It's okay.
He goes offline. Then he's calling me. I answer the call. There's nothing awkward about this. He's allowed to call me to confirm our plans.
"Yes?" I eat a spoonful of rice crispies.
"Hi," he says. Then he pauses, his breathing shallow. "Sorry for calling. I mean, where should I pick you up? Do you live far from the beach?"
"About an hour away," I tell him. My mouth is filled with bubbling cereal which makes it difficult to articulate my words. "Maybe we can meet up at the public library? Do you know where that is? There are a few books I need to pick up."
"Yeah," he says. He pauses again. "Are you okay? There's a lot of noise on your end of the line."
"I'm eating cereal."
"Okay." He laughs. "I'll see you later. And...I'm sorry...about all of the questions. I just..."
"No problem."
At the library, I pick up a few textbooks I've been waiting for during the summer holidays. My classes start in about a week and I haven't revised anything from the previous school year. I'm at the front desk when I see Xavier walk into the library. His sun-bleached waves tie back into a low bun. He's carrying a rucksack.
The librarian hands me my library card and the books I'm borrowing. "Thank you," I say to her. I struggle with my tote bag while I walk up to him.
"Hi," he says. "Do you need any help with that?"
"No, I'm fine." I fuss with the bag until the books go spilling onto the carpeted floor. I flush. Before I can say anything, he gathers the books and shoves them into my bag. "Thanks."
"No problem."
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