Day 7: Library Expedition

The university library is a strange place. It’s part sanctuary, part battlefield. Some people go there to soak in knowledge; others go to wage silent wars over study spots. Today, I was firmly in the latter group.

I arrived at 10 a.m., determined to snag a good seat for the day. Midterms weren’t exactly close, but with all the assignments piling up, I figured it was time to get ahead—or at least look like I was trying.

Walking through the library doors, I was greeted by the usual mix of hushed whispers, furious keyboard typing, and the occasional cough that echoed like a thunderclap.

The first floor was packed. Students were sprawled across desks, laptops glowing, coffee cups scattered like trophies of survival. I made my way upstairs, scanning for an empty seat. That’s when I saw her—Amanda, sitting by the window.

I almost turned around. But then, I thought, No, Eddie. Be brave. It’s just a library. People sit near each other all the time.

With my heart pounding, I approached the row of desks. There was an open seat two spots down from hers. Close enough to feel her presence, far enough to avoid looking like a creep. I slid into the chair and tried to act natural.

**********

For the next hour, I alternated between pretending to study and sneaking glances in her direction. Amanda was engrossed in her work, her brow furrowed as she typed away. I wondered what she was working on—something brilliant, no doubt.

Meanwhile, my own progress was laughable. I opened my textbook to Principles of Management but couldn’t focus. The words blurred together, and my notes turned into meaningless doodles.

At one point, Amanda stood up to get more coffee. I panicked, realizing she might glance at my notebook on her way back and see my atrocious sketches. I quickly flipped the page and wrote something academic-looking:
“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”

Not bad, right? Except I’d totally stolen it from a motivational poster in the hallway.

**********

Disaster struck around noon. I leaned back to stretch, and my water bottle slipped off the table. It hit the floor with a loud clunk, followed by an embarrassing roll under Amanda’s desk.

I froze. Amanda looked up, startled.

“Uh, sorry!” I whispered, crouching to retrieve it.

“No worries,” she said, smiling.

When I finally sat back down, my face was burning. Of all the ways to get her attention, this wasn’t what I had in mind.

**********

By 3 p.m., I’d given up on productivity. I packed my things, feeling defeated. As I walked past Amanda’s desk, she looked up again.

“Leaving already?” she asked.

“Yeah, I think the library’s winning today,” I said, trying to sound casual.

She laughed. “It happens. See you in class?”

“Definitely,” I replied, my spirits lifting.

**********

Back in my dorm, Faisal was lounging on my bed, scrolling through his phone.

“How was your study session?” he asked without looking up.

“Eventful,” I said, dropping my bag.

I didn’t elaborate, but inside, I replayed Amanda’s laugh over and over.

**********

Lesson of the day: The library may be a war zone, but sometimes, you win small battles that make it all worthwhile.