Chapter 106 - Teenage Fantasy

Stepping inside the local library is both like walking through a time capsule and over a landmine. 

Sun-aged tomes, woven covers fraying at the bind, gilded letters curling at the edges, and unvarnished wood reaching the ceiling. Every crack open of a book is a window to a world. Dust colors the overcast sun rays as the scent of stagnant water seeps through paper, wood, and time. 

"But could youth last, and love still breed - had joys no date, nor age no need, then these delights my mind might move to live with thee and be thy love…" Marcellus recited, a book in hand. 

"And thus was the Nymph's reply to the Shepherd."

"Ouch. Where's the happy ending?" George winced from across the table.

"That's the beauty of it. She denies the Shepherd's love because she thinks there's an ending."

"Still, you'd think she'd be more… I don't know… kind? The Shepherd offered her everything he had and she just threw it away."

"The Shepherd had a really idyllic outlook of life. The Nymph was realistic."

"That's a good contrast. But even then, the Nymph throws away her chance at love just because it doesn't last forever. Nothing lasts forever. I'm Team Shepherd. Fight me, Team Nymph!"

Marcellus laughs. It appears like George can be quite a literature geek sometimes. 

"I'm on no one's team. I'm only reciting the poem," the former reminded. 

"Bah! Literature," the latter scoffed dramatically. 

"I thought we're gonna have a secret meeting, not a poem recital."

The two turn to look at Violet who's been watching them the whole time. She's smiling at them despite her confusion. They acknowledge her with a nod.

"Well, since Ms. Winter asked all of us to meet up in a library instead of our usual meeting place, we ought to make the most of it while we could," George reasoned out. 

"Walter Raleigh's Reply to Christopher Marlowe. Have you heard of those poems, Ms. Miller? The Shepherd and His Love and The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd," Marcellus asked.

"Oh, yeah. Back at high school. Those were quite sad…" Violet answered with a frown. 

"I'm more of a 'Song to Celia' kind of girl, though."

"Song to Celia, huh? It's… yeah."

George snorted, laughter bubbling out of his lips. He then quipped, "I think you've recited more than enough love poems to last a lifetime."

"And he's been reciting them all to you," Violet teased.

At her comment, George went frozen still. Then, there's a short pause. Marcellus simply looks at them. 

"Say, Ms. Miller, may I ask if you can check these books out for me…?" George asked, handing Violet the books he had been reading. 

"I forgot to wear a disguise unlike you two. Didn't know that we're going to a public library of all places." 

"Winter explained that she had to pretend she's going here. We've got to adjust. But sure. It's no problem at all. I'll check them out for you." 

As she heads over to the librarian's desk, he takes a huge step away from Marcellus. He looks at him quizzically. As he is about to ask why he's distancing himself, he raises his hands in a defensive manner. 

"Hey, she already thinks we're gays."

Marcellus rolls his eyes at that. He then responds, "You of all people shouldn't be concerned with the homosexual misconception of our relationship."

"Why do you talk like that? Seriously? 'The homosexual misconception of our relationship' – like what the heck, dude?"

A sheepish look crosses Marcellus's face. Then, he lets out an 'Eheh' which makes George want to shut him away at that very moment. 

"You guys!"

The library doors suddenly burst open, and they swear they might've had a heart attack right then and there. 

Winter frantically comes rushing in, her eyes scanning the area before zeroing in on Marcellus. Fortunately, there's not a lot of people around. Still, she ends up catching the attention of the few who are there as she marches up to their table.

"Ms. Agreste? What's wrong?" Marcellus asked, perplexed. 

"This…!" Winter screeches, pulling up her phone to show him and George an e-mail.

"Your uncle's comeback party! And he invited my alias! Not Winter Middleton!"

"Oh."

"Oh? Oh?"

George attempts to shush her. But she ignores him and continues, "Is that all you have to say? Oh?" 

She catches sight of him trying to slink away after being neglected. And alas, she paid attention. She grabs him by the arm and shakes him a little. 

"What do you think, Sir George? You think I should go?"

"I think you should assault Sir Lexington, not me."

Winter doesn't let go. George lets out a sigh.

"For months, I've been hiding my identity as an anonymous investor of several businesses. I know I'll have to reveal myself someday soon, especially since I'm already part of the Middleton family. Because of the overwhelming amount of attention I've been receiving these days, I'm not sure if my secret identity can still be saved, considering that we have to meet like this every now and then."

"Is that why you have to pretend that you're going to a library?"

"Yeah. I think someone's spying on me."

"Oh, welcome to the club. Here, we can eat cookies while we share our thoughts about being stalked day in and out-"

"Sir George! I'm serious!" 

Marcellus heaves a sigh and offers her his arm. Winter takes to twisting her hands in his sleeve. With that, George is freed at last. 

"You've been stressing yourself too much lately, Ms. Agreste. You should rest more," Marcellus chided.

"You still call her that?" George blurted out.

"Kinda like a force of habit." 

Winter pouts at them. In the light of the library, the dark circles under her eyes stand out. Marcellus gently shakes her shoulders, deciding to break the rules for a bit. 

"You're not thinking straight. Do you want some chocolate?"

"Vanilla. But chocolate sounds good, too."

For some reason that George thinks is planned somehow, Marcellus just happens to have a small bar of chocolate in his pocket. Winter accepts the candy gratefully, nibbling on it.

"You coddle her too much, Sir Lexington," he commented. 

"You'd do the same. Probably," he said and shrugged.

Violet then comes over to hand George his books. She brightens up as soon as she sees Winter. While they greet each other, he immediately tucks the books in his bag. But she still managed to see the titles.

"Romance, huh? Thought you're into fantasy," Winter teased.

"Romance is a fantasy. It's a matter of perspectives," George retorted.

She snorts, shaking her head. Eventually, she finishes off the chocolate bar and expresses her gratitude to Marcellus who only smiles in return. He's glad to see that she's somewhat regained her bearings. 

"Go to bed early today, okay? Stop sending me memes at three in the morning."

"She sends you memes, too…?" George asked, seemingly amused. 

"I thought I was the only one suffering-"

"Hey…!" Winter cut in, looking offended. 

"Memes can cure depression. And you two always look depressed."

"Look at the memes, Ms. Winter. Stop sending the memes."

"Well, what am I supposed to do at three?"

"I don't know. Sleep?" Marcellus deadpanned while Violet laughed at the side. 

"But I'm working on all my projects-"

"Clearly not if you have the time to send me memes."

"Psh! You're a meme."

"That doesn't even make sense!"

As the banter goes on, Marcellus begins to lead them to the library's lounge. Earlier, he already bribed the librarian to let them use it in private for some time. Violet excused herself for a moment to go buy them some drinks. It appears like they're dead set on violating the rules. 

"Sir Lexington…" Winter then called all of the sudden. 

"Carry me."

"What?" Marcellus balked, taken aback.

"And I'm outta here…" George piped in, rolling his eyes.

"I'll just go help Ms. Miller with carrying the drinks."

"Oh, okay."

Winter waves goodbye at him before turning back to Marcellus. She then raises her arms expectantly. He hesitates. Even though they're all on their own right now, it's still embarrassing.

"You're being weird today, Ms. Agreste. You know I can't-"

"I weigh just as much as a toddler! You can do it!"

"Why do you even want me to carry you?"

"My legs are tired from all the running earlier. And it'll be fun."

"Ughh… Fine. In exchange, you've got to tell me all about it."

Winter cheers then, making Marcellus chuckle. He bends down and hoists her on his back. She's as light as a feather, so he easily manages. 

"Are you all right back there?" he inquired, checking on her.

"Yep…!" she affirmed then spontaneously pressed a chaste kiss on his cheek. 

"Now, march!"

Marcellus feels his heart explode in his chest. 

With the lingering touch of her kiss still sending tingles across his face, it takes a lot of willpower for him to ignore the feeling of her soft skin pressing against his – or the feeling of her chest that's flushed against his backside. Her lips are also right there at the nape of his neck, and his hands are curled beneath her thighs. He's quite sure then that his fingers can do a lot more than just support her.

'Bad Marcellus.'

"I said march!" Winter ordered, swinging her legs.

So, march Marcellus does – if only to distract his mind from his teenage fantasy.