chapter i

“Love hates you.” With unwilling ears, I chuckled it off, flipped through each tome and novel, and stuck my nose between the pages. Breathing in the sweet, musky aroma of old books and the woodsy smell of new ones masked the exhaustion of having to organize them. “Are you even listening?” Noah continued, newfound frustration cradled in his tone. Standing on my toes, my body slightly shook as I reached the uppermost shelf. With a sigh of relief after finishing today’s work, I hovered towards the cabinet and picked up my brown cashmere coat. I was preparing to leave the shop when he chased after me and grabbed my wrist.

“Can you at least go to the person I keep telling you about?” Noah insisted. “She’s a quack, you should really grow up, and I’m gonna be late, ” I replied, attempting to free myself from his tight grip. “Amelia, for as long as I’ve known you—which is most of your life—you wander around the daisy field on Sundays like an idiot, avoid watching romantic comedies because they make you sad, and lay down under the stars every night,” he said, with a concerned tone muddled in his whiny voice. “Everyone has quirks, but if you actually start dating, you’ll have someone to share these with.”

“Noah, we’ve already been through this. I don’t want to date,” I firmly replied. “At least see my friend. Look, if you visit her once, I promise I’ll never bug you about this again.”

deal. Crossing my arms over my chest while shooting him a squinted look, I agreed to the

“Fine. I’ll head over there tomorrow.”

“Nice! Here’s her address. Just tell her you’re my friend,” he excitedly replied while rummaging through his pocket for pen and paper. After a long day of school and work, I rushed home, freshened up, and laid down in the frog grass-covered backyard; gazing at a sky full of stars. Most teenagers spend their spare time hanging out with friends, some use up free hours frolicking in books, and others—like myself—tuck themselves in the night blanket. It’s okay, Amelia. Just one session with that quack and Noah will be out of your hair after months of tormenting you. Just one session.