[center][h1][color=f7941d]Oliver Grundy[/color] & [color=98FB98]Melicia Gibbs[/color][/h1]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/N0wVcEu.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/tWL57tY.jpg[/img][/center]
[right][sub]A collab with: [@RogueFox] [/sub][/right]
[hr]

Something Melicia wasn’t ready for was how overwhelming she’d find the whole environment. The issue was less the sheer number of people but everything else, the way everyone seemed to just want to get in your face perkily offering maps and guided tours, the delighted screeches of teenage girls being reunited with their friends and even just the size of the place. It was all a bit too much. After gingerly grabbing a map the teen beelined for Independence house and checked in. As soon as she had her key she went straight to her room, closing the door behind her and expelling a relieved sigh. The walls were far from soundproof but the chatter and the yells were more manageable. Why was everyone so damn [i]perky[/i]?

Placing her case and bag next to her bed she opened a map some way-too-happy senior handed her. She needed somewhere quiet, a place to get a breather from the chaos. Her eyes came across the library on her map. [i]perfect[/i]. Leaving all but her keys and map behind she leaves her room to start her search. Unfortunately for Melicia, crowds did not make map reading all that easy, not to mention all the noise. She ended up finding herself very much not at the library but in front of who-knows-what building, trying to find her placing on the three fold map in her hands.

Oliver stepped outside and took in a deep breath, taking in the familiar sights around him. There was a bit of hustle and bustle still going on, but in all of that, he noticed a girl who seemed decidedly lost. She seemed to be staring intently at her map. She was also really cute, and had a vibe to her, the way she was standing, gazing at the map. Oliver decided quickly that he should probably offer to help her. He walked up and waved, despite her not looking at him at all. [color=f7941d]”Um, Hi!”[/color] He shifted his stance and let out an awkward breathy chuckle before continuing. [color=f7941d]”You just seemed a bit lost, I might be able to help out. I was here last year.”[/color] He seemed pretty confident, albeit a little awkward. He was grinning, but it didn’t seem as bubbly as the others, more as if he was thinking about something funny.

Melicia was soon snapped out of her deep thinking and brought back to the school proper at the voice of the ginger haired boy. Her face scrunched slightly at his greeting. [color=98FB98][i]Another one[/i][/color] she couldn’t help but think to herself. At least his words were less obviously forced optimism but rather more genuine. [color=98FB98]”Uh, yeah,”[/color] she mutters, folding her map, it seems she wouldn’t need it for now. [color=98FB98]”I’m just tryna find the library, these map ain’t too great for navigatin’,”[/color] She continues on in her southern drawl.

Oliver chuckled a little as she mentioned where she was going. [color=f7941d]”Ha, really? I’m actually headed there right now. I always liked going, so I wanted to go see it again. I kinda missed it.”[/color] He took a few steps in her direction, motioning for her to follow. [color=f7941d]”C’mon, it’s actually not too far.”[/color] He took off at a surprisingly brisk pace at first. He looked back and adjusted his pace so they could both walk comfortably. [color=f7941d]”I’m Oliver, by the way. It’s nice to meet you. You just looked pretty lost, and I’d feel bad if I didn’t at least try to help, you know?”[/color] 

At the boy's beckon to follow Melicia obliges, seeming to stay a couple of paces behind his own, she was in a little less of a rush it seemed. Eventually he slowed so they were walking side by side. [color=98FB98]”No, no, I appreciate it. I'm Melicia,"[/color] she responds, offering her hand to shake.

Oliver beamed as he shook her hand. He was visibly energetic, but if there was any doubts, that handshake would have quelled them. [color=f7941d]”That name’s pretty badass. A lot cooler than mine.”[/color] He chuckled as he came to a stop in front of an older looking, yet well kept, building, Northfield Library. [color=f7941d]”Here we are. Looks pretty cool compared to some of the other buildings. Sort of like it belongs in a fantasy movie or something, with a ton of secret passages and stuff.”[/color] He trotted up to the door and opened it for Melicia. As they entered, he decided to press for a little more conversation. [color=f7941d]”So, how’d you end up here? I got a scholarship cuz I’m pretty good with computers.”[/color]

As the pair came to the step Melicia couldn’t help but be absolutely taken away by the building before them. Old? Yes. but the kind of old that reeked with pomp and grandeur. She was sure anything would be better than the little wooden cart that served as her ‘library’ over the past year but this was so much better than she ever could have expected. Even her local library growing up, not that she ever really stepped into it to find out. At his question she hesitated slightly, running through her fabricated story in her head. This was a new start, she wasn’t going to taint that with the word of her being a felon getting out. [color=98FB98]”Academics myself, topped my class in maths ‘n’ sciences last year and got recommended to come here, I think my homeroom teacher was an alma mater or somethin’”[/color] she lies, well not a total lie. While they didn’t really grade in prison when you’re one of the few doing the work she could only assume she was right. [color=98FB98]”But, uh, computers. Impressive. I ain’t ever been too good with those things. Did you come from far?”[/color]

He grinned and nodded. [color=f7941d]”That’s awesome. Math kind of annoys me, but science can be cool. Hey, if you end up taking any computer classes, I could help you in exchange for you helping me with math!”[/color] He made his way a little deeper into the library and took a deep breath. The scent of books danced in the air, bringing with it several memories of days Oliver spent on the computers or reading in a nice secluded corner. He was usually pretty social, but everyone needed a little alone time, and this was the perfect place to find it. [color=f7941d]”Not really, actually. Only live a few hours away, in Greensboro. How about you?” [/color] He smiled at her politely, genuinely interested in her and where she came from. His eyes gave away his sincerity.

As they entered the building Melicia's eyes didn't quite know where to rest. From the grand shelves stocked with books to the oddly high-tech computer lab. She really did like libraries, she had decided. [color=98FB98]”Oh, um, Raleigh. Not near the city or nothin' so I guess not too far either,"[/color] she responds, glancing at the boy next to her to get a proper look at him. [color=98FB98]”I was just gonna get a book and read for a bit but if you want to join me…"[/color] For as much as Melicia valued her alone time and wasn't much for small talk she really did need friend and Oliver himself seemed nice enough.

[color=f7941d]“Oh, nice, you’re from NC too! You’d be surprised how many people come here from other states.”[/color] Oliver seemed to light up as she offered him to join her. [color=f7941d]”Sure! I was actually just gonna look at the manga for a bit before the assembly. I’d totally be down for reading… next to each other? That sounds weird, I know.”[/color] He laughed a bit and shook his head. [color=f7941d]”It can be nice to just have someone friendly nearby though. And if you feel like talking, we can do that too!”[/color] He looked around for a minute, getting his bearings in the library again. [color=f7941d]”What kind of book were you thinking of reading? I can point out where they are, save the hassle of poking around. Though I guess poking around is kind of fun too.”[/color]

At Oliver's request for what she wanted to leave Melicia gave a shrug.  [color=98FB98]”I hadn't thought about it, honestly. I guess we can just poke around? You don't have t' join me in looking,"[/color] she eyes the long shelves of books before her, she didn't even know if she'd have the time to decide. Part of her just wanted to get lost in the land of books.

Oliver shrugged, his trademark grin on his face. [color=f7941d]”I’m down for poking around.”[/color] He stepped forward, looking at the books in front of them. They were nonfiction books, mostly biographies. He found himself following the bookshelves, unsure if Melicia was nearby. He looked up quickly, realizing he had wandered a ways away. He looked around, seeing if he could spot his new friend. His backup if he couldn’t find her was to just head to the manga, pick something, then look around for her.

Melicia got lost in the library but this time it wasn’t the bad kind of lost. It was the kind that was almost freeing after being confined to a handful of open areas that she knew every nook and cranny of this type of ‘lost’ was almost comforting. She dragged her finger across the spines of the books, the smallest of smiles played on the very edges of her oft downturned lips. Eventually she picked up a random book from some recommended section in the fiction section and, having forgotten that she wasn’t alone, took a seat at one of the library's many tables. 

After not seeing her as he scanned the surrounding area, Oliver decided to press on and grab something to read. He could try finding her after that. He went to the dedicated section for manga and grabbed a volume of “Don’t Tease Me, Miss Nagatoro.” He had seen the anime adaptation, but wanted to hop on the manga to find out what happened next. After selecting his book, he walked around the sizable library. Luckily, it didn’t take him long to find Melicia, seeing as the library wasn’t currently very busy. He pulled the seat next to her out and sat down, shooting her a smile. [color=f7941d]”Find something good?”[/color] He inquired cheerfully. He opened the manga and held it against the table so he wasn’t holding it in the air.

Melicia just pulled up her book, revealing the cover for [i]Ender’s Game[/i], her eyes not straying from its pages. She puts it back down so the cover is flat on the table, remaining silent for a while as she takes in the first pages. When Oliver was comfortable reading his book, and she had read up to a good breaking point a few pages in, she spoke up. [color=98FB98]”Is everyone here always so damn perky?”[/color] she asks, her voice in a gruff hushed whisper. Her eyes remained on the book, as if she was still reading the words but really she was just avoiding Oliver’s eyes. Eye contact was never her forte.

Oliver began reading after she had shown him the cover, having figured that she was content to just read quietly. As her voice broke the silence, he looked over at her to see her still focusing on the book. [color=f7941d]”Not really. It’s really mostly for these special occasions. I mean, there are some people who are always perky, but it’s usually not like this.”[/color] He attempted to keep his voice soft, but even then it was relatively loud for being in a library. [color=f7941d]”There are a lot of quieter places you can go even on days like today though.”[/color] Oliver’s expression changed a bit, resembling something like concern as he seemed to have just put two and two together. [color=f7941d]”I can give you some alone time if you need it. I understand wanting some peace.”[/color] His voice did drop to a quieter tone now. He was feeling a little guilty for following her around and not picking up on her wanting to possibly be alone sooner.

[color=98FB98]”Hmm?”[/color] Melicia looks up from her book with a shrug. She didn’t mean to make Oliver feel out of place. Sure, he was a little loud and puppy-doglike but he wasn’t really a nuisance. [color=98FB98]”Nah, you’re cool, I guess,”[/color] she replies simply before looking back down at her book. [color=98FB98]”You could stand to be a little quieter though, don’t want the library staff after you, do ya?”[/color]

Oliver felt a bit of relief as she answered. He chuckled and nodded as she recommended lowering his voice. He made an attempt to keep his voice lower as he responded. [color=f7941d]”Yeah. I sometimes don’t notice how loud I am.”[/color] He looked back down at his manga, flipping the page. [color=f7941d]”Do you mind if I call you Cia? I was thinking about your name again, and thought it might be a cool nickname.”[/color] He grinned over at her after speaking.

[color=98FB98]”Hmm?”[/color] Melicia muses once more as Oliver asks another question. Honestly she'd rather sit in silence, lost in the words of her book but she also didn't want to scare off the one genuine person she'd met today. Oliver was a good person, she had decided, and Melicia need some of those in her life. [color=98FB98]”Yeah, sure. Call me whatever,”[/color] she says somewhat dismissively as her eyes flicker to the next page of the book. Realizing she may have been coming across as rude she lifts her head to meet the boy's gaze. [color=98FB98]”And what do people call you?”[/color]

[color=f7941d]”Cool! I guess some of my friends call me Oli, if you like that better you can use it.”[/color] Oliver watched as her focus stayed on the book. He decided he’d let her be the next one to speak, after all she was trying to find the library and he just happened to tag along. He felt pretty comfortable next to her too, not finding her to be rude or anything. He focused on his manga, and in a short time, finished it. He sat the book down on the table and leaned back, still chuckling at some of the events in the story.

[color=98FB98]”Oli, 'aight,"[/color] she echoes back before returning to her book. In that she embraces the sweet silence of the library, the scent of the pages and the feel of them between her fingers. She doesn't say another word until a bell rings over the school. She looks up into the ceiling in confusion before pulling out her dingy little phone to check the time. 1:45pm. It was then she remembered there was an assembly she was meant to be at. Really both her and her new guide should be at but in the fluster of her brain and the fear of doing anything out of line she stood up. Her chair squeaks as it's pushed across the floorboards. 

[color=98FB98]”I gotta go, but it was good to meet you… Oli,"[/color] she says as she closes her book, leaving it atop one of the stocking carts and backing toward the door. [color=98FB98]”Uh… bye,"[/color] she calls back before accidentally backing into a cart. She readjusts herself then turns for the door, following the crowds out.

Oliver looked at his small screened off-brand smartphone, seeing the time. [color=f7941d]“Oh right.”[/color] Before he could elaborate that  he should be going too, she had already set her book down and backed toward the door. After she said bye, he held up a hand in a wave, seeming a little confused by her sudden departure when they both had to go to the assembly. [color=f7941d]”See ya, Cia.”[/color] Oli grinned at the amusing coincidence of her name and his usual farewell matching up. He put his manga on a return cart and jogged to the doorway, where he was immediately slowed by the migrating crowd of students.