The Library

Bentley Library stood tall and stiff, a sturdy brick monument to the college’s earlier years. Though several stories tall and filled quite to the brim with books, Bentley was considered unique primarily for the President Rooms. On each floor, on either side of the long rectangular aisle which was the body of the library, symmetrical wings sprouted out and grew a symmetrical pair of circular rooms. There were half a dozen such rooms, two to a floor, each equipped with luxurious furniture and fittings, creating an atmosphere of official leisure. The leather armchairs and marble mantelpieces, college memorabilia and valuable paintings gave the impression of a manor-house study. These were gifts from generous donors, and as each room proudly bore the name of a US president, they became known as the President Rooms.

When studying on her own, Alice always found herself in one of these rooms. Eddie didn’t like them because he complained that they were too full of people; Tessa didn’t like them because she claimed they were too quiet. Alice loved to sink into the deep leather and slip away into the Middle Ages, or visit the exotic East, or talk to the Greek philosophers; here, in the comfort of the study, she could battle dragons without ever having to stand up.

Alice felt a jerk and found herself flung out of the depths of Hell and back into the library. The clock had struck a quarter to three; she was supposed to be meeting Eddie at three to study medieval history, and if she left right now, she would just make it to the union before he had a chance to lecture her on punctuality. But she had hardly begun to read! She glanced wistfully at the pile of books sitting next to her chair, but with a smile she stood up and picked them up. She could check them out and take them with her, of course; she could read them tonight after dinner. So with a spring in her step, she took the books to the circulation desk. Oh, there he was again, the tall guy with the amazing hair. Alice couldn’t help but smile to herself; she wondered if she could ever convince Eddie to do his hair like that. Probably not, but she could try. She could encourage him, she could tease him, she could buy him gel for Christmas. She set the books down on the counter, pulled out her student card, and smiled. The student librarian continued to swipe the books through the machine, barely looking up to take her card. As he printed out the receipt, he glanced up and caught her eye. She tried to smile again, but he wasn’t paying attention now. Oh well. She muttered her thanks, took the receipt, and picked up the pile of books. As she turned towards the door, the top one shifted slightly, and as she quickly tried to tilt the stack so as to correct to the slip at the top, the bottom came out and fell heavily, and she was left with a puddle of books in the middle of the floor. Groaning inwardly, she stooped to hastily collect them up before anyone noticed. Of course, this was impossible in a library full of students, and in two seconds, the guy behind the counter came out to help. He crouched down and picked one up. As he handed it to her, his face expressionless, she snatched it up with a merciless “thanks” and tried to stand up again. Why did he have so patronizing? She was perfectly capable of managing on her own, thank you. Her face was red with anger, massive anger at herself and her stupidity. She tried again to walk out the door, but he called after her if she wanted a bag, an extra hand … ? She refused to hear him, but scurried away in a deep purple embarrassment.