Rival Arrival

Chapter 22 - Library

Turning up to classes the next few days and being civil with Adrian is something which Celeste is finding hard to get used to.

A small smile here, an awkward wave there, and shared glances in the corridors.

Yeah, not what Celeste had in mind.

After the encounter in his apartment a few nights ago, she'd shown Adrian the strange letter she'd received from Ren as well. Deciding there were too many theories to analyse, they set a date to meet at the library in a few days. Which just so happens to be today.

The rustling and quiet whispers surrounding her were characteristic of the library. Wandering through the aisles, she hunts for an empty table. Sighing, she turns the corner into a slightly more decrepit part of the library, understandably less crowded. The wooden shelves smell dusty, and there's barely a lamp in sight.

She couldn't care less though, because at last, a free table presented itself in front of her.

Diving around the corner, she slumps into one of the seats cluttered lazily about the circular table, as she lets out a sigh of relief. Typing a quick message to Adrian to tell him where she is, she decides to get started on some work. The immunology research she had due next week wasn't going to write itself, that's for sure.

Before she's even taken her laptop out however, Celeste catches sight of a familiar figure approaching, filling her stomach with icy dread and forcing her to abandon her table to hide behind the nearest bookshelf. She crouches with her head resting on her knees and her arms wrapped around herself, a final touch to her self-made cocoon.

With her badly applied contour and stiletto heels, Celestine would recognise Rosa from a mile away. Simply being in Rosa's vicinity would be enough to set her off, and Celeste just doesn't have the energy to deal with her bitchiness today.

"So, you did what I asked?" Rosa leans against an empty table, just out of Celeste's field of vision.

"You bet I did." Comes the disinterested reply. Rosa's friend is obstructed by the table, and all Celeste can see is the back of her head.

"Good. It's time for the second part of the deal. You remember what you have-"

"Why are you hiding here?"

Celeste startles at the sound of Adrian's voice. He clearly can't read the situation, staring down at her in confusion without attempting to quieten his voice. His eyes dart between Rosa and her companion and Celeste's awkward predicament.

"Shhh," she hisses frantically at him, raising her finger to her lips in an attempt to convey her message. "Can't you tell I'm trying to avoid them?" she hisses at him hastily.

"Why though? It's just your sister and Genevieve."

At this, Celeste's head snaps up. "Genevieve?" her voice raises an octave. She can't believe her ears.

"Yeah?" he asks imploringly, as if to make clear that she's currently not making any sense whatsoever. "Why the hell are you so confused? Bash your head on the way to your hiding place or something?" It comes out as a taunt, one which she tries to not let sting. It was never nice to be called dumb, albeit in such an indirect way.

"Forget it," she mutters under her breath. "Just tell me when they're gone."

Even if she had the strength to process what just happened, she isn't sure her brain would be able to. Genevieve? with Rosa? How the fuck are those two even acquainted? Nothing makes sense to her anymore.

Does Rosa even know about the whole situation with Ren?

Oh gosh. I can't be the one to tell her. No, no, please. Not me. Anyone but me. Rosa's going to end me when I won't be able to answer any of her questions; it'd be another excuse to torment me.