The library is usually closed to the public on Sundays because they run a skeleton crew. The only way to get into the library is to have a valid student ID. Which makes it the perfect place to study because it's going to be filled with students cramming for exams or art students procrastinating because they have to draw 50 ears that all look different. This place was the perfect group to target for a date tonight. 

Scanning my ID, I pushed the door open and surveyed the crowd in the library. A sizable group of students was studying, but the library wasn’t packed. First, I’ll try my luck with the students. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll go after the cougar librarians. 

There were only a few people at the desktops and laptop stations. At the tables, there were groups of students studying. But there was one girl sitting at a table near the front that caught my attention. Seeing my first opportunity, I walked towards her. The girl was sitting down with her headphones on, so I gently tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. “Hey, I'm Ron. It's nice to meet you. Is it okay if I sit across from you?”  

Surprised, she looked up, then took one of her earbuds out. “Hello, my name is Jenny, and of course, go right ahead and take a seat. What are you studying? Maybe we can study together?”

“I’m studying for a nutrition test I have tomorrow.” I said.

“That’s delightful; I'm studying for nutrition as well.” Jenny then showed me what she was reading, and we studied together. We started with vocab and then moved to nutritional facts. Things were going great because as we continued to study, we were slowly starting to hit it off. We laughed as we shared stories about bizarre delicacies from around the world. “In Napal, they have a festival for drinking yak’s blood.” I said.

A confused look washed over Jenny's face. “Is that like some creative cocktail?” she said.

“No, a group of people tie a yak to a poll hold it down, stab it in the throat, then everyone brings their cup over to drink its warm blood. Supposedly, it gets you high and drunk at the same time. Once everyone has had a drink, they have a huge party.”

“Oh okay, so they drink from the yak and then eat it. That makes a bit more sense.” 

“No, they let the yak free.”

“What?” 

“Yeah, it probably walks away with a little bit of trauma, but otherwise, the yak is okay.” I said.

A snort escaped Jenny before she completely lost it, her shoulders shaking as waves of laughter spilled out. Jenny clutched her stomach as she giggled. “That's a whole new level of trauma! Imagine a group of people grabbing you on your afternoon stroll, using you like their personal juice box. Then when everyone has had a swig, they pat you on the head and say 'Thanks for drink, have a nice day!', then they throw a rave."

" Honestly, we're picking the wrong career. We'd probably be making a killing as yak therapist.” We both went into another laughing fit. In the corner of my eye, there was another girl walking over. “Are you a friend of Jenny’s? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ron,” I said, extending my hand to shake hers.

The other girl shook my hand. “Hello, I’m Krystal, Jenny’s girlfriend. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” She turned to Jenny. “All right, babe. You ready to go get something to eat?” Krystal said.

“Of course, I’m starving!” Jenny started as she packed her things in her bag. “Do you want to join us, Ron?” she said, turning back to me.

“No, I ate before I came, but it was nice meeting you.” I said. 

“It was nice meeting you too, here take my number,” Jenny said. “Great, I got your text. Don't be a stranger. I would love to study with you again sometime!” I waved goodbye, watching them walk away. Not a date but a study buddy, which is nice, in its own way. Looking down at my laptop, I saw my battery was low. Packing up my things, I walked around until I found an outlet to charge my laptop. Put my quest for a to find a date on a brief hold. I moved on to study calculus, one of the worst subjects ever created. 

Halfway through studying, I felt good. I could find all the derivatives I needed, and all my integrations came out nicely. My confidence shattered when I got to the problems of asking to solve the disk, shell, or washer method. I tried everything from videos on YouTube to rewatching the teacher’s lecture. Through my struggles, I questioned if I should build a time machine and stop that clementine and apple from hitting Isaac Newton so this subject wouldn't exist anymore. Maybe if I was an engineering major and not a chem major. 

Eventually, I dropped my pencil on the table and put my fingers through my hair and let out a scream of frustration. My outburst was louder than I intended, watching the librarian walking to me with a scowl. 

The librarian towered beside my chair, radiating the special kind of fury only librarians can master. She crossed her arms and drummed her fingers, giving me the kind of glare that made me want to sink into the floor. Her face was scrunched up like she'd just caught me dog-earing a first edition. “Mr. Kühn another outburst like that and you'll need to find a new place to study.” The librarian said, arms crossed, tapping her foot. 

“Sorry about that. It won’t happen again.” I clasped my hands together under my chin and ducked my head like a scolded kid begging for mercy. She gave my head a gentle pat - half forgiveness, half warning. That's when it hit me - this could actually work in my favor. “While I have you here, any chance you want to be my partner for tonight’s formal?” I said.

“Oh no sweetie, you're far too young. I could be your mom.” The librarian said with a smirk.

"That's true, but I'm old enough to make you one, too." I said. The librarian blushed. With a hand to her face, she chuckled as she walked away. Technically, that's not a no. Running my hand through my hair, I went back to studying.

The chapter's words blurred together after another read-through, nothing new jumping out from the pages. A gentle tap on the shoulder sent a jolt through me, breaking my concentration. Turning around, the most beautiful woman was standing there with a gentle smile. 'I saw that whole scene with the librarian. Maybe I can give you a helping hand?" Taking a seat next to me, she leaned over to see what I was working on. “Oh! You’re doing calculus. You’re in luck because I am a math major.” She then pulled out her notes. 

“Are you my guardian angel? Because you just saved my life.” I showed her the problem I was working on. 

“No, I’m just Megan” she laughed. “Show me where you're stuck.” Pointing to the troublesome problem, Megan sprang into action like a lioness attacking a gazelle. She fished out a notebook, and her face glowed with excitement as she tackled the equation. Megan grinned as the answer clicked, then calmly walked me through each step, making the complex problem feel simple.

“Wow! This actually makes sense. By the way, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Ron. Do you have plans tonight? I still need a partner for tonight’s dance.” 

“I’m sorry. I actually have a boyfriend.” With Megan’s mission completed, she packed up her things.

“The pretty ones always do,” I sighed. “How about any single friends that need a date?”

Megan put a finger on her lip and thought for a second, “Not off the top of my head, but if I think of anyone, I’ll let you know.” She said. After we exchanged numbers, she walked towards the exit. Well, that is more than likely a bust. Maybe with some charm I can convince that librarian.