The Bookworm Meets the Prince Read online

  She mentioned there was a rich family who gave a big donation so the library could acquire more books and build a new wing. I was so excited they were expanding the library, and I could tell Mel was excited about it too. She told me it would require more work from her, but she couldn’t wait. We were talking a lot while doing our work, and she was so easy to get along with. I could really consider her as one of my friends.

  She then got a call and told me she had to drop by the principal’s office. I just nodded and continued with my work.

  “I see you took my suggestion and volunteered?” a familiar voice asked behind me.

  I turned around and saw Drew standing there in a white shirt, black leather jacket, and jeans. He was smiling at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  “Yeah, well, it was a good suggestion. My parents allowed me to volunteer somewhere. I was vague about the details,” I said while putting the books I was holding on to the table beside me.

  He laughed and took a seat next to where I was fixing the books.

  “What are you doing here then?” I asked while trying to continue on the job Mel left me with.

  “Oh, I am just picking up some books I need and hoping to catch a certain bookworm I know,” he teased.

  I laughed then shrugged it off, going back to work. Drew, on the other hand, just sat there next to me and watched me do my work. This went on for a while, and when I couldn’t take it anymore, I just had to say something.

  “Don’t you have something more important to do than sit there and watch me work?” I asked, feigning irritation.

  He smirked and just moved his shoulder upwards.

  “Andrew, what are you doing here? Oh, by the way, this is Lizzie.” Mel motioned toward me. “But it looks like you two know each other,” Mel said while looking at us.

  “Oh yeah. We met here in the library, Mel. Remember when I told you I bumped into someone last Friday? Apparently, that was Lizzie,” Drew explained.

  “Yeah, now I remember. Were you also the one who told her of the volunteer job?” Mel asked.

  “Yup,” Drew said.

  “Well, thanks for that Andrew. She’s a big help here. Besides, she’s always coming here because of the ban,” Mel said, who then proceeded to help me get everything in order.

  “You’re very welcome. At least while I’m here, I’ll be less bored since I have someone to talk to besides you, boring Mel,” Drew said, who then went back to reading something on his phone.

  “Oh, so you know each other?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I guess you can say we were neighbors. My parents are working for Andrew’s parents, so technically, we grew up together. The doofus is like my long-lost brother,” Mel explained.

  “Cool. Wait, why are you here Drew?” I asked because this was a puzzle I couldn’t solve.

  “Oh, I just decided to bother Mel here and cool things off with the family. Let’s just say we’re not seeing eye to eye at the moment,” Drew said who glanced at me before looking at his phone again.

  As the afternoon progressed, I got to see the two bantering. They actually looked good together. I guess it was time I get over this silly little crush of mine. It was obvious that they were a better match. They’re almost of the same age and did grow up together. How could I compete with that?

  But my thoughts were disrupted by a phone call.

  “Oh, wait. Luke is calling. I have to take this. He told me he was picking me up and were going to have a date tonight,” Mel said ecstatically. She seemed to be really excited with her date plans.

  So she has a boyfriend! I guess I can still continue my crush on Drew. Thank goodness.

  Chapter 4

  The Family Heirloom

  I got home from my work in the library. I went straight to my room and fixed myself. Assessing my activities, I realized I had an eventful day. I had Ryan, the player who was following me like crazy, and I also hanged out with my own version of Mr. Darcy, Drew. It was only Monday, and I had this much on my plate.

  Please tell me the rest of the week won’t be as eventful as today.

  I was lying down on my bed when I heard the buzzer. I knew it was time for dinner. My parents placed a buzzer in my room so it would be easier to call me during family-bondings or mealtime. Yes, they’re weird like that. It was a wonder why I loved them to pieces.

  As I got to my seat, my dad immediately asked me how things were at school and if I needed to report anything interesting to him; aka my nonexistent love life. Alright, at the time being, it wasn’t so nonexistent. It changed status without my permission.

  Dinner was just like that; they asked me questions, and I answered. We were just like a normal family. Well, until they got to my dreaded subject.

  “Have you read anything the past few days, Lizzie?” my dad asked while getting another slice of meatloaf.

  “Nothing besides the necessary reading list for school,” I answered. This was technically true though. I only read A Tale of Two Cities, which was a required reading, and Perks of Being a Wallflower in PDF. This was a step up. If I wasn’t banned, I would have finished two books and have probably started my third one.

  He nodded, convinced with my answer. My mom then proceeded to show off the new set of pearl necklace dad bought for her. Apparently, the business deal was a success. He immediately bought the necklace Mom wanted even if she never told Dad about it.

  After dessert, I made excuses and went straight to my room.

  I was doing my homework when my phone suddenly buzzed. Without looking at the caller ID, which I should have, I answered it.

  “Hello,” I answered while solving the problem on my Math homework.

  “So, sugar, thinking about me?” the incredibly annoying Ryan King asked.

  When would this pest stop? I was not interested on him. Besides, hasn’t he ever thought of the fact that I was in the wrong social bracket? I was a nerd, and he was a jock. Surely that should have been enough for him to stay the hell away from me.

  “Uh, what do you need? And wait, how the hell did you get my number?” I asked

  “I missed my girlfriend. Is it wrong that I miss you? I mean, we are going out now. I can call you whenever I want. Plus it’s normal for a boyfriend to know their girlfriend’s number,” he said, and I groaned because he was really irritating.

  “I am not your girlfriend! You are not my boyfriend! Get that into that thick head of yours!” I screamed just to make a point.

  “And when will you get it in your head that I always get what I want? Which at the time being, is you,” he insisted.

  “You are insufferable, you know that? I don’t even know why you waste your time on me. One, I’m in the wrong social bracket. Two, I don’t like you. Last, I am not your girlfriend!” After saying my piece, I didn’t give him the time to reply. I turned of my phone so he couldn’t bother me for the rest of the night.

  In the school the next day, Ryan was still being Ryan. It was as if my words last night didn’t affect him in the slightest. He was still following me around, telling people that I was his girlfriend and that we were one happy couple. I received daggers for it.

  He just wouldn’t stop until everyone knew and accepted that lie. It was like a written memo announcing to everyone that I was his girlfriend. Too bad, that memo never reached me.

  When I went to the library, I felt a bit better. I was surrounded by books, and Mel was there to listen to my rant.

  “I just don’t know what’s going on. How come all of a sudden Ryan is making such a big fuss about me? He never really cared to look at me. I know for a fact he never even knew of my existence before. Now he’s spreading lies about me being his girlfriend. What the hell is up with that, Mel?” I asked, irritated.

  I hated being the center of attraction. This was the reason why I chose my books. You could say I hid behind them, but then, it was better company than most teenagers my age. Now it was like I was forced into a famous cliché wherein the player noticed the nerd, or som
ething like that.

  “You know, I never really mentioned this, but I always knew Ryan liked you. For one, he never shuts up about you to a point that it gets annoying. During family dinners, it’s always Lizzie that, Lizzie this. Sorry, but it gets irritating at times. If I didn’t know you personally, I would really hate your guts because family dinners were all about you,” Mel commented in a casual tone.

  “Wait, hold up. I think I’m missing something here.” I stared at her in the most confused manner I could muster. Did she say family dinners? Were they related or something?

  “Oh, well, uh—The thing is—Ryan is—well… he’s my half brother. His dad married my mom when I was three years old. My old man died after I was born, so when Raphael entered my mom’s life, she gave him a chance. He actually wanted to adopt me and change my name. You know, the whole shebang, but Mom refused. She said it wouldn’t be fair to my father. It doesn’t mean if he died I’m going to forget him. Raphael respected that. Then after a year, they had Ryan.”

  When she finished her story, she was looking at anything but me.

  “Oh, so when you mentioned your parents were working for Drew’s parents you were talking about your mom and stepdad?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Dad’s the adviser of Drew’s father. When my mom and I entered the picture, they also gave my mom a job in the accounting department of their—business.” She finished.

  Well, that definitely changed some things especially the way I looked at Ryan. Mel was a great friend of mine, so if they were siblings, they might have similarities. Okay, who was I kidding? Ryan was still a pest in my eyes.

  “Can I ask something from you, though? Ryan has issues that he has to deal with, but just give him a chance. He’s not so bad once you really know him,” she whispered.

  “Mel, all I really wanted was for him to not spread lies about us. I don’t even know why this is happening. It was like I woke up one day and my life became one of those cliched stories I liked to read about. I don’t know how to cope,” I said in an exasperated voice.

  “One thing I know is he must have seen a threat, that’s why he’s acting on the defense. Now it’s up to you to figure out what that threat is. You see, all his life, he’s taught to fight for what he wants. It’s just that maybe he’s going overboard this time. I’ll talk to him,” she said and went back to fixing the books on the return shelf.

  I looked at her and thought about her words. Should I actually give this prick a chance?

  I was done with my work for today, and I was walking towards the parking lot while contemplating about the whole Ryan drama. I had to make him see that I was not a property that he could just put a claim on when he wanted to. I was a decent human who was trying to get through high school as unscathed as possible. I was so caught up in my own world that I almost didn’t hear someone calling me.

  “Liz!” someone shouted on top of his voice.

  When I turned around, I could see all the clichéd scenes unfolding in front of me. A handsome guy was running from the entrance of the school library towards me. It was like he needed to tell me something important. He also had that charming smile, which would make all the girls swoon. His hair was caught by the wind, creating that wind effect seen on movies; and for a fraction of a moment, I could have sworn that time stood still—with him in slow motion.

  I was too caught up in the moment. When he reached me, I had to shake my head and stop daydreaming about my very own Mr. Darcy, Drew.

  “Hey! I just wanted to give you this.” Drew started while giving me this girly paper bag. “You mentioned your ban, and I thought maybe this would make you feel better,” Drew said with his usual smile.

  When I took the bag and saw what was inside, I couldn’t contain my excitement. For a moment, I actually thought I was dreaming and was floating in the air.

  It was the first edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I was jumping up and down like a kid who got her first taste of candy, cake, and soft drink all at the same time. I was that ecstatic. Unfortunately, when I realized the price of one of these books and the sentimentality it might have to a person, I couldn’t help but feel I should give it back.

  “Drew, thank you so much for this gift, but I can’t accept it. It’s way too precious for someone to just give away,” I said while giving him the paper bag containing the book. I just couldn’t accept such an expensive gift.

  My expression of disappointment might have been very clear because Drew laughed at me. He looked like he found something new and refreshing.

  “You really are different. I saw your eyes light up when you saw the book, but you’re actually giving it back because you think you don’t deserve it? The thing is, Liz, my grandma was an avid reader of Jane Austen. She completed the writer’s works in first editions. But when my grandma died, she wanted me to find them a good home, someone who would appreciate them as much as she did. This was the first one I could find, and I couldn’t help but think you’d be the new owner of these books which she loved so much. My grandpa would tease her that she loved those books more than she loved him, then she would just laugh it off and said it wasn’t true. Please accept it. Help me fulfill the wish of my beloved grandma.”

  How could I decline after that? I guess I would just have to do something that would show how much I appreciated his gift. The thing was, I was never comfortable with people giving me gifts, especially if it was not Christmas or my birthday. It always felt like I was abusing my friends’ kindness, and I didn’t like that feeling.

  “Thanks, this is really thoughtful of you. I promise to take care of this. As of now, it’s one of my prized possessions. I just hope I can live up to your grandma’s expectation about loving this book like how it should be. This is antique, hard to find, and a diamond in the rough. You don’t know how much this means to me,” I said while hugging the book like my life depended on it. By far, this was the sweetest gesture anyone had ever done to me.

  “It’s no problem. When you told me your story, I couldn’t help but feel like my grandma was telling me to give it to you. I’ll give the others on special occasions so it’ll mean more,” he said while swaying back and forth.

  Was this guy for real or what? It was like he was ripped out of a romance novel or something.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but do you want to have a snack? My treat, as a way of saying thank you for this gift. Please…” I said with those puppy-dog eyes I’d use to convince my father about something.

  “Sure, let’s go,” he said, laughing.

  This might not be a date, but it sure was a start. I might still have the whole Ryan drama, but I was putting that aside and enjoying my time with the guy I liked.

  Chapter 5

  Reality versus Fiction

  Drew and I agreed that we would meet in the diner nearby. It was the type of place where you would normally hang out with friends, so I was sure that Drew wouldn’t think this was a date. We were just two friends hanging out, even with the fact that I had a crush on the said guy who happened to be really cute. My name was Elizabeth, so I should have my own Mr. Darcy, right?

  When I parked my car, I saw Drew was already getting out of his and making his way to me. He then assisted me as I got out of my car as if I was some kind of princess. If he was not careful, a girl could get really used to this.

  “So, what’s good here?” he asked when we were walking to the diner.

  I then talked about their specialty burgers and shakes. I also mentioned my love for fries dipped on their chocolate shake. He laughed and said that he was also doing the same in his hometown.

  When we entered the diner, I could easily spot some of the snotty cheerleaders and their football player boyfriends. In all honesty, I sometimes thought that it was some sort of initiation for them to have football player boyfriends before they could enter the squad.

  From the corner of my eye, I could see Lisa twirling her hair and blinking her eyes constantly to Marco, her boyfriend. Oppo
site them, Carrie was being enveloped in a hug by her possessive boyfriend, Matt, who constantly glared at anyone who looked at his girlfriend. Plus, there were some other couples that I just didn’t have the time to know.

  I was glad that Rissa and Chad weren’t here. Otherwise, I would have some serious explaining to do. And thank goodness, Ryan the player wasn’t around. That would have spelled trouble.

  After the waitress took our orders, I couldn’t help but look at Drew. He was like someone written in stories, which was why I couldn’t help but wonder what his flaws were. Nobody was perfect, and I knew the person sitting in front of me was no exception.

  This was something I had developed over the years. I knew I’d fall easily in love with the fictional characters I read about simply because they were perfect. You know the whole deal: tall, dark, handsome, smart, fun to be with, hopeless romantic… whatever the author saw fit to make the dream guy character. The hard part was, in reality, this character became our standards, making us constantly disappointed when no one fitted the bill. We expected a guy to look and act one hundred percent like a fictional character, which could never happen. This was why I tried to look for flaws. It was something that helped me determine if the guy was real or not. If he turns out to be someone I could put on a pedestal, it would simply be because he looked like the fictional character I had fallen in love with.

  It would never be fair for a guy to be compared to a fictional character, just like it wouldn’t be fair for them to compare us to a Victoria Secret Angel. That’s why I tried to be as fair as possible to Drew, even if I was dying inside to make him my own Mr. Darcy. He was his own person, and I wanted to know him for who he was and not what I had conjured up my head. I had to admit though, this was a difficult task.

  Time went by, and I was having a really great time hanging out with Drew. It felt like we’d known each other for years, and we felt comfortable talking and listening to each other. It was like a vibe that could only be forged through years of friendship.