Rowan was now in high school, a new chapter of his life unfolding before him. The transition was exciting, but also demanding. His classes were more challenging, and expectations were higher. But there was one place where he always found solace - the library.
For bookworms, there are few things more joyful than thumbing through old volumes of Sympodia Espundia or discovering hidden gems among the shelves of a quiet library. And for Rowan, the library had become his personal sanctuary.
After a long day of classes, Rowan made his way to the town's historic library, a grand building with towering bookshelves and warm wooden interiors. The moment he stepped inside, the scent of aged paper and ink washed over him, easing the tension from his shoulders.
He nodded politely at the librarian before heading to his favorite section - science and discovery. His fingers traced over the spines of well-worn books, his green eyes scanning for something new to devour.
As he searched through the shelves, a particular book caught his eye - an old, leather-bound edition of The Wonders of the Universe. He carefully pulled it out, its worn edges showing just how much it had been loved by those before him. Excitement bubbled in his chest as he flipped through the pages, filled with celestial maps, theories on space-time, and vivid illustrations of planets beyond their solar system.
He settled into a cozy corner, his hoodie pulled slightly over his head as he lost himself in the mysteries of the universe. The world outside faded, replaced by distant galaxies, black holes, and the infinite possibilities beyond Earth.
Just as he was absorbed in a section about exoplanets, a voice broke through his focus.
"You really are predictable, you know that?"
Rowan looked up to see Oliver standing there, hands in his jacket pockets, smirking.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Rowan replied with a small grin.
Oliver plopped down in the chair across from him, stretching out lazily. "Nah, I respect it. Some people blow off steam playing basketball, others binge-watch TV. You, however, retreat into the depths of astrophysics. It's kinda hot, actually."
Rowan blinked, feeling the tips of his ears heat up. "I - what?"
Oliver smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Oh, don't play dumb. You know you have that whole brooding genius thing going for you."
Rowan cleared his throat, pretending to focus on his book. "If you're here to distract me, you're doing an excellent job."
Oliver grinned. "Mission accomplished. But seriously, you missed quite the scene in the cafeteria today."
Rowan closed his book slightly, raising a curious eyebrow. "Oh?"
Oliver leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You know Todd Matthews? Mr. 'I'm too cool for school' with the perfect hair?"
Rowan nodded, smirking. "Yeah, what about him?"
Oliver grinned. "He was carrying his lunch tray, trying to impress Mia - you know, the girl from chemistry? Anyway, he got so distracted giving her his 'charming' smirk that he tripped over his own feet and face-planted into a plate of spaghetti."
Rowan burst into laughter, covering his mouth to keep from being too loud. "No way. Please tell me someone got that on video."
"Oh, multiple angles," Oliver confirmed, pulling out his phone. "It's been circulating all day. Pure cinematic gold."
Rowan shook his head, still grinning. "I almost feel bad for him. Almost."
Oliver smirked. "Right? But honestly, it was bound to happen. The guy's ego is too big for his balance to keep up."
Rowan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "And here I thought you came here to learn something."
Oliver held up a random book from the table. "Oh, I'm definitely learning. Did you know that male seahorses give birth? Crazy world, man."
Rowan rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."
Oliver leaned in slightly, his voice dropping a notch. "But admit it, I make your study sessions way more interesting."
Rowan exhaled, shaking his head with a small laugh. "That's… debatable."
Oliver winked. "Debate all you want, genius. I know you secretly love the attention."
Rowan hid his smile behind his book, pretending to read. As much as he loved the quiet escape of the library, moments like these - flirty, teasing conversations with Oliver - reminded him that sometimes, the best discoveries weren't found in books, but in the people who made life more interesting.