The Library bet part I
Ling was halfway through organizing the new arrivals shelf when the door to the library swung open with an urgency that made them glance up. In stepped a whirlwind of energy in the form of a tall figure, blonde hair damp from the drizzle outside, amber eyes scanning the room with laser focus, and a bag slung haphazardly over her shoulder.
Ling blinked. Most people didn't come into the library looking like they were ready to climb a mountain.
The stranger approached the desk, clutching a piece of paper in one hand and wearing a sheepish smile. "Hi, uh, sorry to barge in like this, but... I really need your help."
Ling straightened, pushing aside a stack of books. "Sure. What's going on?"
The blonde stranger held up the crumpled paper, her hand brushing her forehead as they exhaled in relief. "Okay, so I'm on this scavenger hunt. For books. My book club thought it'd be hilarious to make the next meeting a competition. Problem is... I'm terrible at finding books. I've only got six hours left, and your library is my last hope."
Ling raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Let me guess," she said, her brown eyes gleaming with amusement. "You left it all to the last minute?"
The stranger grinned sheepishly, the corners of her amber eyes crinkling. "Guilty. I'm Orm, by the way."
"Ling," they replied, already stepping around the desk. "Let's see this scavenger list."
Orm handed over the paper, and Ling scanned the titles, her dark hair falling slightly into her eyes as they frowned. "Some of these are pretty obscure. Did your book club make this list, or did you lose a bet?"
Orm snorted. "Honestly? I think they hate me. But hey, I didn't come here to give up. Think you can help?"
Ling tapped her chin, glancing at the clock. It was a slow day, and the challenge was a welcome break from the monotony of shelving books. They smiled slightly. "Alright, Orm. Let's see if I can save your book club reputation."
---
For the next few hours, they combed through the library together. Ling moved expertly between shelves, pulling books from dusty corners and hidden stacks while Orm trailed behind like a golden retriever, enthusiastic, chatty, and occasionally clumsy.
"You're surprisingly good at this," Orm said as Ling handed over a rare poetry book. "Are you secretly a scavenger hunt champion?"
"I work here," Ling said with a smirk. "What's the prize for this thing, anyway?"
Orm grinned. "Bragging rights. And a pie. But mostly the pie."
Ling chuckled, shaking her head. "A pie? This feels like way too much effort for dessert."
"It's a really good pie," Orm said solemnly, which made Ling laugh again—a soft, warm sound that Orm decided they wanted to hear more of.
---
By the time they found the last book, a battered, long-out-of-print memoir Orm raised the book above her head triumphantly. "Yes! We did it!"
Ling leaned against the shelf, arms crossed, her smile playful. "You mean I did it."
"Semantics," Orm said, clutching the book to her chest. "Seriously, though, Ling. Thank you. I don't know what I would've done without you."
"You'd still be looking for book number two," Ling teased, shaking her head.
Orm laughed, her tall frame leaning down slightly to meet Ling's gaze. "Probably. So... does your library allow repeat visitors? Because I think I might need a lot more 'help' in the future."
Ling's cheeks warmed slightly, but they kept her voice steady. "You're welcome to come back anytime. Just... maybe don't wait until the last minute next time?"
"No promises," Orm said, her grin bright. Then, after a moment, they added, "What's your favorite book?"
Ling blinked at the sudden shift. "My favorite book? Uh... probably The Night Circus. Why?"
Orm's expression softened, her amber eyes gleaming. "Because I think I owe you a good read after all this."
Ling felt the blush deepen but forced a shrug. "Well, if you're offering..."
"I'll bring it by tomorrow," Orm said, backing toward the door with her stack of books. "See you then, Ling."
Ling stood there for a moment, watching Orm leave, her heart unexpectedly lighter. It wasn't just another quiet day at the library anymore. And as they returned to the desk, they found themselves looking forward to tomorrow.