everybody walkin' this land

She returned the soft smile, her eyes glancing back at his eyes. They were so blue, they reminded her of the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. “Thank you,” she mused softly, before looking away as she shyly tuck some hair behind her ear and licking her lips. She tried to conceal the blush that wanted to appear on her cheeks, to remain calm and in control of herself. “Oh! Um, I suppose another Pepsi wouldn’t hurt, but you truly don’t have to.” Glancing back, Abi’s smile was understanding. “I get that; Overthinking can be just the worst sometimes.” The older blushing was such a surprise to her. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen him blush like that blush, but it was honestly kind of cute. The man was very big and tall and sort of intimidating, so to see him smile and blush like that was honestly so nice and helped her feel comfortable around him. To be fair, she was rather very small, so a majority of bigger people scared her. She was glad that he wasn’t one of them. “Please don’t doubt yourself like that, Professor Arlington. The rest of the class would agree with me. Sometimes being bossy can be a good thing, though. Especially if you’re in charge and know what needs to be done. I mean, it’d be rather difficult gaining the attention and respect of the class if you were a pushover, right?"

Her lips tugged into a smile as she blushed softly at the compliment. “Thank you. I’d feel awful if anything bad were to happen to them; They’re just trying to have fun, after all.” She cared deeply for them. Growing up, she was able to make friends but she also never stayed anywhere for long enough to making those friendship life-longlasting until she lived in Cairo and then Dayton. Her brows raised slightly, nodding along to his words before letting out a low whistle. “Damn- you truly have been keeping yourself busy today. Hopefully the rest of your night will be satisfying after today.” Abigail covered her face with her hand as she laughed, feeling sheepish before peering back at him. “It’s just the truth! I’ve learned so much from you this year; We’re really lucky to have you. Oh no, thank you! But I can’t ask that of you, especially if you’re trying to enjoy yourself. Though you’re correct: I have no doubt that you’re capable to get anyone to listen and comply to your wishes.”

“Oh! Um, I don’t. At least, not in big group settings like these. I’m just here mainly for damage control,” she admitted. She always felt awkward admitting to people that she didn’t really drink. And if she did, it was typically only one glass and in the safety of her apartment with her friends over. Or with Charity, but that’s over now. Resting her chin in her hand, Abi smiled as she listened to him. “Goodness, what did you even do to yourself? We can’t have you end up getting seriously hurt or something; What would Dayton University do without the best history teacher they’ve had in years?” Glancing at her friends, the brunette cringed when she finally saw them starting to act restless. “Before? Rather boring. Now? I’m sure any moment now one of them’s going to kiss someone’s boyfriend and a fight will happen.” Standing a 5′0″ and basically having zero muscles, she most definitely would not be useful in that sort of situation.

Bars truly weren’t her scene- and, technically by American laws, she was still too young to order a drink legally (which was absolutely bollocks, mind you). However, the girl didn’t mind being the sober, basically mother hen when her friends went out and needed at least one person with a sound mind to keep them in check. So far, they were all behaving. Sitting at the bar and working on a Pepsi, she would alternate between watching her friends drink and be wild or play a game of senet on her phone. It wasn’t until she heard that ever familiar voice when she finally paid attention to neither of those things. God, she’d be able to recognize that voice anywhere. “Ed- Professor Arlington,” the Brit quickly recovered, smiling warmly at the older man. “You most certainly deserve one. Busy day, I take it?”

Her cheeks burned bright red- though, whether that was due to her embarrassment over being caught like that or at the ‘pretty girls’ comment, she couldn’t say. Perhaps it was both. “It’s, um, it has been something I’ve done... perhaps once or twice before,” she admitted shyly. “Sometimes I can’t find a ladder or a stool or someone to help me, so it’s my only option! But I usually remember to bring a book bag with me, but I forgot it this time, so it was... I’m, uh... I’m rambling... Please ignore me.” Of course it was completely like her to ramble in front of a stranger. A very cute stranger, but she tried not to focus on that bit. Abigail’s face literally brightened up as he said the king’s name, nodding quickly. “You pronounced his name right! Oh my gosh, you’re one of the few people I’ve met who pronounced it correctly. Wait, are you also a history major? Or hold some interest in the subject?” With a bright grin, the brunette laughed softly. “More than a fan, it’s practically my whole world. I’m an archaeology major at Dayton University, but I’m specializing in ancient civilizations. I lived in Egypt for awhile and it’s just... It’s my most favourite place in the whole world. But I do like Jane Austen as well!” The Brit giggled, biting down on her bottom lip as she shyly brushed her hair out of her face. “Nothing wrong with being the guy who’s looking for Shakespeare. His works are classics for a reason. Oh, right! Shall we? His works aren’t too far from here.”

@monroeicals ; @bethanyrob94 ; @chxrityx

Avery

Biting down on her lower lip, she was starting to tempt the idea of possibly taking the risk and jumping down off from the shelves. However, knowing her luck, there was the very high chance she’d end up hurting her ankle- maybe even both of them. Unfortunately for Abigail, she had also forgotten to grab her book bag, in which she could’ve just place the book in there and then climb down such as before.The brunette was too lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the other’s presence. She jolted slightly at his words, tightening her grip on the shelves so she wouldn’t fall. Glancing up, Abi’s cheeks burned red and she smiled sheepishly. “I, um, I know where the aisle for Shakespeare is at,” she mused out weakly. “But, I’m not... quite sure if ‘okay’ would be the correct word I’d use right now.” She felt so embarrassed over this stranger catching her like this. Truly, it wasn’t ideal. Especially not for a proper English woman, or so her mother would exclaim. Rather ironic as she grew up with an unconventional childhood filled with adventure and the freedom to be wild and yet, her mother still expect her to has the class and poise of a British socialite. And suppose, the brunette could now argue that she isn’t even British at all, but that would upset both parties. She didn’t want that. Glancing at his hand, she gently placed the book on a lower shelf (hopefully low enough for her to reach) before taking his hand and jumping down. She squeaked slightly at first, her landing wobbly but fortunately without causing her to end up injured. Beaming brightly, she quickly started saying, “Thank you so much! Now, all I need is my-... Oh, dear...” Glancing back up, her heart grew heavy. Apparently, the so-called ‘lower shelf’ was still much too high for her 5′0″ stature. Groaning softly, Abigail looked back at the kind stranger before asking quietly, “Um... Could you possibly grab my book, please?”

“That’s fair,” she agreed softly with a gentle smile. The girl’s comment caused her to blush and she composed herself to try not to short circuit or anything. “Oh! Right, um, her name’s Nevada Guerrero and she works at the mechanic shop. She’s helped with some of my friends’s cars and bikes before and they’ve all had nothing but nice things to say about her work. I don’t personally drive, so I haven’t had her help with that, but she is really nice! Uh, here, hold on-...” Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out her phone before searching for the mechanic’s number. Once she found it, she held her phone out for Monroe and brushed some hair out of her face. “She’d most likely be here in no more than ten minutes and could help you out in no time at all,” Abigail promised. “I’m really sorry that you’re having troubles with your bike, though.”

“Thutmose… Thutmose… Where are you?” With furrowed brows and stubborn determination, Abigail slowly walked down the library aisles trying to find what she was looking for. Surely they would have it... Finally about to give up, she grinned brightly when she looked up and saw the thick book, beautiful in her eyes with a burgundy colour. However, it was on the highest shelf. Not seeing a step-stool or a ladder around, nor another person in sight, she looked at the next bookcase. The bookcases were pretty close together, so this might work… Taking a deep breath, she placed her right foot on one of the lower shelves and held on to a higher shelf before grabbing another shelf on the opposite bookcase with the book she was wanting and stepped on one of it’s lower shelves with her left foot. Slowly and carefully, she climbed each shelf one at a time until she got to her book’s location and was about a foot and a half above the ground. Her right hand held tightly on a shelf on the opposite bookcase as she grabbed the book and smiled victoriously. “Gotcha!” Now how is she going to get down? “Uh... Shit.”