Escaping the world we live in

Over my stack of books, I didn’t see a pair of trouser-clad legs sprawled across the aisle until I’d already tripped over them. “Whoa!” I fell on my arms as the books went flying across the plush carpet. 

“Oh spades! I’m so sorry,” came an unfamiliar voice. 

As I turned to sit up, a fingerless-gloved hand appeared in front of my face. I looked up to find worried amber eyes framed by purple-streaked hair and unfairly-sculpted cheekbones. I took the proffered hand and sat up. “Ow.” 

The handsome boy sat cross-legged next to me. “Sorry again, I didn’t think anyone else was in the library at this hour.” His eyes narrowed. “Wait, if you’re here… that means you broke in.” He looked at me with an impressed smirk. “It seems I’ve met a fellow troublemaker.” 

I raised my brows at him. “Breaking into a library? I’d hardly call that trouble.” I gathered up my fallen books into a neat stack. 

He smiled wider. “Oh really? What would you call trouble then?” 

Before I could answer, my eyes caught on the book next to him. “Wait a split, are you the-“ 

The boy cut me off. “The son of Maddox Hatter? What gave it away, the hat?” 

“No, weirdo.” I reached over him to grab the book. “The one who borrowed The History of Merlin Academy.” I gently smacked him on the shoulder with the book. “It’s rude to interrupt people, especially ladies.” 

The boy held his hands up in surrender. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” His hands fell in his lap as he shook his head. “I’m just used to people knowing who I am and… either insulting me or running away.” 

I laughed. I knew about his dad, but I hoped he was being dramatic about people’s reactions. “I don’t even know your name.” 

His eyes met mine, half-hope, half-apprehension. “I’m Max.” 

I told him my name and held out my hand. He glanced down at it, disbelieving, before taking it and giving it a firm shake. I quickly absorbed the feeling of leather against my skin. 

I plopped against the bookshelf behind me. “So why are you reading this?” I tapped the cover of the book.

Max’s hand slid behind his neck. “Oh, uh… just interested in the history of the school. Legends and all that.” 

“Me too!” My delight probably shone through my eyes. I just couldn’t contain myself when it came to knowledge. Max took in my expression and started to smile when I had a realization. “Oh, but… now we’re gonna have to fight over who can check it out.” 

Max looked down at the book, then quickly snatched it up before I could. “Well I did get it first…” 

“But you also tripped me-“ 

“You should’ve watched where you were going-“

”No one else is usually here when I am!” 

Max just stared at me for a few seconds. Then the corner of his lip curled. I could already tell he’d come up with a plan. 

“Fine. I’ll let you borrow it, if we trade.” 

My brows rose. “A trade?” 

“Yes, a simple trade.” His smile spread across his face. “I’ll give you the book if…” he paused for dramatic effect, and I hated how it worked on me. “…you kiss me.” 

I blinked a couple times, positive I’d misheard him. “Come again?” 

Max rolled his eyes playfully. “Oh come on, princess, you heard me loud and clear.” His drawling voice already rattled me. He slipped the book behind his back and leaned towards me, mischief dancing in his eyes. “One kiss. For one book.” 

I felt my cheeks flood with heat. I knew he could see it and flushed even harder. This gorgeous boy wanted to kiss me? Or maybe he just wanted to fluster me. I imagined someone with his looks would enjoy that. 

Well I wouldn’t mind kissing him. I just met him, but it was one kiss… and he was ridiculously handsome. Some stubborn instinct in me wanted to play with him a little more. “It doesn’t sound too bad…” 

Right then, I heard the entrance door burst open. “Did I leave it unlocked again?” 

That must be a staff member. I covered my mouth and turned to Max with wide eyes. By contrast, he looked like he was on the verge of laughter. “I thought you said this wasn’t trouble,” he whispered. 

“Doesn’t mean I want to get caught,” I whispered back. 

My eyes darted about as I tried to come up with a plan. Unfortunately the library’s only other exits were emergency ones that would set off magical alarms. I was mapping out how to get back to the entrance without being spotted when I heard footsteps approaching. 

Max grabbed my wrist and pulled me up. I had no choice but to go with him. We moved so quickly I wasn’t sure where we were going until he pulled me into a study room and closed the door behind us as quietly as possible. The room was only meant for one, and with most of the space occupied by a desk and chair, Max and I had to stand close with our chests nearly touching. It was mostly dark save for the cracks of light from the doorway. I tilted my head up to scowl at him, as if to say, “Really? You couldn’t have chosen a bigger space?”

He returned my look. I imagined him saying something like, “I had to think fast. At least I thought of something.”

I conceded the silent argument with a huff. I was shorter than him, so his chest was at my eye-level. I incidentally breathed in his scent of leather, black tea, and something woodsy. Did he have to be so damn attractive?

I felt his finger below my chin, tilting it up. He looked into my eyes and tapped his smirking lips with his other hand. Oh. I couldn’t believe he was thinking of kissing me now of all times, although the thought did make my heart race. I wondered if he could feel my heartbeat this close. 

I raised my brows at him to communicate my disbelief. Max just shrugged playfully. His hand on my chin moved down to my hand, taking it and gently leading it up to his face. He watched my eyes for any sign I wasn’t okay with this. But I was. I felt entranced by him; my need to know his next move was nearly unbearable. 

He took my pointer finger and placed the pad on the center of his bottom lip. I let out a shaky breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Keeping eye contact with me the whole time, he used my finger to trace his lips tantalizingly slowly. 

“Max,” I whined. I shouldn’t risk speaking but I just had to vocalize how he was making me feel. 

He hummed softly, and I was glad I wasn’t the only one feeling pent up. Max let go of my hand and put his hands on the desk on both sides of me, essentially trapping me. He leaned in slowly, giving me every chance to pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I grabbed his collar and kissed him hard. Max inhaled sharply, hands finding my hips and pulling me closer. I gasped into him. My hands moved up to loop around his neck and tug on the ends of his hair. He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth and I struggled to suppress a whimper. 

Just when I thought he was going to eat me alive, I heard the squeak of a cart outside and flinched away from him. Someone sighed heavily, then I heard the thunk of books being added to the wooden cart. I pressed my lips together to hold in laughter. Those must have been the books I left behind. Max’s eyes met mine and widened with realization. He brought his fist up to his mouth, smiling behind it. I shook my head and closed my eyes. I had to look away from him or I would break. 

Seconds later, I felt his fingers on my jaw again. I opened my eyes to find Max gazing at me softly. His eyes lowered to my lips. I felt myself lean towards him again but stopped when I heard another shuffle outside. I placed my palms flat against his chest and shook my head. He pursed his lips and tilted his head at me as if to ask, “Please?” His gorgeous brown eyes were puppy-like. I couldn’t possibly say no when he looked like that. 

I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders exaggeratedly. I mouthed, “Fine, but quiet.” I put a finger to my lips to ensure he understood that last word. 

Max smiled like he won a prize. He held his pinky up to signify a promise. Then he cupped my jaw in both hands and pulled me in again. This kiss was softer and less desperate than earlier. We moved against each other slowly because we had no choice but to. We barely separated to minimize noise. Max’s hands eventually slid behind my neck while mine found his waist. Our bodies pressed flush together. Deliriously, I thought I could kiss him forever. How could I ever even consider telling him no? 

I genuinely lost track of time when I finally realized it was quiet outside. I tried to pull away from Max, but his lips chased mine. I had to hold his head in place and push myself up onto the desk to properly separate. I leaned away from him with a grin while he pouted at me. No, I couldn’t take those puppy eyes again. I pointedly turned away and nodded to the door. Max took a few seconds to listen. Upon hearing nothing, he mimed a dramatic sigh, prompting me to roll my eyes. I slid off the desk and opened the door a crack, performing a quick scan of our surroundings before nodding to him and slipping outside. 

He followed me, and we crept along the bookshelves until we were near the entrance. I peered around the corner to check no one was at the front desk. Then we bolted for the exit. The doors didn’t close the quietest behind us, but we were already in the hallways where we were actually allowed to be. I jogged to a nearby courtyard then collapsed against the wall, finally able to breathe properly. Max burst out laughing, and I jumped at the sound because I was still in quiet mode. Once my body realized it was safe, I started giggling along with him. Then we were both cracking up, leaning against the wall for support. His laugh was uninhibited and a little crazy, but I loved it. 

When we finally managed to calm down, our eyes found each other. I couldn’t decide if he looked prettier when smiling or begging me for another kiss. I stepped towards him and lightly pushed his chest. “You are insatiable, Max Hatter.” 

He caught me by the wrists. “Oh come on, princess, you liked it.” 

I play-fought but let him pull me in anyways. Once I was against his chest, I surrendered. “Fine. You got me there.” 

Max chuckled as he tucked me against him. “So… same time tomorrow?” 

My whole face burned. I couldn’t let him win, so I decided to play coy. I tilted my head up like I wanted a kiss. Max leaned in, and right before our lips touched I stepped away. “No. You have to take me on a proper date if you want to kiss me again.” 

At first, Max looked like I took away dessert right from under his nose, but his expression quickly morphed into amusement. “Okay, princess. I will.” He walked closer until he was leaning over me once again. His eyes flicked down to my lips just briefly, but it was enough to make me want him again. Then he took a step back. “Tomorrow night then?” 

My lips had fallen open while under his spell, so I closed them and shook myself out of it. “Tomorrow. It’d better be nice.”

Max started backing away from me, smirking all the while. “Oh, I’ll be the perfect gentleman.” 

Once he was a couple paces away from me, he tapped his coat pocket and called out, “Hey, you forgot something.” 

I raised a brow. His teeth showed through his grin as he pulled The History of Merlin Academy out of his inner pocket. My jaw dropped, but before I could say anything he turned and took off running. 

“We had a deal!” I yelled. 

I heard his wild laughter echo down the hallway. “Tomorrow, princess!” 

Suddenly, tomorrow felt very far away.