You were busy fitting books on the shelves, and the heat was killing you.  You were about to grab a book when a hand hit yours.

Your eyes met glistening, deep brown ones, and you were to astonished by who was in front of you to even speak straight.  A young woman of british appearance, and gorgeous at that, she was slender, had an hourglass figure, and a tight ponytail.  

‘‘Sorry, wasn’t watching where I was grabbing.’‘ Mouth agape, you let her every word hum gracefully into your eardrums.  Not too hard of a british accent, and a tinge of american.  Her voice was incredibly aesthetic to the ears. 

‘‘Oh no-’‘ Dropping your books in hand, you thought of how embarassing it was to fall in front of these entrancing woman in front of you. 

‘‘Are you okay?’‘ The woman kneeled down to help you, your hands brushed against one another as you grabbed the same book again. 

‘‘S-sorry.’‘ You withdrew your hand in haste, not bearing to look at her.

‘‘I’m sorry if I somehow made you uncomfortable, I should be going.’‘ In one swift movement, she was already on her heels, moving away from you slowly. 

‘‘Wait!’‘ You grabbed her hand, cheeks flushed at your sudden action.  She then looked back in surprise.  Your eyes widened as you studied her facial features once again, she seemed familiar.  Too familiar to be mistaken for another british woman. 

‘‘Are you...’‘ The woman sighed, facing you completely.

‘‘Lara Croft?’‘ She chuckled and extended a hand to you.  

‘‘Yep, it’s nice to meet you, ms. librarian.  It’s my first time here, I didn’t expect to make a friend.’‘ Hands clasped against your mouth to prevent your jaw to drop, you were Lara’s biggest fan ever since she had that little expedition to Yamatai.  You believed her, in spite of that little fiasco that speech of hers had dealt to her family name about Yamatai being real.  Really real.  

‘‘I-i’m...honored to meet you, Ms. Croft.’‘ You shook her hand, hard.  As if you were never going to let go.  Lara giggled and held your hand.

‘‘I’m more honored to meet you, ms. cute librarian.  Care to tell me your name?’‘ 

‘‘It’s (y/n)!  I always stayed updated on your expeditions ever since Yamatai.’’ Lara’s eyebrows furrowed on the mere sound of ‘Yamatai’.  It looked like she lost too much of that expedition.  Your figure shrinked at her small gesture.  Plus, she called you cute. 

‘‘I’m sorry, I must have triggered some bad memories.  But I’ll be willing to listen, if you’d like.’’

‘’I’d rather tell you much more about my expeditions, judging from the amount of archeology books you were carrying earlier.’’ Her eyes lingered towards the books on the floor behind you.  

‘’I read them all the time while I’m here.  I come here to read for free, you see.’’ 

‘’Interesting.  I’m thinking about reading for some time.  Wanna join me?’’  You raced to her side, picking out books about archeology.  Happiness was all you felt as you spoke to her.  The person you admire most, Lara Croft, was right in front of you in all her glory (leather jacket and pants included), and she was actually talking to you.  

‘‘Any other interests other than archeology?’‘ Lara didn’t look up from her book.  Other than the fact that she was the one to break the silence, you found your leg brushing against hers, sending you into a blushing mess. 

‘What the heck, (y/n)? Stop that!’

‘‘Other than archeology? Um...’‘ You stopped between words, finding speech in the midst of racing thoughts.

Lara looked up from her book, eyeing your fidgeting figure. 

‘‘You seem flushed.  What’s wrong?’‘ She raised her fingers to your (h/c) locks covering your face.  

‘‘I’d like to see your face, you know? Your pretty features are hiding behind those long bangs of yours.’‘ You hid your face even more.

‘‘I’m sorry, I have to sneeze.’‘ You faked it, and Lara smiled even more. 

‘‘How cute.  but, go on.’‘ Lara returned to her book.  

‘‘Well, I did lots of stuff when I was a child.  My mom got me into theater, dance and singing, then dad got me into sports.  But personally, I love writing.  I want to become a writer someday.’‘ 

‘‘Talented.  Fascinating. Planning to publish a book?’‘ Lara rested her chin on her hands entwined together, eyeing you strangely.

‘‘Yeah, I hope so.  Poetry is my forte, in my opinion.’‘ You faced her completely, getting immersed in the moment. 

‘’Really? I’ll be willing to buy one once you publish your book.  I’m looking forward to it.’‘ You smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.  

You had a knack of blurting out random things that popped into your head, and you had the sudden urge to now.

‘‘Do you think love could be pretty?’‘ 

‘‘Such an abstract concept, what a mind you have.’‘ Lara giggled.  Your heart jumped.

‘‘I’m sorry, it’s a bad habit of mine, blurting things out so suddenly.  One of the reasons why nobody talks to me.’‘ 

‘’I’m glad to be one of the few,’‘ She raised her hand and landed it on your head, caressing it softly.

‘‘But love would certainly look pretty on you.’‘ Crimson flushed against your cheeks, you put a hand on your cheek and stuttered.  Lara realized what she had said and cleared her throat.

‘‘Excuse me for that.’‘ A few seconds was help up in the air between both of you, and Lara was the one to break the silence again.

‘‘How old are you, (y/n)?’‘ Flipping the pages of the book in front of her, her voice seemed different.  More shy than before.

‘‘I’m only 18.’‘ Lara’s eyes widened. 

‘‘Wow, you’re pretty young.  I guess you could call me an older sister.’’ 

‘‘How old are you?’‘ 

‘‘23.  Pretty awkward isn’t it?’‘ Thoughts suddenly started swarming in your little head.  A love story between an archeologist and a puny librarian? Impossible.

“Not at all! I like talking to older people.’‘ That came out pretty awkward.  Instead, the both of you giggled it out.

‘‘I guess I should get going.  I have to meet a friend.’‘ Your heart dropped, did she already have a significant other? Lara smirked at you and took a step forward, almost as if she were towering over you, claiming dominance.  Almost as if...

Your lips almost were to touch.

‘‘Relax.  It’s just a friend, a long time friend.’‘ 

‘‘If you’d like, you could come to the mansion sometime.’‘ 

‘‘I’d love to!’‘ Your voice was so loud that everyone in the library heard you.

‘‘That’s a promise.  May I have your cellphone?’‘ You handed your phone to Lara, and you watched as she punched in some digits.  She dialed the number and her phone started ringing.  

‘‘Now we have a way of contacting each other.’‘ Surprised as you were, you just nodded in compliance. 

‘‘See you sometime, Ms. cute librarian (y/n).’‘ With her back turned, she raised a hand to bid you farewell.  Your heart was still thumping in your chest.