Working amongst the shelves, you see things. Things that the employees at the desk don't see. Walking in the rows, you hear words spoken by anguished and joyous souls. Pieces of lives whispered in your ear, ears that are now privileged and haunted by what they know. For this is the life I lead, in contact every day with people I've never before seen, or that I see several times a week. We do have regulars, we also have strangers. And when I say strangers, bear in mind that not only are they hitherto unseen and unknown, but also unheard of. They're new, in every sense of the word. Bringing a new story, a new light or lack thereof, into the room. The room at the library. This is where I work.
It's summer, and in the summer we receive several teenagers here. Some I only see in the summer, some come at other times, and still others are entirely new. It's interesting to see and hear the ways and speech of these young people. I myself am only 19, but I feel old, quite old; therefor, anyone younger than myself by more than 6 months seems, in my eyes, a fresh life, a child – empty of experience and full of wonder. Some are more wonderful than others, but all have a story to tell.
Ashley and Trevon, best friends forever. Ashley seems to have more trouble than Trevon, though she doesn't bear the scars Trevon silently does. I feel uncomfortable and inept around Ashley; she has that affect on you, you know, the one where you feel she is royalty and you aren't worthy to look at her. Trevon, on the other hand, is quiet and smiles back. If I were to guess at their ages, I'd say they were around 17-18. If they were to guess at mine, they'd say I was 12. Because Ashley has it all together: she dresses the right way, talks the right way, walks the right way.. all she needs to do to be perfect is lose weight; that's what she tells herself. Trevon is a big lady; about 5'11 and heavy built. She listens to Ashley complain about her weight every day; one can only wonder what is going on in her head, “If she's overweight.. then I'm a whale.” They sit in the corners when Ashley has her way, far from all eyes but mine, and away from every one else's ears. If Trevon is fed up, or arrives first, she snags a computer, and Ashley pouts under the desk, messing with Trevon's feet. She's been seen laying on the floor, torso under the desk, just watching people stare at her. I've never quite understood this... If you want attention, shouldn't you do something good to get it?
There is a young man that comes in perhaps once a month during the summer, maybe more. I think his name is Trevor, though I can't be sure. He used to work here, in my position, so he doesn't talk to me. Observing him, I have to say... he's odd. Almost the essence of 'geek'. Glasses indoors, tie dye shirts, a shaggy uneven beard, long disheveled hair... and he speaks of the X-men as though they are gods. It appears that he and Ashley used to have a 'thing', whatever that means. She just hides from him now. To be honest, I don't why he is the one who seems to be confident. I suppose he's just more comfortable with himself. Kudos; more like him. He has a sister the same way; content. I don't know her name, but that's ok, she probably doesn't know mine. Her hair is purple and quite short, but she seems as if she came from an Amish community, she's so nice and quiet. Just goes to show: you can't judge a book by it's cover.
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