You've Found Oliver (You've Reached Sam, #2)(13)
You shouldn’t be
Sam was very lucky to have you as a friend
I smile at this.
That really means a lot
What’s your name by the way?
Ben
You?
Oliver
Nice to finally put a name to this number
Same
Did you watch the video?
They also do Sweet Jane too. Was listening to it a second ago
Gonna add it to my playlist right now
But let me know what you think
Have to finish up this assignment before midnight
I will
glad we got to chat again
I am too
It’s nice to know who’s on the other side
The conversation ends. But now we know each other’s names. I’m smiling as I lie back down. I should really get some work done, too. At least read a couple chapters or something. Instead, I play the video he sent and let the music fill the room.
“Ben.”
I whisper his name to myself. The boy with Sam’s phone number. I read over the messages again.
It’s nice to know who’s on the other side.
Chapter
Four
James E. Brooks Library is a labyrinth of liminal space. I spent the morning wandering the second floor, collecting books left out on the endless shelves. One wrong turn could send me straight to The Backrooms. I’ve been working here for a few weeks. It’s part of a federal work-study program for students with financial needs. It’s honestly a nice gig so far.
Once the cart is full, I roll it back to the circulation desk. Rami is checking out someone’s book as I take the seat next to him. He’s a first-year like I am. I see he’s still working on his little project. Someone dropped a copy of Swann’s Way in a bathtub, damaging most of the pages. I told Rami we should just put in an order for a new one, but he brought in a flat iron to straighten out every page.
“It’s starting to look like new,” I say.
“Don’t lie to me,” he groans, lowering his straightener. “I’ve spent six hours on this and I’m not even halfway done.”
“You know they don’t pay us extra for that, right?”
Rami sighs. “I’m trying to get a raise, okay?”
“I don’t think the pay is negotiable.”
“Then what am I burning my fingers for?” Rami tosses the book into the recycling and crosses his arms. I let him take a break while I help the next person in line.
I spend the next hour sorting through a cart full of go-backs, pausing to check my phone every few minutes. I texted Ben this morning, letting him know I watched the Velvet Underground concert last night. To be honest, it almost put me to sleep. I wasn’t a fan of the band when Sam was alive, and I wouldn’t say I am now. But I wanted something to text Ben about.
I’m sure Ben will respond eventually. He’s probably just in class right now. I read over our previous messages in the meantime.
“What are you smiling about?”
I look up from my phone. Rami is sipping an iced coffee, a brow raised at me.
“Nothing,” I say.
“It’s not Nolan, is it? Because you’re not supposed to be talking to him.”
“How do you know about…” I pause. Because the answer is obvious. “Is Julie having you keep tabs on me?”
Rami shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not.”
I had a feeling she asked some of our friends to watch over me, but I can’t believe she would take it this far. Rami and I only see each other at work. I don’t need him keeping track of my every move. How many other people does she have spying on me?
“Well, stop that. You don’t work for her, okay?”
“Yeah, but she kind of scares me.”
I let out a breath. Frankly, Julie scares a lot of people. Some might even describe her as unlikable at times. I mean, it took her a few years to show me her softer side. But now she’s my best friend in the world. “She only pretends to bite,” I say.
“I’m not taking any chances. She has quite the…reputation in the English department.” He takes another sip of coffee and turns back to his keyboard.
Honestly, you’ve got to respect her for leaving an impression. And at least I know she’s doing this out of love. I turn my chair around, checking my phone again. Still no response from Ben. But there’s a text from someone else. Speak of the devil herself.
Hey. Are you still taking my mom’s seminar?
Yeah I was planning to
Isn’t it right now?
I glance at the time. The class started ten minutes ago.
shittt
Oh Oliver…
I should have planned my work schedule better. I tell Rami to cover for me for the next two hours. Then I grab my bag and sprint out the doors.
Julie’s mom is a professor in the philosophy department. The course is called Disrupting the Senses. For some reason, it’s cross-listed in psychology, film and media studies, religious studies, and also German. Apparently, she has a reputation of being a little out there. I’m hopeful she’ll be lenient on the grading. I mean, I have dinner at their house all the time. I’ve even helped with the dishes before. I’m sure that should give me some favoritism.