Misread

The moment Kayla stepped into the library, the lights began to dim, one by one. The man at the front desk had just put on his coat, and cleared his throat to warn Kayla of their office hours.

“Sorry, we’re closing in ten minutes,” he said, without even looking up.

And he looks like he’s about to leave, Kayla thought. “I’m just looking for something, I’ll be quick.” Panting, she makes her way to the nonfiction section downstairs, searching for a book that might possibly relieve her in the midst of her ten minutes.

Suddenly, a librarian caught her off guard. The name tag read ‘Sharon’, and she let out the loudest yawn that no one has ever heard. It felt like a thunderstorm, echoing through the halls and ricocheting off of each bookshelf that even the pigeons outside scattered away out of fear. Sharon herself was just sleeping in an upright position on a sofa near the staircase, with a phone in her hand, and her mouth wide open.

Kayla, still panting, but now for a different reason, stood up on her tippy toes. Her hands reached the big fat book on the very top shelf, and even though she was able to get it off, her balance shifted.

Yet somehow, without missing a doubt, someone catches her from behind. Kayla looked up to thank the person, yet she froze in surprise of their familiar gaze. Fixing her stance, she turned around to face the random man who kept her from falling.

“Missed me?” The said-person asked, with a satisfied smug on his lips. His eyes narrowed down at hers, with his hands still wrapping Kayla’s waist. He leaned forward to what almost seemed to be a kiss, but he whispered into her ears that sent a shiver down her spine.

“Oh my God, Kevin!” Kayla said.

“Oh come on, and what is that in your hand, huh?” He laughed, and Kayla shook her head in disdain.

“No, just stop!”

“Hey, hey. It’s all good. So what’s a Bible doing there in your arms?”

Kayla shoved him away like it was her job with very smooth ease. “It’s none of your business.”

“Hmm, I think it is. You have no idea how much I prayed for this moment.”

“Shut up,” she said while rolling her eyes. “I’m actually studying it for my Art History class, thank you very much.”

“Okay, but still, it’s a good start,” Kevin smirked. He looked her up and down, visibly turned on by the fact that his atheist ex-girlfriend was looking into Bibles. Ignoring what she had just said, he formed the thought that this was because she wanted to regain his attention and maybe, just maybe get back together.

“Just leave me alone, please? Besides, I’m late for something. And the guy at the front desk said they’re closing in… about eight minutes now.” Kayla checked her watch to make sure of the time and walked her way up the staircase.

Still following behind, Kevin didn’t quite seem to get the memo. “Late for what? A Bible study? Can I join?”

Now at the front desk, Kayla checked out the Bible while dropping off some books in the returning slot. When she’s done, she released a heavy exhausted sigh that reverberated that literally shook Kevin to his core.

“No, I’m just using this to help study for my class. I have a test and it’s about paintings of Jesus Christ. I need to know this stuff.”

“Okay now hol’ up,” Kevin put his hands up as if his eye contact was caught by the police. “I’m just surprised that you’re interested in Christianity, Kayla. You never wanted to go to church with me, and yet here you are, checking out a Bible at the library. That says a lot.”

Just another unnecessary inconvenience, Kayla thought. Then she placed the Bible in her backpack and stepped outside.

“No, I’m serious. This is amazing! Can I interest you with a quick summary? Just hear me out,” Kevin pleaded. At this point, the man’s curiosity was so eager that it became unreasonably creepy for such a gray cloudy day.

“Kevin, you’re not getting it. I know I’m not interested in this stuff, but it plays a huge role in art history and I need to know the basics,” she said, losing her temper.

“Art history? You signed up for that?” he smiled even more, throwing up his arms and tightly embraced her with a claustrophobic squeeze.

“Yes but just because I’m taking it doesn’t mean I’m actually into this stuff. I had no choice.”

“Well, when you say it like that, now I’m disappointed.”

“Precisely. So go home.”

“Aight, fine. Praying for you though!”

“Ugh!” Kayla huffed, and walked by the bus stop right in front. She thought about her encounter with Kevin, and how it brought up old memories. The days when religion and politics didn’t matter to them, the days when they were simply in love and didn’t have a care for the world. She smiled, and as the bus approached, she confirmed her ID to the driver and sat up in the front.

When the bus had made its final stop, Kayla thanked the driver as one does, and walked to a building with brick walls and two floors. The label on the main entrance doors read, ‘North Boston Community Church’, and she went inside, looking around with amazed eyes.

“There you are,” a woman said, who looked to be around Kayla’s age. “We were waiting for you! Not him though. Kevin’s always late.”

Without needing to turn around, Kayla spoke in a monotone, robotic manner. “Of course he is, hey Kevin.”

“Oh, we got a new member! Welcome to Bible Study!” Kevin hugged her for the first time since God knows when. He acted nice and friendly as everyone knew him by, but he felt anxious knowing that Kayla was super against his beliefs and how she’s just there to gather intel for her upcoming test. While he was faking his smile, Kayla’s was genuine. He was confused by this, so naturally, he dragged her aside to talk.

“What are you doing here? What are you gonna tell them when they find out you hate them and this is all fake?” He asked.

“They won’t as long as you don’t tell them.”

“But-”

“Don’t. Please? I really like these people.” She replied.

He nodded and they returned to the group, following them into the fellowship room filled with the smell of pizza, fried chicken, French fries and sodas. So everybody sat down and prepared plates for the food while passing out pamphlets with the study’s overview for that day.

“So, Kayla, I know you’ve already introduced yourself before, but since Kevin wasn’t here last week, would you like to talk a little bit about yourself?” The host asked.

“Um, okay. What- what do I talk about?”

“You know, like where you’re from, why you’re here, and what your goals are for this study?”

Kayla turned to look at Kevin who was side-eyeing her.

“Well, actually…”