Where the Red Thread Leads

Brendon had been staring at the same page for almost ten minutes.

He glanced at the clock above the library entrance, and somehow, he'd managed to read nothing at all.

Bored, he sighed and leaned back in his chair.

Fourth year.

Somehow, he had managed to survive three years of college.

One more year, he thought.

Somehow, he was supposed to know what he wanted to do with his life.

That's what everyone kept telling him.

His professors asked about it. His parents nagged him about it every chance they got. Even his friends had started making plans about what they should do after they graduated.

Brendon had no plans.

No sight for the future.k

Unless surviving every semester counted.

"You're still stuck reading the same page you were studying when I left?"

Brendon looked up, already annoyed.

Elias dropped his backpack onto Brendon's lap and sat down next to him.

"I wasn't studying."

Elias stared at him intently.

"Then what are you doing?"

"Looking at the page."

"For ten minutes?"

"It's a very interesting page," Brendon answered sarcastically.

Elias leaned toward Brendon to see what he was reading.

"It's about ancient civilization and myths?."

"Exactly."

"You don't even like history."

"I like to pretend that I'm smarter than I look."

Elias grinned.

"That explains your grades."

Brendon closed the book and annoyedly asked,

"Why are you here, Elias?"

"To rescue you."

"From what?"

"From your own stupidity."

Brendon smiled.

Elias had been Brendon's friend since their first year of college. Because of their almost identical personalities and sense of humor, they had instantly clicked.

They had survived failed assignments, terrible group projects, sleepless nights of cramming and reviewing, and several professors who seemed personally offended by their very existence.

If there was one person Brendon expected to still be around him like a fruit fly after graduation, it was Elias.

Not because they had any sort of plan for the future.

They never really needed one in the first place.

They just figured they'd figure things out when the time came.

Elias pulled out his phone.

"You have any plans after this?"

"No. Why?"

"Good. There's this new place opening near campus."

"A restaurant?"

"A bookstore."

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"You? You're inviting me to a bookstore?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because you're the only person I know close enough to spend six hours going around a bookstore and leave without buying anything."

"That's called being financially responsible."

"That's called being broke."

"Asshole."

Brendon laughed quietly.

For a moment, everything felt normal and at peace.

The quiet hum of the air conditioner.

The occasional sound of turning pages.

Students whispering to each other.

The librarian shushing everyone.

The smell of old paper.

The soft afternoon sunlight coming through the library windows, hitting his skin.

Brendon liked the library.

It was one of the few places on campus where nobody expected anything from him. It was a place where he could be at peace.

He could sit there for hours, relaxed, and pretend that he had everything figured out.

The next day he went back to the library to finish his assignments.

He reached for his favorite book again.

Then he stopped.

Someone was standing on the other side of the shelf.

A girl.

She was reaching for the same book.

Brendon glanced at her hand.

Then at his own.

Both of them reached for it at almost the same time.

She stopped.

So did he.

"You can take it," she whispered.

Brendon smiled.

"I was going to say that."

She tilted her head.

"So we're stuck."

"Apparently."

She looked at the cover.

"Have you read this before?"

"No."

"Then why do you want it?"

Brendon looked down at the book.

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"I really liked the title."

She laughed softly.

"That might be the worst reason I've ever heard."

"It's worked for me so far."

She pulled her hand away from the book.

"Fine. You win."

Brendon picked up the book.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

She started to walk away.

Brendon hesitated for a moment.

He didn't know why.

He had no reason to stop her.

He didn't even know her name.

"Hey!" Brendon called.

She turned around, startled.

"Yeah?"

Brendon held the book toward her.

"You still want to read it?"

She smiled.

"Maybe."

He handed the book to her.

"Then we can share."

She looked at the book, then back at him, still smiling.

"Are you always this friendly toward strangers?"

"No," he replied.

"Then why me?"

Brendon thought for a second.

"I liked your smile."

She smiled again.

"I'm Cecilia."

"Brendon."

"I know."

Brendon blinked, confused.

"You know me?"

She shrugged.

"College isn't that big, especially for a town like this."

Brendon nodded slowly.

"Right."

Cecilia glanced down at the book in her hands.

"Well... thanks."

She gave him one last smile before turning around and walking away.

Brendon watched her disappear between the shelves.

Elias suddenly appeared behind him, startling him.

"Who was that?"

Brendon nearly jumped.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

"You're annoying."

"And you're interested."

"I'm not."

Elias grinned.

"Whatever you say, lover boy."

Brendon looked toward the aisle where Cecilia had disappeared.

He didn't know it yet, but that brief conversation would become the beginning of the strangest year of his life.

Nothing more.

At least, that's what he thought.