don't forget to source properly [open]

[endurancepoint]

WHO: Alex Rider & OPEN
WHAT: Studying... or trying to
WHERE: Library
WHEN: Thursday afternoon
WARNING(S): n/a

Hunched over a table tucked in a back corner of the library, Alex tapped the tip of his pencil against the paper in front of him. Several books were spread around him, open and marked with Post-Its covered in notes. He'd been trying to be a good student and get a head-start on his final paper for his history class, but actually getting started was always the hardest part.

Slowly letting out a breath, Alex started scribbling down an outline. He probably wouldn't actually finish the paper until the night before it was due, but he was going to make an honest effort.

Comments

[martyrerkomplex]

Who else, she wondered, did he think she could be talking to?

"I'm really sorry to bother you. I was just... um... You don't think you could help me reach something, do you?"

[endurancepoint]

Alex's eyes went from the piece of paper in her hand to the tall shelves all around them. Even he would need a ladder if he wanted to get to the top shelf.

"Sure," he said, pushing back his chair. "Which one are you trying to get?"

I'm so sorry, I fell out of my tagging zone for... like a week and a half...

[martyrerkomplex]

Krista glanced at her paper again, as she led him over towards the shelf. She pointed up to the second-highest one, to a thick blue volume near the middle of the shelf, then showed the paper to him to confirm the number.

"That one. The East India Company: Trade and Conquest. It isn't too much trouble, is it?"

It seemed like a bit of trouble, honestly, so the puppy eyes couldn't hurt.

[endurancepoint]

The puppy eyes weren't really necessary, but had Alex been unwilling to help, they might have worked.

"Trouble? No, no trouble at all."

After all, he had a full foot on her in height.

"British Empire module, huh?"

Reaching up, Alex pulled the book from the shelf. Though he had to extend his arm completely, he didn't have to raise up on his toes to reach the book. Turning, he held the book out to her.

"Here you go."

[martyrerkomplex]

Krista looked up at him, her smile small and grateful.

"19th century colonialism, but there's a lot of overlap, I'd guess.

"Thank you so much, um...?" She paused, as if waiting for his name.

[endurancepoint]

"Alex. Alex Rider."

He smiles down at her. Not cocky, or trying to impress, just friendly-like.

"So what class is this for? World History?"

[martyrerkomplex]

"Krista Lenz." Her name comes much more easily to her now than it did when she first transferred in at the beginning of the semester -- she's gotten used to using it.

Smiling back up at him, she nods.

"Yes, that's right. What are you studying for?"