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itwasrealtome · 8 months

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Uncharted Love — Part One

— A New Kickoff

•••

Chapter two

Adrenaline Rush

"It's ironic how you feel most alive when your heart skips a few beats."

— From author and poet, Atticus.

•••

The early morning sun painted the city streets with a gentle golden hue as Ellie pedaled her road bike towards Willow Brook library. A light breeze rustling the leaves on the trees, carrying with it the promise of a new day. With each turn of wheels, the blonde could feel the cool morning air against her skin, a refreshing contrast to the warmth that would soon envelop the city.

Her road bike tires glided over the pavements, creating a rhythmic hum that seemed to sync with her own heartbeat. The familiar route to her workplace had become a comforting routine, a moment of solace before the bustling activities of the day took over. Plus, it meant she didn't have to drive with Carter, one hand around her seatbelt and the other clinging to the handle.

As she navigated through the streets, her thoughts meandered, each pedal stroke helping to clear her mind. She realized the place didn't matter much. It could have been San Francisco, Los Angeles, or right here in this new city, the feeling of freedom remained the same. And with that, a little peace of mind.

With some extra pedal strokes, the library's grand facade came into view, its mid-modern architecture standing in stark contrast to the residential world around it. Ellie slowed down, her gaze shifting from the towering windows that hinted at the vast collection of knowledge within to the almost empty parking lot, where a few vehicles she had learned to recognize were already parked. To no one's surprise, Carter hadn't arrived yet, probably still snoring at the bottom of his bed.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Ellie unstrapped her helmet and shook out her hair, letting the wind tease away any remnants of sleepiness. She locked her bike on a frame, hooking the key to the carabiner that hung from her jeans before she made her way to the personnel entrance of the building.

The library's interior was a different world altogether, the hushed ambiance differing from the bustling city outside. Ellie knew the chance she had to savor the tranquility of the establishment before it opened. It was too early to hear the quiet chatter and page-turning, but she could already picture the crowd taking over the place. In a little over an hour, the youngest children will be taking over the activity tables, while the older ones will be dipping their noses into the day's news and large print novels.

Ellie would be lying if she said she didn't have a favorite floor after those two weeks. Witnessing students storming tables and scattering books and documents all over it was a sight she adored. She couldn't help the wave of nostalgia washing over her every time she stood on that floor. Looking back, she missed college and wondered if she'd done the right thing following this path. Should she be lucky, she'd be stationed on this floor in the afternoon, away from noisy children and bitter customers.

For the time being, only her own footsteps echoed through the corridors. She followed the same path up to the top floor she did on her first day, greeting any of her colleagues already on hand. Her desk, amidst the others, appeared more furnished than at first, with stacks of books and documents filling the void. Also, Carter had successfully invaded her space with a picture of them taped on her pencil cup. He had insisted on immortalizing the moment in front of their new desks, a smile on each of their faces. It wasn't much, but Ellie was glad she could just lift her eyes and get a glimpse of her friendship with the young man.

It never failed to bring a smile to her face.

Slumped into her office chair, she took the time to observe her surroundings and take them in. Take in the way the morning sun reflected its rays on the wall clock's silver hands that showed nine o'clock. The way the desk opposite hers always seemed messier than the others. The way she could easily see the cultural manager's already highly focused expression as she worked in her office.

In the quiet, she found a certain comfort she had no memory of. Her loft was silent too, but here, it was different. All she had to do was look up to find someone to talk to. The smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, overpowering the fine musty odor Ellie couldn't seem to get rid of. And, she could keep her hands busy, deep in thought, without hurting herself doing who knows what kind of restoration work.

With a yawn, the blonde decided it was time to honor her own promise. She shuffled into the break room, her steps barely making any sound on the polished floor, as her eyes zeroed on the coffee machine like a sailor spotting land after days at sea. It had been her dream for days, tempted daily by the warm smell that haunted the corridors of the library. Something that could barely be called coffee was no longer enough to keep her going, and if she kept downing it every morning, she was convinced she'd end up sick.

With a sense of purpose, Ellie approached high-tech office equipment, the anticipation of that first sip of caffeine infusing her with a renewed sense of energy, even as she stifled another yawn. Brows furrowed in concentration, she tried to make sense of the array of buttons and levers before her. With an ounce of hope, she placed her cup in the right place, pushing a button as if to set the contraption in motion. The machine only made a faint sputtering sound, followed by an eerie silence, prompting the young woman to kick the floor with her foot in frustration.

—Oh, come on, now!

As if her persistence alone could coax the stubborn machine into submission, Ellie jabbed at the buttons a few more times, muttering some complaints under her breath. She stared at the device in pure annoyance, her hands slightly shaking in agitation. All she wanted was a cup of coffee. She had graduated with a bachelor's degree, couldn't she operate a simple piece of machinery?

—Hey there, need some help?

Startled, she turned to find Johanna leaning against a nearby countertop, a mix of amusement and worry dancing in her eyes. Ellie offered her a sheepish grin, her cheeks taking on a pinkish tinge of embarrassment.

—I'm starting to think this thing has a vendetta against me.

The cultural manager's laugh rang out, warm and inviting, as she approached with an air of easy confidence. Ellie couldn't prevent a smile from forming on her face at this sight. She watched as the brunette's deft fingers navigated the array of buttons, her eyes widening in awe when, with a swift motion, a stream of rich, dark, coffee began to flow into the waiting mug.

—H-how did you do that?

—Years of practice, my dear. Johanna winked, a proud smile curving her lips.

Ellie let out a soft sigh, one of relief and recognition. As the brunette handed her the mug, their fingers brushed in a fleeting touch, sending a shiver down the youngest's spine. Ellie cleared her throat, the pinkish complexion returning to her cheeks. She hoped it would hide the unexpected jolt of electricity that had surged through her at the contact.

—Thanks, she managed, her voice a little unsteady. I really needed that.

Johanna leaned back against the counter, her posture relaxed as she regarded Ellie with genuine interest.

—Tough day? she asked as if the sun hadn't just risen.

Ellie took a tentative sip of her black coffee, her gaze distant as she considered the question. If she were to briefly evaluate her life, she'd say that sometimes she doesn't even know if it's her own head she's carrying on her shoulders anymore. She missed the last few years of her life, when she was able to do what she always loved. Now, her little pleasure was to start the day with a coffee she hadn't even been able to brew herself.

—Tough life..?

Her questioning tone brought a smile to Johanna's face. The brunette nodded in sympathy, her hand patting Ellie's shoulder with the aim to comfort her. It wasn't much but the youngest could actually feel a wave of warmth wash over her as if her world was regaining some of its colors. She embraced the feeling, hoping it would help reload her social batteries a little.

—I remember you mentioning a new beginning, how are you adjusting?

Once again, Ellie took the time to considered Johanna's question. No one had asked her since she moved to the city. Not even Carter had taken the time to worry, probably too busy with whatever was keeping him on his toes. Yet, how could she blame him knowing what he went through on a daily basis? Being alone was much better than that.

—It's different, shrugged Ellie. Not exactly what I had in mind for myself, but... I'll get used to it.

—I'm sure you will. Don't forget, life is not meant to be linear. You'll find your own path anytime soon.

With another pat on the shoulder, Johanna nodded for Ellie to follow her through the corridors. They walked at a slow pace, chatting a bit more about that new beginning which seemed to upset the younger woman more than she cared to admit. She confessed some matters she had kept to herself until then, including the fact that her loft remained a battlefield, or that the only people she saw on a daily basis were Carter and her co-workers. Of her former life, she had no news, as if it had never existed.

At the anthill's gates, Johanna took the time to reassure Ellie one last time, bringing a smile to both their faces, before slipping away to her own office. Eyes glued to her back, the cultural manager returned to her room, exchanging a few words with other colleagues on the way.

Meanwhile, behind her, the blonde found her own desk too, the smell of hot coffee giving her a boost of courage. She was almost settled, her mug resting on a colorful underside, when a voice she knew all too well came through.

—Hi-ya boss, feeling good? Carter asked Samuel, whom he had already warmed up to. And how's my favorite partner today?

He fell back in his seat, eagerly gazing at Ellie over their laptops. She plunked herself down a little further in her seat, mug back in her hands, as she rolled her eyes at the sight of her friend's goofy grin.

—Like I'm your favorite.

—No, you're right.

He pushed himself up on his chair until he reached the back of the desk facing his own. One of his arms wrapped around Ellie's shoulders, while he raised the other to point in the direction of a certain office. The young woman eyed him sideways, unimpressed by what she would call yet another desperate attempt.

—She is my favorite. I'd give anything for you to swap desks with her.

—Dream on, you dum-dum! Ellie withdrew his arm from her shoulders, pushing him away. She'll never be that into you.

Carter feigned immense pain, a hand slamming down on his chest. From what Ellie could remember, he'd taken acting classes throughout his school years. She didn't have the heart to tell him he still had work to do if he wanted to reach Hollywood. So she arched an eyebrow, a sneer hanging from her lips.

—You do realize this is a woman we're talking about, not one of those college girls who used to chase you all the time, right? Carter nodded, quick-witted. She is a grown woman, with two children, who went through a terrible divorce.

—That's what I say, she needs a man.

—Yeah, Carter, a man! Ellie resumed mockingly. Not some college boy who can't even get to work on time.

The young blond turned his head eagerly towards the huge clock. It was already a quarter past, and he was indeed late. A grunt left his mouth as he pushed his chair back to his own desk. He took out most of his belongings, tearing a chocolate bar wrapper in the process.

—I can work on that, he mumbled, his teeth biting off some of the delicacy.

For the rest of the morning, Ellie tried desperately to ignore her friend's wacky ideas. Plunging her headphones into her ears once her lunch break had begun, she let Samuel take charge of Carter for once. She ate in the solitude of her desk, her gaze occasionally wandering to Johanna who seemed oblivious to the time, still locked in her office under the blue light of her computer's screen.

In the early afternoon, she had the privilege of settling in on her favorite floor, soon filled with students in search of knowledge. She appreciated the calm, the way everything seemed to be in its place. Closing her eyes, she could almost feel herself back in the college library, all the noises reminding her of the many long evenings she'd spent there.

It certainly wasn't the life she'd imagined living at that age, but it was a blessing all the same. Something she knew she could work with, no matter for how long. It was better than anything she'd known in the past, better than what should have been her own home, even better than than the hardest sides of college.

As she made her way to her desk for the last time of the day to collect her things, Ellie decided to give herself a chance. It was a new beginning, and as Johanna had reminded her, life was far from linear. With an open mind, she'd surely be open to life's surprises, like the delicate package waiting for her on her desk.

She took it in hand, gently, turning it in each direction until a small card fell from the ribbon. The ink was shiny black, highlighting the curls of the writing. The blonde couldn't tell who it was from at first glance. It was definitely an unfamiliar script.

The card simply read:

"For your adrenaline rush. — J.A"

XXX

Taglist:

@womenlovingwomen-imagines @emskisworld @sammi1642 @marvelandotheruniversesloveradhd @wittygutsy

#Unchartedlove #newkickoff #chapter two #elliewalker #Willowbrookstory #sapphic novel

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itwasrealtome · 8 months

Text

Uncharted Love — Part One

— A New Kickoff

•••

Chapter One

WillowBrook Library

"I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end."

—From Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

•••

—Willowbrook, here we come!

Carter maneuvered the car skillfully, attempting to find the perfect spot in front of the bustling library.

The beige building towered four stories above them, hardly as impressive as the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. or the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. Still, the site seemed to offer locals a wide range of knowledge and a few ways to get lost.

Glancing at his co-pilot, the young man couldn't help but notice her distant expression as she hummed along to the song playing on the speaker. He was aware of the change of scenery this was for her and couldn't help feeling worried for her. Coming here felt like the best thing to do, but maybe— maybe, they were both wrong.

—Hey, Ellie, everything's okay? Carter asked, his concern evident in his voice.

The car finally came to a halt, allowing Ellie to step out of it and take a few steps back. With a pensive look on her face, she paused for a moment, her head tilting slightly to the right — a familiar habit of hers.

After what felt like hours, she walked back up to the second-hand vehicle, finally addressing a glance to the driver.

—You know what, Carter? For a first attempt, you've done pretty good.

Carter's brows furrowed slightly.

—Good? I don't want good, Ellie. I want great, he replied, a hint of determination in his voice.

With a playful spark in her eyes, the blonde grabbed her belongings from the truck and playfully tapped the back of the car.

—Can't always have what we want, Tee'. C'mon, grab your stuff or we'll be late, she urged, her impatience growing.

Carter snorted, realizing he needed to keep up with his friend's energy. He quickly retrieved his bags and boxes and joined her, both of his arms loaded with stuff. The blonde didn't even bother, finding her way to the entrance without so much as a frown in his direction.

Together, they walked to the library, their footsteps echoing with anticipation.

As they took their first steps inside the building, the familiar scent of books filled their nostrils, instantly invoking a sense of comfort and adventure. The interior was a labyrinth of bookshelves, each aisle leading to a different world waiting to be explored. The soft murmur of hushed-conversations and the occasional page-turning created a serene atmosphere.

Ellie could not help but feel a sense of wonder as she glanced around, her eyes scanning the rows upon rows of books. It was as if she could feel the knowledge and stories contained within each volume, waiting to be discovered.

The library, though not in grand size, held a charm of its own, beckoning them to embark on a literary journey. In a matter of time, Carter lost sight of his friend, who had vanished down the aisles. He set his belongings down in a corner, taking refuge on one of the beanbags available to users.

What was the point of standing around if he had to wait hours after a bookworm?

While he kept himself busy on his smartphone, Ellie paced the rows, her interest growing with every book she set eyes on. She'd always had a knack for getting lost in places like this, intoxicated by the smell of paper and stunned by the number of words floating around her.

As a child, her mother always joked that she'd end up leaving her there, in their favorite bookshop, and that she'd pick her up a few hours later. In the end, the young child would always emerge with a stack of books, a welcome escape from her hectic daily routine.

Her fingers delicately traced the spines, in search of a literary treasure she might dive into. Driven by curiosity, she had often abandoned detective novels and thrillers for other genres. Literature classics had been part of her daily routine as a student, while psychological and sociological studies and romance novels had found their way onto her bookshelf by chance. Today, her heart was beating again for a classic in the detective genre.

Her thumb slid over the weathered writing. Despite wear and tear, it was still possible to detect the name of the author, Thomas Harris.

Ellie couldn't help remembering her previous readings. She had devoured every word of the Hannibal Lecter series, taking her books everywhere she went, notes scribbling down every page. Now, she wanted more. More investigations, more fear, more terrifying incarnations of evil. She needed to give herself that.

—Looking for an adrenaline rush?

Lost in her thoughts, Ellie startled as the voice broke the silence behind her. Book in hand, she pivoted on the back of her heels, a lock of her blond hair falling in front of her eyes. She couldn't help smiling slightly at her interlocutor's embarrassed expression. Being the reason behind a heart attack was therefore not in this woman's plans.

—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

At five-foot-five, Ellie had to slightly lower her gaze to meet the woman's hazel eyes, being at least one at two heads taller than her. She took the time to pay attention to the way her mid-length brown hair framed her face and how her smile gave her features a more approachable and sympathetic look. The blonde's silence meant nothing. She always needed time before talking to stranger.

—No problem, really. I tend to forget reality a bit quickly in places like this.

—It's a good thing, actually, we needed someone like you here, Ellie!

A laugh escaped the younger woman as she realized the situation. She quickly extended her hand in the brunette's direction, clasping the one already intended for her. Unlike her own, the hand of what was to be her new colleague was warm and welcoming. She could only feel annoyed by the cold emerging from her fingers.

—Now, I guess, it's my turn to apologize. Ellie instantly bit her lips, nervous. It's a pleasure to finally meet you...

—Johanna Adams. I'm the cultural manager, we spoke by e-mail.

—Oh, right. Well, it's great to finally put a face to the name.

As they got to know each other better, Ellie finally lost sight of the books she was so interested in. Instead, following her new guide towards what seemed to have become her friend's new hiding place.

Carter was slumped on the beanbag, his head bopping to the electric rhythm his headphones sent deep into his eardrums. Next to him was all his bags and boxes, trying to compete with the good old Leaning Tower of Pisa. For nothing in the world would he have noticed Ellie's return, or even Johanna's presence.

Unable to resist any longer, Ellie kicked him in the calf. The young man immediately opened his eyes, his hand instinctively protecting the affected area. He glanced accusingly at the blonde, a pinching remark on the tip of his tongue. With a simple clear throat, she told him to be quiet. They didn't need to show their true selves right from the start.

Arms folded against her chest, Ellie nodded at her new acquaintance. The brunette didn't seem impressed by the behavior of the two newcomers, letting out a smile as Carter scrambled to his feet and apologized. The flush on his cheeks was just one more reason to tease him afterwards.

Amused, Ellie made the presentations, her hands behind her back, waddling on the back of her heels. As she had done before, Johanna explained to the blond that their supervisor, Samuel Hawkins, had been unable to welcome them and show them around, so she volunteered to replace him.

—We'll start with a tour of the building, then I'll let you guys settle in at your desks.

If the young woman seemed to have lost her way in the aisles on the ground floor, she was not at the end of her surprises. The cultural manager led them through the floors, slaloming between the various literary collections. There was something for everyone, from the very young to the very old, from culinary enthusiasts to fans of the classics. Yet, while the two women turned their attention to the tour, Carter seemed to have eyes only for their guide.

He took care to slow his pace, following a little further, his gaze also a little lower than it should have been. Every word about the library didn't even reach his mind, failing to make any sense compared to the woman's silhouette.

On the stairs, his feet became entangled, causing him to lose his balance. He caught himself on the banister, clutching Ellie's arm with his other hand. She gave him a curious look, not yet fully acclimatized to his awkwardness. As discreetly as possible, he nodded to Johanna, a look of adoration on his face.

As much as they both knew how to appreciate a woman's beauty under normal circumstances, this was neither the time nor the place. It was Ellie's turn to grab his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

—Keep it together, Carter, she whispered, a scowl on her face. We're here to explore the library, not get distracted by our guide.

—Oh, c'mon El'. You can't tell me otherwise.

—Yes, I can. Now jus–

Someone cleared their throat, surprising both of them through their disagreement. Ellie held the blond's gaze, her eyes reflecting an unbearable seriousness and coldness.

—Just, behave.

Carter didn't need to be told twice. As much as Ellie often backed him in his nonsense, she had her own limits — him, had a hard time imposing some on himself.

—Is everything all right?

The two novices looked up at Johanna, a few steps above them. The blonde was the first to climb the few steps of difference, a fine smile returning on her lips even though her eyes didn't reflect it. She made up an excuse, not wanting to cause any trouble on their first day.

The older woman was overtook by Ellie, stuck on her step, a sympathetic look for Carter. As he climbed the last few steps, Johanna finally moved forward, leading them to the office part of the building.

It was certainly bigger than either of them could have imagined. As the door marked "Personnel Access Only" closed behind them, a long corridor appeared. The bay windows ran along one side of the wall, allowing the room to receive the sun's light and warmth. On her right, Ellie noted the location of the secretarial and manager's offices. Passing by, they respectfully greeted those present, quickly fleeing on Johanna's heels.

—Welcome to our little anthill, the brunette turned around, clasping her hands. This is where we work when we're not stationed on the floors below. Over there is my office, and here are your desks.

Stuck on the doorstep, the two friends took their time to assimilate all the information. It was a classic first day. The kind where people keep throwing all kinds of information at you, not caring if you've learned your lesson, or not.

Ellie felt dizzy in front of the immensity of the room. She had tried several times to imagine what her workspace would look like, but nothing her mind had created resembled reality.

The desks were cleverly laid out, with the various departments grouped side by side. In this way, she wasn't surprised to find hers opposite Carter's. They were supposed to work together, hand in hand, to implement each of the projects they had already discussed many times.

Nor was she surprised to note that the most senior positions were entitled to their own offices. They formed an L-shape along two sections of wall, barely separated from the rest of the room by glass. Among them, Ellie easily found the one with the name J.Adams on the door. From a distance, it looked organized, almost cozy. A vague resemblance to the person to whom the coin belonged.

—I'm gonna love this place!

Carter was the first to place his belongings on the desk bearing his name. He dropped into the wheelchair, spinning around several times, a bright smile on his face.

—Easy there, tiger, you'll get dizzy.

He stopped abruptly, a charming smile on his lips, his mouth acting before his brain.

—Oh, I know lots of other ways to get dizzy.

Ellie wished she could've palmed her face at that specific moment. She made a mental note about her friend needing a bit more lessons on flirting. Once again, she broke the silence, this time with a sincere smile.

—Thank you for showing us around, Johanna. We're both very happy to be working with all of you and look forward to adding our own touch to WillowBrook Library.

—You're very welcome, Ellie, smiled warmly the brunette. I have a feeling you'll bring something special to this place. If you ever need guidance or have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Ellie nodded gratefully. She watched the cultural manager carefully make her way to her desk, before taking her own seat.

Opposite her, the blond had already spread out his trinkets and invaded every mini-meter of space. She couldn't help feeling amused by the simple process. Carter had always been a boy whose mind needed space and was overflowing in every sense of the word.

Here, he expressed this by exhibiting a mini Star Wars figurine, several Polaroid photos and several of his favorite chocolate bars. In a way, it was very cute indeed.

By comparison, her desk seemed empty. Her bag was filled with what she considered to be basic necessities: her old university pencil case, her laptop, a half-read book and her water bottle. Even if she'd wanted to, she'd be hard-pressed to find anything else in her loft. The boxes were still stacked and the scotch was struggling to come undone – or was it the ties of the past?

Taking the first step with this job meant giving herself yet another chance in life for Ellie. And as she sank a little further into her seat, her gaze falling directly on Johanna's silhouette over Carter's shoulder, she knew she had to try. WillowBrook Library was the perfect place for a fresh start.

—WillowBrook, here we come.

XXX

Taglist:

@womenlovingwomen-imagines @emskisworld @sammi1642 @marvelandotheruniversesloveradhd @wittygutsy

#UnchartedLove #Chapterone #Willowbrookstory #sapphic novel #elliewalker #newkickoff #wlwnovel #wattpad

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