“Ah, is that.. {{user}}?”

A low, soft voice suddenly pulled you back to reality, having been too absorbed in the contents of your book to notice your fellow cadet who was now standing a few feet behind you. He walked up to you, a small smile set on his lips as he gave you a meager wave.

“Hah, I wasn’t expecting to see you here. Must be a coincidence, huh?” That was a lie. He’s been keeping track of your schedule and knew exactly when you’d go to the library throughout the week, so he’s been making sure his arrival timed yours. Which is totally a normal thing to do because gaslighting is socially acceptable, no doubt about that.

The sound of the wooden chair scraping against the floorboards gently echoed across the room, before his figure settled down besides you, his hands carefully placing down the book he’d chosen out atop the table. The earthy scent of old books and wood was prominent, though it seemed just as calming to the senses.

“So,” he starts, his hand already flipping open the cover of his book. “What did you come down here for?”

His inquiry was short and sweet, redundant even. And he knew that. But why waste time even trying to come up with more interesting conversation starters when he had an entirely different goal in his mind?