Chapter Seven - He's Raving Mad

“’Mad’ is a term we use to describe a man who is obsessed with one idea and nothing else.” ~Ugo Betti


Chapter Seven: He’s Raving Mad

BPOV

I managed to get through the past few days with Alice and Rosalie. I wasn’t sure how I managed, but I did. While Alice had seemed interested in everything I said, Rosalie did not. She was hot and cold. Sometimes she would smile at me and seem like she meant it, others she would scowl and make me feel small and useless. But I didn’t let it get to me. There was nothing I could do to change rooms, and I wasn’t going to buckle and give in to her absurdity.

It lightened my mood that I would only have to put up with her for one school year. The only downside to that was the idea of losing Alice. Somehow the little pixie had wormed her way right into my heart. I loved her like a sister, the sister I had always hoped I would someday have. She brought out the best and the brightest in people. Even Rosalie.

Today was the day that I would start my job at the library. Most of my classes would be morning classes with the exception of one. The library staff had been gracious enough to work around my schedule, meager as it was, and allow me to work the late afternoon shift into the evening. The bonus in that was that most of the students didn’t want that shift anyway. They would rather be hanging out with friends or partying instead of being stuck at the library all night.

Though I had begged for more hours, stating that I didn’t need the time off, they were insistent on me only working three days a week with an optional half day on Sunday. That meant I could escape Rosalie on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. She didn’t seem to care either way.

Alice on the other hand seemed disappointed that I would be spending every Friday evening at the library. She seemed to think that I needed a much rounder social life. I wasn’t as convinced. I had survived Forks with little to no social life at all. And I reiterated the point over and over that I hadn’t come here for dating and partying. I came here to get my degree and to better my chances of obtaining a good job.

The degree in English would open up so many options for me. I was considering either going into journalism or editing. Then there was that secret desire in the back of my mind to write my own novel. The creative writing courses would indeed assist in that aspect, but my shyness and self esteem were too low for me to consider opening myself up for criticism that way. Sure I could hold my own in an argument. Especially with the likes of Rose, but when it came to me and my life, I was extremely cautious.

I pushed those thoughts aside as I examined my newly revamped wardrobe. I was still a little irked about losing most of my more comfortable clothing. Most of the items left were more revealing than I liked and looked far from comfortable like my sweaters and sweatshirts that I had brought with me. The sweaters Alice had purchased were all cashmere or angora, or similar blends, and while they may be extremely soft, they didn’t have the same appeal to me that my cotton ones did. I wasn’t even going to think about how tight they all were either.

I settled on a light blue one that seemed to be slightly less divulging as the rest and grabbed my favorite pair of jeans. I decided on wearing my most comfortable pair of boots as well since I would be on my feet most of the evening. I had put my foot down on Alice replacing my shoes with heels and dress shoes. No matter how she had tried to bribe and coerce me, I stayed firm on not losing all of my shoes. Of course she had still bought eight new pair for me anyway, but I felt better that she had let me keep all but three pair of the ones from home.

I pulled my hair back into a braid and made my way to the main room of our dorm. Rosalie was sprawled across the chaise, as usual, perusing a fashion magazine.

“Where’s Alice?” Rosalie glanced over to me and gave me a once over, something else I was getting used to.

“Hmmm… I would have gone with a different pair of shoes, but overall you look adequate.” I rolled my eyes at her. I guess I wasn’t entirely used to having someone critique my appearance on a regular basis as I had initially thought.

“Gee thanks. Now where’s Alice?”

“Oh she’s out and about. Said something about a sale at one of those little boutiques we visited the other day,” she said, waving me off. I cringed inwardly, hoping that she wasn’t buying me anything else.

“Well, I’m off to the library.” I wasn’t sure why I told her, but I wanted to give her the common courtesy of knowing where I was. Old habit from Charlie, I guess.

“Yeah, whatever.” I ignored her and made my way out and down the stairwell.

Ever since my run-in with the bronze-haired Adonis, I had been anxious every time I went downstairs. I didn’t want to run in to him again. It wasn’t like I was trying to avoid him, but I couldn’t get over the humiliation of our first encounter. Aside from that, I couldn’t stop thinking about him and I certainly didn’t need any distractions while I was here.

When I told Alice I didn’t want a man I wasn’t lying. Or exaggerating. First of all I had absolutely no experience with relationships. Secondly, I didn’t want to give that much power to any one person. If you gave someone your heart, you gave them the means to break you or hurt you. I had no intention of letting either of those things happen to me.

Not only that, but what if something happened to them? My whole life I had been witness to Charlie’s torment over losing Renee. My memories of her were very vague and hazy. She had been so sick for so long, and she died when I was only 3 so I hadn’t really suffered overly much. As sad as it was, it was almost as if I didn’t have a mother at all. But Charlie remembered Renee. Charlie still held on to that memory now, even fifteen years later he still held on to his precious memories of his deceased wife. There was no way I would put myself in that position. I was content to go at it alone.

But for the first time in my life, there was a man that I just couldn’t shake. Sure there had been annoyingly over-attentive guys in high school, but I paid them no mind. Usually I just ignored them or told them I wasn’t interested. After the first three years, most of them had left me alone, labeling me as the ‘Ice Princess.’ Not that I cared. The few that still persisted were all still systematically deflected. It was the way I had wanted things.

Was I changing? There couldn’t be any possible way. I told myself over and over that there was absolutely no way I was going to get involved in a relationship. The bronze-haired Adonis was no different than any other guy. And that was final.


When I walked into the library I stopped in my tracks and just basked in the splendor and majesty. Nothing in my life, other than Charlie, could compare to my love of books. The few friends that I did have would all tease me about the fact that I’d rather spend a Friday night curled up with a good book than out gallivanting around the town. They called me a bibliophile and a nerd, but I didn’t care. What could be better than a good book?

I slowly made my way to the main reference desk looking for Mrs. Cope. She was my supervisor and was the one who would tell me what was expected of me. When I approached the desk, I saw a medium height blonde guy behind the desk, checking in the huge stack of books that lay on the counter. His name tag read ‘Mike.’

Hearing my approach, he glanced up from what he was doing and dropped the book he held in his hands, eyes wide, mouth hanging open. I immediately looked over my shoulder to see what could have cause such a reaction, but there was nothing there. I glanced to the left and right, still trying to determine what could have caused that look on his face, but like behind me, there was nothing around.

‘Mike’ still hadn’t come out of his daze, so I decided that I should probably talk to him. “Umm… hello?” That seemed to break him from his stupor.

“Can I,” his voice squeaked out and he cleared his throat to try again. “Can I help you?” I’m sure he thought that his voice sounded sexy and alluring, but it only made my skin crawl.

“I’m looking for Mrs. Cope.” If I kept my tone with him businesslike and straightforward maybe he would leave me alone. By the look in his eye I could tell it wasn’t going to work though.

“Of course…” he trailed off, waiting for me to supply him with my name.

“Isabella Swan. I’m supposed to be starting work today.”

“Of course, Isabella.” He tried purring my name, but it ended up sounding scratchy and forced.

“Bella, please.”

“Right this way then, Bella.” He opened the pass-through that led behind the desk. I wasn’t certain whether or not I should follow him though. The thought of being trapped behind the reference desk with him wasn’t very appealing, but I wanted this job and I could handle him if he got out of control.

I walked past him and waited for him to lead the way. He came up beside me and placed his hand at the small of my back, intending to lead me to the office, but I side-stepped him easily and gave him a haughty stare. I sincerely hoped that I wouldn’t have to start shooting down advances so quickly. His cheeks pinked up some and he ducked his head and led the way back.

When we got to the door marked ‘Office’ he gave a couple quick raps before opening the door. Behind the desk was sitting a short heavy set woman with wild red hair. Her glasses were slipping down her nose, but she had a warm smile on her face. “Is there something you need Mike?”

He stepped to the side to allow me to come into view. “Isabella Swan is here.”

“Bella.” I corrected him again and had a sinking feeling that I might have to do so continually before he got the picture. “Please, call me Bella.”

“Well hello, dear. My name is Mrs. Cope. Please come in and sit down.” I made my way past Mike, who was still standing in the doorway. My body brushed his as I tried to get by him and I heard him inhale softly, like he was sniffing me. I gave him another sharp look before finally getting into the room and went to sit in the chair across from Mrs. Cope.

She had a knowing smile on her face as she looked past me to where Mike was standing. “I think you can return to your station Mike. I can handle things from here.” She said it kindly, but you could hear the order behind the words. Mrs. Cope was a no-nonsense kind of woman. I immediately liked her better for it.

His face fell and he sent me one more longing glance before closing the door presumably making his way back to the reference desk. She turned her gaze back on me and the smile still lurked at the corners of her mouth. “You’ll have to excuse Mike. He’s a nice boy and he seems fairly harmless, if not a bit… odd.” I smiled and laughed softly at her description. She made him sound more like a golden retriever than a person. It was an apt comparison.

“Thank you Mrs. Cope.”

“Oh, dear. We aren’t that formal around here. Please call me Shelly.” She made me think of what a grandmother might be like, had I had a living one to compare her to. I did like her, very much.

“Okay Shelly. Thank you.” I gave her my brightest smile.

She rummaged through the piles of paper on her desk and pulled one out, as if she knew exactly where it had been the whole time. “I understand you worked in your high school library all four years you were there. Is that correct?”

“Yes ma’am. I also volunteered in the town library on the weekends.”

She smiled at me, looking very proud. “Then you won’t be needing very much training. I appreciate a worker that knows what they’re doing.”

“I love libraries ma’am. I love being around books and knowledge.” I wasn’t sure why I was opening up to her so much, but she just had that comfortable aura around her.

“Shelly, please. For now I’m just going to tell you a little about what’s expected of you, and then I’ll leave you to Mike for the tour.” I cringed a little at that and she giggled. “He really is harmless Bella. I’m sure if you tell him you aren’t interested he’ll understand.” I guess I wasn’t the only one that noticed the looks Mike was giving me.

After going over my schedule again, she gave me the rundown of how she liked the library to operate. It was very similar to the way the libraries back in Forks had been run. When I told her this, she seemed relieved again that I wouldn’t need extensive training. After only half an hour or so, she was ready to let me get started. She walked me back out to the front where we encountered a very eager looking Mike.

“Mike, please show Bella where everything is.” She beamed at me and then looked back at Mike, “and make her comfortable.” She gave him a very pointed look at the last statement. It was clear to me that she was telling him not to hit on me, but I could tell it went right over his head because he was staring at me once again.

“Yes Shelly. I’ll make sure Bella is very comfortable.” He was nodding excitedly, but there was no way to miss the emphasis he had put into his statement. Her warning had indeed gone right over his head. Shelly just sighed and shook her head before making her way back to her office.

“So Bella, you ready for the grand tour?” I just nodded my head and tried to follow behind him. When he tried to put his hand on my back again, I shook my head and glared at him coldly.

“Excuse me.” I was really trying to make it clear that I didn’t want to be touched or hit on, but this guy seemed pretty dense. Or he thought I was playing hard to get. If he didn’t knock it off, he was going to find out just how hard I could be.

He tried to look abashed, but I wasn’t buying it. He still had that glint in his eye that told me to keep on my toes. I just wordlessly followed him over to the main desk so he could show me their computer setup. He hummed and hawed for a good 10 minutes, trying to make a show out of what he was doing. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to impress me or not, but it wasn’t working.

Finally he moved to the side to let me have a look at the system. I was able to maintain myself and didn’t laugh in his face. This setup was more archaic than the one back in Forks. I was trying my hardest not to mention that fact, until he came up right behind me and tried to reach around me, sly like, to help me figure out how to work it.

“Now if you click here, you’ll see how to check books in and out.” He was going to continue, but I side-stepped him again and looked right in his eye.

“Yes, I’m aware of how to use this system. The one from the library I worked at in my hometown is more up to date than this one is.” For once in my life, I was able to thank the small-town committee that took so much pride in said town. “In fact, this is the exact same program I learned on 4 years ago. That is, until they upgraded after my first year there.”

He looked so upset, and I knew I was right about him trying to impress me. Too bad that wasn’t going to work out for him. “Well, okay then. How about I just show you where each of the sections are? That way if someone comes to the reference desk, you’ll be able to point them in the right direction.”

I wanted to tell him, once again, that I was familiar with the way libraries operated, but I didn’t want to talk to him more than necessary. We just walked around the library and he pointed out each different section, from humanities to biographies, the law section, medical books, etc. Each section was clearly labeled, so it wouldn’t be too hard to find my way around.

More than once, I had to move away when Mike got too touchy. He would either try and take my hand or touch my arm. A couple times he tried to lead me by putting his hand behind me. Each time I would step out of the way and shoot him a look, but it was becoming more and more obvious that I had to be more brazen to get my point across.

All the while, Mike chattered on about himself. He was a sophomore here and an only child from a wealthy Chicago family. His parents owned several sporting goods stores there in Chicago and he was majoring in business so that he could one day take over the family business. I kept my mouth shut and didn’t offer him any information, even though he tried to wheedle it out of me time and again.

The time was coming to put dear Mike Newton in his place. Fortunately for him, he survived the entire tour of the library, which I’m sure he dragged out as long as possible. When we were approaching the reference desk again, he tried to guide me yet again, but this time I stopped dead in my tracks and glared.

“I don’t think you’re getting the hint Mike.” I tried to put as much venom in his name as possible, and when he shrank back I was sure I had hit my target. “I have tried to be polite, and I’ve tried gently to let you know I’m not interested. Either you’re too stupid to see it, or you think I’m being coy. I can assure you I am not. And I will tell you this. Do. Not. Touch. Me.

I don’t need to be guided like a child and I don’t want your hands on me. I don’t want to be your new conquest, and I’m certainly not interested in developing any kind of relationship with you.” His face was turning several different shades of red. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was angry, or because he was embarrassed due to the audience we were gaining, either way I plowed on. “And if you touch me, one more time, I promise you it will be the last time you ever have use of that hand. Do I make myself clear?”

All he could do was nod and walk away. Wise choice Newton, wise choice. But this was just absolutely fan-fucking-tastic. Now I was in a bad mood, and Mike had done the one thing no one else in my life had ever been capable of. He had spoiled my time in the library. All I knew was that I was taking a long, hot shower as soon as I got home.

The rest of the day seemed to pass by uneventfully. I was able to regain my pleasant mood that libraries had always brought me in the past and had nearly forgotten about dear old Mike. That is, until it was time to go home.

Apparently Mike’s clock out time was the same as mine. Oh joy! So I would have to deal with him at the end of the shift every time I worked with him. I made a mental note to compare my schedule with his so I would be ready next time.

I gathered the few things I had brought with me and made my way back to the front. Mike was standing there outside the entrance. Waiting for me. This was sure to be a bad thing. I squared my shoulders and made my way to the exit. I had stood up to him once, I was surely able to do it again.

As I made my way out, he looked me over again. This was really going to get old. If he didn’t learn to control that, I was going to have to gouge his eyes out or something. The way he checked me out made me feel dirty, like he was mentally undressing me and fantasizing about all sorts of nasty things. I shuddered slightly but looked him dead in the eye.

“Was there something you needed?” I was as haughty as I could be. Maybe I’d have to ask Rosalie for some pointers at some point or another.

“Umm, well…” he stammered out. When I let out an impatient huff, he gathered himself and tried again. “I was wondering if you wanted to go get a cup of coffee or something.”

I stared at him in blank shock for a minute or two before laughter overtook me. He had to be, hands down, the dumbest person I had ever met. Was he seriously thinking that after my little tirade this afternoon that I would go and have coffee? Apparently he was. I caught my breath and shook my head at him.

“You have a nerve don’t you.” He looked hopeful for a moment, like I had just given him the greatest compliment, then I continued. “No Mike. I won’t have coffee with you. Not now, not ever. I wasn’t kidding when I said I wasn’t having any kind of relationship with you. Good night.”

I turned to storm away from him and caught sight of a head of bronze hair, watching me from a little ways down the street. My stomach sank and I was afraid I would be sick. Please God, please don’t make me have to face him right now. I don’t know how much more bravado I have. God apparently does in fact answer small prayers, because Adonis turned and made his way toward our dorm.

I followed behind at a safe distance, and kept my head down, hoping that he didn’t stop or turn around to talk to me. I just put one foot in front of the other, over and over, until we made it to Russell-Sage Hall. He was still a bit of a ways in front of me, mostly because I had walked as slowly as possible, trying desperately to keep as much distance between us as I could.

I thought I saw him hesitate a few times, like he was debating whether he should talk to me or not. Thankfully he continued to move forward and didn’t pause long enough for me to catch up.

The stairwell was again torturous and I felt my cheeks flush from the memories of our first encounter. Was I ever going to be able to walk these stairs again without thinking of him? If that was going to be possible, it was probably going to take some time. I would just have to be diligent about not getting caught too close to him again.

I could smell him. The faint smell of him lingering behind as I made my way up. He smelled like… was that sunshine? With undertones of honey and… orange blossoms? I groaned to myself. Was it possible for someone to smell that good? There was no way that was cologne. This smelled too natural to be something as artificial as cologne. He honest to God smelled like sunshine, honey, and orange blossoms. Translate that to mean he smelled like sin.

I shook my head. I had to get thoughts like that out of my head or I was going to run up and jump him. I didn’t even know I could have thoughts like that. I was so inexperienced with men that I made nuns look bad. Maybe that’s what I would do. I would run away and join a monastery. Then I wouldn’t have to face him again and be assaulted by such a heavenly scent. Heaven and sin. They seemed to be interchangeable words when it came to Adonis.

When we finally reached our floor (yes, he was headed to my floor, help me God) I was nearing panic mode. I sincerely hoped he didn’t think I was following him, or worse, stalking him. That’s all I needed now. Not only would I be the freak that knocked him down on the landing, but I would also be the crazy girl that followed him around like a puppy.

Somebody please just shoot me now. My head was still ducked to my chin and I saw him round the corner. I made a mad dash for my room, key at the ready, and slammed the door shut behind me. My breath was coming in gasps and I could see black spots forming in front of my eyes. I vaguely heard someone calling my name, but I was too afraid I was passing out to care.

Small arms wrapped around my waist and lead me to the sofa, gently guiding me down. I put my head between my knees and tried my hardest to regulate my breathing before the hysterical laughter burst forth. Suddenly the room was filled with sound. So much sound it made my ears hurt, so I slapped my hands over them while tears rolled down my face from my laughter.

I opened my eyes and saw both Alice and Rosalie staring at me with worried looks on their face. “He smells like sunshine. Fucking sunshine. And honey with a touch of orange blossom. I swear to God he’ll be the death of me.”

They were looking at me like I was crazy. I’m pretty sure at this point they may have been right, but I was too relieved to care. I had managed to make it to my room without any more incidences, except for the recent hysterics. Alice approached me very slowly, hands out, trying to make me more comfortable.

“Bella? Are you alright?” More giggles poured out of me. I couldn’t seem to stop it. Maybe I was losing my mind.

“No Alice. I’m not,” I was finally able to choke out between laughter.

“Oh honey, are you hurt? Did someone attack you?” I was finally starting to understand. They thought I had been assaulted and were worried for me. I launched myself off the couch and grabbed them both in a vice-like grip. Rosalie didn’t even try to break away.

“Thank you guys. I love you so much. Thank you for just being here while I lose my mind.” Rose just stroked my back gently, trying to soothe me as best she could.

“Where are you hurt Bella? Do you want me to call the Campus Police?” It was the first time I had heard her speak to me in such a kind way. It brought more tears forth.

“No Rose. I’m okay, I promise. Nothing happened. I was just taken by surprise after a really shitty day.” They pried my hands off of them and sat me back down. They exchanged more nervous looks before asking me to tell them exactly what happened.

I told them all about Mike Newton of the wandering hands and how I had tried to put him in his place. Then I told them about him asking me out for coffee after work, which they both gasped at appropriately. I was getting to the end of the story when my breathing started becoming labored again.

“So I turned on my heel, trying to make a dramatic exit when I caught sight of him.” Neither of them had to ask who I was referring to. He had been such a hot topic of discussion, well him and his friends, in our dorm room that there was absolutely no question. Alice broke the silence first.

“Did he talk to you?” I sat back and sighed. I wasn’t sure now whether I was grateful or disappointed. I had to mull it over before I answered.

“No Alice, he didn’t. But he’s somewhere on this floor. He was heading to one of the rooms down the hall. When he turned the corner, I made a mad dash for the room and well, you saw the results.” This time Rosalie spoke.

“So wait a minute. You mean he is somewhere on this floor? Like right down the hall?” Her laughter bubbled out. “Bella, the way you two keep running into each other, it has to be fate.” I scoffed at her. Fate my ass.

“No Rose, I think it’s just chance.”

“Chance. Fate. Whatever. I think you need to talk to him.” She couldn’t be serious. There was no way I’d ever get up enough nerve to talk to someone like him. So I just rolled my eyes at her and got up to make my way to the bedroom.

“No Rose, I don’t. Thanks for the ear guys, sorry I worried you. I think I’m going to bed now.” And I left. I could hear them murmuring to each other through the closed door, and I was sure they were talking about me. I didn’t care. I just wanted today to be over.