Medium

The nice musty smell of books, always so soothing. If only the library was as quiet as it's supposed to be. Thankfully, it isn't unbearably loud. Although, I'm not sure it was the best of ideas to keep the library so close to the field, where everyone is always shouting their lungs out. Lunch will be ending soon, I had better get back to class. I got up, went to keep my book back on the shelf, and stepped out of the room.

"Melinda?" somebody behind me called out.

I turned around to see our class teacher. "Yes ma'am?"

"I have been meaning to ask you, you were part of the editorial committee, right?" she asked.

I said yes, "... I left last year when I became the class representative."

"Ah, yes I remember, which was what I wanted to talk to you about..."

I chuckled and politely went on, "No, I have no intention of joining again."

"May I ask why?"

"I have enough responsibilities as the class representative."

"Manas and Daniel could certainly use the extra help, now that Samuel is not coming..."

"I am certainly not going to join because another member can't do his part,"

"Well, at the very least, lend them a hand?"

"I am sorry, but joining them out of the blue like that, I'll likely be more of an impediment."

"Well, if you change your mind, feel free to talk to Manas about it." And with that, she patted my shoulder and went on her way.

I continued on my way upstairs. Chaotic as ever, kids were running between classrooms, almost desperately trying to meet everyone in their year before lunch ends. Thankfully, it died down as I climbed up towards the senior classrooms. Coming to the classroom and taking my seat, I was pulling out some notes to look through when somebody walked up to my desk.

"Hey Mel, can I ask you for a favor?" I looked up with a start. It was Daniel, from the other class. I blinked in surprise, why is he suddenly acting close?

"Uh... sure, what is it?" I was caught slightly off guard.

"Well... okay, it wasn't a favor I wanted. I wanted to ask you about something..."

"Well, shoot,"

"Why did you suddenly ask about Manas yesterday? What were you two talking about?"

My mind went blank. Manas? Yesterday? "Oh... oh, that was... I... err... I just wanted to know how the editorial committee was doing..."

"That's it?"

"I was part of the committee before becoming the class representative,"

He screwed his eyes, "You were talking awfully long for just catching up with the new head..."

"I was asking about how he handles the magazine as well... By the way why are you so interested in this?" I replied in kind.

Taken aback he quickly apologized, "... sorry if it felt like I was prying, I just... wanted to... clear something up..."

"Clear what up?" I pressed on.

"A hunch... are you planning on joining the committee?"

My mind went blank again. "Am I... I... well..." What was going on? I had no idea about any of this, how am I supposed to answer? "What gave you that hunch?"

"Well, Manas told me that you called him about Sam and asked if we needed someone to help out with the magazine. Plus you spoke to him yesterday about the committee, so I figured..."

"Oh... Oh! Well, yeah I am considering it, but it's not set in stone."

His face lit up, much to my surprise "Oh, so I was right. Well, I do hope you join. It'd be nice to see a new face around."

"Yeah, I'm sure..." I felt like I was on autopilot now, for more reasons than one.

"Well, I should be going now," he said as he turned. "Hope to see you soon," and with that, he began to leave.

My gaze followed him as he left. "Dan?" I called out.

He stopped and turned around "Yeah?"

I looked away for a second, then turned back to him "You called me 'Mel',"

At first, he seemed confused, then his hand flew to his mouth, his eyes wide, "I'm sorry," came his muffled voice "I... it must have just... slipped out," he said turning away.

I realized his reactions were making me uncomfortable as well and I felt grateful nobody seemed to be paying attention. "No, it's fine, I don't mind. You could have just asked beforehand."

"You don't?" he said looking back at me, "Oh..."

We stared at each other for another few seconds, after which I said "Weren't you leaving?"

He blinked. "Yes, yes I was..." and he turned around and hurriedly walked out.

I let out a sigh, that was harder than I thought it would be. But having gotten through it, put a smile on my face. Then the smile was lost, as I realized I just agreed to something that I explicitly was against in the first place. Something which I didn't want but asked for anyway. Something, everyone else would like to see from me.