She lived a solitary life, and after some time, she realized it wasn't good for her. She also realized that books were made to be read as many times as possible. Therefore she reached an agreement with the local library to have groups of school children visit her library once a month. The children brought joy into the house, and she cheerfully guided them through her library, explaining her love for books and trying to make it flourish in their small hearts. The kids were mesmerized by it, and they would sit on small groups around a book reading it outloud by turns, or would sit on the armchairs on their own and bury their noses on the books of their choice. Serena always served some beverage, lemonade or warm chocolate depending on the weather, and would listen to what all of them had to say. Some teachers took profit of the free time to rest in the gardens, while others decided to wander in the library themselves. One of them, about Serena's age, used to take books out of the library and into the sunroom.
One day, after one of the group of school kids had just left, she took a new book with her to the sunroom, just to find that someone had left a book there. "It must have been that young teacher" she though. She picked it up from the table and saw that it was a compendium on Astrophysics, he was the Maths teacher, so it made sense after all. Serena decided to leave the book there, he might want to read it the following day after all. She sat on her favorite couch and dived deep into the words of the novel.
The next week, when the young teacher returned, Serena decided to go talk to him in the sunroom. He found himself focused on the compendium, some pages of notes next to it, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up. He was handsome, his hair casually tousled with some strands falling on his forehead. Serena cleared her throath, and he looked at her startled.
-Sorry, the other week you left the book in here, and I thought I would talk to you a bit.
-Oh, yes, sorry about it.- he stood up- My name is Ryan, incidentally.
-Nice to meet you. I see you like Physics.
-Yes, I love learning. That's why I decided to become a teacher.
-I have many more books on the topic, you are welcome to pass by anytime you want.
After some more small talk, they agreeded on meeting the following Saturday morning. After that day, there came another, and soon enough they were both considering taking things a bit futther. Serena invited him to dinner at her house, were they shared food and wine in the library. It was a romantic environment, at least for Serena. And then she made the question that changed everything.
-So, what novels have you been reading lately?
-Oh, I don't read those. It's just not my thing. I'd rather read books that teach me something, I think novels are a waste of time.- he said nonchalantly.
A chill went through her spine. Serena stood up.
-Will you excuse me for a second?
-Sure.
Serena headed to the door, but didn't leave the room, instead she hid behind the old bookcases. She sat on the floor, had she heard what she had heard? She felt angry all the sudden. How could he be so narrow-minded! He was a teacher, for god's sake! She had to do something, and soon. The solution came to her clear as a vision. She snuck behind the bookcase just at his back, she climbed on the stairs to the took shelf. She knew the shelves moved easily, so she pushed and pulled, until she heard the noise of a hundred of books falling on her guest. There was a muffled scream, but nothing after that. Serena returned to the table, to find Ryan with his head on the plate, and a heavy leather-bound copy of "El Quijote" on it. She made sure he wasn't breathing anymore, and proceeded to pick up all the books and return them to their original locations.
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