Just Starting Out
1.15 - The Girl at the Library
Malcolm,
As much as I know it hurts for you to read this, I want you to know that I never want you coming near me or my sister ever again. You need to do some serious self reflection and realize exactly who you are, and accept that person, but seeing that you were able to lie to my parents so convincingly, I don't have much hope that you'll be able to stop lying to yourself about your own sexuality. I appreciated our friendship while it lasted, but what you've done, Malcolm, is unacceptable and I don't think you realize that. You can fire me if you wish but I can't spend any more time around you and remain sane.. I really do hope you learn to accept yourself someday, and that your parents will come around to the idea as well.
Sincerely,
John Brooks
John read over the email he’d sent to Malcolm a week earlier, making sure that he still felt like he’d worded everything correctly. He certainly felt like he had, and he still found that he was as polite as he could be in the email, but Malcolm’s lack of a reply definitely concerned John. As much as he disliked him right now, he really hoped Malcolm hadn’t done anything reckless.
John sighed, and logged out of his account on the computer. He put his head in his hands, and only looked up because Kayla walked out of her bedroom.
“John?” she asked. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” John said, putting on a fake smile for her benefit.
It was a big day for Kayla. Her most recent book was an even bigger success than the first one, and the library had invited her back for another book signing. After missing her first one, John wanted to make sure the second was exponentially better. He’d even invited Cassandra, just in hopes that he’d be able to make the audience look a little fuller than Kayla described the first time.
“Well, how do I look?” Kayla asked, showing off her outfit.
“You look great,” John smiled. “Like an author who’s actually making a pretty sizable living because of her amazing skill.”
“Well, we can hope, right?”
“I already know it. You definitely have the ability, you changed that Melody Munch woman’s life!”
“Mila Munch, and I’m pretty sure she’s just a little crazy, John. But you’re right. At least I’m finally bringing in money.”
“I sure hope you never stressed yourself over money, Kayla. I make enough to support both of us because the Landgraabs are way too wealthy, and as long as your writing made you happy, I was fine being the main source of income.”
“Oh, no. No. Not at all, John. You’re my older brother, why would I be? It’s your job to be worried about me, right, isn’t that how it plays out in the gross stereotypes you’re purporting right now?”
John sighed. “You’re right. I was being stereotypical, making myself, the man, seem like the one who works.”
“Yeah. You definitely were. Like, I literally think that is the primary reason Melody already thought we were a couple when she first met us, a fact that still grosses me out every time I remember it. So please, stop. Thanks.”
John nodded slowly.
“Anyway, we’ve got a book signing to get to. Let’s head out, John,” Kayla said, grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
Much to Kayla’s surprise, there was a line she had to push through when she and John approached the library. They barely managed to shuffle their way to the front door, where they were hurried inside by a frazzled looking librarian.
“When I announced a Kayla Brooks book signing, I didn’t expect this much of a turnout,” the librarian said in a frantic whisper.
Kayla turned back around to look at the crowd. “Wait… you’re saying that all of this… is for me?”
The librarian nodded. “What else did you think it could be for?”
“A new book release by another popular author, book giveaway, something like that, library sort of things to do.”
“We’ve never had a turnout as big as this before. None of our events have ever created a line that stretches out the door, and don’t even get me started on trying to figure out how we’re going to seat all these people,” the librarian sighed. “Anyway, the people who got here early are already upstairs, you might as well go and meet them.”
She hurried away, probably to find more chairs.
John turned to Kayla, a massive grin on his face. “I think you’ve finally made it, Kayla. I really do.”
Kayla nodded slowly, tears in her eyes. “I… I never imagined that a day like this would come.”
“Well, it has! Come on, let’s go and meet the people who got here first.”
John and Kayla headed up the stairs to the second floor, where every chair facing the desk Kayla had sat at last time was already full.
One woman turned around, a woman Kayla recognized easily. “That’s her!” Mila Munch yelled.
The whole room turned around, and in a sea of unfamiliar faces, John and Kayla saw four other familiar faces. Melody, Lillian, Cassandra, and Cassandra’s little brother, Alexander. People started to move around because of the excitement, some moving closer to Kayla, and others, like the Goths, moving away from the noise.
Kayla walked over to Mila and took her hand. “Thank you so much for being my first fan, Mila,” she said in a quiet voice.
“How could I not be?” Mila laughed.
“Meet me after this, and I’ll write a whole paragraph for you,” Kayla whispered.
Meanwhile, John walked over to Cassandra and Alexander. “I’m glad to see that you two were able to make it,” John smiled.
“You said your sister needed the support, and hey, her work really isn’t half bad,” Cassandra shrugged. “Clearly, she didn’t actually need the support, but I’m glad we came out here anyway.”
“Mom and dad never let us leave Willow Creek!” Alexander added.
“Exactly,” Cassandra said. “I was honestly surprised they let us fly out here, but I guess Newcrest isn’t really that far. How have you been doing, by the way?”
John hesitated for a moment. “Well, I uh-“
He was cut off by Lillian, who stepped in-between him and Cassandra. “John! Long time no see!”
“Hi, Lillian,” John sighed.
“How was your little rendezvous with the boss? I bet it was for a promotion, huh? Damn, am I bitter! Wish he’d pick me…”
Cassandra held out a hand. “Lillian, is it? I’m Cassandra, and this here is my brother, Alexander.”
Lillian took Cassandra’s hand gingerly. “You’re that family John had to talk to in Willow Creek, aren’t you?”
Cassandra nodded and started to explain the whole situation to Lillian. Across the room, Kayla had finally gotten away from Mila to speak to Melody. They moved to a more isolated corner of the library because people were beginning to hound Kayla.
“So. Kayla. I have news,” Melody said excitedly. “And congratulations on this, by the way!”
“Well, what is it? Spill.”
“I finally did it! Bought a place in Willow Creek where I can finally open my own therapy business.”
“Oh wow, that’s awesome Melody! We’re both achieving dreams here today, aren’t we?”
“But… that also means that this is probably goodbye, Kayla.”
“Oh,” Kayla said quietly.
“Well, goodbye in like two weeks,” Melody laughed. She then wrapped Kayla in a warm embrace. “But, I’ve got to say it now; thank you so much for everything, Kayla. For the glowing recommendation. For being a loyal customer. But, most of all, for being an incredible friend.”
“Same goes for you!” Kayla exclaimed. “I don’t know where I’d be right now without all the advice you’ve given me. Just based on that alone, I know you’re going to do great out there, Melody. I’d wish you luck, but I don’t think you’re going to need it.”
“Alright,” Melody said, taking a step back. “I have one last piece of advice for you then. You ready?”
Kayla nodded.
“Just say your piece out on the front stoop of the library. There’s no way you’re cramming all those people in here.”
“How’d you get so smart, Melody?” Kayla sighed. “I’ll go fetch the librarian. Thank you!”
Melody watched, a smile on her face, as Kayla hurried away.
As the librarian returned upstairs to tell everyone that they were moving the speech downstairs, Cassandra was just wrapping up the story she was telling Lillian.
“Anyway, John, I was wondering... so you know that restaurant you've said you'd always wanted to try? Went to get lunch there with me tomorrow?” Lillian asked. “And, when you pick me up, make sure you’re dressed up extra nice… this date’s going to be special.”
“Uh, sure?” John muttered.
“You won’t regret this!” Lillian squealed. She danced away, following the crowd that had started to exit the library, all eager to get the best view of Kayla.
“Pretty sure you just agreed to something that’s a little bit more than a date there, John,” Cassandra smiled. “Better be prepared to have a girlfriend soon.”
“Maybe. We’ll see how it goes,” John shrugged.
“Anyway. What were you going to say to me before Lillian butted in?”
John hesitated, again. Why did he want to tell Cassandra more than he wanted to tell his own sister? Was it that he could rely on her cool sense of judgment? Was it because it was easier to tell a virtual stranger? Regardless, for some strange reason, John felt that he could trust her.
“Well, since we’re about to miss my sister’s big moment, why don’t you and Alexander come and see Kayla and I at our home tomorrow? I’ll tell you then.”
Cassandra nodded slowly. “Yeah. I guess I can stay in Newcrest for one more day.”
John smiled.
“Well, come on! We’ve got a speech to catch, don’t you remember?” Cassandra said, gesturing for John and Alexander to hurry after her.
The three hurried down the stairs, just barely making it into the crowd before Kayla started speaking. John had the feeling that a lot was about to change. Malcolm was clearly removing himself from John’s life, he had am important date with Lillian, he finally had a chance to become closer with Cassandra, and Kayla had finally achieved her dreams. Everything was looking up, for a change.