Noble Creek High,
Senior year,
Present day

"Operation what now?" Hunter asked with a frown.

"Operation Escape Reality. The aim of this operation is to get out of this place, obviously."

"Okay. I get that. But why is it named 'Operation Escape Reality'?" He asked with a confused expression.

I rolled my eyes at him and sighed. "You know how we escape reality by reading books, right?"

"Yeah?"

"It's something like that, but this time, we're literally escaping reality. You know, getting locked in the library is the reality and we're trying to get out-"

"Yeah, I get it." He said cutting me off while slightly amused.

"Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go and get this over and done with!" I said and walked ahead of him.

I could feel Hunter smile a little while he shook his head at my sudden positive change of attitude. Well, sue me if I finally feel hopeful again.

I walked towards the spiral staircase where the biggest circular window was built near. It wasn't that big, but big enough for a human body like mine to pass through. Looking at the oculus shaped window, I was motivated and determined to get the hell out of this suffocating library. Never have I ever thought that I would be calling the library 'suffocating', but here we are.

"So, how exactly do you plan to get there? Because technically we aren't that tall." I asked looking at the distance between the ground and the window.

There was no way I could reach that window from the ground. Hell, I don't even think a chair would help my 5'2 self. At times like these, I can't help but hate my shortness.

"Correction, you aren't tall at all." He said with a smirk as he emphasized the 'you'.

I jerked my head towards him and gave him a fierce scowl. "I don't think we're here to discuss my height so, what's the plan, Knight?"

He smirked and walked closer to the window. "You'll break the glass when I carry you on my shoulders and-"

He's going to what?!

"Sorry, what?"

He sighed. "With your height, that's the only possible way for you to reach all the way up there. We've got no choice, Hera."

I cursed inwardly at the man above the skies for giving me this ridiculous height. Because it seems useless at a time like this. Actually, most times, to be perfectly honest.

"Fine," I said and went over to him. "Let's just get this over and done with. All I have to do is break the glass and jump out, right?"

"Yup."

"Okay. But what am I going to break the glass with?"

He instantly grinned. "I had that figured out already. You're going to break it with this!" He said taking a hardback from one of the steps on the staircase.

"A hardback? You're willing to damage a book for Operation Escape Reality?" I cringed at my own words.

A bookworm's first rule would definitely be, 'Don't you dare hurt a book so precious and lovely. Because if you did, you will be cursed your whole life.' I shuddered at my own thought.

"As much as it pains me, this is our only option." He said a little dramatically.

I rolled my eyes and nodded. He then squatted down on the floor and turned his back towards me.

"Come on, put your legs on my shoulders." He said.

I cringed visibly. If Hunter realized how wrong that just sounded, he definitely didn't let it show. But I ignored that nasty thought and placed both of my thighs on his shoulders with the hardback in my hands.

Before he stood up, I said, "Hunter, I swear to God, you better not drop me, or I will haunt you in your sleep!"

"You can trust me, Hera"

Only if he knew just how hard that is to do.

He slowly stood up and kept a stern grip on my thighs to make sure I wouldn't fall. My cheeks went bright red at his hands on my thighs. I hate how he can still have such an effect on me. I hate it to the core.

Suddenly, Hunter stumbled on his foot causing me to grab chunks of his hair. Hard.

"Hera?! What the hell! That was painful, you idiot!" He hissed in pain.

"It's not my fault! You stumbled!" I said defensively.

Hunter growled. "Just don't use your death grip on me, please. I still want to live, thank you very much."

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Bring me closer to the window."

He walked towards the window and stopped when I was close enough. I then got ready to take a swing at the window with the hardback in full force. But then I remembered something.

I needed to check if the homeless person was at the mattress. I surely don't want to accidentally kill an innocent person. That would traumatize me for life. Pressing my forehead on the glass, I fixed my gaze to what was right below the window on the other side.

"Hunter?"

"Yeah?"

"You said there was a mattress?"

"Yeah."

"Are you living in delusional island? Or how about blind town?" I asked calmly.

"What?" He asked with a frown.

"Because there is no goddamn mattress!" I shouted in frustration.

"Oh"

"I'm going to kill you, Hunter! Put me down, right now!" I screamed while gripping his hair hard.

"Okay, okay! Let go of my hair!"

The moment I let go, Hunter immediately set me down on the floor. I wasted no time as I slapped his arm repeatedly.

"How dare you trick me, you fucking bastard! What did you say? A homeless person was living outside the school library? I can't believe I actually believed you, you fucking idiot! You're such an asshole, I swear to God, I'm going to kill you. I won't-"

He grabbed the arm I was hitting him with and stopped my ranting session. "I'm sorry. I really thought I saw a mattress. I wasn't tricking you; I swear!"

I pulled my arm away from him forcefully. "This is so ridiculous. You are such an idiot, Hunter."

He scratched the back of his neck as he looked at me like he was feeling embarrassed. For some reason, I wanted to laugh at the way he was looking at me. In fact, whatever that just happened made me want to laugh. It was comically ridiculous.

Unable to hold back, I gave in and cackled right at Hunter's face. His embarrassment turned into surprise as he watched me laughed my heart out. Soon, the surprise turned into amusement as Hunter joined me and dissolved into laughter.

Let's just say that Operation Escape Reality's second attempt was unquestionably and tremendously unsuccessful.