Mark pushed the door open and walked into the library. As he strolled to his favorite section, he inhaled deeply. The scent of books was one of his favorites, that and watermelon. His favorite chair was occupied. He huffed and turned away, now where would he sit?

“Hey!” Mark turned back.

“Are you talking to me?”

”Yeah, am I in your seat?

He shrugged, ”It doesn’t belong to me. It’s just where I usually sit.”

“I can move.”

”I can sit somewhere else,” Mark said, and pointing vaguely, he moved to another sitting area. He took off his jacket and pulled an old book out of his bag. Leaning back in his chair, he opened the book and began to read. Just then the guy who had stolen his regular spot sat next to Mark.

Mark turned his head to look at the intruder. The boy stuck out his hand and said, “Hi. I’m Sebastian and I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

Mark automatically shook the proffered hand and asked the obvious question, “Why?”

Sebastian hummed vaguely, a stiff smile on his face. His grip was just a bit too tight when he grasped Mark's hand, and he let go a moment too late. "Well, it's just that I noticed you're sort of a loner, and we have similar taste in books."

Mark glanced at the manga poking from the corner of Sebastian's bookbag, then raised a brow. "We do?"

"Uhh--" Sebastian's cheeks took on a bit of color, and he cleared his throat. "Sort of. Nah, I just--I don't know. I thought you could use a buddy, or something."

"Uh-huh." Mark leaned back in his chair and studied the other boy for a moment. Your typical upper-middle class kid--clear skin, silky hair, fancy-looking clothes. The dude was even wearing loafers. What a goof.

Sebastian slowly flushed, like he wasn't used to being stared at.

"So is this your good deed of the week, or something?" Mark asked--mostly to poke a little fun at the other boy.

It apparently hit a nerve. Sebastian turned a sharp glare on him and said, "If I were going to do a good deed, I wouldn't waste it on you."

Mark propped his chin on one hand. "Touchy."

Sebastian looked away again, gritted his teeth. His tone was one of affected calm when he said, "Look, I. . ."

He faltered. Mark sat up a little and prompted, "No, go on. I'm listening."

Another glare--though it wasn't quite so sharp as the last. "God, you really were a prick."

Mark raised a brow. "I was a prick?"

"Are! Ughhhh." Sebastian dragged his hands over his face, pushing his glasses up toward his forehead. "Listen--I'm seriously flunking algebra. I just wanted to ask--"

"For help?"

Mark couldn't help grinning when Sebastian groaned again.

"Yes. Yes, I wanted to ask for help."