A magical library that was said to be like a labyrinth, was seemingly no place for a small, young man with one long braid grown out to show his love for Star Wars. It wasn’t quite a place for Natalia either, a young lady, a bit taller than average wearing huge platform boots to compliment her black and purple hair. Boots and braids, an interesting pair and two very different people to happen to reach for the same book. There was one last copy of A Midsummer Nights Dream on the shelf and they both reached for it at once. Ernest was a gentleman and politely smiled, taking it down and handing it to the tall lady next to him. His eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked up at her. She mumbled a small thanks as her mouth remained in a frown. “Uhm- excuse me?” Nat turned around, poorly hiding an eyeroll expecting for the normal guy thing of “you look prettier without makeup”. Instead, Ernest said something that make her reconsider a few things. “I like the purple in your hair and how it matches your lipstick…”

She looked at this small man as though she was asking a question with her eyes. Was he messing with her?

Ernest on the other hand, was beaming up at her and seemed to not be snapping out of whatever trance he was in.

“Thanks- I guess…” She mumbled softly. Nat didn’t want to open up. She wouldn’t do that after last time.

“You’re welcome! Have you read it before?”

“Hm?”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream- h-have you read it-?” Ernest fidgeted a bit with his fingers.

“Only small bits- but I’ve never seen the play.”

“It’s really good and I think the college is putting on the play in a month or so- would- you like to go-?”

“With you-?”

Ernest gave a small nod.

“I uhm- I have a boyfriend and I’m not sure- I’m not really friends with you…”

“I mean if it’s in a month maybe we can be friends first?”

“I don’t think so.” She tried walking away but he had to check out his book anyway, a different Shakespeare book. Natalia rolled her eyes and made an annoyed groan. Ernest noticed and looked down at his worn boots. “I’m sorry for upsetting you…”

“Yeah yeah whatever…”

Ernest let her check out her book first, standing out of the way before checking his own book out. One day he’d write the kind of book this girl would want to read- at least he hoped. He came up behind and had to go on his tiptoes to see over the computer.

“I’d like to take out Loretta’s Lengthy List of Labyrinths?”

“Are you sure sir? This book is very very difficult to get through.”

Ernest smiled back and nodded. “I’ve heard the stories and I’m excited to try”

“Alright young man” The librarian sighed and checked it out. “This will be interesting…”

Ernest nodded and curled up in a nice big worn chair. He cracked open the book and out flew little sparks like how they fall away from a firework. It lit up his face and his eyes went wide. The library changed somehow as he looked up. It had a resemblance to a labyrinth- eerily so. Natalia was now far out of sight.