Part 8 — A Strange Stranger

Xin closed the car door and walked into the college, with Azyra and Momoko beside her. "I think it's in the library." The three girls walked into the library and saw it quiet and empty. Only one table was occupied with a single person reading a book. Xin thought for a moment. She had them back out of the library. "I want to test this out. Peachy, go up to him and talk to him. Act like you know nothing about him and that you just want to talk. See what he says and all that."

"I'll try my best..." Momoko walked alone into the library, to where Zap was sitting. She took a seat at the same table Zap was in, yet Zap still didn't notice her. She tapped his book, which caused him to quickly set it aside and look at Momoko. "Hi."

"Hey. How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"Fine. What's your name?"

"Zap, and you?"

"Momoko. Pleased to meet you."

"Interesting name..."

"Don't question it." Momoko glanced at the book on the table. "Reading something?"

"I'm studying. Not because of a test or anything, but because I just felt like it. Especially when there's nothing else to do..."

"Nothing else to do?"

"Don't question it." Zap picked up his book and continued reading. "Good talk."

Momoko stood up and exited the library. "That was quick. All we did was introduce ourselves."

"Okay, I'm going to go talk to him," Xin said, exaggeratingly hinting that that was not exactly what she was about to do." She snuck into the library. Getting behind him, she snatched his book and ran out of the library. All Zap saw was a quick hand grabbing his book, so his first instinct was to chase whoever stole his book. He reached Xin and tackled her to the ground. "Any reason for stealing my book?"

Xin got up and dusted herself. "Yes. Where have you been?!"

"In the library, like I—" Xin slapped him. "All I did was take a long walk in one direction!"

"That's it?"

"Yes! Calm down!"

"Huh." Xin picked up the book and handed it to Zap. "Tell me about Momoko."

"I don't know too much. Ask Azyra."

"Fine." Zap went into the library to return the book.