Operation “Observe Nash” began the next Monday.

Leaving the library in the hands of one of her student assistants, she went for a bathroom break. “I’ll only be a few minutes,” Piper told her.

“Got it.” The senior snapped her gum and went back to stacking books on the shelves.

And if I happen to use the bathroom closest to Nash’s room, well then I guess it wouldn’t hurt to peek in on him, right? With a solemn nod, she headed down the hall. Passing two other bathrooms on the way, she walked to his wing of the school.

She stopped next to his door and tried to calm her breathing. Holy Harry, being a spy is scaryierthan I thought. Staying low and away from the small window, she put her ear to the door. She could hear shuffling, but couldn’t make out anything else. How am I supposed to hear if he actually talks? This stupid door is way too- “Ouch!” She grabbed her head as she stumbled away from the opening door.

“Oh! I’m sorry Ms. Belmont! I didn’t realize you were there.” One of the students held the door for everyone else fleeing the classroom at the sound of the bell. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah. Thanks, I’m fine.” She rubbed the side of her head and tried to regain her bearings.

“Mr. Wilde? I think Ms.—”

“Oh no! Don’t call Na—I mean Mr. Wilde. I’m fine, really!” She plastered a smile on her face and started backing away.

“Wait! Don’t you want—”

Piper turned and walked as quickly as she could down the hall of students. For the first time in her life she was glad of her stature. Being this small allowed her to get lost among the taller heads of the upper classmen. Weaving in and out of the plethora of bodies, she quickly made her way back to the library.

Shutting the door firmly behind her, she leaned back and let out a relieved sigh. Note to self. Next time check the time and bell schedule. And bring headache medicine to work. Ow.

“Uh...Ms. Belmont? The second bell is about to ring and I kind of need to get to class. Can I, uh, you know...use the door?” Her senior helper fidgeted in front of her, holding her backpack over one shoulder.

“Oh! Yes. Sorry.” Piper stood up and held open the door for her student. After she left, Piper let the door close itself, while she headed toward the front desk. Sitting down, she groaned and put her head in her hands.

––––––––

“WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO you?” Lucy asked, her mouth full of apple.

Blinking rapidly, Piper pulled herself back to the present. “W-what? What are you talking about?”

“You’re super distracted, fidgety, and every thirty seconds you give a quick glance at the big, strong, silent man in the corner. You haven’t ever told me about your date with him. I assume it didn’t go well since you aren’t sitting with him, but maybe I’m wrong.” Lucy put down her fruit. “What exactly happened on this date?”

“Uh...” Piper stalled. She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell Lucy everything that happened, but “Operation Nash” was proving to be a flop. She hadn’t learned anything. Maybe it was time to bring in reinforcements. Movement caught her attention and her eyes swung toward the door.

Miranda strutted in. Piper rolled her eyes and brought her attention back to the peanut butter sandwich in front of her, but the seductive voice coming from the door drew her eyes right back.

“Hello, Christian...” Miranda let her sentence linger. She wiggled her fingers in his direction.

Glancing at the man being addressed, Piper noticed Christian’s face was bright red and he refused to look anyone in the eye. Is he shrinking? He looks awfully short in that chair.

Miranda’s movements caught her attention once more, as Lady Long Legs strode across the room and pulled a chair next to Nash.

“Hello, Nashie,” she purred.

“Nashie?” Lucy whispered in her ear. “Is she serious? That is the most awful nickname I have ever heard.” Lucy pretended to gag and Piper wanted to laugh, but watching Miranda had taken the humor away from the situation.

Miranda’s long, slender fingers gently caressed Nash’s forearm as she spoke softly to him.

Glancing down at the touch, Nash’s stoic expression never changed. When he looked back up, his eyes went straight to Piper. Unable to look away from his chocolatey depths, she felt like she was caught in a tractor beam. It wasn’t until he blinked, breaking eye contact, that she felt herself regain control.

Standing up while Miranda was mid-sentence, he threw his garbage away and walked out of the room.

Piper’s eyes widened and she threw a mental fist pump in the air. He walked away from her. Flat-out walked away. Hotty Heathcliff, I have never seen that woman be shut down. Ever.

Without realizing what she was doing, Piper stood up and followed Nash out the door. Once in the hall, it slammed shut behind her, waking her from her trance. What am I doing?  Shaking her head, she decided to head back to the library, but squealed when someone grabbed her arm.

“Alright chica. I’ve been patient long enough. When we get back, you are going to spill it. All. Of. It.” Lucy propelled her forward with fast steps.

“Luc! Seriously, slow down. I can’t keep up!” Piper complained.

“And I can’t keep up with your mental game of ping pong. I wanna know what’s going on between you two and you are not going to hold back a single detail. Got it?”

Piper sighed with defeat. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell you everything.”

With a delighted squeal, Lucy grabbed Piper in a tight squeeze and redoubled her efforts to speed walk to the library.