u/katie_angus

When I was in college, I developed a rather unfortunate fascination with being watched secretly in the library.

Not by crowds, obviously. I was far too shy for anything dramatic. It was more the possibility of being noticed that thrilled me. The danger of someone glancing up from their studies at exactly the wrong moment.

I used to sit hidden between the taller shelves in the literature section wearing impossibly short skirts and pretending to concentrate on essays while secretly enjoying the attention I occasionally attracted.

Once, a young man sat across from me for nearly an hour without reading a single page of his book. Every time I crossed my legs, I could feel him watching me over the top of his glasses. I would never forget to pretend not to notice him, while touching my inner thighs at times.

I think he knew what I was doing. He loved it, and I loved it, but neither of us said a word.

Organic encounters like that is a bit rare nowadays. I miss the thrill of it all.