The trunk opened, revealing several binders, notebooks, and a lone library book.  Horrified, I gazed at the book, “Forever,” while trying to date exactly when I had checked out the book. I loved the series and knew that I had read it several months ago. I couldn’t even begin to fathom how expensive several months’ worth of fines would be. A flip of the cover showed a due date of Oct. 13. Considering that the date was Dec. 29, I’d say the book was a “little” overdue.  

I thrive in the library. As a proclaimed bookworm, I save a lot of money by picking up books from the library instead of buying every book I read. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I go every day or even every week, but I make use of my library account, both at school and at libraries in the area. I always try to abide by the library deadlines because the library provides all my books. Besides, it’s very embarrassing to march up to the desk and have the computer loudly proclaim that I can’t keep track of due dates.

I feel like a traitor of the library when I don’t bring my books back on time. I was absolutely horrified when I spotted the book. The title, “Forever,” didn’t help my mood. It certainly felt like the book had traveled around in my trunk for about forever and added a gigantic charge next to my name on the library computer. After doing some quick calculations with guessed charges for each late day, I knew that the sum for my forgetfulness could very well be $10 or $20.  Even with a small charge each day, the book was at least two months and a few days late. Cents add up very quickly. As pathetic as it may sound, I was dreading going back to school because I would have to face paying for a fine.

Thursday came very fast, which was no surprise considering how the Christmas break always flies by. My plan to go immediately to pay went over like a lead balloon. I didn’t have any desire to actually go to the library, and so it was the end of the school day when I finally approached the glass doors. I shame-facedly walked to the desk, swallowed, and tried to look like I was happy to be there. I handed over the book, said something about thinking I’d turned the book in a very long time ago, and braced myself for the total of my forgetfulness.

The librarian looked at me, took the book, and stated, “That’ll be $2.50.”