The library had become a sanctuary for Jake and Ruby. Their study sessions, which had started as a clumsy, nerve-wracking excuse for interaction, had evolved into a comfortable, weekly ritual. They would claim a table in the history section, surrounded by the quiet, dusty smell of old maps and biographies, and the rest of the world would just fade away.
This Saturday was no different. Jake was explaining the intricacies of feudal Japanese politics, using a salt shaker and a pepper shaker to represent two warring clans.
"…so the Takeda clan, that's the salt, had the superior cavalry," he said, sliding the salt shaker across the table in a sweeping flanking maneuver. "But the Uesugi clan, the pepper, had a stronger defensive position and better supply lines."
Ruby watched his demonstration, a small, amused smile on her face. "You've really thought about this."
