When I wake up, I smell something good coming from the kitchen. I get up and when I get down there, I see Audrey making pancakes.
“Audrey, what are you doing? You have to get to the bus stop in 5 minutes! Do you need me to drive you?”
“Ok mom. Did you not hear about it? There was a lot of rain last night and the ground is way too flooded for bus drivers to pick up kids so we get a 2 hour delay. This school year is starting off on the right foot!”
“Ugh! Well can you take care of yourself because I still have to go to work? You need to be on time when the bus does arrive because you can’t afford to start off the school year with a bunch of unexcused absences.”
“Sure whatever. I will be fine! Just go get ready for work, I’ve got this handled.”
“Ok, but if I find out that you skipped school today then I’m going to take away phone privileges!” I don’t wait for her to complain as I walk back up the stairs and put on a light pink button up blouse and a cute white skirt. Paired with some heels, I grab my purse, and keys, say goodbye and leave for work. As I’m driving, the only thing I can think about is what book I’m going to read today. It’s a tough call between two classics, Dracula or Moby Dick.
As I walk in the doors, I smell pine needles and cinnamon. This is my favorite thing about working at a bookstore, the smell of the books. It sounds weird but it brightens up my whole day. After a couple hours of reading and helping out people, I notice a familiar face walk into the shop. It’s the construction guy from yesterday.
“Welcome back! Are you here for more construction books?”
“No this time I’m here for a more explicit book. I need something about bondage.”
I can feel my face turn 5 shades darker, and I can’t help but think of all the things he is going to do to his girlfriend when he gets the book. As I look back up at him he is smirking. What a perverted guy!
“Ummm yes, then follow me please.”
As I bring him to the adult section of the library, I look for the section he needs. I can feel his gaze on my back like its burning right through me and the books.
“Here you go. If you need anything else then don’t be afraid to ask!” I try to muster up the best smile I can while thinking about leaving as soon as I stop talking.
“Yeah thanks Clara.”
That's it. That does it for me. My face is baked. I am probably a maroon color right now. I can’t believe he remembered my name. I try to walk away as fast as I can. As I get back up to my desk, I pull out a book to take my mind off of him, but it doesn’t work. I can’t stop thinking about his smirk. Even though he is completely perverted, there is still something about talking to a hot guy that just makes my day no matter how they act. As I check out his book he slips a piece of paper onto my desk. He gave me his number! My face turns red for the third time today. As he's walking out he has this silly grin on his face and he turns around.
“Call me Clara.”
Wow. I don’t even realize that I’m gawking until another lady comes over to scan her books. This guy… There's something about him that makes me nervous. Both a “stay away” and “he’s so hot” nervous. I decide I’m going to call him because nothing can go wrong from taking a chance. I wish I hadn’t.
When I get home from work, I tell Audrey all about my recent conquest. She tells me to go for it, and I’m even more convinced that this will be a good thing.
Just to triple check that I should, I call my best friend Anna. One name that I forgot to mention in my little self induced introduction from chapter 1 was Anna, my best friend. We talk over the phone because we live in two different countries, but we refuse to lose contact. We have been friends since I was three years old and I can’t imagine it any other way. She is the complete opposite from me, hourglass figure, makeup to accentuate her beauty, powerful and brave, she knows what she wants and she's not afraid to ask for it. She likes clubs and hates books. But this is why we are so close! She forces me to live a little and I can tame her if necessary.
Of course, she says that I could go for it. I didn’t expect anything else from her.
Even though it’s midnight, I have a feeling that he is still up, so I call him.
It rings three times before he picks up, and at first I wonder if I did wake him up but apparently that was far from the truth.
“Hello?” he sounds startled and there is heavy clubbing music in the background.
“Hi, this is Clara from the bookstore. You gave me your number?” At this point I wonder if he meant to give his number to me or one of the books on the desk. He waits a few seconds to respond as the noise fades in the distance.
“Yeah Clara! How are you? And why did you call me this late? I figured you would be asleep by now.”
“Well unlike my sister, I am a grown woman and therefore I stay up at night. Haha I’m just kidding, I was awake reading. I called to ask why you gave me your number? I was under the impression today that you had a girlfriend?”
“Why were you under that impression?” I can’t even say it out loud but luckily after a few moments of silence he gets it.
“Ohhh the book! That wasn’t what it looked like. Look I gave you my number because you seemed really sweet and I figured I would shoot my shot. So how about dinner, tomorrow night, say 8pm?”
“Yeah that sounds fun! Where will we meet?”
“I will have a car come and pick you up. Text me your address and it will be there.” As much as it sounds like a stranger-danger situation, I can’t help but agree with him. I think it was his voice… it was so…. soothing and persuasive.
As we hang up, I can’t help but smile. I finally have a date! I’ve never been on one before because I have always been the nerdy weirdo that no one liked.
As I put my book down and go to sleep I start dreaming of all the places he could take me tomorrow night, and all of the possible outcomes. Will it crash and burn, or will love save all? Wow I need to read less fairytales!244Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYqwEN2wIs
