Somebody To You (h.s.)

Bookstore Guy

Walking past the Euphorium bakery and the Indian restaurant in the gray London weather, I finally stepped inside to one of my absolute favorite places on Earth - the bookstore. As I made my way inside I paused my playlist on my phone. Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac was playing. 

Daunt Books was a cute bookstore in Hampstead, London. I hadn't been there an awful lot of times, but it's closer to my new apartment. Or, well, Nekesa's apartment, but that's a minor detail. 

Row after row of books fill the room, and if I let myself, I can spend multiple hours in this paradise. It will be bad for my wallet, yes, but it will be great for my happiness. 

I browse through the books, sniffing one of them occasionally when no one else is around, and try to decide which of the books are worth my money today. 

I've been wanting to read We Are Not Free by Traci Chee in forever (like, 2 months) and I can't not buy it. 

A book cover catches the sight of my eye. I wish I was not the kind of person who buys books based on their covers, but the sad truth is that I am. 

I walk over to the shelf and pick up the book to have a closer look. Three Women by Lisa Taddeo, I turn it over to read the summary, but it's not something I would normally read. 

It sounds intriguing, but I'm not sure it's worth my money. I'm not a broke college student anymore, now I'm just broke. 

Just as I'm about to put the book back down, a voice speaks from behind me. 

"It's a really good book." 

I turn around, slightly startled, as I find the person the voice belongs to. 

I look up into the face of a man, likely not much older than me, and in all my confusion, it takes me a moment to realize he's talking to me. 

"I think you would like it." He continues, gesturing towards the book. 

"I don't know, it's not the type of book I would normally go for," I answer politely, picking the book back up to look at it once again. 

"Then what type of book do you usually go for?" I thought the conversation would've just kind of end, but apparently, it didn't. 

"Ehm... I like retellings from Greek mythology and historical fiction in general. Along with the occasional poetry collection every now and then." I answer. It was easy for me to talk about my favorite genres of books, it really was one of the easiest topics one could pick for a conversation with me. 

"But I'm guessing you normally do read books like this one." I assume.

"Yeah, yeah, I do. I mean, I would say I read a few different genres but, yeah, I like books like this one." He says, motioning to the book still in my hands. 

Only now do I realize that there's something familiar about him. I hadn't noticed it before due to the hoodie and the sunglasses he was mysteriously wearing inside. 

"I have an idea." He speaks after a moment of silence, a slight smile on his face. 

I squit my eyes. "Okay..?" I say, motioning him to go on, curious as to what idea this stranger has suddenly gotten. 

"We're each going to get a book that we think the other one would like, and then we have to buy it." He speaks.

"So, I'm supposed to buy a book that someone I've known for 2 minutes recommends me. Is my money worth that?" I ask questionably. 

"I mean, you are in a bookstore with already three books in your arms, so you are obviously looking to spend money on books already." He states, and I hate how right he is. "Also, I promise that you will like the book I pick out."

"And what if I don't?" I ask, now smiling too by the idea of picking out a book for this person. 

"Then I'll give you your money back." He states like it's obvious. 

I glare at him. "You will give me my money back for the book you recommend me if I don't like it?" I ask - that is a deal too good to turn down. 

"That's right." He smiles, and I can't help but notice the dimples in his cheeks. 

"Deal," I say and put my hand forward for him to shake. 

"Meet me here in two minutes." He says after he's shaken my hand. 

"Tw- That's stressful as hell." I protest, but he's already gone. 

I know exactly which book I am making him buy. 

Two minutes later, I'm standing in front of him again, the book behind my back. 

"You go first." He says, and I move the book from behind my bag so that he can see what I've picked out. 

"What's this?" He asks and takes it with one hand. 

"The Song of Achilles. It's a retelling of Greek mythology, and perhaps my favorite book of all time." I answer. 

"The cover is beautiful." He states while studying the book. 

"Yes, it's stunning. Also, this book will absolutely break your heart." I tell him. At that, he looks up at me. 

"And what if it doesn't?" He asks, almost repeating my question from earlier. 

"Then you simply have no heart to break," I answer honestly. 

"Well, that sounds fun." He says sarcastically making me chuckle slightly. 

"Which book did you pick for me?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. 

He hands me the book. My Policeman by Bethan Roberts. 

I look back up at him quizically. 

"I promise you'll love it." He smiles.

"And if you don't you'll at least get your money back." He continues. I chuckle before gathering my books to walk up to pay for them. 

Before I can though, he speaks again. 

"Can I get your number?." He asks, and I open my mouth but I don't even know what to say. 

"So I can tell you whether I get my heart broken or not." He smiles at me and for a dumb moment, I just stare at him. 

"Sure," I say and take his phone when he hands it to me. I put my number in and name myself 'Ave'.

"Ave, huh?" He asks when I hand him back his phone. 

"It's actually Avelina, but I prefer Ave," I explain to him. 

"Ave it is, then." He says before I gather my books once again, including My Policeman, and finally make my way to pay, saying goodbye to the stranger first. 

Then, on my way down the street, it finally hits me - that was Harry Styles.

A/N: it will get better than this, I promise. At least I hope so. The story just needs to start, and for some reason, all the beautiful lines I had in my head disappeared from my memory when I tried writing them down, so... yeah. 

Ugh, I hate my own writing right now. 

I actually had to do quite a bit of research for this, but I think it worked out alright. 

Question: What's your name? I'm looking for name inspirations for multiple characters in this book, so I would appreciate it if you would comment your name or just names you like in general!