M A X W E L L

happy readers & coffee drinkers

M A X W E L L

3

The lecture was only mildly boring today which explains why I don't feel like completely gouging my eyes out. I'm stuck in auditorium traffic at the exit when my phone begins to vibrate in my pocket. Praying it's not my landlord Rooney, I quickly reach for it.

Summer. An almost pleasant surprise.

"Mr. Grumpy, where are you?"

"It depends on who's asking," I reply cheekily.

"Well, how about a pretty lady you promised to go to karaoke with?"

Did she actually think I was going to go through with that? Oh Summer, you still don't know me, do you?

"Oh shit, that's tonight?" I ask, sounding convincingly surprised.

"Yes Grumpy, how could you forget?"

I groan, "Fuck, I am so sorry Summer, I didn't realise it was tonight- I actually have this robotics project to submit tomorrow and I really can't bail on my team"

"You're kidding right?"

Is she mad, disappointed, both?

"I don't know how it slipped my mind," I sulk, "I was really looking forward to it"

She sighs, "I guess I'll have to ask Drew to come with me then although she hates karaoke" she complains

Well so do I.

"You guys will have fun, plus she needs the break, she's been so preoccupied lately," I say reassuringly.

"I know, maybe it'll be good for us," she mumbles, "Anyways, don't beat yourself up for not being able to come, it's okay, really"

"I'll make it up to you, I promise"

"I'll hold you to that," She says, "Good luck with the project, remember to get enough sleep, drink lots of water and have dinner and by dinner I mean actual food, not a bag of Doritos."

I feel myself smile, "Okay mom," I chuckle, "Have fun tonight"

"Love you, gotta go," she says before hanging up.

Well that was easier than expected, considering how mediocre a lie that was, you did pretty well Maxwell or maybe you have Summer to thank for that. Thank you dear optimist, you are both a blessing and a curse.

With Summer taken care of, I can actually decide what to spend the rest of my day doing. I haven't had much self-indulgence in the past few weeks, either too swamped with work and school or too tired to even lift a limb.

As I walk to my car, I find it ridiculous how incredibly taxing it is for my brain to remember what it is I normally do for fun. I slide into the driver's seat and ignite the engine, clueless as to where I'm headed. I distract myself from rush our traffic with the sweet, effortless sounds of Mac DeMarco, perfectly fitting for the lazy sun, boasting it's goldenness from above. Seldom do I hum to music but there's something about the light breeze and humid air that is sinfully relaxing. I'm taking in my surroundings as I drive, when I spot the rusty sign, "Happy readers & coffee drinkers"

How dare this enchanting place get buried in my memory? I remember walking in the first time and thinking wow, an actual bookstore. Simple, with only the bare necessities a bookstore should have -shelves and books, two awkwardly placed armchairs and random pot plants here and there. It wasn't trying too hard to be a bookstore, shy but proud, saying, "Hey, the magic is in the books, I'm merely just a womb."