The Book of You & I | Karl x Y/N

Chapter 1: Where It All Began

This is an interactive story. I'm gonna ask you to play a specific song during a scene. Here's the Spotify link to all the songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/07HKssRKUDLim1x85gSV2E?si=a1173bafb1164b18

You don't have to play it but it would be more emotional if you played music while you're reading. Hope you enjoy it!

I was walking down the streets of Greenville, North Carolina. I see the arguing couple once again quarreling about their debts to pay. I hear the birds chirping and the leaves rustling. I gaze at the arresting view of Mrs. Simons' garden.

Mrs. Simons calls me

Mrs. Simons: Y/n, how's your morning?

I'm just having my morning stroll to be, you know... you get the idea. I reply as I show an awkward expression on my face.

Mrs. Simons giggles

Looks like you need breakfast. Oh! I have some leftover sandwiches from yesterday's midnight snack. I'll go get some for you. Stay right there, says Mrs. Simons

Thanks, Mrs. Simons! I smile as I watch Mrs. Simons going back to her house to get a sandwich.

What's that sound? I whisper to myself as I hear a ruffling sound in the grass in Mrs. Simons' backyard

I kneel down to check what the crunchy grass noise was all about

Play the song "Astronaut in the Ocean"

As I peek through the fence, I see two dogs rolling down in the deep grass (You see what I did there?)

One of the dogs was black and well the other was... I don't know what you call the color but... let's just call it peach. The peach dog had big patches on its body.

I start making sounds to attract the dogs' attention

Betty, Walter. Ttttttt psssss psssss

The dogs slowly approach me and start sniffing me from the fence

I lean closer to the fence and start talking to the dogs

Hey! Adorable doggies. I said in the little voice I use when talking to adorable pets

The two dogs tilted their heads and stared at me

I slowly reach my hand into the fence

As soon as I was about to touch Betty, she starts howling. Well, it wasn't a howl you would say. It was more like a howl/screech

I immediately took my hands out of the fence as I had flashbacks to when my pet Pomeranian bit me when I was 14.

I remember my dog sitting on a bench looking at me. I start to approach my dog and attempt to carry him but as I grab his arms, he bites me in the face. I remember dad being so furious. Mom was always protective of my skin so I got really worried I would get scarred. Well, it left just a tiny bump. It wasn't visible from afar.

I snap out of my flashbacks as someone bumps me and knocks me down on the floor

I check my skin for any possible scratches. As I scan through my skin, I bump into a piece of peeled skin

Ouch. I whimper as I accidentally touch the dermis of my skin.

Dear heavens. Are you ok? I'm so sorry. I was not paying attention to where I was looking. I'm new here. I wanted to find a store so I could buy Monster Ultra.

The stranger gives me a hand

As I turn my head around and look up, I see a man with light brown hair and sparkling blue-grey eyes.

The guy smiles at me and asks if I'm okay.

I get mesmerized by his eyes and voice

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm fine. I grab the kind man's hand and get up on my feet

Oh, you have a boo-boo. The man says while looking at my leg

Huh? I reply confused

He kneels down and gets something from his bag

Here. He puts a bandage over my "boo-boo"

Ow, I reply in pain

I'm sorry. There. All done. The stranger stands up and smiles at me

Thank you. What's your name?

Karl Jacobs. My name is Karl Jacobs. And I'm sorry for knocking you over earlier.

It's fine. We both giggle and smile at each other.

Why were you staring at the fence for a while? Are you sure you're ok? Karl says worried but still smiling.

Oh, I'm sorry. It's been a long day and-

Stop right there, your honor. Said Karl with his hands showing a stop sign.

It's morning. How's it been a long day? Karl laughs hysterically

Y/n starts laughing as well.

Oh, I feel so dumb. I'm sorry. My brain hasn't been functioning lately and I've been having this annoying body ache for the past few days.

It's okie. Karl giggles

So... um... I stutter as I feel awkward

As I was about to ask Karl if he wanted to eat lunch together, Mrs. Simons comes back with two sandwiches

I got your san- ooooo. Who's this fine young man? Is he your boyfriend? Mrs. Simons says as she looks at me and handing to me the two sandwiches.

Uhhhh... I start sputtering nonsense

I have a girlfriend missus, Karl says as he scratches his back head

I was shattered to pieces. I was imagining how pretty the girl probably was. She was probably an angel to be able to go out with this amazing guy. I fall into my empty abyss.

Y/n. Y/n. Y/n! Are u okay? Mrs. Simons shouts

Y/n, Y/n. That's her name. Karl whispers to himself.

Y/n! Karl says it louder as I'm still in my "empty abyss"

I wake up from my abyss when I hear Mrs. Simons' dogs barking.

I take an extremely loud inhale

Are you okay? You were on another planet for like 10 minutes. Karl says as he puts his hand on my shoulder

I move away to remove Karl's hand from my shoulder.

I'm totally fine. No need to ask. Umm... here! Here are these two sandwiches for you and your "girlfriend", I said as I reach out both of my hands with the sandwiches

No. It's fi-

I insist. She needs her beauty breakfast. I say it with a frustrated tone

Beauty breakfast? Is that a new trend? Karl giggles as he takes the sandwiches from your hands

Beauty breakfast, beauty sleep. You know?

Awkward silence

I'm sorry. I'm ruining your morning. I should go home now.

Wait, Y/N! I'll get you at least a sandwich!

I'm no longer hungry. I shout to Mrs. Simons as I run to my house next door, broken, and embarrassed.

What do you think is going through Y/n's mind? Will Karl and Y/n ever meet again? Stay tuned for the next chapter!