Now And Forever

Chapter 3

- Thalia's Pov -

"My name is Loki" I was so lost for words. My mouth flapped open like a goldfish. This man is named after a Norse God. Loki just smiled at me. I felt like I was about to become a puddle. About to finally speak, I heard my Nanna coming back.
"So Loki. What book are you after?" I said after a few stutters. Nanna came in and put the tea and biscuits on the table. She obviously didn't notice that we had a customer in the shop. Or she did notice and wanted me to do all the work.
"There's this Shakespeare book, Coriolanus. I can't seem to find it anywhere and I ain't paying for one online for it to cost me an arm and leg" Loki sighed. I knew the book he was on about. I enjoyed reading it myself. I think we have it here in the shop.
"If we have it, It will be along the back row. I can help you look for it"
"That would be great thanks" Loki nodded while he grinned.

Somehow, My legs managed to move to the back of the shop. After a quick search, I saw the book Loki was looking for. And it just had to be on the second-highest shelf. The ladder was nowhere to be seen.
"That's just great," I thought to myself, Tapping my chin "I think the book you are after is up there" I spoke as I got ready to climb the shelves. Being 5'3 has some major disadvantages but it will never stop me from performing death-defying stunts to get what I want.
"What are you doing?" Loki was standing behind me. Thank god these bookshelves were screwed into the wall.
"Climbing Mount Everest" I grunted. I think I heard Loki laugh "What does it look like I am doing" I looked back over my shoulder. Loki had folded his arms over his chest.
"You look like you are going to hurl yourself off a ringside like those wrestlers do"
"I'm getting the book you are after" I down at him over my shoulder.
"You really do go all out for a customer" Loki smiled. I felt goosebumps on my arms. Ignoring him, I went back to climbing.
"I wouldn't have to do this if my Nanna or Paul left the bloody ladder where it was supposed to be, I wouldn't have to do this" I grumbled as I got to the top. I grabbed the book and passed it down to Loki.
"Yes this is it, Thank you" Loki caressed the book's spine "Now get down before you hurt yourself"
"Yeah, Yeah" I slowly made my way down. Only my foot gave out and I fell backwards "Shit!" I braced for impact. Closing my eyes. This wasn't the first time I have fallen off these shelves and it won't be the last but I highly doubt my butt will forgive me for the bruise it is about to receive.

But I didn't land on the floor. No, I land on something much softer. I opened one eye and saw the black fabric.
"Are you alright?" Loki said. I open my other eye and my mouth flapped open again.
"I'm...I'm fine. T... Th... Thank you for.. urm... catching me" I stuttered. Loki put me on the floor and after making sure I was steady (I was barely standing. Legs were wobbly) Loki picked his book up off the floor "Is the book okay?"
"You could have seriously injured yourself and you're worried about a book?" Loki frowned at me. I nodded. Loki sighed "It's fine. I'd rather the book damaged than you"
"I wouldn't. I love books and couldn't bare to see them damaged" I chuckled "Thanks for catching me"
"Any time" Loki smiled at me as we looked into each other's eyes. It felt as if we were in a movie. I couldn't decide if I wanted to kiss him or walk away.
"Thalia??" My Nanna called, snapping me out of my trance. I shook my head and blinked a few times.
"Be right there! Just helping a customer!" I replied. I guess I had my answer "Is this everything?"
"For now" Loki nodded. Despite the funny feeling of a zoo fighting for space in my stomach, I smiled at Loki as I walked back to my Nanna.

"There you are" My Nanna greeted me. I sat down at the table as Nanna poured the tea "So what are your plans going to be now?"
"Well depending on what my results are. It's either I stay here and walk in this shop or travel to Egypt. Live out there and be a total dork" I wrapped my hands around the cup.
"As much as I want you to stay here, I want you to live your dream and follow your heart" Nanna cupped my chin "So did the customer in the back find what he was looking for?"
"Yeah" I turned around in my chair to see Loki stood upright with his head in the book "Must be a try before he buys kind of man"
"Who?" I pointed to the back "Oh I know him. he's always in here. He cleared out the Arthur Conan Doyle section. Man is a bigger book nerd than you"
"Thank you, Prudence!" Loki yelled. Nanna waved her hands at him.
"You're welcome Loki!" Nanna bellowed back.
"I didn't know you two were on first name terms" I raised an eyebrow at Loki and my Nanna.
"He's always in here. Maybe you should get to know him. Just in case you have to work here" Nanna spoke as she waved Loki over. I rolled my eyes.
"Nanna, Don't be trying to set me up"
"I would never dream of it" Nanna put her hand on her chest. I rolled my eyes again as I knew Nanna was lying. She has always wanted me to find a nice young man to settle down with. Someone who was a bigger book nerd than me. Every time I try and tell her that no one wants me, She tells me off for not believing in myself and that there is always someone out there for someone.

"So what can I do for you, Prudence?" Loki said as he sat at the table. Nanna had already poured him a cup.
"Just want to know how your final exam went?" Prudence sipped her tea.
"Mrs Agnes tried telling me off for not arriving when she wanted me to. I've probably failed that class" Loki shrugged.
"So you are Law Student?" I looked at Loki. Man, His eyes are beautiful. He looked a little shocked that I knew his teacher.
"Yes. What were you studying?"
"Egyptology"
"So your Mr Oak's student. He is almost as bad as Mrs Agnes" Loki scoffed. I raised my eyebrows up and down.
"You do know that they are married," I said as Loki sip his tea. Both he and Nanna choked on their drinks.
"THEY ARE?!" They both shouted. I smiled as I nodded.
"Indeed they are"
"Someone married that old bastard?" Nanna squeaked "My God how desperate was she?"
"It's Mrs Agnes. So very" Loki added. This made me chuckle. Nanna looked at me from the corner of her eye. She was about to speak when she heard yelling from the staffroom and then some crashing.
"Oh for Pete's sake. What's Paul done now? I'll be right back kids" Nanna shot up and jogged to the back.

I did think about helping my Nanna and Paul out but I then changed my mind as I didn't want to leave Loki by himself. Mainly for two reasons. 1, he's a customer and 2, He is kind of fun to talk to.
"I wonder what trouble Paul is causing?" I spoke. Loki tilted his head at me "What? Something on my face?" I touched my cheeks, Thinking there were biscuit crumbs on them.
"No, Your face is per, I mean fine" Loki stuttered "I was, Just wondering, How comes you don't call Paul Granddad?"
"Because he is not. He met my Nanna when I was 10. They have been dating ever since. Not married but still very much in love with each other" I smiled as I looked at my cup.
"I always thought they were married. Makes you want a relationship like theirs" Loki smiled softly.
"As long as the next person doesn't end up being like my pops then I'll take anyone" I sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"The whole reason I was in London at Uni was because of my father, He doesn't believe that I am worth anything"
"What an ass" Loki scoffed "Can I ask why is that?"
"Because I am a girl. I have 5 older brothers and he treats them so much better. In my father's eyes, The sun shines out their backsides and they can do no wrong. Even my mum thinks they are angels. My dad's dad is the same" I pulled a frowny face. I hate my bio granddad, He nearly drove my Nanna into an early grave "My Nanna already lived in London. She and Paul have always had my back"
"Apart from Prudence and Paul, Your family sound like horrible people. Almost as bad as mine" Loki lent his elbows on the table.
"What did your family do?"
"I was adopted and treated like I was the black sheep. Father loved my brother more. And wasn't subtle about it. Mother was okay. She loved us both" Loki smiled when he talked about his mother "That oaf that you saw with me is my brother. Like Prudence, He has my back. Even if he is annoying"
"I also noticed that he has no regard for books. I heard the burning comment"
"Yes well, He is an oaf and prefers brawns over brains"
"Will you warn him next time, That if he is to burn these books down; My Nanna will kick his arse from here to space" I mean I could do it but it's so much fun seeing my Nanna in action.
"Oooh, can I watch that? I'll bring my own popcorn" Loki chuckled.
"I'll make sure we both have a front-row seat" I laughed. Maybe not all men are idiots. This one seems to be okay.