Blame Gravity

Chapter 6

Finally, it's the weekend. I couldn't wait.

Luckily, I don't have a date with Mike (not that I don't like him, I've just seen enough of him for this week), and besides homework, I have no responsibilities and I can engage in a new novel. 

I wake up at 12PM and I wouldn't have it any other way. I jump out of bed, stumble to my closet and pick a nice outfit. I decide to wear a strawberry dress and some matching pink sneakers. 

I kiss Mum on the cheek, hug my little sister and I run to Starbucks.  

I then run to Barnes and Noble. It's literally my favorite place in the world. I'm browsing Y/A shelves when I hear a familiar voice. I look behind me and see that James just walked into the shop. 

What the fuck?

Is he following me?

I kneel behind the shelf so that he won't see me. I sit there for about two minutes when I look up again and see that he isn't there anymore. I sigh and grab my bag so I can stand up again.

"Hiding, Canmore?" I hear from behind my back. 

I jump at the sound and knock over the shelf while spilling my coffee all over my new sweater. James grabs me so I don't fall.

"I..." I don't know what to say. Fuck! Why does this keep happening to me?! James helps me stand up. 

"Didn't mean to scare you there, Canmore," he mutters, and he grabs a tissue. He almost starts helping wipe the coffee off when he notices where I spilled it. He blushes slightly, looks away, and hands me the tissue. 

"Thanks," I breathe, and I start wiping my drink off. Five dollars wasted. Great. "What are you doing here anyway?" I ask when I'm done.  "I didn't know you liked to read."

"I don't, necessarily. I'm, uh... buying a present for someone." He helps put the shelf back in its place. 

"Who's the unlucky one?" I ask. 

He smiles. "That's a secret."

"Is it Maud?" I shoot apologetic glances to the nearby employer who has since started to put the shelf back where it was.

His expression darkens for a moment. Why? Did they break up, or something? His smile reappears. 

"Maybe," he finally says. 

We stay silent for a moment, and then I walk over to a different shelf. I  look at Sarah J Maas's books. I've read the first two books of ACOTAR, but I want to read more of them. 

He follows me and snorts. "You read SJM?"

"Yeah. Something wrong with that?"

"Oh no, of course not. So, uh, what was your favorite part?" He crosses his arms and leans against the wall, smiling like an idiot.

I blush and smack him on the head. 

"Hey!" He steps closer to me and smiles softly. I can feel his warm breath and I can't help but glance at his lips.

"How can a human being be so annoying?" I breathe into his mouth. 

"Special talent," he snickers. Then, his smile vanishes, and we look at each other like that for a few moments, breathing heavily. I feel that spark I felt when we kissed, and my heart is beating like crazy. Suddenly we realize what we're doing, and we both take a step back and look away.

"I have to go," he whispers and walks away. I don't even bother saying goodbye to him. 

I stare after him and after a few moments, my breathing returns to normal. I then realise what just happened.

Were we just about to kiss?

What the fuck?

I put my hands to my cheeks and realize I'm blushing furiously. Why?! I don't even like him! He's annoying and stupid and he thinks he's better than me. Fucking idiot. 

And yet, I feel all nervous around him. 

I decide it's hatred that I feel, I grab the third part of the series, pay for it, and quickly walk out of the shop.  Right at that moment, Mike texts me. 

Mike

Hey beautiful! Wanna grab a coffee?

No! What the fuck? It's the weekend! Leave me alone! 

                                                                                                       I'm sick. Sorry.

Oh, well, get better soon! :)

How is he so nice? Again, nothing like James. Mike cares about me and doesn't make fun of me when I do something wrong. 

Ugh, why am I even comparing them?! They have nothing in common. 

I walk home and start the novel, but I can't stop overthinking. Especially about James. What happened between him and Maud? Why did his expression darken 43 shades when I talked about her? Why did he look at me that way? 

I then realize something. 

He didn't even buy a present.