The Hurt Game

❧ one

When I was little, my mother used to read me fairy tales. She told me about the prince who rescued the princess, about how they fell in love and lived happily ever after. I fell in love with those stories. As soon as I could read, I would beg my mother to buy me more books. I wanted to continue reading about fairy tales, and magic, and love. Nothing else existed that fascinated me more than how friendships were made and how people found comfort in others, how some of them would be torn apart without the other. Yet I continued to read, because it was the only thing that wouldn't leave me. It was something I could always turn to, to simply forget about my worries in my life and focus on something that wasn't mine, but would come close to it.

Books changed my life. They showed me what could be, what might never be and what only could be dreams. Even before my life turned upside down, I collected books. They were my happy place, my safe haven. I even had more copies than one of a book.

So when I came up to the counter with a copy of 'The Butterfly Room' after my shift had ended, Arthur laughed. A sheepish smile spread across my lips.

"What happened to the other copy?" he asked.

"Nothing," I answered with light flushed cheeks. "I just didn't have this one."

A grin was plastered on his lips as he slightly shook his head and checked the price. I placed the twenty dollar bill on the counter. He took it from me and grabbed a couple of coins, counting my change.

"There is no such things as 'too many books', ain't there?" he spoke while handing my change back.

I shook my head while smiling, putting the change in my purse. "Nope. Besides I will head to the café and I wanna read."

"Don't you have a book with you? I thought I saw you reading during your break."

"Finished it." I grabbed the book from the counter while readjusting my bag on my shoulder.

Another laugh escaped Arthur's lips as he nodded his head. "Of course you have."

"What can I say? I love reading." I grinned brightly. I backed away from the counter and stepped into the direction of the exit of the bookstore. "Thank you. I will see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Waverly. Thank you for your help today!" he called out after me. I waved with my book before turning on my heels and I exited the bookstore, the little bell tingling when the door moved it.

The sun radiated down on me. A smile spread on my lips as I made my way through the mass of people. It was Friday and most people were going home for the weekends. Some teenagers would pass and shout in excitement. I watched them come and go.

My book was clutched to my chest as I weaved through the crowd, looking out for traffic and crossing the streets. The wind blew my hair onto my back. I enjoyed the soft breeze in the warmth of the late September sun. It was warm enough to walk around without a jacket, but wearing a t-shirt was a bit cool.

The walk from the bookstore to the café was only a five minutes' walk. It was a long enough distance to breathe in some fresh air, but short enough to not be exhausted from it and to build up some anticipation to start reading. The anxiety and anticipation to open the book and absorb every word written in black... it was one of the greatest feelings ever. It was enough to keep me waiting yet, as soon as I would sit down and open the book, everything would fade away and the only thing that seemed real was the world in front of me.

A brighter smile tugged at the corners of my lips as my eyes caught the sign of the café. I skipped once before walking a little faster to the door. A couple walked out right when I stopped in front of it. They wore smiles on their faces and they were laughing and talking meanwhile holding hands and gazing down on each other. A pang shot through my heart, a desire building in my chest.