Her Street Fighter

20.

Chapter Twenty
Marebela

I was walking down the street from the restaurant and looking at the different stores.

Ever since Gunn took me for a drive only to speed the whole time. He knew how much I didn't like that. He could've gotten hurt or killed. So could I, but he didn't care about that.

He didn't care about anything.

I spotted a store that stood out to me that Gunn and I never went into. It was the bookstore.

Gunn was asleep before I left and it has been a long time since I got lost, Gunn showed me around more times after then. I felt comfortable walking around by myself now.

I made it into the bookstore and was instantly engulfed with the smell of old books and dust. I love this smell. I felt such a melancholy and nostalgic feeling. Although it felt sad, I liked it.

I wandered through the aisles where multiple rows of shelves and books were placed. The bookstore was small, but it was full of books. There were at least a million. Even if they weren't on the shelves, they were placed flat above the shelves or on the ground.

It seemed messy, but it was neat and organized despite all the books everywhere.

All the books were gathered in a satisfying way and they all fit perfectly.

I would love to work here.

I noticed there was an old man sitting on a stool behind the counter. He had his nose stuck in a book, his glasses on the tip of it as he read through the pages. His hair was grey, almost white and he had wrinkles on his forehead that moved every time he flipped the page.

The book in his hands was old, warn out and looked like it had been read a lot of times. I could tell it was his favourite. He must have had that book since he was young.

I walked through the bookshelf aisles and tried to look for a book I wanted to read. I needed a new book since I left all of them at my stepmother's house.

Once I saw a book that caught my eye. It was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have read it once when I stole it from my sisters room when she was out with her friends one night. I didn't get to read it all, so now I can finally have my own copy. I took it from the shelf and went to go check it out.

I walked up to the register and the old man still hasn't moved from the stool or peeked up from the book.

I waited patiently because I know how frustrating it was when someone interrupted you while you were deep in a good book.

Eventually, he noticed I was waiting and apologized profusely.

I told him it was no problem and put the book on the counter.

"This is a great choice. A classic." He took the book and scanned it.

I nodded my head and smiled.

"$12.43," he told me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the wallet that Gunn gave me. I took out fifteen dollars and placed it on the counter.

"You can keep the change," I said. He seemed like such a kind man. He deserved it.

"Thank you, dear." He smiled kindly.

"Are you hiring?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Not many people have come in looking for a job, so there is definitely a need for workers. If you are thinking of working here, you are hired."

"What?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "Just like that."

"Just like that. When can you start?"

"Whenever you need me."