The Inevitable Eclipse

Chapter 6 - Earning The Title

   The BookNook really was a hidden gem. Burrowed amongst the lifeless chains and overpriced boutiques, it felt like its own little world, like the Old Tenebris. The whole place smelt of nostalgia.

    That's all Ivy could think as she ran her finger along the titles. The towers of books either side of her were so tall that some may have thought it claustrophobic, she found it comforting.

    Ezra was right by her side and perhaps it was being surrounded by so much prose, but she found herself thinking aside from my family, Ezra is the only person who has been by my side through it all. They were twin flames, where one went the other wasn't far behind and she figured that nothing would ever be able to separate them, she couldn't see a single day in the future where Ezra wasn't in her life.

    "I'm glad that you're my best friend," She said to him.

    He had been reading the blurb of a book about the French Revolution. He looked up and smiled. "I'm glad you're my best friend too. But where did that come from?"

    She shrugged. "I don't tell you enough."

    Ezra set the book back on the shelf and took her hand to squeeze it three times. "I really am the Order of The Phoenix."

    "What does that mean?"

    "Under appreciated."

    She rolled her eyes and continued to browse the shelf. "You are right about that though, Order of The Phoenix is my favourite Harry Potter book."

    "I know it is. You've been very vocal about how you feel about that book."

    He reached over her head to grab a book, yet another one about the French Revolution.

    "What is with your new obsession with the French Revolution?"

    "Vive La France," Was all he said as a response.

    They moved to the counter to pay. Mr Abernathy rose shakily to his feet.

    "Hello again," He said to Ivy. "I haven't seen you in a few days."

    "You know I could never stay away for too long, Mr Abernathy," Ivy replied and set her own book on the counter. She took Ezra's out of his hand and put it on the counter with hers. "I'm buying his, he is insisting that I don't appreciate him enough."

    "I did not say that!" He nudged her.

    "It was implied."

    Ezra laughed and raised his hands in mock surrender . "Well if you want to buy my book, I'm not going to stop you."

    "Need a hand, Grandpa?" A young man stepped out from the back room behind the counter, he gripped the edge and pulled himself the last couple of inches. The man was young, probably in his early to mid twenties, but he was shaky on his feet.

    "Put those in a bag for my favourite customer, Adam." Mr Abernathy said as he rung the books into the till.

    Ivy smiled. "Thank you, you're my favourite store owner."

    Mr Abernathy's grey eyes twinkled and Adam smiled.

    Adam handed the bag to Ezra. "Hey man, how are you?"

"Hey," Ezra took the bag. "I'm great, how are you? Have you been busy in here?"

Adam shrugged. "Not really, just a few regulars."

"Thanks, Adam. See you later?"

"Alright, see you." Adam said and then looked to Ivy. "Nice to meet you."