Hello Again

Part 3

After checking in I sorted through the different things I needed to do today. It was all simple and pure routine at this point. Check if we have any new books to put away and place them on a cart along with a notepad, Put the books away and check off how many new books are in each section and mark how many were placed in the back before maning the counter and doing any homework i didn't do in my insomnia filled stuper last night. I laughed at myself for the last part subconsciously fiddling with the pendant on my neck as I prepared the cart only to realize it was broken I made a note to tell Edger as I gathered a stack of books in hand. 

As I walked out from the back I ran right into someone. Looking up I could tell it was Edger from his animated movements. I apologized as he turned around for running into him. He waved it off kindly asking if I was ok as he always did when I was clumsy. I never seemed to truly have my balance like something was always trying to push me over. 

I quickly moved around Edger walking backward as I quickly said another apology and explained what I was doing only to trip and start falling backward dropping the books in my hand to the ground. I closed my eyes expecting to hit the ground only to be surprised when I was met with a warm embrace that tingles down my spine. I felt my face scrunch in confusion before I slowly opened my eyes to lock eyes with a pair of dark ones. They held mine with an electricity of a thousand lifetimes. I was only pulled away as Edgar spoke. 

"Good to see you're reflexes are good as ever" Edger mumbled to the person holding me. "Nova, are you ok?" I nodded slowly as he asked slowly looking back to the stranger only to be struck with an odd sense of familiarity. For some reason I couldn't pinpoint his face yet by the look in his eyes he knew me. 

I placed my hand over my pendent for a moment feeling as if it was searing hot on my skin but no pain came just warmth. It seemed to seep through my skin and bones straight to my heart. I stared at him for a moment longer before gathering my books and excusing myself to go do my job. 

Edger had this knowing look that made my heart hurt. He knew something and it bothered me but I shook it off and went about my work when the bell above the door rang and a little girl walked in with her mom making me smile. I observed them for a moment before something else caught my eye. Outside the door sat a raven peering in and for some odd reason I had a feeling it was the same one from the park. I walked over to the door opening it slightly before crouching down and offering it my hand. 

I was happily surprised as it climbed on. Glancing back into the store I decided to step out next to the door. Staring at the raven for a moment I smiled. 

"Hello, little guy..." I stroked his feathers softly laughing as he leaned into it. I felt myself question out loud what his name might be only to hear this voice in the back of my head softly say the name Mathew. "Hmm..Mathew suits you well" As I said the name he perked up "Ahh I see well then Mathew I would love to stay and chat but I need to get back to work so I have to sit you down" I placed my hand close to the ground so that he could hop off before giving him one last look and walking inside. 

I noted that I would have to definitely tell Edger about my new friend the raven. I chuckled at the oddity before the woman form before approached me asking me a quick question about a specific Greek mythology book. I excitedly led the way as I had read that book many times and was excited to share it with someone. We chatted away about different random facts about the myths we knew and even debated some things as we walked before she mentioned one name that made me freeze as it caused an odd buzzing sensation to go through my ears. She had asked me a question about Morpheus the god of sleep and dreams. I felt the pendant warm my skin yet again as I tried to re-focus on her question. 

I was about to speak again when the little girl spoke up and asked me about books about birds. I smiled as the girl seemed young yet eager to learn. I apologetically smiled at the mom who simply laughed picking up the book I had pointed out to her from our mythology section before we walked over to the nature section where I found the perfect book for her. It was a book filled with pictures and fun facts about the state birds. On the front, there was a blue jay standing tall and proud on a branch.  

The girl excitedly accepted the book from my hand as the mom smiled lovingly at her daughter making my heart break a little. I hadn't seen my mom since I moved to college due to conflicts in my schedule. We tried to work around them and even made plans to see each other this weekend but I wasn't sure if it would work out how I hoped. Only time would tell though. 

I led the mom and daughter upfront where Edger and the captivating stranger still talked. I felt a spark as I brushed passed the stranger to get behind the counter to check out the mother and daughter. As I worked with them and we chatted I could feel him stare at the side of my head the feeling seemed to intensify as I made a soft remark to the woman that I hoped she enjoyed the stories of Morpheus and the other Greek deities and heroes.

As they left I glanced up at the two men merely feet away from me only to find myself observing the man standing in front of Edger. He looked to be about 5'10" and clad in black clothing that fit his form well although made his complexion seem pale. His hair seemed unkept and yet wholly purposefully made so. His hair looked soft and bounced with small movements making me smile to myself wondering what it might feel like. His eyes were dark in the shadows but as soft light hit them from the window they reminded me of a storm ragging over a vast ocean. 

As I caught myself admiring him my smile dropped as a small voice in the back of my head reminded me that like any crush I had ever had this one would go nowhere. I decided to grab my laptop from the back and do some homework and maybe even write a paragraph or two. With a deep breath, I dragged my eyes away almost feeling sad for the loss of the captivating sight. Shaking it off I disappeared into the back to fetch my laptop.