Crazy Over You

📚 Chapter 3 📚

"Of course you're here." I continue to read my book until I finish the paragraph before looking at the owner of the voice. Once I did, I looked up to see James close the door and walks in the small room which was once an office to a mini library for my unhealthy obsession for books. "I have to say, you really outdid yourself," he compliments, which I take great pride in.

"Thanks." I place my bookmark at my page and close the book, and then look around the room as James did. 

Dad bought and built me a few shelves which I put together with his help and my brothers. This was my birthday gift, the room. I painted the walls in my second favourite colour, purple, with a few designs I've gotten from Pinterest in gold, black and silver to add to the aesthetic. Most of the shelves are filled with books, some are colour coded while others are with their series. There's a large window with a bench. I put pillows and blankets on it to make it comfortable.

There's also a small couch with blankets and pillows. I'm currently sitting by the window for better lighting. There's a light in the ceiling but I barely use it because I love the mini fairy lights I got that's around the shelves and walls. There's a few candles which are there because they're really pretty and I couldn't help myself, and not buy them.

This is my safe space. My happy place where I can dream, read and just be with myself and the books I love.

I look over at James who's now looking at a series of books. His hands in his pockets and standing tall. "I'm going to assume this is one of your dirty books," he chuckles as he turns over to look at me. I roll my eyes as he walks to the bench and takes a seat on the other end.

"How can I help you?" I ask, sort of hating the fact he knows what I read. 

We've grown up together because of our Moms and I once made the mistake of telling him one of the books I was reading because he asked. He did it to either make conversation or to be nice but I went on and on about it, forgetting that the book I was reading was a dark romance.

"Is the bookworm Callista Kwon really going to put her book down for me? What an honour," James sarcasms shows as he takes his hands out of his pockets and gets comfortable while looking at me.

"What do you want?" I ask as I kick his leg with mine. "As you may have not known, you interrupted a very heated argument."

James smirks as he leans towards me, reaching for the book I was reading, "The Devil's Kiss?" he questions even though he read the title. "I'm assuming it's another of your enemy to lovers kind of book." He leans back to how he was before.

"James."

"Alright," he sighs. "Are you and Elio... together?" James asks, sounding awkward and uncomfortable about it.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You mean if he's my boyfriend?" I ask and James just shrugs, not sure of what he's asking which made me laugh once again. "When has James Corleone ever taken an interest in my love life?" I ask.

"Never," he confesses with another shrug.

"Ouch," I place my hands on my heart as if his words hurt me.

 He laughs at my gesture which is one laugh I have heard a few times in class or in the halls. It's one where it can be a little contagious, but it's just a laugh. I've seen him really laugh where he would clap his hands together, sometimes lean forward or throw his head back. He gets that sort of laugh from his mom.

"Ay, Callista," he shakes his head. "If you want me to be interested in your love life, all you gotta do is ask. But I'm sure your brothers are doing a fine job at it," James reminded me with a smile.