You Got My Pages Turning

Chapter One: Meet.

Water splashed around my feet, making ripples that flooded the pavement. I grimaced when my socks soaked the water that had entered my shoes as I ran. Stores blurred past me as I took a sharp turn. I can't be late for the book signing!

I tumbled into the bookstore, panting. A shiver ran down my spine when the cool air ruffled my damp hair. I sneezed and shook my hair out.

"Hey!" I flinched at the loud voice. I turned around to meet the person who has so much energy at 6 am. Red glowering eyes meet my emerald ones. He marched towards me and I instinctually took a step back.

His hair is slicked back and tied into a ponytail which bounces behind him as he comes closer.

"Wipe your feet before you enter for god's sake," The tall man scowled at the puddle around my feet. "I have to clean it again, now."

"I'm so sorry," I hop onto the rain mat and drag my feet across it.

He grumbles in response and a chuckle escapes my lips before I can stop it which earns me a look from him. He is so prickly.

"I'll just be on my way-" I say as I squeeze past him, our shoulders brush for a small moment as I do. He glances at his shoulder and his hand shoots up to caress the area I'd touched.

I slid into the seat that had my name plastered across it and glanced around the store. The shelves are dusty and high, almost towering over each other. Tall ladders nestled into the little space beside each shelf. The entire store is painted in streaks of a soft orange hue by the fairy lights hanging from the railing of the top floor.

I leaned back in my chair and sighed, batting my eyes shut. I hope people actually come in and I don't make a fool out of myself like how I did at the other store.

The rain outside crashed against the pavement with a pitter patter. I could hear the leaves rustling as they caught the morning dew. The scent of books tickles my nose and I sniff. I haven't had peace in a while.

*CRASH*

Right on cue. I slipped out of my seat and followed the sound of profound swearing. I turned the corner and the same red glowering eyes met mine but this time from down below. He was kneeling on the floor, clutching books to his chest and was surrounded by them, too . A box lay near his knees in which he was shoving the books inside.

"Are you okay?" I ask in a soft voice as I drop to my knees. I gather a couple books in my arms before they are yanked away from me.

"I can do it myself."

I offer him a smile. "I know, I just want to help."

"You can help by minding your business." He snapped, still hugging the books to his chest. My eyes traced his tall frame slowly. The uniform hugs his well built frame tightly, the buttons at his chest threatening to bust open at any minute. He flushes and scowls under my gaze.

"Okay, I'm sorr-"

Before I can complete my sentence, a hoard of teenagers come busting into the store. The sound of laughter and banter replaces the silence the bookstore initially had. I spring to my feet and scurry back to my signing table.

***

Throughout the signing event, I could feel someone's peering gaze from across the room. As the line of teenagers became smaller and smaller, the gaze grew more and more intense. After the last kid left, he marched up to me again.

"Can you sign this?" He didn't meet my eyes as he held out a copy of my own book. I flashed him a grin as I took it from him. "Are you a fan?"

"No. My brother is." He cleared his throat and yanked the book away after I was done signing.

"Aw, tell him I said hello." I offer him a smile to which he raises an eyebrow. "Why do you keep doing that?"

I tilt my head quizzly. "Doing what?"

"I- nevermind." He snaps all of a sudden and takes his place behind the cash register once more. "Okay, then."

There seems to be more to him than he is letting on. His back slouches as he towers over the register. Eye bags hang loosely from his eyes. Curiosity spikes in my brain. I lean forward on my table, unable to take my eyes off him. After a while his head tips forward and snaps back upright. He must be tired.

I saunter over to him and slide a tall cup of coffee across the counter.

"Are you okay?"

"What?"

"You seem tired." I tap the coffee cup.

"I can't accept this." He pushes the coffee back towards me.

"It's a thank you gift, don't get the wrong idea. I do this every signing event." I bite my tongue as the lie slips out of my mouth.

"Oh." His eyes soften for a moment before an icy look replaces it. "Thank you."

"I'll be off now. See you tomorrow."

I go back to my desk and gather my things, stuffing them into my backpack. I swing it around my shoulder and stride to the door. I take a peek over my shoulder and see him holding the cup with both hands, a small smile plastered across his face. I grin and take off once again into the rain.