The Bookstore

(2) Crossroads

Sophie

I love sunny days like this one, it makes my passion for this bookstore even more powerful. I'm currently preparing for the day, because I work here. I've been working alone here for a while now, but it's fine, it's a bookstore, this job isn't full of bustling people crowds.

I don't get tired of its quiet and serene atmosphere and the scent of old books lingering in the air. I'm always so meticulous about my work, because I'm a hard worker and I always get claimed for it. I need to keep my reputation up.

I let the bookstore's door open and head behind the reception desk, sitting at the chair and looking around. I can't help but be lost in thought thinking about some... Complicated things while I run my fingers through my straightened black hair, made up in my usual ponytail. When I come back to life, I realize my glasses are almost down my nose, so I pull them up and take a deep breath.

I look down at my vintage-inspired black dress and rub it slightly with my fingers while my mind drifts to another world again. But I'll tell you what's that world about.

My girlfriend.

I'm really worried about my relationship with Anna, but, sometimes, I think I'm just exaggerating about it all. Maybe I'm inventing the problems by myself. This is something I think about very often ultimately.

While I'm working , I usually give myself solaces to escape from my personal troubles.

I've been living in Whistlewood all my life. And I get along with my parents, but lately, I think I don't like them as much as before, because they disapproval my relationship with Anna as if we're both the devil's kids. I could never forget them for embarrassing her in front of my entire family while they invited her for dinner to their houses by themselves. I always remind Anna that she doesn't have to worry and give a further thought about that. That everything in her is fine. Even perfect.

I'm also a very well-known person in this community, because I organized many library's events and I helped residents with their researches. Before I realize it, there are a few clients looking at the shelves. I sit up straight and look at an elderly woman in front of me. We chatted a bit and I gave her the old book she was claiming.

I also helped a little kid find his favorite story.

One of the patrons talked with me for a while, making me sparkle with curiosity about something he said. He mentioned some rumors about this bookstore, but I didn't understand literally anything about it. It made me remember about the woman that owned this bookstore. I adore her and I want to continue her legacy by working here. I know she has a granddaughter , but I know nothing about her.

Anna

I'm not ready to leave yet, I just can't, but I have to. I know Sophie's been worried about it but she never talks to me about it. I'm in my apartment, and when I look down at the floor, all I see are half-made boxes and moving supplies.

The atmosphere in my own apartment feels bittersweet, and I hate it. We're not ready to have a long-distance relationship. It's probably going to end in a breakup, and I definitely don't want that. But I can't do much more than just comfort her.

But even though I'm feeling those bitter emotions, I'm so excited to start my new job. But the anxiety about leaving her here is eating me up inside. I really love her and it's giving me an internal constant conflict.

I grab my phone and click the camera just to look at my anxious face. My curly blonde hair falling past my shoulders and my blue eyes, I've seen them so much. Sophie says my smile is the brightest she's ever seen, but right now I just can't smile like that. And now that I'm thinking about her, I decide to call her.

She picks up the call and we chat for a bit, until I start talking about the awaited conversation.

"I have almost most of my boxes already packed."

"Oh, uhm... That's great. I know you're going to be happy with your new job." She says with a lower voice than usual, reminding me she doesn't like the slightest this topic.

"Well, see you later?" I say, saying goodbye to this phone call.

"Yeah, see you. I love you." She says that last sentence with a long pause after the first one, but I quickly answer her with an I love you too and hang up.

I place my phone down next to a framed photo, of us. I rub my thumb along her cheek and then I put it down on one of the boxes, carefully.

Tyler

I'm so bored I could just die in my bed. What's the point of staying in my house if I can't stop thinking constantly about my parent's divorce? I'm just a teenager who needs to be out and hang out with friends. I feel how my messy light brown hair falls down my forehead, covering a tiny part of my hazel eyes.

I'm wearing my usual clothes: a hoodie, ripped jeans and my black sneakers. Just the usual teenager clothes. I heave out a big sigh and look around at my messy room and the scattered school supplies.

I just hop off of my bed and grab my skateboard: my only and favorite escape. Then, I just step out of my house and start skating through the streets, reflecting on my struggles and feeling free. That's why I love skating, it gives me that freedom sensation.

I decide to go to the bookstore, where I hope my best friend is working right now, I need to have a quick chat with someone. And it's a place where I find peace even if I don't usually go to read.

When I arrived, we talked about how I was doing in school and in general after I gave her a warm hug. But then, I looked behind en and saw someone that certainly got my attention for some reason.

We walked there and I saw Sophie's expression, full of happiness, before I see the two girls hugging,

Sophie

I didn't know she was moving here, right in the upstairs part of the bookstore! I didn't even know she was moving to this town, but I guess she inherited this place. I give her a warm hug and look at her features. God, she's pretty.

"Are you Lily? Like, Lily Harper?" I say, completely shocked as if I just saw Olivia Rodrigo here.

"That's me, you're... Sophie, right?" She says. I don't even know how she knows my name but I'm glad she does.

I introduced Tyler to her, and the three of us stayed there for a long while, chatting and asking her questions. I had good expectations about her, and she seems to be as kind as I imagined.