Since I arrived in Chaston a few days ago, I've had the chance to meet some of the residents, young as well as old people. Two common points they shore with Collin: helpful and pleasant. Occasionally, my colleagues would give me a call or my father or just some random friends unrelated to my work and I loved sharing my local discoveries with them. I was truly enjoying my time here and just thinking about leaving soon already broke my heart.
One day, I decided to visit the local bookstore. I stepped inside, glanced around, hoping to find someone else when a cheerful voice greeted me.
"Hello! Welcome! How can I help you... Oh my gosh, you're Jamie! Jamie Allen! I can't believe you're in Chaston!"
Surprised, I managed to give her a humble smile. I have met many people in Chaston, but honestly none evere reacted like this young woman here. Some of them have given me the profile of a writer or a singer and I always had to correct them to avoid confusion. But given the reaction of my interlocutor, she might have really recognized my real profile.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." she said, her excitement still bubbling over. "I'm just so thrilled to meet you! This feels like a dream. Please pinch me, just to make sure I'm not imagining this!"
"I don't think we need to go that far to confirm this is real." I replied.
"Really! It's not every day that someone like you visits Chaston. I'm a huge fan of your work!"
Someone like me? What was that supposed to mean? I wasn't really one of those big celebrities. I wasn't even near the profile of Frida Kahlo or Cindy Sherman. I was just a modest painter indeed known for my surrealistic art and that was it.
"I'm flattered; that really means a lot to me."
"Where are my manners? How can I help you today?" she quickly regained her professionalism.
"I'm looking for detective novels. Do you have any here?"
Yes, I've been a huge fan of Agatha Christie and now that I've finished most of her well known books, I wanted to extend my knowledges and read similar authors.
"Absolutely! You're in the right place! Let me show you." she said, leading me to the appropriate section. "Here you go! I hope you find what you need. Are you looking for something specific?"
"Not really. I'll just go with my instincts and browse around."
"Alright then. I'll be at the counter if you need anything."
"Thank you so much." I replied, returning her smile.
I browsed the books, read synopsis that caught my eye, moved from shelf to shelf. After a few minutes of indecision, I finally selected three books and made my way back to the counter.
"So, did you find what you were looking for?" she asked.
"It was quite challenging, but yes I ended up choosing." I said proudly, placing the books on the counter.
"All done! I finished the inventory." a familiar male voice interrupted.
I turned to see Collin approaching, looking more casual than I remembered. He wore navy shorts, a white linen shirt with his sunglasses hung on the collar of his shirt. He was way too good looking and I was left speechless at his sight. I really haven't expected to run into him in this bookstore.
"Well, I didn't expect to see you here." I said, surprised.
"Guess I do more than just serve drinks." he grinned back.
"Wait a minute!" the previous bookseller hold. "Don't tell me you already met each other?"
"Briefly." was all Collin replied, as he clearly was avoiding the subject.
"Why didn't you tell me that sooner! Collin, you're so mean!"
"So Jamie, what brings you to this lovely place?" he cleared his throat.
"Don't try to avoid the conversation."
"I'm not Audrey. I really am not."
"We just met two days ago when I first arrived." I told Audrey. "I was in the lunch bar and I met him...accidentally. I don't know if...that can fix the misunderstanding...between you?"
"See? Nothing to be bent out of shape." he teased Audrey, the bookseller.
"I can't really be mad at you, can I?" she stated blankly. "So you managed to make your list?"
"Yes. The comic books are all sold out, chick-lit as well, dramas are gathering dust and crime novels and thrillers are running low. Looks like we got a long day ahead."
"Are you heading somewhere?" I asked, curious.
"Yes, downtown. To restock. Want to join me for the ride?"
"Yes!" I nodded enthusiastically. "I'd love to."
"Before you go, can I take a picture with you Jamie, please?" Audrey asked.
"Of course!" I said, smiling as she handed her smartphone to Collin.
"You owe me that." she muttered to him as they both just snickered.
Once that was done, Collin mentioned he needed to stop by the coffee shop to pick up a package, and I happily joined him. As we walked in, an elderly man shuffled out.
"Rupert? How are you?" Collin greeted warmly.
"Hm? Oh, Collin! I almost didn't recognize you! My vision's gotten so bad! But I just had cataract surgery. You knew I had a cataract surgery, didn't you? Can you believe it? Now I can see better! Look, I can even walk alone by myself! Though your grandmother still worries about me wandering around. You should visit her more often; she still makes those amazing muffins..."
As he spoke, Collin and I exchanged amused glances, barely holding back laughter.
"Sorry, I talk too much. But who is this lovely young lady with you?" Rupert then asked.
"Lovely indeed." Collin said, turning to me. "Rupert, this is Jamie, a friend visiting."
A lovely friend I appeared to be? I hadn't realized how our relationship had shifted this far, but who was I to complain?
"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am. I hope next time we meet again, I'll be able to put a name on your face. You know with age, I struggle with both. Are you enjoying your time here, uh... Jamie, right?"
"Yes, that's right. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Rupert. I love this place. It's so different from where I'm from." I replied with a warm smile.
"That's wonderful to hear! Well, I won't keep you young folks. Have a great day!"
"See you soon, Rupert! Take care and please say hi to Grandma for me. I'll drop by when I can." Collin said as Rupert slowly walked away, disappearing around the corner.
"He's adorable." I told to Collin.
"Adorable people recognize each other." he replied with a teasing grin as he headed to the coffee shop counter, leaving me momentarily speechless.
"Did you just call me adorable?" I asked in disbelief.
"Don't know. Maybe?" he teased back, turning to the woman at the counter.
YOU ARE READING
See You Again
ChickLitIt's an excerpt from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". He says: "The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have loo...
