Notes

Chapter 2

Ah, that explains it. I never read that part, makes it more interesting.

There, that's good. I didn't look like a fool anymore. Sighing, I put my pen back into my bag and exit the store. I had a bit of time before I had to meet up with Ally so I decided to grab something to eat. It was still early and a lot of good places were closed, so a quick muffin should do.

Humming a tune, I walked down the street. The sun had already come up but not many people were out. I was used to waking up early, the school was still in my system. But I actually enjoyed being up this early. I saw everything in a different light than usual. I saw birds shaking their wings, readying themselves for another day. I saw the little droplets of water on petunias and lilies planted in small pots on the windows. I saw the sky changing colour by minute, going from black to dark blue, from dark blue to light blue, from light blue to pink and a hundred different variations of those colours. It was refreshing seeing the world waking up.

I stepped into the nearest Starbucks, ordering myself a lemon muffin and Chai. The smells swirled around me as I sat in the couch next to the window, observing all of the people in a hurry to get to somewhere. I felt like I was in a glass bubble, the world buzzing around me as I watched it pass. Before I knew it, it was time for Ally to show up. We had a plan to meet here and go watch a film. I wanted to see The Walk but she was dead set on Sicario. Let's just see who's more stubborn.

"Hey hey, how long have you been here?" My eccentric friend popped up, startling me. I glared at her and she shot me an unapologetic smile. Huffing, I said "Since 7. I've already eaten so let's get going, don't want to miss The Walk."

"Nu-uh, not happening. I'm not changing my mind that easily."

"What would make you change your mind?" I inquired, cocking my head slightly.

"Tyler invited me to a party at his friends' this Friday and I want you to come too. It won't be fun without you there!" She grinned. Noticing my hesitant look, she made her eyes all big and jutted out her bottom lip. "Oh come on, you know you like parties. Let loose once in a while."

"We'll go to see the film I want then? And you'll buy me a large popcorn mixed with M&M's?"

"Done and done. Now let's go, we have shopping to do afterwards. You need a proper outfit " Knowing there was no way to change her mind, I just agreed with her and we were on our way. I don't see what's wrong with my clothes though. I have some good dresses left over from previous parties but she has this 'wear it once, wear it good' mindset when it comes to big social events. I don't mind hitting the stores though, I need some new sunglasses.

We entered the big shopping center that was right next to the movie theater, that way we could use our time shopping fully. She grabbed my hand and the next two hours passed in a whirlwind of dresses, heels and jewelry.

Finding the right clothes was easy. A black-and-blue short dress with blue pumps for her and a black crop top with long sleeves and a golden print with ripped skinnies and black pumps for me. Our hands full of bags, we staggered to the movie theatre, annoying quite a few people on the same lift as us. As I predicted, the film was amazing. Meanwhile Ally hated it. 'Too little action, too little romance, too little scares'. Arguing about it on our way back, I stopped when we passed the bookstore. I had completely forgot about the anonymous critic that had been sending me notes.

I gave Ally a quick hug and rushed into the store, not even stopping to greet Ben. And it was there. The corner sticking up and making it noticeable, a small paper was stuck between the pages of the book. I had left it completely covered,so someone had been here. Smiling to myself, I picked up the note.

How do you know which books to bother reading then?

Every book is worth something, that's how I know.

I had to wait until the evening to read the next answer, the time seemingly moving at snail-speed.

So you just read everything? History? Fiction? I couldn't do that, I get bored by a book I don't like. What kind of genre do you like best? My personal favourites are the high-fantasy kind.

I like fiction, maybe young-adult. Anything along the lines of ordinary life made interesting. I love to know that if these characters, whom I connect to, can go on adventures and find new ways of living, then maybe so can I. Maybe something like that will happen to me.

I honestly don't know how this person could come here so much without being pointed out to me or even us meeting, but by the next morning the next note was there.

Would you like to go on an adventure?