City Lights

Chapter 2

Who the hell does he think he is!?
Walking around as if he owns the place.

I rolled my eyes and made my way back to the library. It wasn't that far but all my excitement was ruined and I was huffing and puffing with anger.

As I was entering the library, lost in my thoughts, I stumbled upon Arthur and almost fell but he was quick to help me, saving me from the embarrassment of falling on my ass.

What can I say?
I'm just so clumsy.

Wait ..Arthur?
I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion.
I Hadn't jot him as the reading sort of guy, he was always into sports.

I mentally sighed.
I really shouldn't judge people like that.
"Uh thanks" I said and gave him the best smile I could muster up.

"Monday" he said and left with a wink.

Man, I already had Anna as a reminder, how could I even forget.

I sighed and let myself in, passing a quick hi to Mrs. Dexter, the old librarian.

Mrs. dexter had lost her son and daughter-in-law a few months ago in a car crash.

I know life is unfair but this was fucking ridiculous. I mean she had always been such a nice lady. I wish I could somehow take her pain away.

She passed me her usual bright smile.

I wondered thou, how she managed to put on such a brave front every time in public, I'd probably just have an emotional breakdown.

After putting my bag aside , I took out "The Great Gatsby " from the shelf and propped myself upon the farthest end of the library, isolating myself from the others.

I'd been wanting to read this book for a while but procrastinated and always ended up making excuses .

I started reading the book and found myself falling in love with it immediately .

I was in such a daze that I actually fell off the chair when my phone started to ring.
I looked around to see people staring at me, giving me annoyed looks.

Well, I didn't blame them, I mean it was called library for a reason and being the idiot I am I had forgotten to put my phone on silent.

I mentally punched myself .

I looked at the screen to see it was Anna .
"Yeah?" I asked, feeling slightly annoyed that she'd interrupted my reading.

"Well hello to you too sweetheart"she said sarcastically.

I puffed "I have no time for hello's , you better have a good enough reason for disturbing me ."

"Well your shift at the coffee shop starts in 15 minutes , does that sound good enough ?" Her tone still sarcastic.

"WHAAAT!!?" I yelled, forgetting that I was still in the library.
I heard a kid nearby shushing me and rolled my eyes at him.

"Well-" I hung up the phone and grabbed my bag, wasting not another second.
I sure as hell hope Mrs. Reed was in a good mood.

It took me approximately 10 minutes to walk to the coffee shop.
It was ridiculously full today.

Mrs. Reed was standing behind the counter, her eyes narrowed at me .

"Sorry" I mumbled and went to grab my apron so I could get started as soon as possible.
She rolled her eyes and nodded.

That was a close call.

Taking a deep breathe in, I got to work.

Ellie, Mrs. Reed's daughter, had a school trip today so she couldn't join us.
I was glad thou.

For a 14 year old, she sure as hell talked a lot, however she always made me laugh and well, she was the life of the cafe, spreading her overly excited and happy persona.

After making sure that I'd completed every task Mrs. Reed had asked me to do, I took off the apron and was ready to leave when Mrs. Reed called me .

I was a little worried since I had been coming to work late , more than usual and maybe she had found someone better for the job.

But all my worries soon disappeared when she handed me a glass of hazelnut latte and patted me " try to come earlier next time "
I nodded my head too quickly and she chuckled at my stupidity .

That was close.

I was 2 minutes away from home.
It was lovely weather today.

The sky was the color of the sea , a deep blue with various shades of grey.

I was enjoying it , the beauty when I heard some sort of argument.

I turned to my left to see a young couple , no older than 15 , shouting at each other at the top of their voices.

I sighed.
Young love .
Painful memories flooded back into my mind and I started walking faster .
The last thing I wanted was to have a panic attack on the sidewalk.