Strangers In A Bookstore (One Direction Fanfic)

Strangers In A Bookstore

Chapter 1

You know how a lot of people say they love walking on the rain, letting raindrops stream down their face and just admiring this simple gift of life?

Well I think it's a bunch of crap.

I hurried down the street, clutching my bag of art supplies. If this gets soaked, I can't even be bothered to spend another £25. Stupid Mother Nature.

And as if things couldn't get any worse, I heard a ripping sound. There was a massive tear on one of my shopping bags. I stuffed everything into my bag containing my groceries. Knowing this won't hold in the rain, I entered the nearest store to my left.

I don't care if I walked into a 5 star restaurant, I'm just going to buy a glass of water and sit down. I brushed back my wet hair and looked around.

I was in a bookstore. There wasn't much customers, except for a guy in the back of the room.

"Good day, love, what can I get for ya ?" The man behind the counter asked, he looked like he was in his early 50's and had a beard like Santa. Is it weird that I was tempted to sit down on his lap and say 'Alright, let's get down to business I want Benedict Cumberbatch, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Tom Hiddleston'

"Uh...just having a look around." I went to the nearest shelf containing non-fiction.

"Alright, ma'am. Just holler if you need any assistance."

I nodded absentmindedly as I picked up Wuthering Heights. I was nearly done with this book, but I hadn't brought my own copy...might as well finish it now. I dropped my bags and Indian sat at the corner. I hope the shop owner doesn't mind.

I grabbed a packet of Oreos from my pocket, thankfully it survived from the rain cos I always need to eat something when I read.

"You do know you're not allowed to eat in here, right?"

I looked up to see the other customer I saw earlier smiling down at me.

I grinned up at him and replied "Tell you what, just cos we're random strangers in a bookstore...and cos I don't want to get thrown out...I'll give you some just as long as you don't rat me out." I shook the packet of Oreos tantalisingly. "Come on, live a little."

He burst out laughing "Yea, cos eating in a bookstore is so badass." He crouched down beside me and whispered "But just cos I'm such a cool badass ghetto dude...and YOLO...I'll take up that offer." He grabbed some Oreos and sat down.

"Knew you couldn't resist the Oreos...or YOLO moments. What'cha reading?" I looked at the spine. "Shingeki No Kyojin...? Oh man, this is an amazing manga and anime."

"You know Attack On Titan?!" He asked incredulously. "You like Oreos, Classic books, anime and manga?!! Where have you been all my life?"

"In Narnia." I answered dead panned.

"Ah... That explains why, I've been travelling with the Doctor. We've still yet to travel to Narnia. But I think we'll be there soon, Aslan has invited us for tea."

This guy is absolutely brilliant. We spent the whole afternoon reading, sharing certain parts of our novels, suggesting other books/anime/manga/TV series/movies, making inside fandom jokes and of course eating Oreos. Never forget the Oreos.

We had started a pick up line, innuendo and yo mama contest relating to any fandom. I had just said my favourite Harry Potter pick up line 'Your smile is Expalliramus, simple but disarming." When a car pulled up at the front of the store.

"Sugar Honey Ice Tea, that's my ride. I got to get going." He stood up and grabbed his belongings. He hurried to the counter and rang the bell. After paying for the book, he whispered something to the owner and hurried back to me.

"It was absolutely fantastic to meet you. Oh jegus, I don't even know your name!" a car horn interrupted him. He started walking backwards edging to the door. "What's you name?!" He shouted over the heavy downpour of rain.

"Jamie Sparrow! What's yours?"

He shouted out something but I couldn't hear him as an ambulance sped past. He waved goodbye and got into his car.

"...but I don't know your name..." I muttered to myself and walked back to my stuff. I approached the counter along with a couple of books my mystery stranger suggested and handed a £20 note.

"That won't be necessary." The Santa shop owner said, pushing back the money.

"Huh?"

"That young lad payed for your books. "

Great, I don't know his name, I probably won't ever see him again and now I can't even return a favour.

"Alright, thanks."

I headed back outside since the rain had stopped. I wish I could meet the stranger again, even if we have to be stuck in a bookstore. Bookstore....I ran back into the shop.

"Wait!" I rushed the old man just as he was locking up the store. "That guy, if you see him again, can you give him this." I scribbled down my name and number at the back of a receipt and handed it to him.

"Alright. And by the way...can you please ask permission if you will be eating in my store? There was a sign you know."

I blushed, I didn't even think about getting caught. "S-sorry."

He laughed aloud "S'alright, anything for a chance of love for two strangers in my bookstore."

"Oh but we're not-" But he was already walking away.

I sighed to myself and smiled. Not love...but maybe...just maybe...a tad bit of infatuation.

Just as I unlocked my door to my flat, I realised something. If it hadn't been for the rain I wouldn't have gotten stuck in that bookstore. And I wouldn't have met him....I looked up at the rainbow outside. Okay Mother Nature, you've earned my respect. But just this once...