Somebody Out There

Chapter 3 - Food comes first

Do you ever feel like wanting to buy every book inside a bookstore? Nevertheless, after flipping that book and seeing the price, later on you find yourself inserting it towards a corner on the shelf, where people often overlook, saying 'I'll come back for you'.

However, most of the time, you never do.

Here I am at Fully Book, a small bookstore at our town, smoothly gliding my right hand fingers at each leaf of every book I pass by. As well as indulging the smell of new and old books coalesced into the store's atmosphere.

I was trying to find a book that would suit my mood right now. Although I don't even know what mood I'm in now. Just blank, no excitement flowing through my veins. However, I'm trying to find a book that would 'click' my every vein in the body and will make me feel all excited just by reading the first five chapters of the book. Does that make sense?

I want something a bit whimsical, something with a unique concept.

I looked past my left and saw a big sign that reads, Fiction. Walking on that direction, I can already see a book gleaming as if it wanted to be held by my hand. Okay, I was a bit exaggerating but I couldn't take my eyes off of it! The title itself is fabuloso.

Although sometimes people say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or even title,  but who am I kidding. I'm one of those people who grabs the book with the most interesting cover or to-die-for title. I'm not even gonna lie.

For me, the cover, or even the title, is the eye candy. Its purpose is to draw every bookworm's attention, for them to at least consider reading the plot, which is the food for the soul.

The book is on the top shelf, and since I got my height from my mother's genes, I had trouble reaching for it. Lucky me.

However, I almost didn't notice a tall guy, maybe around 5'10, about two meters away from me, starts walking directly to my spot. He barely stretched his arm getting the book, considering his gigantic figure.

He has this shaggy, medium champagne colored hair and hooded eyes that caught my attention, other than him being six inches taller than me. And boy, he does look stylish with his classic denim jacket with a white button up shirt, slim fit dark wash jeans and a black beanie. He possesses a handsome square face, that when he attends prom, he'll get the head-turner of the night award.   

My thoughts were interrupted by him clearing his throat. 

"What?" I asked, pulling myself together. I didn't realize I was examining him from head to toe.

"I said, nice choice. That book is good. I didn't dislike it, but I thought it was simply average. And I'll give it a 4/5, just because I like David Levithan's writing in general," he says as he hands the book to me with a wide grin. I hardly cannot contain the feels that's flowing throughout my veins once I get a hold of the book entitled Dash & Lily's Book of Dares.

Extending my arm, I carefully reach the book from his hand. "Really? You're like a walking goodreads review. Thanks by the way." I respond with an amused smile. He looks like a very cheerful guy so I'm not surprised he reads this kind of books.

"No problem. I actually own one copy of that book since my bestfriend insisted I buy one. I got mine on sale."

"Well aren't you one lucky guy! You got this on sale?!" Unbelievable. I seldom by books with sale tag on them since bookstores rarely do sales!

"Yup. It was 30% off during the holidays. Every book in this store was actually on sale that time," he stated while looking at me in an expression of 'oh my gosh, you didn't know?!' guy version.

"How come I didn't know that? Are you always here?"

"Not really. I was just wandering around the streets and saw this store's having a major sale. It's a good deal, really. I bought 10 books and it only costed me little money."

"Now I'm envious. Talk about good fortune! Now that I think of it, this is quite pricey. I mean, I could buy lots of food with the money I have right now. Maybe I should just come back when the store's having a major sale again. Hopefully this book is still here by that time," I utter as I placed the book back to the shelf, leveling my shoulder.

"Of course. Food should always comes first, ethics later--" he paused then turned to me. "Well actually, if you want, I can lend you mine. I have already read it so its no biggie," he gives me a wide non-creepy smile. "So, what do you say?"

I stopped, contemplating his offer. A very nice offer, might I add.

Even so, I was still timid to accept his offer, recognizing the fact that we just met today. And I don't even know his name!

"Oh I forgot! The name's Gaby." Is he a mind reader?

"As a matter of fact," he continues, "we have a grand opening at our family-owned bakery cafe this Saturday. And if you want, you can get it there. You can even have a cup of coffee and taste our mouth watering cakes!" he had this broad smile as he hands out a leaflet.

I let out a small laugh and reached for the leaflet. "Cool! That'd be awesome." I study the leaflet. "Ecoland Avenue? Yeah, I know where that is. I'll make time and stop by on Saturday. Oh, and I'm Daisy. Very glad to meet you!" I offered a very wide smile.

He responds back with a smile and glanced at his phone, then stared at me. "Daisy, like the flower?

"No. Daisy, like the queen."

He laughed. That is one adorable laugh. "Okay, Daisy like the queen. I have to go now, my bestfriend's outside. He'll give me a ride home."

"Oh of course, go ahead"

"See you on Saturday!" he heads out in a fast pace waving his right hand.

The most adorable human being I have ever met. His eyes' shape resembles Jackie Chan's, very chinese-like.

I examined the leaflet again.

Annipie
Bakery Cafe
Ecoland Avenue

Will there be free food tasting?

I hope so.

Now I need to buy food. That conversation, together with all the smiling, drained the energy I stored from the pancakes I consumed this morning.

I walked out of the bookstore and strolled along the sidewalk. Meanwhile, I felt a slight quiver inside my bag. It was my phone beeping telling me that I received a text. I instantly open the message.

"Do you really think I'll believe your whole 'don't text my wife, I'm her husband' act?"

Dot replied my 15-hour ago text.

Fabulous.

Not.

I'll deal with him later once I get home.