... And with those haunting pitch-black eyes that seemed to pierce right through her soul. Devouring her. Succumbing at every minuscule inch, every part of her very existence. She willed herself to look away from those dark dangerous orbs but the more she resisted, the stronger the pull of magnetic force seems to be—
Beep beep
I jerked slightly and scowled in annoyance as I reached for my phone in the front pocket of my denim jeans—the cause of my sudden irritation for pulling me back to reality.
Just that stupid reminder of 20% battery left.
I picked up the fallen book I was reading and got up to stretch my now sleeping muscles. Good thing the pages didn't fold or anything otherwise I'd have to pay for it instead.
"Maxene, we're about to close in five minutes." Maria, the saleslady/cashier of my favorite bookstore, called out to me on the first landing.
"Okay. I'll just come back here tomorrow. Same time." I replied as I stretched and gathered to pick up my belongings from the carpeted floor. I felt tired and stiff. I've been here for almost six hours.
One of the perks of having an aunt for an owner of a 3-story bookstore is you get to read all the books for free. Plus, an air-conditioned peaceful place to read. And oh, did I mention the smell of those fresh new books is just oh-so-heavenly?
As I was trudging down the staircase, I heard the wind chimes hanging on the door clang, signaling a costumer has just walked in. I was about to say goodbye to Maria and leave but, a voice willed me to stop dead on my tracks. My body heat was quickly replaced by that cold numb feeling. My eyes must’ve bulged out of my sockets. Cause it wasn't just any other voice.
It was the voice of a man I knew so well.
"How much is this?" I heard him say.
"10 dollars sir,"
I cannot move. Is this for real? Is he really here? My pulse is racing like I was running miles. What is happening to me? I must get out of here. He cannot see me. But in order to do that, I'd have to pass him and through the door. How do I pass without being caught? My mind dashed for a million ideas of escape. At the last second, as I charged at the farthest bookshelf as a hiding place, he turned his head just in time for me to see a fraction of his eyes. Crap. Did he see me? I involuntarily took a step back and there goes my luck.
I fell on my butt and the whole stack of books from the shelves tumbled down upon me like bricks of waterfall. Surely they would’ve heard me. I hoped not.
“Everything alright there, dear?” Maria called out.
Uhhh-oh.
I bit my lip. My mind is on panic mode. There were three options laid out for me. One, I’d quickly clean up the mess and get the hell outa here. Two, run fast to third floor, or three, will myself to melt in a puddle.
Muffled footsteps approached as I was getting myself up, and soon a pair of brown Chucks appeared right before my eyes. At that moment, I wanted to cry, I wanted to disappear, and I wanted to kick something cause I knew those shoes. I felt something sting. My heart ached. My heart raced. I didn't know what to do. Should I look up? But I’m afraid. Scared.
“Are you okay, miss?” He asked in full concern and offered his hand. This is not good. After a few moments of internal debate of whether I should accept or decline, I reached up and let him help me, avoiding his gaze.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I was desperately covering my face with my dark locks. I swiftly picked up the fallen books while I was wishing for him to leave and disappear. But he didn’t. This is so not good. What have I gotten myself into? My hands were numb and cold. The books kept slipping and slipping.
