summer in st. louis

Chapter 5 - Left Bank Books...and a Cat?

Chapter 5

Left Bank Books...and a Cat?

"That was probably the best breakfast I've ever had in my life," I smiled as me, Aunt Delilah and Tucker walked out of Blondies.

"I'm glad you're happy. See? St. Louis isn't as bad as you think it is," Tucker said. I stopped walking for a second, tears filling up my eyes. Aunt Delilah looked at Tucker, giving him the death stare. He shrugged, continuing to walk away.

"Sweetie....are you OK?" she asked softly. I nodded, taking deep breaths. Grandma is...never mind.

"You like books, right?"

"Yeah. I do," I smiled. I love to read. My favorite book is Illuminae, which is 599 pages. I finished it in three days.....am I boasting? Sorry.

"There is this amazing bookstore around the corner. It's called Left Bank Books...we have to walk. Do you think you can handle the heat?"

"Of course I can."

Then Aunt Delilah slung her arm around my shoulder and we headed to the bookstore.

* * *

As we rounded the corner, I spotted the most quant bookstore I've ever seen. It was made of red bricks, connected to the other buildings surrounding. The 'Left Bank Books' sign was green, and there was a statue of some random guy in the front.

"Whoa..." I mumbled, letting Aunt Delilah drag me in. When we entered, I saw stairs heading down.

"Go on, dear. The Young Adult section is downstairs, and I think Tucker is down there as well."

I waved goodbye to Aunt Delilah and walked down the creepy steps. When I reached downstairs (which I assume is the basement) I noticed how small it was. Books lined the walls, and there were too many isles to count. I turned right, and hid behind a bookcase, hearing voices.

"Hey, dude, how've you been?"

"I've been great, Jacob."

"What about Jenny? Dude, I'm pretty sure she has the hots for you."

"Oh, shut up. She's fine. I saw her today at Blondies."

"Cool."

"Guys, include me in the conversation!"

"Sorry Heather, you're so tiny we forgot you were here."

"Hey!"

"We were joking, babe."

"Don't you have someone staying with you and Delilah?"

"Oh, Claire. She seems like a goody-two-shoes."

At these words from Tucker, I came out from behind the bookcase and pulled him into a headlock. I leaned in close to his ear, breathing hard.

"I. Am. Not. A. Goody. Two. Shoes," I growled. Then I let Tucker go, letting him breath. Finally I got a chance to look at the people sitting around the small table. There was a girl, Heather, and Tucker was right. She is small. Probably as tall as my brother. Then, I stopped and stared at Jacob.

Jacob. Oh God. He's like a dream come true. Dirty blonde hair, blue eyes. Looks athletic to me...then I catch him staring at me, not looking away. So basically for a few minutes we stare at each other until Heather clears her throat.

"Ahem....are you done checking each other out?" she smirked.

"What? No! I wasn't--"

"Yeah. I wasn't checking her out. Not at all. Shut up, Heather," Jacob muttered, his face turning red. Tucker rolled his eyes, turning to face me.

"Don't worry about him, Claire. Jacob's a player. You'll get nowhere with him."

"Thanks for letting me know," I smiled. If Jacob is a player, there is no way I'm letting him near me.

"Claire? Are you Delilah's niece?" Heather asked.

"Surprisingly, yes," I said.

"So you are basically living with Tucker for the summer?" she said slowly. I nodded. Then Heather's blue eyes opened wide.

"Whoa....do you want to trade places? You could stay with Jacob," Heather winked.

"Are you guys related?"

"Yeah. He's my big bro." Then Heather slung her arm across his shoulders. Jacob was quiet, staring at something black and fluffy in the corner of the room. I turned to see it, and all of a sudden the 'thing' started moving.

"Oh God, what is that?" I whispered. Jacob stood up, taking the animal in his arms.

"It's Captain Nemo. The store's cat."