Bookworm

one ➳ r h y s a n d

"My equal in every way; she would wear my crown, sit on a throne beside mine. Never sidelined, never designated to breeding and parties and child rearing. My queen."

(Rhysand; A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas)

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"One hot chocolate please, Bella!" A little girl that looks about ten says to me in a tiny voice, holding some bills in her chubby fist. I smile at her and punch in her order. At least this girl can read name tags, unlike some adults.

My name is Bella Taylor, and I work at Bookish Brews, the absolute best coffee place ever. Well, maybe after Central Perk. 

Why is it the best? It's bookworm heaven. 

There are books on a giant shelf to the left of the counter, and I'm pretty sure I've read each and every one. There are bean bags and comfy chairs in that area, and the rest of the floor is occupied by tables and chairs that don't quite match. The whole store is lit by minimalist-industrial-ish lightbulbs hanging overhead, creating a beautifully warm glow over everything, and there's a huge chalkboard at the back of the store that I write book quotes on every day as part of my job. I don't think I'd ever want to work anywhere else.

The little girl moves to leave the counter, but stops and turns back to me with a funny look. "What happened to your face?"

I freeze and heat rushes to my face. I wish she'd been talking about an abnormally sized pimple, or a smear of dirt, but of course I know what she's talking about. She's talking about the 3-inch scar that runs diagonally across my right cheek, like a thin arrow from my nose to my jaw. For a few seconds, I'm unable to say anything. But thankfully, a woman who must be her mom pops up beside her and starts leading her away, apologizing to me over and over. She's blushing, too. I wonder who's more embarrassed--me, or her?

I shake my head. "It's alright, I get that a lot. Just a car accident." I grin at the kid in her cute blond pigtails and mismatched barrettes. "Always wear your seat belt." 

She gives me a toothy grin and nods, allowing her mother to whisk her away to the back of the shop. I let my eyes trail after her until I hear a pointed cough. "I'm fine here, by the way. I'll just go ahead and take my own order, and while I'm at it, would you like anything?" I look up at the guy who just spoke and have to physically restrain my eyes from widening. He's gorgeous, the kind of guy I'd read about in one of my books. Clear gray eyes, dark hair, and a smile that could probably cure cancer. 

"Oh my gosh. Sorry. What can I get you?"

His eyes flick to my scar and I have to keep myself from flinching or covering it with my hair. It only lasts for a fraction of a second though; he meets my eyes and smiles, a cocky grin that I'm sure works on all the girls plus a few confused boys. Unfortunately, I only have eyes for one guy. "Your number, maybe?"

I blink a few times. Now that doesn't happen often. I open my mouth and shut it again. Crap, I must look like an idiot. Respond, Bella, respond!

"Really?"

I inwardly slap my forehead. Why, why couldn't I have been one of those people blessed with witty banter? How do people even come up with sassy comebacks on the spot like that?