It used to be Simple | ft.Cole Sprouse

Chapter 004:

'Fran, I'm telling you, I can't.'

'Oh come on, Anna!' scoffed Francesca, sitting in the same café I usually sit in, drinking normal coffee with sugar and milk (plus whipped cream and caramel sauce, but that's beside the point) and writing down her notes for her college homework every once in a while.

'No, No more, "come on Anna"' because I've decided. I cannot go through with this. I have no idea about books or shelving or ordering or seeing the new releases and popular stuff and reading all those blurbs. It's boring! Okay, it's boring as hell. I cant. I will not work in such a boring job. No way.' I folded my arms over my chest and stared at her boldly but I couldn't hold her stare, so I looked out the window and let out an exhausted sigh.

'Please, Fran,' I turned to her finally, dropping my shoulders, 'Please don't make me do this.'

She shook her head, her shoulders straight and bold, her pen tight placed in the crock of her hand. 'After what that guy did for you to keep this job - what was his name?' she paused to let me answer.

'Cole, I think.'

'Right – after what Cole did for you to keep this, you can't quit. No way.' She looked her to her laptop and stared. Then she finally dropped her shoulders too and made puppy eyes at me and murmured, 'Besides, books are a great thing. You can't just say they're boring if you've never actually read one.'

'I have read one! I read plenty in school, they made me read plenty.' I argued lightly, not too loudly for Penelope to realise and start asking questions.

'Exactly! They made you. You never read one from your own choice. Being forced to read is no fun, that's why.' She turned her head to one side ever so slightly and whispered, 'You need to read one.'

'I don't like books, Fran!'

'You don't know that!' she tried to convince me otherwise, while I knew I didn't. 'Think about it.'

'I'm not going to think about it.' I said boldly, crossing my arms over my chest again and putting on a small pout.

'This job pays so well! For starters, anyways. If you actually gone and asked about her favourite book she'd be so beamed. She'd give you all the details and probably let you borrow it' – Francesca then started laughing, realising that her name was Mrs. Borrow, which I didn't find funny – 'and if you read it and tell her the details and stuff, she'll be so impressed. And you'll maybe even like the book.'

I scrunched my nose. She was right. As much as I hated admitting it every time she was, Francesca was always damn right. God damn her.

'What's up then, ladies?' I saw Penelope at the corner of my eye and turned, started beaming. Maybe she'd help me.

'Penny!' Beamed Francesca, who hasn't seen Penelope in a long time. She got up from her desk and threw her pen at me, to which I jumped and tried to catch it but failed, and then Fran basically threw herself on Penny and hugged her tightly. 'I haven't seen you in ages. Come, sit down with us for a bit.'

'Alright.' She sat down and half hugged me too, 'Hey, sunflower.'

'We're having a conversation about Anna's job.' Started Francesca, picking up her pen and looking apologetically at my shirt, which had a little black line on it now.

'Oh, right. The library technician thing?' she looked at me and I nodded, confirming.

'she wants to quit.'

'What! Why?' she shot up, looking down at me with a frown.

'I don't know, It's not my thing. It's too boring for me. Way too boring.' I shrugged, tried to seem actually not happy with my job than annoyed about it, like I did with Francesca.

'Libraries aren't boring. I used to be a librarian once, I loved it. It was one of my favourite jobs I've ever had.' Sparkled Penny, her eyes lighting up with her smile.

'Even when Cole saved her from nearly being fired, she still wants to quit.' Francesca shook her head, looking at Penny to try and get her on her side.

'Ooh! Who's this Cole guy then?' Tore Penny away from the subject.

'No one.' I answered bluntly to try and not get the conversation started in that direction. They both looked at me weirdly, so I sighed and then began to explain the situation that occurred.

'So... he's a classmate you can't remember who heroically saved you your job because you were nearly being fired on your first day?' Asked Penny, making sure she got everything correct. Me and Fran nodded at the same time. 'How do you remember his name then?'

'Well... I don't really. I just saw he had a badge on him that said his name was Cole but I still can't remember ever going to school with him. His voice sounds familiar, though, So I must have knew him at some point.'

The sun was setting again, and the colours were more vibrant than any other day this week, so I stared and took a snapchat of it quickly, before sipping my coffee and turning away from the conversation that hung in the air between Fran and Penny.

'There she goes again... Sky enthusiast.' Mumbled Penny quietly, the smile in her voice was clear.

'So... you'll go to your job then?' Asked Fran gently, knowing that during sunsets I feel calmer and sleepier.

I sighed and then, nodded my head in defeat, 'Okay'

 

-Hey, guys! Thank you so so so much for nearly 90 reads from just 3 chapters. I'm really surprised. I hope this chapter isn't so long and boring as i see it.

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Any suggestions as to how the story should take a turn will be taken into consideration.