He stood at the same place as where I had last seen him in the book shop. I looked at him questioningly, realising, that every time I had seen him, he was standing at the same place. I had never spoken to him before, but today was different. Gutting up the confidence, I walked over to him. He was rather tall.
"What are you looking for?" I blurted, mentally kicking myself. Why couldn't I just say hello?
He looked up at me, startled. His blonde curly hair covered his face as it slowly dropped and he returned to scanning the bookshelf that stood before us.
"A book called 'After Forever Ends'." He whispered. His eyes still scanning the shelf.
"By Melodie Ramone?" I whispered back. His eyes wide, glaring at me. His head was tilted to the side a little bit. It was cute and it made me smile on the inside.
"Yes, by Melodie Ramone." He spoke. His voice was soft and full of hope.
I led him two rows across and down until we got to the third bookshelf. I knelt to the floor and grabbed the book that I had read many times and it to him. His eyes never left the book.
Just as I was beginning to feel like my presence wasn't needed anymore I began to turn when my small body was caught by the large man. His embrace caught me by surprise yet it was so sweet.
"Will you get some coffee with me?" He asked one releasing me from his grip and pointing at the cafe that coubled with the bookshelf.
I nodded and followed him to a table. A waitress soon arrived and took our orders. A part from that he sat there speechless and I remained the same.
"I've been looking for this book for a long time." He mused. "How did you know where it is?"
"I've read it before." You stated.
"My mum asked me to read it before she got sick so I figured I would." He said looking at me.
We talked for most of the day, about nothing in particular, just things we had struggled through in life and from there onwards. It was weird that I was telling a complete stranger about my life. But I somehow trusted him.
I learnt his name was Ashton and that he was in a band that wasn't well known. Yet. He told me. The other boys and him had needed some time a part to focus and finish school before getting out into the music world. But he was 2 years above them and had finished school last year, so he spent his time with his mother, looking after her as she slowly lost memory of her son.
We had an instant connection and as the day progressed, he became more open and bubbly. He was so sweet and really listened to you when you spoke, unlike most of the other people you had managed to surround yourself with.
He made you feel alive and happy. And the dimples that rigged his face only made you feel happier. His smile was one that was hard to miss. It made you smile whenever you saw it.
I looked out into the street noticing it was now dark and that your boyfriend would call soon you made an excuse to leave.
"Oh my god, it's dark out, I better get going." You smiled, "it was great to meet you."
"Yeah, I'm sorry for keeping you out so late. We should do this again. Do you want my number?" He asked carefully.
I handed him my phone to put his number into it when the sound of hell flooded our ears.
It was Trent.
Ashton passed the phone back to me, as I answered, he began packing up the papers he had pulled out earlier.
"Hello" I tried to sound cheerful but it came out quiet and cold.
"Where are you?" He yelled.
I cringed at the loudness of his voice.
"I'll be home soon. I was just at the bookshop today. Nothing major." Tears started to flood my eyes.
"Get your fucking ass home. I never gave you permission to leave. You're mine and you do as I say." He was only getting louder. He sounded drunk
"I'm walking now." I said before listening to the beeping of the call that had been hung up on me.
