BBSquad [One Shots]

Book Shop {Craig}

The air outside was brisk and a homely sense of relief encompassed me as I heard a bell ring, indicating my prompt arrival to Connor's Book Shop. It was much warmer inside the shop so I took off my wool gloves and placed them into my bag. The palm of my naked hand only then felt the heat of my coffee cup.

"Right on schedule," Connor walked in from his office in the back. "Your seats open like usual and there's a surprise waiting for you."

I had first met Connor a few days after moving to Clementsville. It was a fairly small town, located nearer to the coast than the city. I had first moved here with my family a four years ago and I decided to stay when my family moved back to our home state.

Connor had a keen interest in meeting new people. I had heard many stories of his eclectic visitors. Connor was an author and the people who he had met were his inspirations for several books.

When I had reached my usual seat by the window, a plate of baked pumpkin bars awaited me. I set my coffee down next to it and thanked Connor.

"You should thank Katia. She insisted after I told her that you had visited last Tuesday as always even with that dreadful storm."

"It honestly wasn't that bad, but please tell your wife I said thank you."

Connor smiled. "I'll be sure to. I'll let you have your peace and quiet now."

I sat back on my seat, pulling out the novel I had bought a few weeks ago. I took smaller portions of the pumpkin bars as I read, wanting to prolong the decadent taste.

It had maybe been an hour since I arrived that I finished the novel. Connor was busy in his office so I couldn't ask for suggestions. Instead, I walked the area of the shop, my fingers skimming along the spines of the many books lined along the book cases. I had read most of them.

Being a dedicated visitor, Connor offered that I could read any book free of charge. I did pay for the novels I read as much as my wallet could bear, but the majority of the time I read them in the Shop.

My eye skimmed over each book until I settled on one. It was old. The binding needed to be repaired, as well as the dull grey color. The pages themselves seemed withered with frayed edges and the musky scent of aged parchment that I adored.

My fingers lightly grazed the edges a certain pen marking on the last page caught my eye.

This book belongs to Craig Thompson.

It was a messy scribble with a phone number beneath it. I brought it back to my seat and began reading. It was a copy of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Notes had been written throughout the pages of the owner, analyzing almost every aspect of the story. The detail and time it must have taken to list the hundreds of notes he wrote indicated an insane love for literature.

Curiosity trumped me and I pulled out my phone, dialing the number.

"Is this Craig Thompson?"

"Yeah, what's up?" The man on the other end sounded young, much to my surprise. His writings were far beyond his years.

I introduced myself and informed him of what I had found and his voice grew in anticipation.

"You found it? I had been looking everywhere."

"I found it at Connor's Book Shop off tenth street," I told him.

"Connor's, huh? I go there every Thursday. Guess I must have accidentally donated the wrong book. I don't live far. Is there any way you can hold that book for me until I get there? Connor wouldn't mind."

My heart fluttered in my chest at the mere thought of the simple interaction. "I'll be waiting then."

The call ended. I put my phone back into my bag and read through the book a bit more before I had to give it away.

Something about this exchange made me feel the slightest bit giddy. Maybe it was because I was mostly accustomed to reading about people than actually meeting them.

The bell rang, signaling that the book shop doors had opened. I turned in my seat to see a young man. He was clad in a thick black jacket and jeans. A red scarf hung over his neck, which he took off to hang beside the door.

Soft brown eyes landed on me and I was left almost speechless as he smiled at me and began walking my direction.

"Thank you so much for calling me. It's not much, but it was part of my old collection that I received from my father."

"No problem. The Chronicles of Narnia have always been my favorite."

"Really?" Craig asked with a smile, taking a seat next to me. "What are some other books you like?"

And our conversation continued throughout the evening. He told me stories of books I had read before, but they had come to life through his words. His enthusiasm, his voice enraptured me.

He was quite a fan of my tell-tale ramblings as well.

"It's about time you two met. Two of my favorite visitors," Connor had greeted us. "Never expected it to happen without my help though."

"Well, maybe it was meant to happen," Craig said, taking my hand.

That was the day I started believing in happy endings because Craig Thompson was mine.

What? I started another book, even after putting some of my other ones on hold? I'm a monster.

But I guess that's life so here's your first chapter to a book of crappy one shots by yours truly. I won't be updating as much like usual, but it's easier to write short one shots than whole chapters. Vote and comment suggestions and au's with your favorite crew members

And as always I hope he enjoyed(:)