Beauty and the Beast • Sherlolly fanfiction

II

"Hello, Molly!" The librarian said with a smile, "Have you finished that one already?"

"Oh well you know me. I couldn't put it down." She said shyly, returning the book to its place on the shelf. She grazed through the rest of the shelf. "Have you got anything new?"

"Not since yesterday," the man laughed.

"That's alright, I take this one please." She had taken a worn and nearly tattered book from the shelf.

"But you've read it twice already!" He said incredulously.

"Mm, yes. It's my favorite, you know. The adventure, the romance, it's funny and creative and exciting. I wish I-" she stopped short and blushed a little. "Well never mind. I should be off."

*****

"Look at that, Seb." James said, eying the small woman walk across town. Her nose was in a book, yet she walked through the square with obstacles, not stopping or looking up once. "Delicious."

Sebastian glanced at the woman and rolled his eyes. "Really, James? That one? Easily you could have anyone in town, but Molly Hooper? Her father is a lunatic and I'd bet you she is too."

"Perhaps. But you know I do love crazy. More fun that way." James winked before walking over to Molly, who was sitting by a fountain. He cleared his throat loudly to announce his presence, but she didn't even look up. The only thing relative to respond was her turning a page in her book. Intrigued at her focus, James shrugged and spoke up. "Hello. Must be some book you've got there, Molly."

She jumped a bit, surprised. "O- oh, um hi James. Sorry, didn't see you there."

"Good book?" He inquired with an admiring smile.

She gave a small laugh. She and James had been acquaintances ever since he arrived two months before. This was the first time they had ever really spoken. She had always liked him, but never thought of him (or anyone else for that matter) as anything more than a friend. "Well, I've read it twice if that answers your question. Would you like to read it?"

"Hmm. You seem really into it. I'll just take your word for it." He winked. "Molly, would please accompany me for lunch? Being new to town, I still don't have many friends but I would love for you to be one."

"How could I say no to offer like that?" She grinned.

It was a simple meal at the little restaurant, but their conversations were what Molly liked best. Or maybe it was James. After, James took her to a pond where she showed him how to skip rocks- his request. She had told him about how her father was an inventor but she worried for his health. She told him her favorite books and admitted that she had learn to play the piano at young age. He made her promise to play for him soon. Of course that made her blush, but James loved it when she blushed. He later asked about her mother. Molly told him that she had died giving birth to her younger brother, who died of scarlet fever when he was seven years old. He told her that he had never met his family, he was abandoned as an infant, how he was raised on the streets in a big city, fending for his own survival everyday. When he spoke of his past his face became dark and angry, but then he would shake his head and laugh it off saying "Past is the past, right dear?" It made Molly confused about how sincere and happy he was.

Molly saw that sun was starting to set. "Wow. Where did the time go? I um, I should be heading back home. My dad is supposed to be back from his trip pretty soon."

"Alright." James said, "Good day, Molly."

"Good day, James."

"Call me Jim." He said as she walked away. He was happy to see her look back at him over her should with smile on her face.