Feckless

Chapter 2

After walking several minutes, the bookstore Adam had circled for me in the map came into view. It wasn't that big, but I was sure it would have something that would speak to me. I wasn't that picky, after all.

The Killers played in the background inside, the air thick with the smell of old books and dust. It was like an old high school library, big brown bookcases that showed the same books from both sides, several tables in the middle where some people had books opened, either doing some research or homework. There were two librarians, one managing the cashier and one wondering through the place, asking people if they needed anything and such.

Turning my head, I looked for the fiction novels section. It was no secret that I preferred made up stories rather than hard hitting facts. It was easy to find it and as soon as I did, I headed towards the shelves. I had a few authors in mind, but I read titles here and there, trying to decide what books would be good to spend time reading.

I picked up a few immediately, drawn in by the interesting synopsis among them. There were only three bookcases with fiction novels, which seemed somewhat unfortunate to me, since I had an incredible amount of time in my hands. I scanned each shelf twice, picking books, putting them back and so on. I looked over at a book again, the title didn't seem so interesting, but the spine was black with the letters in white, a bit minimalist, but alluring.

My fingers fumbled to the top and I pulled on it gently. But it wouldn't come to me. It didn't budge from its place, yet it seemed as it was being stopped.

Someone else was pulling on the other side.

I let it go, and it was pulled out of the shelf. I saw her then, her small hand wrapping around the book somewhat protectively. She looked up, her eyes locking on the space that the book had left. She looked at me.

Her eyes were this piercing blue. Blue like the water in a lagoon on a plain summer day. The irises held shadows among them, the shades of blue varying.

She had thin and light brown eyebrows, placed just above her eyes perfectly. They were slightly pulled in confusion, as her soft pink lips were pursed gently. Her face was skinny, as was she, not much you could seem to grasp of her. She was also short, a good three inches shorter than I was, making her look up at me as she continued to asses my features -probably.

She was staring at me as I was staring at her, no words exchanged. Her lips parted ever so lightly, as if she wanted to talk, but no sound came out of her mouth. She only stared. And I stared back.

The sound of a book dropping snapped us out of the trance, making me turn away. I could still see her blue eyes piercing right through mine, boring into me as if they were looking for all my secrets, all I was. Her gaze wasn't cold or even angry, it was curious, hungry. Like it ached to know everything.

"You should, uh, have this," a voice called behind me. I immediately turned on my heels. And there she was again.

She had short hair, trimmed like a guy's would be, in different shades of light brown. She was pretty small, skinny and shy as her legs were crossed and her small hands held the book, holding it out to me.

I eyed the book, its cover black with several designs on top. By the way she looked at it, I could only guess she really wanted it and maybe she had looked for it for a while.

"It seems like you want it more, though. You keep it," I offered.

She looked up at me, finally, her eyes appreciative and her smile coy. She pulled the book into her chest, biting her lip ever so slightly as she balanced herself on the balls of her feet. She seemed to be weighing something in her mind as she just lingered there, in front of me.

"I'm Alex," she finally spoke. Her fingers drummed to the back of the book, maybe waiting for me to answer.

"I'm Liam," was all I replied. She seemed pleased by my answer though, as she looked up at me again.

"That's a nice book you got there, Liam. One of my favorites," she stated, pointing at one I held. I looked at its cover again, as if trying to figure out why it was her favorite. Yet, I nodded, turning back to her.

"It seemed interesting enough."

She looked behind her, as if making sure there was no one there. Then she turned back to me, slightly nervous and shaky.

"I come here mondays and thursdays. And to be honest, I'd love to hear what you think of the book."

Just then, she turned and walked away, leaving me slightly baffled by her sudden bluntness.

She wanted to see me again.

A/N: There's a photo to the side of Shailene Woodley, who plays Alex in this story. I hope you're liking the story, please remember to vote and comment!

-Andy .x