Words are Words (Dan Smith - Bastille Fanfiction)

Chapter 2

Reading hadn't always been a large part of my life. Less than only four years ago, my only common interests sat in the bottomless categories of the blackest black of eyeliners I could get my hands on and the newest rock album out on the market. Only recently, I have managed to actually get into the cycle of finding a decent book and flipping through the pages night by night to reach the climax of a story, from beginning to end in sometimes, just a matter of days. This job at my local book store was originally just supposed to - ingloriously - be a source of income, but now I'm more than grateful to have it at my feet. Being in a place almost every day where I'm practically surrounded by books lets me at least roughly escape from the world, one day at a time.

I extended my ear phone wires, balancing them in each of my ears as I made my way across the paved road. It was only a short stroll to the book store as I lived around the corner; one other (fortunate) benefit to my job. I shoved my hands in my pockets, only now noticing it was quite windy out as my hair blew behind my back, exposing my reddened ears to the air, but I didn't mind too much; it wasn't too cold to get my teeth chattering.

By the time I had reached the store, my feet stopped in a stance; I couldn't even reach the entry door. Outside, formed what only looked like a mile-long queue of jumbled people standing in what I can only assume was supposed to be a single file line, (yet not entirely working out), waiting with books in hand and smiles on their faces, despite the fact that stood; the queue seemed it was moving a millimetre a minute. Today was obviously another one of the many days where we had a local author come in to sign copies of their newly published book.

I breathed in deeply, yanking out my ear phones and winding them around my mobile. I then managed to struggle past the wide crowd of people, mumbling a series of apologies to once forgotten faces. When I finally had the chance to look up from the ground of tatty shoes to open space, my eyes met with Steve's. I couldn't help but notice the fact that he was always dressed in a similar way every time I saw him; he was a tall, lean man with pristine blonde hair who usually wore a button down patterned shirt with a mismatched tie. I always thought he looked unusually young to be my boss, but he did his job pretty well from my judgement, and frankly, I couldn't ask for anyone better. He gave me a friendly smile and beckoned me to come towards him as I harshly pushed my way past a customer, soon after regretting that I had done so, and gulping in contrition.

"Violet, thank goodness you could come in today, I swear it's been our busiest day yet!" Steve said, wiping the back of his hand over his damp forehead. I let out a small, slightly awkward, breathy laugh.

"I hope it wasn't any trouble?" He added.

My smile then died down immediately due to the disconcerting thoughts of Jake appearing back into my head. I wondered if he'd got my message yet; what he was thinking, what he was doing?

"Violet?"

I blinked my eyes a couple of times and was then suddenly back to reality, focusing on Steve egging me on to reply to his words.

"Yeah, sorry, no...no not at all! Everything's fine, I didn't really have anything planned today anyway."

I know it was a lie, but what else was I going to say, it was the first thing that sprung to mind, and, I was just being polite, I told the voice instead my head.

I watched in a futile state as Steve scampered behind the counter and slid an array of A3 posters to the opposite side of the desk. I walked slowly over to examine them as to which Steve lightly chuckled.

"It was going to be your first job...to put those up, but looking at the queue I highly doubt we'll need anyone else to come!"

I grinned and let out a small laugh which came out more like a clearing of my throat, making me grant my attention down towards the posters, reading over the details written down on the glossy paper below me.

"Alison Hale, author of the award winning book, 'Bullet in her Back, Rose in her Hand', joins you here today at Stone Acre Bookstore for a ONE DAY ONLY book signing. Come here today to see your favourite author in the flesh!"

I had to admit, the notice was a little - if not very - cringe-worthy. I gritted my teeth. I'd never heard of this 'award winning author' in my life.

"Hey, Violet!"

I abruptly turned my head to the place where the sound of my name was being called from. Nina, one of my colleagues scurried up to me and practically nearly fell over due to the unauthorised rush she was in. I gaped in surprise then watched as Steve walked away; obviously he felt a little uncomfortable witnessing the chat of two young females.

"I didn't know you were coming in today!" She exclaimed, tottering behind the counter as she leant down to grab something, which I then realised was my name badge as she handed it to me.

"Thanks." I said as I slipped my bag off my shoulder behind the counter and pinned my name badge on my shirt.

"Well, Steve 'needed me'."

I whispered, air-quoting what I had said, sarcastically. Nina giggled at my actions.

"It is really busy today though, what's with all the visitors?" I asked, moving to the side of two young male customers who ambled up to the both of us. One of them handed a smiling Nina a copy of Alison Hale's book to buy.

"I don't know!" She replied, "I've never even heard of this Alison Hale before!"

"Me neither!"

We both laughed in unison, too much indeed to hear the younger of the two customers clearing his throat.

"Um," He started, squinting his eyes. "Did you just say you've never heard of Alison Hale before?" She's my favourite author!"

I felt slightly embarrassed, if not a little ignorant when making eye contact with the young boy. It was a little insensitive considering we were supposed to be promoting this whole event. He held the book firmly to his chest before he snatched it back from Nina's grasp.

"Sorry-" I began, but the older boy of the two interrupted me.

"Don't be. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion." He stated in a calm manner, expressing friendliness towards me. "Thanks." He added, gesturing to the book before he lead his - who I assumed to be - brother, to another part of the store, thumping him over the head with the back of his hand. The younger brother fixed his hair.

I smiled to the back of the older boy's head. He had raven black hair, with no particular style - instead it was flopped over his head in a messy nature, spectacles pointing through the strands at the back, sat on the top of his ears. Clearly, he didn't see me smiling, but I wanted to express my gratitude to put my mind at ease, at least.

"Nina, Violet!"

My eyes sharply made their way over to see Steve calling us over to him.

"I'm not paying you two girls to sit and chat all day! So get to work; we've got a busy day ahead."

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