Words are Words (Dan Smith - Bastille Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

Luckily, the day had flown by, which was pretty much required as I couldn't bare to have this constant strain gnawing at my bones. I needed to get back home, and I needed to talk to Jake. I surprisingly hadn't checked my phone all day, but there was no doubt I had at least three missed calls from him, to put it patently.

The queue of Alison Hale fans had died down by now, and most people had left. Alison Hale herself was actually still here in fact, she only had to sign a few more copies of her book for the last strays of customers waiting to see her.

"So, what are you doing tonight?" I asked Nina to fill the silence between us as we stacked a delivery of new books on the wooden shelves.

"Oh! I was waiting for you to ask actually, I mean...I don't like to brag..." She chortled, "but I'm going to Kyle's party, it's his birthday tomorrow so I thought we may as well celebrate tonight."

It was inevitable that I had indeed, completely forgot it was Kyle's birthday. I mean, I hadn't bought him a gift or anything like that, but I never really knew whether to or not. I'd known him for about a year now, we'd never been that close as friends between the two of us, he was the guy I knew as the boyfriend of one of my close friends, Nina. They had been dating on and off, and on, and off, for that length of time. Honestly, I couldn't keep up where they both were in their relationship, however I guess it was now back on again.

"If you weren't doing anything, you could come?"

I was too lost in my own brainwork to even be listening to Nina abundantly at that moment. I processed her words. The night was still young, but I probably shouldn't be attending a party tonight, it was relatively short notice, and besides, I was still in a quandary with the fact that I had to deal with things back at home.

"Thanks for the invite, but I think I'll just pass tonight."

She gave me a small smile in similarity to mine.

"Whatever you wish." She rolled her eyes. "Have fun with Jake, babe." She let out a large belly laugh at her small-scale innuendo, promenading away to help a customer before she glanced over her shoulder, turning her head back to give me a wink.

She had obviously got the wrong end of the stick; Jake and I weren't going to be doing anything remotely fun tonight. In fact, we were going to be doing anything but. I could practically sense that an argument was on it's way; it made my stomach churn at the thought of it. I scoffed to myself at Nina's comment before getting back on with my work.

As soon as I picked up a wad of books to place on the shelf, I felt a light tap on the edge of my shoulder. I turned around delicately to see the same face I saw earlier today, the older boy of the two brothers Nina and I spoke short-time to a few hours ago.

"Do you know where the music section is in here?"

I nodded. "Sure, follow me." I spoke quickly, marching over to the slightly abandoned part of the store. The older boy followed me politely behind.

Not a lot of people who visit the store end up purchasing books from the music section; our main regulars are either elderly people, or, on the opposite side of the spectrum, young children dragging their mothers in here to buy them the newest comic book out. This was always the predominant advantage of working here. Seeing people my own age - let alone people that used to attend high school with me - makes me feel slightly sensitive to speak to them as I never know whether to say 'hello', and whatnot. I know, it's pretty foolish, but like I said; I overthink things.

"You'll find everything you'll need in here."

I began to turn my back before I heard the same voice speak behind me.

"Um..sorry," He awkwardly chuckled in-between his words. "I was just wondering...if you could, help me?"

I began to open my mouth to speak but he cut me off short.

"If it isn't any trouble..."

"Of course not, it's my job!" I said before walking back over towards him.

"So what sort of book are you looking for?"

***

We had both been chatting for a good few minutes by now, and I had picked up from our scanty babble of a conversation that he had been playing around on his keyboard at home and trying out new songs. Truthfully it made me feel slightly embarrassed; for one, I had absolutely at sea when it comes down to the clockwork behind music or anything like that, but I tried my best to help, that, by plonking a bunch of books in his veiny arms for him to take home and read.

His brother, who's name I caught was Ethan, had popped in to see where the-guy-with-no-name was as well, causing me to realise what the time was. I had been with him for nearly an hour.

"Thanks for the help, I better..." He sharply inhaled as he looked me in the eyes. His eyes were blue. "Make a move." He continued before checking his watch at the counter. I scanned his books at a slow, yet manageable pace, put them in a paper bag and just before I knew it, he had left along with Ethan.

Steve made his way up to me moments later before thanking me once again for dragging myself in to work and saying it was OK for me to head off home. I rapidly, yet not obviously, packed up my things and said goodbye to Nina and the last remaining people in the store.

***

Sorry for the sudden ending but I will update tomorrow! Thanks for reading :-)