On the Inside

Chapter 3 - Different

     I started to look through the books. I seem like I'm not that type of person, but I do enjoy reading. I'm not a bookworm but it relaxes me from thinking about making trash, or what others call money.

Pulling out one of the books, I read the title. The Color Purple. I've heard of it but never had time to read it. I figured now I could take a glance at it while I was in the library. I didn't really check out books because I'd need a library card. I don't do cards. If I did, I would be in jail. I can't let anyone know my name. Plus, for some odd reason Ed hates books. If I was to take one home he'd rip it up for sure.

I found myself a seat and sat down drinking up the last bits of my coffee. I opened up the book and started reading. It got a little boring and disturbing but I continued anyway knowing I had nothing better to do. After a while, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I looked up to see who was disturbing me. I found a little colored girl with big eyes and small hands holding a book. What did she want? I didnt like little kids. They're annoying and intimidating. They cry so much they blow your head off.

"Yeah...?" I finally said with a confused look on my face.

"Can you read me this book please", she said a low innocent voice. She looked about 3 years old. That was awkward. Why on earth would anyone ask me to do something for them. And now that someone did, it had to be a toddler?

"Why don't you ask your mom to read it to you" I mumbled in an annoyed tone.

She looked down at her little flowered dress and did that twirl-in-place move little kids do. She finally mumbled. "My mama's not here... and she don't read to me".

"Well, I'm sorry about that but I think I'm gonna read my own book, go ask your dad or someone else". I opened up my book again to start reading when she started to say something again. She wouldn't leave! Finally a guy came after her and picked her up. He apologized for her bothering me. I figured it was the girl's dad but he looked too young for it. As he took the girl away, I watched him as he pulled out the book from the girl's hand and she started to tear up. I don't know why, but I felt bad for her.

I heard him yelling at her telling her not to go up to strangers and tell them to do things for her. I felt like the guy wasn't telling the kid the right thing. It's good not to be afraid. He was teaching her not to trust anyone and that didn't seem okay to me. So I did a stupid thing (as always).

"Hey... little girl-". I got off my seat and called out. She turned around and looked at me with her big eyes. They were big and beautiful. They weren't ordinary. There was something hidden in them. Courage? Bravery? I'm not sure, but they glowed. I liked that. I grinned at her when she started to walk towards me. Her dad or whatever he was, looked confused and angry.

"C'mon I'll read it to you", I hand motioned her to come. With her tears still running down her dimpled cheeks, she managed a smile and snatched the book out of the guys hand and ran to me before the man could hold her back. I laughed at that. I hadn't laughed a real laugh in quite a while and that just suddenly made my day.

I sat back in my seat and pat the spot next to me, "Here...". She sat and handed me the book looking at me with her cheered eyes. I glanced at the book then started reading when the guy came again. Ugh! And I thought little kids were annoying!

"I'm so sorry miss I-", he looked pretty irritated now. He looked like he was about to cry or yell. Poor girl.

I cut him off with a chuckle and shook my head, "Relax, I don't bite Lemme read to her. What's so wrong with that?". The guy shrugged and nodded, and then sat down next to his... daughter? I guess. The little girl sat criss-crossed and looked at the book impatiently.

"First, tell me your name", I put up a deal before starting. "Amber", she replied with her little shy voice. I smiled and opened up the book.

____________________________

"The End", I shut the last page and handed it back to her. "Did you like it?" I asked. This was so not normal for me. I had never been that nice to anyone since I was out the orphanage. She nodded. 'Father-Daughter thing' , I thought. "Thank you!", she politely said and then did something strange. She hugged me. No one had ever hugged me since age three. It felt - nice and heartwarming.

The guy held Amber's hand and got off the seat, "Thanks alot, we should get going now". The guy didn't look much like Amber. He was light skinned with green eyes and dark brown hair. The only thing they had in common was their nodding and their eye colors.

"Are you her dad?" I asked curiously. I got up from my seat because it's not easy talking to a tall guy while sitting down. "Yeah, her mom and I divorced a few months ago. Amber doesn't have much good memories of her". That was sad. No wonder she wanted someone to read to her. She had never had someone to actually do something she wanted for her. At least i think so since mothers are usually the comfort-givers. He continued in a lower voice while Amber had already ran to another bookshelf, " She used to yell at her all the time and say she didn't want a daughter. So... I try pretty hard not to remind her of her mom. Anyways, thanks again and I'm David". I gasped in myself after hearing about her mom. How could a mother be so cruel? Well I guess it's true that people can differ alot. As far as I remembered, my mom was always valued me.

He held his hand out and I shook it. "Alex" I replied with a grin. Then he said that he comes here often and that maybe we'd meet again. After that, he left.

Today was a different experience. It was actually pretty nice to hear about other peoples problems than having to only deal with my own. I picked up my empty coffee cup and went to throw it in the trash.

Then something hit me. Trash! Money! I forgot! I had to make money, plus 100 more to make up for yesterday! How the hell did I forget!? I pulled up my plaid shirt's sleeve to look at my watch.

1:10 PM !?

What was I going to do? Without hesitation I ran out the library and into my car. But I just didn't want to go anywhere. I had to be home by five today but I had just lost every single bit of my interest in going around robbing, stealing. I sighed and leaned back my head. I wanted to risk it one night. Go home with no money. It's okay. One night out the house seemed alright.

I wasted a little more time driving up and down streets until two o'clock, and then headed towards home. What would happen? I didn't have the slightest idea but I knew whatever it was, it would mess up my enjoyable day I had had so far.

___________________________________

I hope you enjoyed and plz tell me about any grammer errors or confusing parts because I do have a habit of sometimes leaving out words. (There's always the comment button you know;) )