All The Things I Don't Do

All The Things That Could Possibly Go Wrong- Or Right

Listen to Something Different by Why Don't We

I reached the heart of Belton in no time.  And thankfully I hadn't even met anyone else on the mile walk there.

First things first. Head to the library and grab something new to read.

Walking into the old, cool stone library, I breathed in the smell of books. Today there was a new-book smell, making me grin. The new shipment had arrived.

"Hello Cathryn!"

I turned to offer a wide smile to Joyce, the elderly but perky librarian. "Hey Joyce. Did the new-" I was interrupted.

"Ah, the new books? Yes. They're all catalogued and ready for checkout.  All loaded on the shelves, so take a peek!"

I laughed and nodded. "Will do!" Maybe I was too excited, but I sure loved discovering new books to read. Especially when I'd heard a bunch of the books were YA novels by some of my favorite authors.

~~~~

After browsing the shelves and collecting a load of 4 new thick books, I went up to the counter and shyly placed them down. All 4 of them facedown. I was well aware of the patrons in line behind me curiously glancing over to see my choices and chuckling at the size of my stack. (Although today it was much smaller than usual as I definitely didn't want to carry those many home walking.... Usually I had my bike when I planned on picking up a big load.)

I thanked Joyce and headed out, the books safely tucked away in my bag off my shoulder.

Next: to the ice cream shop.

Upon arriving there, I debated surrendering my bag to save a 2 spot table outside, or keep it at my side while I ordered.

Deciding on the later, I headed inside towards the counter, silently thanking the world that it was almost empty. The only occupants being two older couples and a happy family of four.

I had almost reached the counter when someone at the pick-up side turned quick and ran straight into me.

I stumbled and my bag slipped off my shoulder, falling to the floor and scattering my books.

And of course the guy had an ice cream cone that had crashed into me as well. My chest covered in sticky, dripping chocolate. Chocolate melting down into my tank top. My white- oh I knew I shouldn't have worn white today-tank top. Oh and my bag too, which seemed to have gotten the brunt of it, and the crushed cone lay right on top of my thickest book.

Struck and stunned, I looked from the soggy bag on the floor, to the long fingers wrapped around my arm preventing my fall, to the face of the tall lanky figure standing just inches from me.

Unable to speak, I just (embarrassingly) gaped like a fish and nervously glanced back and forth at the mess and the (completely clean of ice cream) guy.

Shoot. No.... Sh!t

This wasn't just any way-too-good looking-for-his-own-good guy. No. This was Aaron. Yes,  Aaron,  my delinquent neighbor, who I'd assumed was at his home with his "homies" and fooling with the Queens.

But no. Here he was standing in front of me. A surprised look on his face, staring at me, his hand still on my arm.
And now he was talking to me. Apparently just as surprised as I was, as the town's allegedly badest boy (just ridiculous titles, I think) was stuttering.
"Uh. H-hey Cathryn."
"Hi?" I was too flustered to come up with anything smarter. I should be screaming my head off at him. The rude, arrogant little-