Misbehave // Alex Gaskarth

Chapter Three ~ Gospel Records

Song: Trophies - Drake

~*~

Holding the folded map in my hand and Myra's small fingers in the other, I walked clueless down the busy street of downtown Baltimore. Various men, women and children were walking down the streets. Women wearing business suits, men with their children, couples holding hands and laughing. Despite the obvious fact that Myra and I stuck out, I somehow felt relaxed in the busy street. It was as if Baltimore was meant to be my home all this time.

Yesterday, Rian gave me a small basic map of Baltimore and told me that he knew a place where I could apply for a job. Since I loved reading, Rian gave me the address to a bookstore that was in need of another worker since the last one quit. Of course, I was ecstatic to know that I had the chance to work in a place surrounded by the very thing I loved. The bookstore was called 'Infinity' and was owned by a quirky lad named 'Joseph'. According to Rian, he went by Joey.

"Do you see the place anywhere?" I asked Myra. She looked around the dozens of shops, shaking her head in defeat. I sighed, feeling defeated as well. I was just about to call it a day when I spotted the store.

"I see it!" I exclaimed happily. Myra cheered, throwing her arm up in the air with excitement. She clutched on her doll as we hurried across the street and toward the store. It was the lunch hour and as expected, people were hurrying past us to reach their work in time. A heavy set man let his shoulder slam against mine, causing me to stumble back in surprise.

I fell back onto the hard concrete, groaning at the sharp pain in my lower back. "Oh my," a female voice said. "Are you alright, love?" She asked, a southern drawl to her lovely voice. I looked up, surprised to see a beautiful blonde standing before me with a concerned look. Myra stood beside her, looking at the blonde with complete awe. There was no doubt that I had the same admiring look on my face. She looked just like an actress.

Her blonde hair was pinned up, beautiful blue eyes looked at me with concern. She was wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts and a name tag pinned to her chest. The name tag read 'Mandy'. She extended her hand out and helped me off the floor.

Flushed with embarrassment, I quickly picked the map off the floor and thanked the woman.

"What an asshole." She muttered, referring to the man who had bumped into me. "He should have looked where he was going. I should go look for that bastard and teach him about manners!" She exclaimed. Her tone was light, but the sharp edge in her blue eyes quickly let me know that she wasn't kidding. "Anyways," she sighed, "are you alright?"

"F-Fine." I stuttered, still taken aback by her beauty.

'Mandy' laughed, perfect white teeth lined together and exposed nicely. She was tall, her body well built and evenly proportioned. She was perfect, not one physical fault I could see about the woman. "You're new, aren't you?" She asked and I nodded, blushing furiously at how obvious it seemed to be. "Where are you headed to now?"

"Infinity Book Store." I answered, motioning to the bookstore that stood about twenty feet away.

Mandy nodded, her pink lips formed the 'O' shape. "Well," she smiled kindly, "I'll let you go then. Joey's a nice guy. He's sort of a dork and can be awful at telling jokes, but he's nice and keeps good company." She said. "What's your name? I only ask to save the awkwardness of running into each other again and not having a clue on what to call you."

"Abella," I answered, "and this is Myra." I motioned to Myra. My hand slipped into hers. Mandy nodded, grinning widely as she said good-bye and started off in another direction. I tore my eyes away from the blonde's back and to the book store. After my encounter with Mandy, I wondered if the people in Baltimore were like her. Of course, Jack, Zack and Rian were extremely kind and friendly. I think the only person I'd met that didn't seem friendly was Alex.