My Own Little World

Chapter One - Storefront Window

Paytin Blake Atlas (POV)

That's when I saw her. She sat there silently reading in that coffee shop on the edge of town. I don't think I realised, much to her obliviousness, that I was staring. Now that I think about it, if I ever told her how I analyzed her ivory skin and chesnut hair I'd sound like a creep. Guess it's good I never catch her in that worn leather jacket that clings to her small figure.

She just moved to town with her mother and younger brother. They live on the second floor of that bookstore everyone says will dry out before school starts. Apparently her and her mother plan to restore it to it's "former glory" and reopen the store. Of course the assholes in this town can't see it's chances past their inferior opinion.

I'd give it a chance. I go past there every Wednesday to work at the garage just outside of town. Sometimes I'll catch a glance at her in the store. Her brother runs circles around the chair she stands on to paint the part of the wall she can't reach. Her mother stacks books in the corner.

I've gone mad deciphering wether or not I could offer some help. As much of a suprise it'd probabaly be to them would be the same for the spies eyeing their progress. I haven't the best reputation in this place, sits right next to the city. Word travels fast, half of it bullshit rumors, but nevertheless people listen.

I shouldn't care. I never do. I mind my own business and give a glare to those who look to closely. But that girl, that girl, she-she, I don't know. It's like I know her through the storefront windows I've viewed her from. But she'll stray from me like the black plague people think I am.

Luckily for her she made friends with a few pricks here. A spastic red head and an idiot blond to accompany her few trips through town. The oddest part about the three is she seemingly finds herself elsewhere. Like her mind has consumed her as she gets lost in her thoughts. I'd like to ask her where she disappears to, but I remain silent.

And that's how most of the summer went. But the guys quickly made me forget her existence, they served a constant reminder I had work to do. So by the time school had started she was just another girl I saw in a storefront window.