My Own Little World

Chapter Two - Familiar Stranger

Iris Fawn Nova (POV)

I noticed him over the summer. He gazed through the glass and I almost thought it was me he was staring at. But then I noticed the menu's that sat on display before me. So, I stook my nose further in my book getting lost in the words written so thoughtfully on the page.

Over time I began to notice how much he was around, his dark figure clinging to the edges of town observing all the faces that passed him. I only ever caught his eyes once, there were bags underneath them as though he hadn't slept in a few days. Bruises protruded from his neck and a small cut sat clear on his temple.

Ember would catch me staring and her bouncy red curls would then block my view, "a cliche is in the works," she would chuckle and I'd play it off as nothing. Well it was....nothing. Mason would shake his head and wrap an arm around my shoulders, "no one gets my Fawn," he'd insist. We'd all erupt in a fit of laughter to which he'd act offended.

Over time the stranger appeared in my field of vision less and less and I grew closer to the knuckle heads I'd met on my daily trip to the coffee shop. But with everyone, I keep my distance and no jokes would penetrate that wall of defence. Besides my few trips through town with them, I spend my time with my younger brother and mother renewing the shit hole that once was our bookstore. Over the summer it's come a long way.

Every now and then I'd catch a glance of the dark figure, hands on the wheel of his impala, going past the store to some garage outside of town. Ember says his name is Blake. Decpite my best attempts to rid his name from my head, I fail. But by the time school came around, he was just a familiar stranger.

~

This story will be from my character, Iris', point of view. I may include more parts from my other character, Paytin's, point of view, however, I do not intend on writing many. I'm not a guy haha so I don't think I can accurately write from his perspective despite him being from my own imagination....I don't know, but, yeah 🤷🏼‍♀️🙃.